Union Square is a public plaza located in San Francisco, California. This 2.6-acre (1.1-hectare) plaza has a large collection of department stores, gift shops, boutiques, beauty salons, art galleries, and hotels, making it a major tourist attraction as well as a gathering place for many events. It got its name from Starr King because he used the plaza for his rallies supporting the Union Army during the American Civil War, making it one of the most important historical landmarks of California. Some of the most notable establishments and landmarks in Union Square are Dewey Monument, San Francisco Art Exchange, American Conservatory Theatre, and Belden Place. If you’re looking for restaurants or bars with a rooftop where you can unwind — whether by yourself or with company — scroll down below and have a look at the best rooftop bars in Union Square, California.
1. El Techo
If you’re into Latin American food, then El Techo is the rooftop bar for you! They specialize in Latin American streetfood, which is complimented by their wide selection of cocktails. Some of the food they serve are guacamole, alfajores, carne asada, and chicharrones. Drinking and eating is an even more enjoyable experience here thanks to the expansive views that the rooftop gives. Their rooftop stays open whether the weather is sunny or rainy and they have heat lamps and windscreens to keep their guests as comfortable as possible. The rooftop bar is located atop Lolinda, El Techo’s sister restaurant.
El Techo
Address: 2516 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110, United States
Website: El Techo
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 10:30pm; Fri: 4pm - 12:30am; Sat: 11am - 12:30am; Sun: 11am - 10:30pm
2. Charmaine's Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Located 120 feet (36 meters) above Market Street, Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge offers a variety of cocktails, wines, beer, vodka, and many spirited drinks in between. These drinks are made romantic or relaxing (depending on who you’re with!) with the bar’s views of the city lights. But alcoholic beverages aren’t enough without some light bites to partner with, which is why the rooftop bar included spiced nuts, marinated olives, smoked mussels, and other food that will complement the fine-tasting liquors they offer.
Charmaine's Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Address: 1100 Market Street Entrance, 45 McAllister St at, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Website: Charmaine’s Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 3pm - 9pm; Tue - Wed: 3pm - 10pm; Thu: 3pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 3pm - 1am
3. The View Lounge
Whether you’re looking for a business meeting place or a hang-out spot with friends or your special someone, The View Lounge offers a relaxing ambiance suitable for many occasions. Some of their specialty cocktails include The Rock Old Fashioned, Fog City Margarita, and SF Manhattan. They also have a wide selection of spirited beverages, such as beers, scotch drinks, tequila, and more. Some of the good eats they serve here are marinated octopus, head-on prawns, and Wagyu beef sliders! If you’re not a fan of alcoholic drinks, you still have a reason to visit The View Lounge, because they offer non-alcoholic drinks such as Sunrise Splash and Ginger Elixir too!
The View Lounge
Address: 780 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Website: The View Lounge
Opening hours: 4pm - 12am (daily)
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4. Dirty Habit
Looking for unusual cocktail mixes? Then you’d better head to Dirty Habit in the SOMA neighborhood. From its noir-inspired atmosphere alone, the bar’s visitors are already being given an experience that your usual bars don’t offer. Some of the cocktails that you should try are Lavender Town, I Am Your Huckleberry and The Saratoga. They also cater to hungry folks during the morning and evening. This bar also accepts private events with up to 150 guests, and 500 for a cocktail reception.
Dirty Habit
Address: 12 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Website: Dirty Habit
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 7am - 10am, 5pm - 11pm; Sat: 7am - 11am, 5pm - 11pm; Sun: 7am - 11am
5. Cityscape Bar & Lounge
Dubbed as the tallest rooftop bar in San Francisco, Cityscape Bar & Lounge offers not only booze at the height of a 46-story building, it also gives its patrons a 360-degree view of Union Square’s surroundings, which is a romantic setting for friends or couples on a night-out. The bar serves fine wine, beers, and cocktails. Non-alcohol drinkers will certainly be able to enjoy their non-proof concoctions, such as the Cranberry Cooler and the Perfect Pineapple. Some of the small plates they serve are the local cheese board, marinated olives, and strawberry daiquiri.
Cityscape Bar & Lounge
Address: 333 O'Farrell Street Hilton San Francisco Union Square Tower 1, 46th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Website: Cityscape Bar & Lounge
Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 4:30pm - 12am; Fri - Sat: 4:30pm - 1am (closed on Thu & Fri)
6. Jones
Jones — also known as 620 Jones — features a heated rooftop space where you can relax with your favorite shot of booze while enjoying the city lights of San Francisco. If that’s not enough, they also have a garden in the drinking area, which makes this bar a great place to hang out with friends or family members — may it be day or night. It is easy to locate this bar because it’s just next to one of the most famous landmarks in Union Square, Gaylord Hotel. Aside from alcoholic beverages, they also serve brunch meals, such as baked oysters, burgers, sandwiches, and more.
Jones
Address: 620 Jones St, San Francisco, CA 94102, United States
Website: Jones
Opening hours: Tue - Thu: 5pm - 12am; Fri: 5pm - 2am; Sat: 11am - 2am; Sun: 11am - 3:30pm (closed on Mon)
7. Everdene
Everdene is a sophisticated rooftop bar located atop the 12-story landmark, Virgin Hotels San Francisco. You’re sure to have a fantastic view of the ground below, as well as the lights that come alive every night in Union Square. Should you choose to spend the night in the hotel, or if you happen to be looking for a place to enliven your almost-barren social life, then expect funky music, alcoholic snacks, and a great ambiance to accompany you all throughout the night! Some of the drinks they serve are draft beer, bottled and canned beer, red and white wines, draft cocktails, and bubble drinks.
Everdene
Address: 250 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94103, United States
Website: Everdene
Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 3pm - 11:30pm; Fri - Sat: 3pm - 1:30am; Sun: 12pm - 8pm
8. Lusk
At the top of one of the newest and most sophisticated restaurants in Union Square sits Rooftop 25, a rooftop bar that entertains its patrons with their fine concocted cocktails, upbeat music, and a great overlooking view of the city. This bar is a nice place to chill out with your gang. It can also be a venue for private and important events. Some of the booze they serve are pinot noir, chardonnay, a wide selection of cocktails — and of course, beer! These drinks go really well with the food they serve such as oakwood-fired oven-baked pizzas, hotdogs, burgers, and pretzels.
25 Lusk
Address: 25 Lusk St, San Francisco, CA 94107, United States
Website: 25 Lusk
Opening hours: Mon - Wed: 11:30am - 9:30pm; Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 10:30pm; Sun: 11:30am - 9pm
Choose your rooftop
What makes a rooftop bar appealing? Maybe it’s the overview of the city lights, the great views, or the wind touching your skin. Whatever it is that makes rooftop bars appealing to you, choose to chill out on one of the best rooftop bars in Union Square, California!
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