Chicago's rooftop bar scene ranges from cramped terraces to full-scale venues with panoramic skyline views, food programs, and DJ nights. At these five rooftop bar hotels in Chicago, the bar is worth the trip on its own. We weighted the rooftop's quality, size and programming over the hotel's star rating, and kept a mix of price points.
How we selected these rooftop bar hotels in Chicago
Each hotel on this list has a verified, named rooftop bar with documented programming, food and drink service, and meaningful views. Hotels where the rooftop is a small seasonal lounge or a pool deck with a bar cart were excluded.
We ranked first by the quality and scale of the rooftop venue, then by sustainability credentials within the same tier, then by star rating. Price segment was factored in to keep the list accessible across budgets.
Rooftop bar hotels in Chicago at a glance
| Hotel | Rooftop venue | Star rating | Neighborhood | Nearest CTA L |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton | LH Rooftop | 4 | Loop / Wacker Drive | Lake (Red Line) |
| Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago | Terrace 16 | 5 | River North / Wabash | Grand (Red Line) |
| Loews Chicago Hotel | Streeterville Social | 4 | Streeterville | Grand (Red Line) |
| Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton | Offshore Rooftop & Bar | 4 | Navy Pier / Streeterville | Grand (Red Line) |
| theWit Chicago, a Hilton Hotel | ROOF on theWit | 4 | Loop / State Street | Lake (Red Line) |
Planning your visit to a Chicago rooftop bar
- Most Chicago rooftop bars operate seasonally, with outdoor access from May through October and reduced or indoor-only service in winter. Confirm current hours before visiting.
- Reservations are recommended at LH Rooftop and Terrace 16, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Walk-ins are more common at Streeterville Social and Sable.
- Views vary by direction. LH Rooftop faces the Chicago River and Lake Michigan to the east. Terrace 16 looks south and west over the Loop skyline. If you want the sunset, Terrace 16's west-facing view is the one.
- Dress codes apply at some venues. Terrace 16 at Trump asks guests to follow a business and chic casual dress code.
What separates a standout rooftop bar from a basic hotel terrace
The venues on this list have dedicated bars, trained bar staff, a cocktail program with original recipes, and food menus that go beyond bar snacks. Several also run DJ nights or live music on a regular schedule.
The space matters too: venues with 360-degree or multi-directional views, weather protection options, and seating capacity above 100 guests score higher than compact terraces with a single sightline.
Trump International is the one pick here in River North.
The hotels
LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton
85 East Wacker Drive , Chicago
9.41,706 reviews
7 min walk to Lake (Red Line)LH Rooftop takes up the top three levels of the LondonHouse building, open-air and enclosed, one of the largest rooftops in the city
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Trump International Hotel & Tower Chicago
401 North Wabash Avenue, Chicago
9.42,103 reviews
5 min walk to Grand (Red Line)Terrace 16 is on the 16th floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows and an outdoor terrace looking south and west over the river and the Loop
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Loews Chicago Hotel
455 North Park Drive, Chicago
9.41,814 reviews
7 min walk to Grand (Red Line)Streeterville Social is a big outdoor rooftop with its own bar, fire pits, lawn games and views of Lake Michigan and Streeterville
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Sable At Navy Pier Chicago, Curio Collection By Hilton
900 E Grand, Chicago
9.21,829 reviews
14 min walk to Grand (Red Line)Sable's rooftop bar is at the eastern edge of Navy Pier, giving it a water-facing position that no other hotel on this list can match
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theWit Chicago, a Hilton Hotel
201 North State Street, Chicago
9.0794 reviews
2 min walk to Lake (Red Line)ROOF on theWit is 27 stories above the Loop, with a retractable roof over a climate-controlled space so it stays open year-round
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Things to do in Chicago, by neighborhood
Where to start in each neighborhood, and what’s on there this weekend.
Frequently asked questions
Which Chicago hotel has the largest rooftop bar?＋
LH Rooftop at LondonHouse Chicago covers three levels, including open-air, covered, and enclosed indoor sections, making it the largest rooftop venue on this list by usable square footage. It also operates year-round, which most Chicago rooftop bars do not.
Do Chicago rooftop bars require hotel guests only, or are they open to the public?＋
All five venues on this list are open to the public, not exclusively to hotel guests. Reservations are recommended at LH Rooftop and Terrace 16, particularly on weekend evenings. Streeterville Social and Sable's rooftop are more walk-in friendly.
Which rooftop bar has the best view of Lake Michigan?＋
Sable At Navy Pier Chicago has the most direct Lake Michigan view, facing east from the end of Navy Pier with the Chicago skyline visible to the west. LH Rooftop at LondonHouse also has a strong eastward lake view from its position at Wacker Drive and Michigan Avenue.
Are Chicago rooftop bars open in winter?＋
Three on this list stay open in winter. LH Rooftop at LondonHouse Chicago has an enclosed indoor level that stays open through the season, and ROOF on theWit has a retractable roof and calls itself a year-round rooftop lounge. Terrace 16 at Trump International also runs year-round indoor dining.
Which rooftop bar hotel in Chicago is best for a full dinner, not just drinks?＋
Terrace 16 at Trump International Hotel and Tower operates as a full restaurant with a wine program and a multi-course dinner menu. LH Rooftop at LondonHouse also serves full entrees alongside its cocktail program. The other venues lean toward bar fare and small plates.
How do I get to these rooftop bars without a car?＋
Four of the five hotels are within a 7-minute walk of a CTA L station. LondonHouse is 7 minutes from the Lake stop on the Red Line. theWit is 2 minutes from the same Lake stop. Loews Chicago and Sable are both served by the Grand Red Line station, with Loews a 7-minute walk and Sable about 14 minutes. Trump International is 5 minutes from Grand on the Red Line.
