The Houston skyline along with its urban scenery is a view best seen at a height. Daylight shows the hustle and bustle of city life, and the night comes alive with lights that brighten the most populous city in Texas. Rooftop bars and restaurants are the best way to see it all—sit and enjoy a drink or grab a bite with some of the greatest views of Space City. Casual restaurants, bars, steakhouses, cantinas, sports bars, and lounges can be found all across Houston, some of which are close to downtown hotels or hotels in the city center where you might be staying. Some of them have a rooftop or patio for guests to enjoy a semi-outdoor seating or even a party. We’ve picked the top rooftop bars in Houston, Texas, for your enjoyment. Read on, cowboy!
1. Sunset Rooftop Lounge
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
For a relaxing night out with your friends, check out Sunset Rooftop Lounge, one of the best rooftop bars in Houston. This cozy bar with a neighborhood feel to it is located in the heart of the downtown district, pretty much where the action happens. Because of its elevated position, you get to enjoy some of the best views in the city—though we highly recommend coming in before it gets dark so you can witness the spectacular skyline view during sunset.
The rooftop bar is open seven days a week, offering different entertainment each day from live performances to DJs whipping out danceable tunes. A wide selection of drinks is also available including beers, liquors, wines, bubblies, and signature cocktails.
Sunset Rooftop Lounge
Address: 2119 Dallas St 3rd Floor, Houston, TX 77003, United States
Website: Sunset Rooftop Lounge
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 4pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 2am
2. The Grove
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
The Grove is a restaurant and bar located on the south end of downtown Houston’s scenic Discovery Green park. This means that this culinary hotspot offers guests one of the greenest views in the heart of this urban jungle. It’s more than just the sceneries, though, as the dining area itself is elegantly designed to ensure a completely relaxing vibe.
The Grove serves sumptuous, modern Texan cuisine from lunch until dinner time including luscious entrees like braised short rib and seared ahi tuna. The happy hour starts at 3 pm on the open patio area overlooking the park. It’s when you can just chill out with either a beer, wine, or cocktail in your hand.
The Grove
Address: 1611 Lamar St, Houston, TX 77010, United States
Website: The Grove
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 11am - 9pm; Fri: 11am - 10pm; Sat: 5pm - 10pm (closed on Sun & Mon)
3. La Grange
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
In the heart of Houston lies Montrose, where a hip rooftop bar with the name of La Grange—or “the barn"—can be found. The spacious place is a must-visit in Houston’s very own vibrant neighborhood brimming with art, culture, and nightlife. With wood interiors and Mexican decoration, this casual patio serves coastal Mexican favorites along with craft beer and cocktails. With a long history from the 1930s, La Grange used to be a horse hospital and then a bar in the 1970s. Today, it has kept the original structure, with three bars including a terrace bar overlooking Montrose. Chill and have some churros, snack on some nachos with friends and family, or have a proper meal through the wide selection of entrees, such as the flautas and empanadas.
La Grange
Address: 2517 Ralph St, Just Off Westheimer, Houston, TX
Website: La Grange
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 4pm - 12am; Thu: 4pm - 2am; Fri - Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 12am
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4. Grand Prize Bar
Another highly recommended place in Montrose, Grand Prize Bar is one of the top rooftop bars in Houston. It’s a two-story dive bar with rooftop access to overlook the vibrant neighborhood. It is a popular place to hang out and provides an always-changing cocktail menu by local bartender champs, featuring beer, bar food, and more. This place is an overall cool establishment with a jukebox, pool table, comfy couches, colored lights that illuminate the night, and an overall great vibe where you can enjoy some drinks, inside or outside on the rooftop.
Grand Prize Bar
Address: 1010 Banks St, Houston, TX
Website: Grand Prize Bar
Opening hours: 4pm - 2am (daily)
5. B&B Butchers & Restaurant
This wouldn’t be a complete list without a proper steakhouse. B&B Butchers & Restaurant is the place to go if you are looking for some steak within a rooftop setting that can overlook the city. Located in Washington Avenue, this steak joint also serves as a butcher shop, where you can choose or take away the various meats. Choose local or imported meats such as Kobe beef from Japan, pair them with the drink of your choice, and make it a meal to remember.
B&B Butchers & Restaurant
Address: 1814 Washington Ave, Houston, TX
Website: B&B Butchers & Restaurant
Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 11am - 10pm; Tue - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 12am
6. El Big Bad
When strolling through Travis Street in downtown Houston, find the sign with a swordfish, yellow wolf silhouette, and the words “El Big Bad” on it. Come inside for some Tex-Mex cuisine, infused tequilas, margaritas, and some good time! Created by the people who brought the now-closed El Gran Malo, El Big Bad is a place to drink and dine, all day and every day, with rooftop access. Grab a bite or drink some of the house specialties, and enjoy the view of the streets, the tall buildings in the background, and the overall vibe of downtown.
El Big Bad
Address: 419 Travis St, Houston, TX
Website: El Big Bad
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri: 11am - 2am; Sat: 4pm - 2am; Sun: 11am - 6pm
7. Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge
Another downtown gem with a unique name that can pass as a superhero or band, Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge is a classic-looking bar with outdoor seating, located on the second floor of a building named Uberblock. Pass the attorney’s office and climb some steep stairs until you reach the second floor. Pass the doorman and proceed to the door with a small fox head. The balcony of Bad News Bar provides a view not to be missed, in a cool and calm setting where you can see how the surrounding neighborhood comes alive. See the courthouse and Main Street, people passing through, a train coming, and downtown Houston living. With beer, classic cocktails, and specialties, here you can expect great drinks, and bartenders help in choosing the perfect mix.
Captain Foxheart's Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge
Address: 308 Main St, Houston, TX
Website: Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge
Opening hours: 5pm - 2am (daily)
8. Lawless Spirits & Kitchen
Finding a place to watch the sunset in Houston? Lawless Spirits & Kitchen with its outdoor terrace is the perfect spot! Situated on the second floor of the historic Rice Hotel that was built in 1913, this charming American bar is a sophisticated establishment that takes you into the heart of downtown Houston. What used to be Capitol Club, then The State Bar, Lawless Spirits & Kitchen takes up the mantle of being the venue where famous Americans, including John F. Kennedy, used to drink. In this classic place filled with wood panels and leather chairs, you can enjoy a drink of your choice indoors or on the patio. But when the Texas sun is slowly setting down to end the day, sitting in the outdoor terrace is a must to take in the breathtaking Houston view from a height.
Lawless Spirits & Kitchen
Address: 909 Texas Ave #2A, Houston, TX
Website: Lawless Spirits & Kitchen
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 4pm - 11pm; Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 2am (closed on Sun)
9. The Dogwood
Panoramic views of downtown Houston can be seen through The Dogwood’s rooftop area. Feel the Southern American hospitality through its food and drinks. This place was named after a tree favored by the owner’s grandmother. Marvel at the downtown skyline while lounging at the spacious rooftop with a drink or a hearty meal. All in all, The Dogwood is a comfortable space to just simply have a good time while in Houston.
The Dogwood
Address: 2403 Bagby St, Houston, TX
Website: The Dogwood
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 2am; Fri: 2pm - 2am; Sat - Sun: 11am - 2am
10. Upstairs Bar & Lounge
Houston is not always about tall buildings that signify the hustle and bustle of city life. Nature through trees and city parks are also present in H-town. Head over to Upstairs Bar & Lounge and proceed to its spacious terrace to see a wonderful view of oak trees lining Rice Boulevard. Inside the establishment, there’s a chic lounge with dim lights to set up the mood, while outside, the terrace is a place to hang out with drinks and bites or even have a lovely dinner under the sky and stars.
Upstairs Bar & Lounge
Address: 2356 Rice Boulevard Fl 2, Houston, TX
Website: Upstairs Bar & Lounge
Opening hours: Mon: 3pm - 10pm; Tue: 3pm - 11pm; Wed - Fri: 3pm - 12am; Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 10pm
11. Rosemont
There’s one more awesome rooftop bar in the Montrose area that you don’t want to miss. Rearrange the name of the neighborhood, and you get Rosemont! Located on Grant Street, Rosemont’s Social Club outdoor space has a cozy and warm vibe from its cabanas, sofas, and overall ambiance. Sip on some cocktails such as Bubble Bath Martini and Tinder Date or maybe have fun with some packages of bottles and mixers in this Moroccan-style gathering place. Chill or party hard on the patio—Rosemont can be a place for both!
Rosemont
Address: 2750 Grant St, Houston, TX
Website: Rosemont
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 10pm; Fri: 5pm - 2am; Sat: 7pm - 2am; Sun: 3pm - 2am (closed on Mon)
12. Z on23
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
This is the highest one on the list, located above Le Meridien Houston Downtown. A part of the restaurant named Zutro, the spot is on the 23rd floor—just like the name. So prepare yourself for a breathtaking view of Houston at Z on23. An open-air, 360-degree lounge in a penthouse, this luxurious space allows you to enjoy the downtown skyline and even the sky itself with cocktails, wine, and other selections on the menu.
Z on23
Address: 1121 Walker St, Houston, TX
Website: Z on23
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 4pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 2am
Choose Houston's best rooftop bars
With all the rooftop bars in Houston, ask yourself what you like most in a location and what sort of vibe you prefer when picking a place. Are you looking for a vibrant bar overlooking a cult street like La Grange or Rosemont? A historical place with amazing city views like Lawless Spirits & Kitchen? Or maybe a calmer establishment where trees are lined up, like Upstairs Bar & Lounge. Whatever your choice, spending time and seeing the city at an elevated height is one of the best things to do in Houston. Or you can always visit all the recommended places above!
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