12 Essential Miami Rooftop Bars With Jaw-Dropping Views
The sky’s the limit.
In a city where it always feels like summer, rooftop hangs are an actual must. Until recently, the Magic City was seriously lacking in proper rooftop bars, but over the last few years they’ve popped up all over town. From swanky South Beach to the busy streets of Downtown and Brickell, thirsty Miamians now have their pick of skyhigh lounges, night clubs, and cantinas near them, each stocked with everything from bubbly Cava and happy hour brewery deals to potent mojitos and peppery Moscow mules. So grab a group of friends or finally make plans with that Tinder match of yours and check out these red hot elevated drinking destinations.
South Beach
One of Miami’s newest rooftops, Serena at the Moxy comes from the team that graced Miami with one of its favorite late night taco spots, COYO Taco. Think of Serena as a sophisticated big sister with perfectly-plated elevated Mexican dishes and colorful cocktails to match. The space is adorned with plush lounge spaces so you and your crew can cozy up and sip the evening away while enjoying nightly live music. Order the Rubio punch made with mezcal, hibiscus, rosemary, and lime for a total Instagramable moment. Reservations are currently required.
How to book: Call 305-600-4292 or reserve via OpenTable.
South Beach
Lincoln Road is home to quite a few of Miami’s standout rooftop debuts, but Sky Yard is where you’re headed if you want a laid-back chill spot for a couple of cocktails and some good old-fashioned competition. No joke—the lush green space is teeming with yard games including golf simulators, pool tables, ping-pong, air hockey, and more. In terms of fuel, the menu features a little bit of everything from steakhouse-style bites to Asian-inspired raw dishes with a Latin twist paired with libations of the tropical variety. There’s also a chance you’ll see your favorite EDM performer here spinning on the ones and twos.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.
Wynwood
A Mediterranean oasis in the middle of Wynwood is the best way to describe Astra, the rooftop destination perched atop Sette Osteria. To find it, venture around the block just off busy NW 2nd Avenue and look for a glass door marked by a hostess stand (a line of hopeful bar -oers should tip you off). Reservations aren’t required, but they do better your chances of ascending the elevator to catch a quintessential Miami photo moment—this is Wynwood after all, there’s art everywhere. Once you’re settled into your cabana, order a drink and relax. It’s all about the vibe here, making for a perfect happy hour spot before heading elsewhere for dinner.
How to book: Call or text 786-602-3449, email info@astramiami.com, or reserve via OpenTable.
South Beach
Dress to impress if you’ve got eyes on this South Beach rooftop. A true Miami see-and-be-seen social situation, Mila maintains an uber-trendy edge with a menu that blends both Mediterranean and Japanese traditions in a vibrant setting overlooking Lincoln Road. The sexy outdoor seating area is ideal for date night, so long as you’re willing to drop the equivalent of a car payment on dinner, and those looking for a little privacy can reserve one of two canopy-lined cabanas along the 5,000 square-foot terrace. Cocktails are just as elegant as the digs, with drinks like the El Virtuoso (Pierre Ferrand 1840, Talisker 10, homemade smoked honey syrup, black walnut bitters, honey) topping the list.
How to book: Call 786-706-0744 or reserve via OpenTable.
Little River
Miami’s up-and-coming Little River officially has its very own rooftop. Located atop one of the city’s most delicious food halls sits this upbeat, sprawling patio space hawking great cocktails amid a quiet atmosphere that feels lightyears away from the typical nightlife hubbub. Grab a seat, order a drink, and peruse the food menu to feast on everything from an award-winning burger and wood-fired pizza to poke and ice cream courtesy of the near-dozen local concepts stationed below.
How to book: Call 305-908-3849 or reserve via Resy.
Coral Gables
It’s not often that you find a rooftop bar outside of Miami’s buzziest neighborhoods, but those in the ‘burbs deserve a little elevated drinking action, too. Located at THēsisHotel, Mamey on 3rd is an extension of James-Beard semi-finalist chef Niven Patel’s Mamey Miami. With a daily happy hour featuring $6 bites (hello, white truffle and brie grilled cheese), $5 beers, and $10 cocktails like the Maracuya Spritz made with Aperol, Chinola passion fruit liqueur, dry vermouth, prosecco, and a splash of soda, this totally worth checking out. Bonus? There’s also live music every day.
How to book: Call 305-266-2639 or reserve via OpenTable.
South Beach
When your hotel pool is tabbed as having one of the best views on the planet by the worldwide leaders in pool viewology (a very real, very meticulous science), you definitely need to sling some serious drinks to match. Order a Watr Bird, a playful riff on a Jungle Bird with Bacardi Cuatro Anejo Rum, pineapple juice, lime juice, Aperol, and Cointreau, and pair it with a few sushi rolls or South American-inflected shared plates, then simply sit back and enjoy the sights. At 18-stories high, you can see clear out into the Atlantic in one direction and take in the expansive Miami skyline in another (and we haven’t even mentioned the super cool bathrooms).
How to book: Call 305-604-6580 or reserve via SevenRooms.
Downtown
Perched in the center of the city, Area 31 at Epic Hotel is one of those spots that’s easy to drool over if you’re stuck in traffic waiting for the infamous Miami River bridge to resume its rightful land-bound position. So once you’re safely out of the car and sipping on a mojito or champagne, take a second to bask in the sunset before ordering a table full of tapas. From here you’ll be able to watch the hustle and bustle of both Brickell and Downtown from a casual poolside vantage point 15 floors above it all.
How to book: Call 305-424-5234 or reserve via OpenTable.
South Beach
The restaurant on the top of the 1111 garage might be Miami’s best date-with-a-view spot. And with the cool breeze billowing in at night, it’s also one of the more pleasant places to exist as a human on balmy South Florida nights. That said, it’ll also put a bigger dent in your wallet than an unexpected FPL bill, so make sure to pack the no-limit card and take the edge off with a Juvia Bird (Elyx vodka, chambord, blackberry, ginger, mint, lemon juice). Then kick back by the ivy-covered wall outside, soak up the award-winning design and stunning ocean views, and marvel at discovering a South Beach spot actually worth its price tag.
How to book: Call 305-763-8272 or reserve via OpenTable.
Brickell
High atop Brickell’s swanky East hotel sits the city’s tallest rooftop bar, with nearly 360-degree views spanning east to Biscayne Bay, north to Downtown, and south to the shiny glass and bright lights of Brickell. The Balinese garden is one of those magical Miami treasures and those in search of a little indoor respite can make their way to the Tea Room—what was once one of the city’s hardest-to-find speakeasies is now home to a delectable late night brunch featuring Asian-inspired dishes and forward-thinking cocktails like a lychee martini spiked with sake.
How to book: Reserve via SevenRooms.
Wynwood
Wynwood building codes being what they are, a second-floor bar qualifies as a bona fide rooftop establishment in these parts. So instead of waiting for that elevator ding, just follow the sounds of the DJ up a flight of stairs flanked with tropical plants and you’ll arrive at this big, purple-hued space. Grab a drink and get cozy on one of the oversize lounge chairs as you take advantage of the full menu from Three downstairs. Don’t skip the mango hot sauce fried chicken or charred eggplant with blue cheese dip.
How to book: Call 305-748-4540 or reserve via OpenTable.
Coconut Grove
You might be used to gulping peach nectar-spiked flutes of Prosecco at Sunday brunch, but did you know that the fruity elixir was actually invented at a spot called Harry’s Bar in faroff Venice, Italy? Harry’s has grown a little since then, spinning off into a worldwide chain of Mr. C’s, named ever-so-thoughtfully after the drink’s inventor, Giuseppe Cipriani. This one sits atop the Mr. C hotel in Coconut Grove, where the nautical Cipriani décor gives way to a sprawling patio with dazzling views looking out over the marina.
How to book: Call 305-800-7672 or reserve via Resy.