- Las Vegas
- Drink
- Bars
Take in the sights of Sin City with a drink in hand.
By
Rob Kachelriess
Everything's better with a view in Las Vegas, and that's especially true for drinking. There's nothing wrong with asecluded speakeasyorrowdy sports bar, but sometimes you need a little fresh air and elevation. In a city like Las Vegas—where many of the best rooftop bars boast views of top destinations like the Strip and the Sphere—no trip is complete without a visit.
Fortunately, we've got plenty of rooftop bars to showcase this town's neon lights and other surroundings. Check out our rundown of the best rooftop bars in Las Vegas, and don't forget to book a reservation when applicable to score the best seats.
Rooftop Bars on the Strip in Las Vegas
The Strip
It's rare to find a rooftop bar with so much comfortable outdoor space. BrewDog's high-profile location takes over the third and fourth floors of the Showcase Mall. You can hang around inside and play arcade games or shuffleboard, but the real fun is on the top level with 30,000-square-feet surrounded by the bright lights of Vegas. Even without the views, it's got a sleek design and overachieving food menu, ranging from salads and plant-based recipes to oak-fired ribeye steaks and a $150 Wagyu Burger with shaved truffles and a fun tableside presentation in a black treasure chest. BrewDog advertises 96 taps, but roughly half of them repeat since they're split between two floors. Still, that's a lot of beer—most of which is brewed on site in small batches.
The Strat
When it comes to sky-high views, the top of The Strat is as good as it gets without an aircraft. And if you want to enjoy the scenery with a drink in hand, 108 Drinks is your place. Located on the 108th floor of the tower formerly known as the Stratosphere, the bar is open from noon until at least midnight seven days a week. The signature co*cktails are sugary and tourist-friendly with boozy slushies well represented. Check out the outdoor Skypod observation deck one floor above or let the wind mess up your hair and take a turn on thethrill ride that dangles you over the edge.
The Cromwell
If there's one place that defines "rooftop party" in Las Vegas, it's Drai's. The nightclub and beach club combo occupies the entire top level of the Cromwell resort with sweeping Vegas views from 11 stories above the Strip. The music is heavy on hip-hop and R&B headliners alternating between an indoor stage at night and a poolside party by day. Even without the high elevation, the outdoor deck is a photogenic sight all by itself, with towering palm trees, plush cabanas, and multiple swimming pools. The party continues late into the night downstairs atDrai's Lounge, an after-hours hookah spot in the basem*nt of the hotel.
The Strip
VooDoo Nightclub never returned after shutting its doors during the pandemic, but sister restaurant VooDoo Steak is back open Friday and Saturday nights. The dining room is surrounded by panoramic views of Las Vegas from the 50th floor of the Rio hotel, providing a dazzling backdrop during dinner. Find time between courses to take your drink out to a spacious outdoor patio for an up-close look at the lights and beauty of the Strip in all its glory.
Mandalay Bay
Originally an exclusive private club for members only, the Foundation Room sits on the 63rd floor of Mandalay Bay, offering up staggering views of the Strip to the north and airport to the east. The co*cktail program takes full advantage of esoteric touches, including sage and herbal infusions. Despite a few changes over the years, the Foundation Room has resisted the urge to go modern and stays true to its moody, romantic atmosphere.
Off-Strip Rooftop Bars in Las Vegas
Fremont East
Commonwealth is one of those places that seems to equally attract both locals and tourists. The two-story bar is easy to spot, thanks to its dramatic brick exterior, and hard to leave, thanks to free-flowing beer and a rooftop patio with Downtown Fremont Street views. Commonwealth is full of neighborhood charm and increasing its reputation for exceptional co*cktails, reflecting the success of theLaundry Room, a hidden in-housespeakeasythat usually requires a reservation to enter and serves personalized custom co*cktails for intimate parties.
Fremont Street
One of the best things about Circa on Fremont Street is the Legacy Club, a rooftop co*cktail lounge on the 60th floor that pays tribute to the glory years of Old Las Vegas. The first thing you see when stepping off the elevators is a collection of busts modeled after iconic casino magnates. Yet the crazy 360-views of the Las Vegas Valley are what you'll be talking about long after your visit is over, whether enjoyed indoors at a VIP table through floor-to-ceiling windows or out on the patio by a fire pit. It's one of the few bars in Vegas that allows you to see both the Strip and Downtown at the same time. The drinks aren't bad either: well-crafted modifications on classic co*cktails, prepared with careful attention to ice and glassware.
Downtown
The Downtown Container Park may be a tourist trap, but it's got one of thebest bucket-list bars in Las Vegas. Just like every other business on the property, Oak & Ivy was designed from an old shipping container. That leaves limited space inside with extra seating on the patio. If that's not enough, a few more tables are up on the roof. Both outdoor areas are now shaded, which helps during the hot summer months. The bar is known for its killer whiskey selection, barrel-aged co*cktails, and Moscow Mules prepared with house-made ginger beer. Libations change frequently with each season, giving you an excuse to make plenty of return visits.
Off the Strip
Drink, eat, and swing golf clubs while marveling at the views of the Las Vegas Strip. Not a bad combination. The Sin City outpost of Topgolf is a four-level driving range and so much more. Rent out a bay, pick your club, and aim for targets while a digital screen automatically keeps score. In between swings, feast on boneless chicken wings, donut holes (with injectable sauces), and other bites with beer buckets, sangria, or a powerful Topgolf Tea (a play on a traditional Long Island Iced Tea). If you just want to hang out in the bar area, that's fine too. There's even a swimming pool to help take the edge off the brutal summer heat in Vegas.
Downtown Summerlin
Your best bet in the West Valley for rooftop drinks and dining is Public School 702, which has a long patio overlooking the water features and shops of Downtown Summerlin. The restaurant follows a schoolhouse theme with a solar system mobile hanging from the ceiling and menus that look like exam notebooks. However, there’s a very adult focus on beer: by bottle, can, or draft. Public School also sells its own metal straws for the benefit of the environment, which could be a good lesson for students of any age. Fair warning: You won’t be able to stop popping the tater tots.
Downtown
While Oak & Ivy is all about whiskey and craft co*cktails, its Container Park neighbor Downtown Terrace is a little more loose and better suited for carefree day drinking. Brunch runs daily with bottomless mimosas and Bloody Marys available all day, every day. Get creative and build your own co*cktail with a choice of spirit, garnish, and infusion. The second-level terrace seating has 50 seats indoors (surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows) and room for 80 more on the outdoor patio.
East Fremont
Just when you thought Vegas had it all, We All Scream rolled up with a brand new concept. This nightclub boasts its own ice cream shop. That already makes the place pretty awesome, but you'll have an especially good time on a second-level patio deck overlooking Fremont Street. It's just one of multiple spots with DJs playing tunes throughout the night, including a back alley and indoor dance floor. The entire club is wrapped in trippy, hand-painted murals with chandeliers and colorful lighting. Head to the bar for a fun co*cktail and order a treat from the ice cream counter with a variety of sticky sweet flavors (and at least one vegan option) available. Cover all your bases and cut to the chase with a boozy milkshake.
Rob Kachelriessis a full-time freelance writer who covers travel, dining, entertainment, and other fun stuff for Thrillist. He's based in Las Vegas but enjoys exploring destinations throughout the world, especially in the Southwest United States. Otherwise, he's happy to hang out at home with his wife Mary and their family of doggies. Follow him@rkachelriess.
