The Absolute Best Rooftop Bars in Denver

From penthouse hotel bars to breweries with a view, this is where you should be drinking from on high in the Mile High.

The Red Barber | Photo by Lucy Beaugard
The Red Barber | Photo by Lucy Beaugard

Plenty of cities have rooftop bars, but Denver’s rooftops just take you and your cocktail or craft beer a little bit higher. With the number of sunny days in the Mile High (cough, 300) Denver bars and restaurants know how to capitalize on their spaces with comfy spots to sit, sip, and savor the views. Every place has its own angle, whether that’s a rooftop pool, big games, or simultaneous views of the city skyline and the Rockies. Moreover, rooftop views aren’t restricted to the highrises of downtown Denver; rooftop bars across the city are worth checking out, even the ones that are only a few floors up. To put it simply, there’s a bar out there for everyone.

Elevated Rooftop Bar

Cherry Creek
$$$$

Halcyon is cool enough as it is, but the rooftop bar and pool with views of the Rockies really solidifies its standing as one of Denver’s most interesting (and entertaining) hotels. With a full beer, wine, and cocktail list; a tasty, small-bites menu perfect for sharing; and cozy cabanas for sitting poolside in between swims, it’s one of the better, bougier ways to spend a warm and sunny day.

Tap Fourteen

Ballpark
$$$$

Seventy beers on tap, ample seating, music, sunshine, and just some chill, beer garden vibes. That’s what’s hidden from streetview down on Blake, and it is well worth climbing the stairs to get there. A popular spot on weekends, be prepared to scope out a spot upon arrival. Once you squeeze in and get settled, kick back, enjoy a beer (and your company), and munch on some crispy fries or a juicy burger. Beer not your thing? Tap Fourteen has over 50 whiskeys to sample instead.

Linger

LoHi
$$$$

Linger is marked by that giant O’Linger Mortuaries sign overlooking the entire neighborhood. But don’t worry, there’s nothing creepy about the rooftop; in fact, it’s spacious, easy to access, and has pretty sweet views of the city. A 1975 GMC RV is where you’ll find Linger’s signature cocktails and pretty much any other drink you’re looking for; and once you’ve found a seat, you can order to your heart’s content from the full food menu with steamed bao buns and roasted mushroom tostadas.

Red Barber
The Red Barber | Photo by From the Hip

Red Barber

Rino
$$$$

This come-early-and-stay-late spot offers one of the most massive rooftop patios in all of Denver, spanning 3,000 square feet. Enter the retro Catbird Hotel and take the elevator up the spacious covered bar and lounge, grab some charcuterie or vegan nachos, then take your drinks out into the fresh air for daily happy hour, a constant DJ lineup, unique events like Market Mondays, Wellness Wednesdays, and the occasional pop-up show, and some of the best city skyline selfies you’ve ever taken. Not sure what to order? The signature frosé is a must.

Pindustry
Lucy Beaugard

Pindustry

Greenwood Village
$$$$

Denver works hard but plays so much harder, so the welcome for this massive, two-story adult playground was warmer than warm. Imagine a Saturday filled with bowling, arcade games, live music, craft beer, and tasty bar bites—then add the colossal Skydeck, complete with its own bar, tons of seating, cornhole, ping pong, and killer Front Range views. This place is a Weekend Warrior repeat destination like no other.

Kisbee On The Roof
Kisbee On The Roof

Kisbee On The Roof

Cherry Creek
$$$$

The forecast here is “always sunny in spirit” with a chance of nautical fun, given the rooftop pool, 180-degree views of the Rockies, and fun, seasonal cocktails. If you’re looking to splash around a little, this is where you should post up for that Denver summer sun (only if you’re an overnight guest, though). And don’t worry, snacks like hummus and charcuterie boards help sustain an all-day affair.

Available for Reservations

Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse

Sloan’s Lake
$$$$

What’s better than one rooftop brewery? Two! That’s right, you can take your pick of lakeside views at Odell’s Sloan’s Lake Brewhouse or a rooftop reprieve from the bustle of RiNo at the Five Points Brewhouse. Or, if you’re feeling ambitious, check out both in the same day. Keep in mind that Sloan’s serves pizza to soak up a bit of that beer, whereas the Five Points locale is drinks only (with the likelihood that plenty of food trucks are parked on the street below).

Joyride Brewing Company
Joyride Brewing Company

Joyride Brewing Company

Sloan's Lake
$$$$

This brewery/taproom features 10 barrels of craft brews alongside lake views from its 2,400-square-foot rooftop patio where you and 149 of your closest friends can enjoy a cold one on a hot day. Fancy something to eat? There’s no in-house kitchen, but you can be sure there’s a rotation of the best local food trucks parked close by for when you need a little something to soak up some bubbles.

FIRE Terrace at the ART Hotel
Photo courtesy of FIRE Terrace at the ART Hotel

Though only four floors up, the terrace rooftop restaurant and bar, Fire, features views of bustling Broadway and the Museum District alongside creative and classic cocktails. Get there early to snag a semi-private lounge area of your own, complete with a flickering fire. Meanwhile, check out the local art in the Art Hotel, worth exploring whether you're in town for the weekend or have lived here for ages.

Available for Reservations
Los Chingones
Courtesy of Los Chingones

Salsa flights and sunshine? You'll find all that and more at this popular Mexican eatery that boasts a $5 happy hour and a slew of tequila and mezcal-based cocktails that go way beyond the basic margarita. The 90-seat rooftop has expansive city skyline views (ideal at dusk)) and is a great spot to hang out for the night or kick off a RiNo bar crawl just the right way.

54Thirty Rooftop
Wes Anderson

54Thirty Rooftop

Central Business District
$$$$

This bar on the 20th floor of the Le Méridien Denver Downtown boasts sweeping views of both downtown and the Rockies, a roof system that will keep out any afternoon rain showers, cozy private lounge seating, and fire pits. Settle in with one of its many enticing craft cocktails and definitely go just before sunset—you won’t regret it.

Avanti F&B, a collective eatery
Avanti Food & Beverage

On the main floor of this food incubator, you can eat your way through the current roster of up and coming culinary creators anytime. But it's the upper floor where you'll find a rooftop bar with unobstructed views of Downtown. On sunny days, it's packed with happy hour crowds and weekend revelers and the energy turns up even more on holiday weekends (note: this is an ideal spot for viewing Fourth of July fireworks). This spot is one instance where following the crowd is actually a pretty great idea.

The Woods

Rino
$$$$

Atop The Source Hotel sits this collab between The Source and Fort Collins' New Belgium Brewing. Along with a menu filled with truly craveable choices (think: wings, soft pretzels, and grilled shishito peppers), this spot boasts over 20 beers on tap (including some brewed on-site), cocktails, two fireplaces, and some of the very best views of both the Downtown skyline and the mountains to the west.

Available for Reservations

El Five

Highlands
$$$$

Take an elevator up five stories to find this Mediterranean escape from the Edible Beats (Root Down, Linger) team. Inside the space has pops of color and street art vibes, but on the open-air patio it's all about the views of the Highlands and Downtown. Be sure to get here early to snag a good seat, then settle in for big, shareable servings of paella and picture-perfect cocktails like the apricot frosé or a pineapple mint collins.

Available for Reservations
Molly Martin is a Denver-based freelance writer. Follow her @mollydbu on Instagram and Twitter for more updates on food, fun, and life in the Mile High.
Erica Buehler is a Denver-based freelance writer. Follow her @e_buehler on Instagram and @e_buehler_ on Twitter for more updates on Denver food and other Mile High shenanigans.