These 5 hotels were chosen because their rooftop bar is a primary draw. Selection favored venues with notable size, a distinct food and drink program, and views that justify the trip up.
What makes a rooftop bar worth the elevator ride
A rooftop bar earns its place on this list by doing more than putting a few tables on a high floor. The venues here have a named bar program, a layout designed for the space, and views that are specific to their position in Austin. The Westin Austin Downtown puts you 20 floors above East 5th Street with a pool alongside the lounge. The Fairmont Austin has a pool on its 7th-floor deck with a bar called Rules & Regs.
The JW Marriott Austin places Edge Rooftop + Bar adjacent to a heated outdoor pool above Congress Avenue. The Omni Austin Hotel Downtown has Cloud Bar beside its heated rooftop pool. The Austin Marriott Downtown runs Zanzibar, a tiki bar seven stories up with cabanas and a pool bar.
Rooftop bar hotels in Austin at a glance
| Hotel | Rooftop bar name | Floor | Pool on rooftop |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Westin Austin Downtown | Azul Rooftop Lounge | 20th | Yes |
| Fairmont Austin | Rules & Regs | 7th | Yes |
| JW Marriott Austin | Edge Rooftop + Bar | Rooftop | Yes (heated) |
| Omni Austin Hotel Downtown | Cloud Bar | Rooftop | Yes (heated) |
| Austin Marriott Downtown | Zanzibar | 7th | Yes |
Practical notes for rooftop bar visits
- Pool-adjacent rooftop bars at the Fairmont and Westin are open to hotel guests by default; non-guest access depends on the venue's current policy, so call ahead if you're not staying.
- The Fairmont's Rules & Regs deck runs daily from 6 AM to 10 PM, but bar service hours differ from pool hours. Check the hotel's website for current bar hours before you go.
- Austin's hotel tax totals 17% (Texas state 6% plus City of Austin 11%). Hotels with 100 or more rooms may also add a 2% Tourism Public Improvement District fee as a separate line item.
Hotels with rooftop bars near Austin's main districts
Four of the five hotels on this list are in or near downtown Austin, which puts their rooftop bars within walking distance of Sixth Street, Rainey Street, and the Red River Cultural District. The Westin Austin Downtown is on East 5th Street, two blocks from the Red River district. The Fairmont Austin is on Red River Street, next to the Austin Convention Center site, which is closed for rebuilding until 2029. The JW Marriott Austin is on East 2nd Street, one block from Congress Avenue.
The Omni Austin Hotel Downtown is on San Jacinto Boulevard, close to the Capitol grounds. The Austin Marriott Downtown is on East Cesar Chavez Street, at the edge of downtown near Lady Bird Lake. None of these hotels are served by MetroRail. The nearest CapMetro routes vary by property, but Route 801 (MetroRapid North Lamar/South Congress) and Route 20 Riverside run through the downtown core and connect to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport via Route 20.
The hotels
The Westin Austin Downtown
310 East 5th Street
9.0578 reviews
4 min walk to Downtown Station (MetroRail Red Line)Azul Rooftop Lounge is 20 floors above East 5th Street, with an outdoor pool alongside.
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Fairmont Austin
101 Red River St
9.2336 reviews
5 min walk to Downtown Station (MetroRail Red Line)Rules & Regs on the 7th-floor rooftop pool deck is one of the larger rooftop bar setups in downtown Austin, with a pool, a hot tub and 14 cabanas.
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JW Marriott Austin
110 E 2nd St
9.0503 reviews
8 min walk to Downtown Station (MetroRail Red Line)Edge Rooftop + Bar is next to a heated rooftop pool above Congress Avenue, at a hotel with LEED Silver certification.
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Omni Austin Hotel Downtown
700 San Jacinto Blvd
9.0976 reviews
8 min walk to Downtown Station (MetroRail Red Line)Cloud Bar is on the rooftop pool deck by a heated pool, and the deck is open 6 AM to 10 PM, weather permitting.
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Austin Marriott Downtown
304 E CESAR CHAVEZ ST
10.0654 reviews
6 min walk to Downtown Station (MetroRail Red Line)Zanzibar is a tiki-themed rooftop bar seven stories above East Cesar Chavez Street, with a pool and cabanas.
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Frequently asked questions
Which Austin hotel has the highest rooftop bar?＋
The Westin Austin Downtown's Azul Rooftop Lounge is on the 20th floor of the hotel on East 5th Street, the highest published floor among the hotels on this list.
Do any of these rooftop bars have a pool on the same deck?＋
Yes. All five hotels on this list have a pool on or adjacent to the rooftop bar deck. The Fairmont Austin has a pool on its 7th-floor deck alongside Rules & Regs. The JW Marriott Austin, Westin Austin Downtown, Omni Austin Hotel Downtown, and Austin Marriott Downtown each have one rooftop pool on the same level as their bar.
Can non-guests visit these rooftop bars?＋
Policies vary by hotel and can change based on occupancy and events. Some rooftop bars are open to non-guests during bar hours, while others restrict access to hotel guests, especially when the pool is in use. Call the hotel directly or check its website before visiting if you are not a guest.
How do I get to downtown Austin hotels without a car?＋
CapMetro's MetroRapid Route 801 (North Lamar/South Congress) runs through downtown and connects to the broader bus network. A single local fare is $1.25 ($1.50 from January 10, 2027), capped at $2.50 per service day ($3 from that date) after two paid rides. Route 20 Riverside connects downtown to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport every 15 to 30 minutes for $1.25 a ride ($1.50 from January 10, 2027). None of these downtown hotels are served by MetroRail.
What is the hotel tax rate in Austin?＋
Austin's hotel tax totals 17%: Texas state 6% plus City of Austin 11% (9% occupancy tax and 2% venue project tax). Hotels with 100 or more rooms may also add a 2% Tourism Public Improvement District assessment as a separate fee on top of the 17% tax.
Which hotel on this list has a sustainability certification?＋
The JW Marriott Austin at 110 E 2nd Street holds LEED Silver certification (NC v2009, 2016, 51 points) from the U.S. Green Building Council. None of the other four hotels on this list have a verified LEED or equivalent certification.
