One of the best things about Dallas is the near-year-round patio weather. When it’s cold, they’ve got heaters. When it’s hot, they’ve got fans and misters. And each fall and spring, perfect temperatures allow you to linger for hours in the crisp, fresh air. Add in views from rooftops, and you’ve got the ideal scenario for dining, drinking, and appreciating the city’s architecture.
Along with epic views of Dallas’ towering skyline, these establishments offer picture-perfect cocktails, hearty bar bites (and sometimes full meals), music, atmosphere, and some of the best people watching in the city. Consider this guide to the best rooftop bars in Dallas next time you’re in the mood for happy hour or a romantic evening under the stars. It’s guaranteed to take your bar-hopping to new heights.
Upside West Village
From the street, you’d never know that the Canopy by Hilton Dallas Uptown has one of the most awe-inspiring views of the skyline in the city. Once you’re eight stories up, it becomes clear you’ll want to hang out for a while. Bring friends to help you nosh on BBQ pork flatbreads and roasted pepper coconut shrimp, while sipping on a patio-perfect Bunny Byer, a refreshing combo of grapefruit vodka, watermelon liqueur, and lime. 2950 Cityplace W. Blvd., 8th Floor, Dallas, upsidewestvillage.com
HG Sply Co.
For East Dallas dwellers, HG Sply Co. on Greenville Avenue is a mainstay. The UNCO concept, created by Elias Pope, features a rooftop patio with picnic tables, wood paneling, string lighting, and large red umbrellas, giving it a backyard beer garden feel. HG Sply Co. takes a healthy approach to classic bar fare, focusing on minimally processed (often organic) food, properly portioned, with calories, fat, carbs, and protein noted. The rooftop has its own Snacks menu with options like Cochinita nachos with pulled pork, deviled avocados stuffed with chickpeas, and salmon poke tostadas. The beverage menu follows the same ethos, featuring 120-calorie-or-less cocktails, a beautiful beet-infused margarita called the Double Under, and a variety of booze-free juice blends. 2008 Greenville Ave., Dallas, hgsplyco.com
Vidorra Cocina
Vidorra Cocina is among Deep Ellum’s most vibrant rooftops, with a retractable roof, views of Downtown, lush greenery, and colorful decorative touches spread across two floors. Start with a Vidorrita and an appetizer sampler featuring chicken flautas, quesadillas, queso-birria empanadas, and guacamole, then move on to a foursome of fajitas with chicken, carne asada, grilled shrimp, and carnitas. 2642 Main St., Dallas, vidorracocina.com
Catbird
Catbird isn’t technically on a rooftop, but its 9th-floor perch of the National building—the 51-story home to Thompson Dallas—feels atmospheric enough. Its outdoor seating gives guests a totally immersive city experience from a unique vantage point. Cocktails like the nitro espresso martini and the signature Catbird with tequila, Aperol, and grapefruit foam fit the vibe well. The menu, created by chef Jeramie Robison, is just as interesting. When hunger strikes, consider bites like the edamame jalapeño hummus, crab rangoon dip, and Catbird fried rice with rock shrimp or smoked beef. 401 Elm St., Dallas, catbirddallas.com
Quarter Bar
Quarter Bar’s rooftop patio transports guests to a cozy corner of New Orleans. As its name suggests, the Uptown institution oozes French Quarter vibes, with its greenery, wrought-iron accents, and leather seating areas. According to legend, ghosts may even frequent the space. Classic, straightforward cocktails include go-to options like Tito’s Handmade Vodka-spiked frozen strawberry lemonade, spicy margaritas with Patron, and classics such as the Bombay Sapphire Negroni. Quarter wings, Cajun fries, and a vegetarian flatbread highlight the shareables menu, or keep the yumminess to yourself with a shrimp po-boy or Creole burger. 3301 McKinney Ave., Dallas, quarterbardallas.com
Gallery Rooftop Lounge
With its showstopping infinity pool as a main attraction, this lounge atop the Canvas Hotel in the artsy Cedars District offers a luxe experience. Surrounded by outdoor loungers and seating, oversized umbrellas, and fire pits, the pool serves as a dreamy backdrop against the night sky. The menu features plenty of snacks and sips, including homemade chicken tenders with four sauces, shrimp cocktails, fig-and-goat-cheese flatbreads, and drinks including the Beachy Peachy, made with bourbon, peach puree, lemon juice, and ginger beer, as well as beer and wine options. Bring along your swimsuit for a post-cocktail dip. 1325 Botham Jean Blvd., Dallas, canvashoteldallas.com
Waterproof
Waterproof is located high above street level at the Statler in Downtown. It’s a 21-and-up affair during operating hours where guests can relax under the warm Texas sun or sink into a cabana between dips in the pool. Munch on fried pickles, veggie quesadillas, or a classic smash burger from the small bites menu. Pair with punchbowl cocktails for your group, including the Waterproof Cooler, made with Tito’s Handmade Vodka, raspberry, elderflower, ginger beer, and sauvignon blanc. Big spenders can also take advantage of bottle service. 1914 Commerce St., 19th floor, Dallas, waterproofdallas.com
Happiest Hour
Located in the heart of the Harwood District between Uptown and Downtown, Happiest Hour delivers party vibes from open to close. Its airy rooftop deck offers spectacular views of the Dallas skyline. Pop in for happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m., when you can take advantage of an extensive list of half-price Happytizers. The special pricing applies to the guacamole, queso, and salsa dip trio, fried calamari and shrimp, and loaded BBQ brisket nachos. Signature cocktails are also discounted. Highlights include the Happiest Ranch Water with Espolòn Blanco Tequila and the Golden Hour with Jim Beam Black bourbon, honey, lemon, and bitters. 2616 Olive St., Dallas, happiesthourdallas.com
The Henry
Breakfast on a rooftop patio isn’t always an easy find, unless you’re at the Henry in Victory Park. Get a healthy start with the veggie-packed Flower Child Scramble, or an egg white turkey omelette. Add on a guava mimosa or Hank’s espresso martini to make your visit more brunch than breakfast. Enjoy non-alcoholic choices too, like the Açai at the Beach Smoothie and cold-brew coffee on tap. 2301 N. Akard St. Ste. 250, Dallas, thehenryrestaurant.com
Sky Blossom Bistro
This Vietnamese restaurant and bar in Downtown is a rooftop oasis. Pull up a seat by the wall of cherry blossoms, and sip on a specialty cocktail like the Blue Mermaid, crafted with vodka, banana rum, and blue curacao; or the Sky Blossom Spritz with watermelon vodka and elderflower liqueur. Stick around for lunch or dinner and enjoy a menu of Vietnamese comfort eats, like fried chicken-and-shrimp spring rolls, spicy crab-and-pork pho, and a salmon clay pot. 1514 Elm St. #611, Dallas, skyblossombistro.com
Culinary Dropout
This addition to Dallas’ Design District is ideal for big groups. The expansive rooftop patio features dining tables, lounge areas with fire pits, and a wraparound bar, all offering clear views of the Dallas skyline. A dedicated video wall showcases daily sports, and the bar menu features a little something for everyone. Try the tequila-fueled Tijuana Spa Water, spiced with jalapeno and cilantro; or the Flaco Verde Margarita with hints of coconut and fresh avocado. Happy hour’s a great time to visit too, with 2-for-1 sushi, meatloaf sloppy joes, house potato chips with onion dip, plus four unique $8 riffs on Long Island Tea. 150 Turtle Creek Blvd. # 101, Dallas, culinarydropout.com
Monkey Bar on 9
One of the city’s newest rooftop bars debuted last summer atop Tru by Hilton Dallas Market Center. Like its sister location in Highland Park Village, this location features more than two dozen tequilas, as well as sotol and mezcal spirits. Handcrafted skinny margaritas utilize Socorro Blanco tequila, while the Chihuahua serves as a nice introduction to Sotol for those unfamiliar with the spirit. Of course, a Mambo Taxi margarita-and-sangria swirl always hits the spot. Snack on loaded 50/50 nachos with a combination of chicken and beef or fresh guacamole and chips. 1949 N. Stemmons Fwy., 9th Floor, micocina.com
La Terraza at Te Deseo
At La Terraza at Te Deseo, night owls can dance the night away under the stars Thursday through Saturday beginning at 9 p.m. Vibes are on offer on the earlier side Wednesday through Sunday, during which guests can take advantage of happy hour specials from 5 to 7 p.m. for $5 beer and wine, $10 cocktails, including the rum-based, ultra-tropical Ritmo Caribe and classic margaritas made with Patron Reposado. The $10 small bites menu features mini brisket flautas, crispy pork street tacos, and chips and guac. 2700 Olive St., Dallas, tedeseo.com
Vincent’s Sky Bar
Take the elevator to the 11th floor of the JW Marriott Dallas Arts District for an ideal spot to grab a drink and a bite before or after a museum visit or live performance. Nibble on smoked brisket quesadillas, lobster rolls, and vegetarian Thai lettuce wraps, while enjoying made-to-order cocktails, beer, and wine. 800 N. Harwood St., Dallas, marriott.com
HQ Dallas Rooftop
Located 12 stories above Downtown Dallas, this rooftop bar delivers spectacular views of the skyline. HQ’s social hour each Monday through Thursday discounts beer, wine, and cocktails to $5-$8, plus half-price appetizers, including french fries and dips, chicken and bacon quesadillas, skillet meatballs, and margherita flatbreads.310 S. Houston St., Dallas, hqdallasrooftop.com
Leonie
If you love rooftop views but don’t want to be in the direct sun, or struggle to keep things from blowing off the table, then Leonie at Hotel Swexan in the Harwood District has your name all over it. Once reserved only for hotel guests, the venue now welcomes the public to its pool-adjacent space, featuring floor-to-ceiling windows for dinner service. Dinner mains of King Ora salmon, an HWD Beef filet (exclusive to the Harwood District), and cavatelli with lamb ragu provide incentive to visit. Follow up your meal with an after-dinner tiramisu espresso martini, and perhaps you’ll be energized enough to hit another rooftop bar nearby. 2575 McKinnon St., Dallas, leoniedallas.com
The Woolworth
Separated by only a narrow walkway outside the park containing downtown’s iconic sculpture, Eye, the Woolworth second-floor rooftop offers a unique vantage point of the art installation and some of the city’s tallest buildings. Enjoy cocktails like Yoga Pants with coconut-fat-washed vodka or the Mule Kick, a spicy version of a Moscow Mule, both of which land on the happy hour menu for $8. That’ll leave some extra cash in your pocket to put toward crab nachos, truffled duck-fat tater tots with duck confit, and an equally decadent lobster grilled cheese. 1520 Elm St. #201, Dallas, thewoolworthdallas.com
HIDE
Lowest Greenville’s award-winning craft cocktail bar has two levels of high-spirited fun on tap, but in this particular entertainment district, rooftops offer great views and fresh air. More than 30 signature cocktails populate the menu, which fall under various drink styles (Refreshing, Spirited, and Brave among them). Specials every day of the week, from all-day happy hours and reverse happy hours to date night 3-course meals and Sunday Funday discounts, make it easy to enjoy scratch-made food and drinks out on a budget. 1928 Greenville Ave., Dallas, hide.bar
