The New Orleans skyline is an unbeatable one. During sunsets—and if you are willing to get up early enough, sunrises—it's especially beautiful. The bridge, the Superdome, and the Mississippi River are all icons you are sure to see atop many of these rooftop bars.
If you are looking for a place to grab drinks before heading out to dinner or need a casual and classy place to relax in order to end your evening, than these rooftop bars are some of the best places in NOLA to check out.
The Prettiest Rooftop Bars for Sunset Sips
1. Hot Tin
2031 St. Charles Ave., (504) 323-1500
hottinbar.com
Atop the Pontchartrain Hotel sits an elegant, classy, 1940s inspired bar. Featuring fantastic views of the city's skyline, indoor and outdoor seating, alongside an eccentric atmosphere, Hot Tin opens at 2 p.m. daily. Known for their craft cocktails and diverse drink selection, the bar has New Orleans classics and funky specials.
Whether you are grabbing a drink before dinner, or need a nice spot to relax with friends and grab a friend, Hot Tin is a competitive spot. Boasting cocktails named Rita Hayworth, Duck Fat Sazerac, and She's Like a Samba, Hot Tin is a spot you won't forget!
2. Rosie's on the Roof
1000 Magazine St., (504) 528-1941
higginshotelnola.com/new-orleans-restaurants/rosies-on-the-roof
Named after Rosie the Riveter, Rosie's on the Roof features patriotic and vintage decor with exposed brick and a great view of downtown New Orleans. Located atop the Higgins Hotel, across from the National World War II Museum, Rosie's is a great place to grab a drink before or after dinner.
Their menu includes beer, wine and plenty of fun cocktails, such as: The Riveter, Delta Summer, and Skylark. They also serve some appetizers for a quick snack or treat, including Crab Beignets, Boudin Balls, and more!
3. Above the Grid
317 Baronne St., (504) 962-6500
abovethegridnola.com
Located in the heart of the Central Business District, Above the Grid sits atop NOPSI's Hotel and features an outdoor pool, plenty of seating, a comfortable bar, and often showcases fun events including live music, pool parties, and more. During those hot summer nights here in the Big Easy, get a reservation for the pool, grab a drink, and cool off!
Their menu has beer, wine, and a few cocktails, like the Spicy Senorita and Rooftop Vibes. They also serve light bites and snacks, from Boudin Balls to Wings. So whether you are a hotel guest or want a fun place to cool down and enjoy a great view of the city, Above the Grid is the spot for you!
4. VUE
1600 Canal St., (504) 702-6800
marriott.com/en-us/hotels/msytd-towneplace-suites-new-orleans-downtown-canal-street/dining
Not to be confused with Vue Orleans at the Four Seasons Hotel, VUE is the rooftop lounge located at the SpringHill & TownPlace Suites by Marriott in the downtown area. It is considered by many to be a "hidden gem" since it's removed just enough from the middle of Downtown to be quieter than other rooftop bars.
VUE is on the hotel's 14th floor; you will be able to see over vast swaths of Downtown, the French Quarter, and Mid-City. But you'll have to wait until VUE opens at 5 p.m. to see what they have to offer.
5. The Pool Club
550 Baronne St., (504) 603-8000
virginhotels.com/new-orleans/dine-and-drink/rooftop
If you haven't toured The Virgin Hotel yet, here's your chance! Head over to the Virgin Hotel in the CBD and take an elevator up 13 floors to enter The Pool Club. The half-covered bar, pool, and patio is a lovely spot above the din of the street that gives you great views of the nearby buildings as well as the horizon beyond Uptown. The pool also lights up at night in a sultry shade of red (which is an awesome background for photos).
Golden Hour, The Pool Club's version of happy hour, happens every Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and features some of the best deals in the area for the after-work crowd. But feel free to stop by whenever they're open for the rotating signature cocktails and some light bites.
6. Mambo's
411 Bourbon St., (504) 407-3717
mambosnola.com
Bourbon Street is known for tourists walking down the street, going from bar to bar. But Mambo's will make you want to break that tradition. This is the only rooftop bar on Bourbon Street. It's a great place to unwind from the chaos and clamor on the street below.
Mambo's is not just a bar. The large menu
offers many Creole and Cajun dishes like Crab Cakes, Chicken and Andouille
Gumbo, and BBQ Shrimp and Grits. You are more than welcome to just get drinks,
though! Try a Frozen Margarita or Bourbon Street Flush as you sit on the
open-air patio.
7. High-Five Pool Bar
600 Carondelet St.
hyatt.com
A tasteful and classy hotel, the Barnett is known for it's fantastic decor and delicious eats. Their rooftop bar, located on the 9th floor, features a lovely garden, plenty of casual seating, a large pool, and some cozy fire pits. If you are looking for a place to cool off during the summer, or a place to cozy up at during the fall, then the Rooftop Bar at Barnett is the perfect spot for you.
Serving up tasty small plates and plenty of seasonal cocktails, spend an afternoon lounging by the pool or enjoy the outdoor ambience after dinner. Boasting a panoramic view of the city's skyline, you can't go wrong spending time at the Rooftop art the Barnett.
8. Capulet
3014 Dauphine St., (504) 507-0691
capuletbywater.com
Capulet is the best rooftop bar to visit Monday through Thursday—it is closed on the weekends for private events. Capulet is located deep in the Bywater neighborhood, so you're guaranteed to have a gorgeous view of the Crescent City. You can see the curves of the Mississippi River as it wends northward to the French Quarter and beyond.
The irresistible dinner plates consist of
complex recipes: Roasted Acorn Squash, Seared Gulf Shrimp, and Kimchi BLT are
just some of the options. The cocktails like the Tom Yum Club and The Cake Out
in the Rain are just as complex and artisanal.
9. Ingenue
1111 Gravier St., (504) 518-5600
monkeyboardnola.com
At the top of the music-inspired Troubadour Hotel, you'll find the cozy rooftop lounge Ingenue. Formerly called Monkey Board, Ingenue is the best spot to buy a bottle of wine to enjoy watching the day drift into night.
Other patrons prefer to try a few signature cocktails. For example, the The Rosemary Peach Bellini is topped with bubbly. And the Fig Dark and Stormy may be the only cocktail you can find with fig preserves in it. The Lavender Bee's Knees with lavender honey syrup is for someone who likes an earthy, floral flavor.
The Loveliest Rooftop Bars in New Orleans
Whether being enamored by the views, or delighted by the unique cocktails, these rooftop bars have great ambiences, delicious drinks, and great views for you to enjoy! So check out these spots the next time you're unsure of what to do on a Friday or Saturday night and have a great time.
