
There’s nothing like sipping a cocktail while soaking up panoramic views of the city’s dazzling skyline. Austin is home to a variety of rooftop bars that offer not just stunning vistas but also fantastic drinks and vibes. Whether you’re a local wanting to escape the city’s hustle and bustle or a visitor eager to capture that Instagram-worthy sunset, this guide is your ticket to the best rooftop bars in Austin with skyline views. We’ve handpicked the cream of the crop based on ambiance, drink selection, and of course, those jaw-dropping views. Get ready to reach new heights in Austin’s nightlife.
El Alma
1025 Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704
512-609-8923
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El Alma is a lovely rooftop bar that serves plenty of Mexican dishes and tasty cocktails. The rooftop deck features local art and lots of bright colors, so it’s a great place to grab a drink. Located in the Bouldin Creek area, this is a great bar to hit up after playing some mini-golf or exploring the city. My favorite dish was by far the chips and queso. It was super ooey-gooey with just the right amount of heat. The empanadas were also great if you’re looking for something more filling! For a drink, I loved their watermelon margarita with spicy tajin on the glass. This place is ideal for some casual margaritas with friends or an afternoon date.
La Piscina Ceviches & Fajitas
600 W 2nd St 5th Floor, Austin, TX 78701
512-628-1415
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La Piscina means “the pool” in English, and you’ll love this poolside bar! There’s nothing like dipping your toes in the water and sipping a cocktail on a hot Texas day! This restaurant serves up an eclectic and luxury menu that is inventive and exciting. The menu has a Spanish vibe that emphasizes seafood, and I can tell you the lobster fajitas will transport you to a whole new world of flavor. All of their food options looked great, so it was hard to choose! I love a pink drink, so their Jamaica margarita with hibiscus and tangy salt was a must for me. This spot is around the corner from the Austin Public Library and near several hiking trails, making it a cool bar to elevate your day of outdoor activities or indoor reading. Even though the area is casual, this restaurant is on the fancier side.
77° Rooftop Patio Bar
11500 Rock Rose Ave, Austin, TX 78758
512-589-2925
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This bar has a fun, party vibe with cool-colored lighting and lovely views of the North Burnet area and Gracy Woods. If you’re looking for more of a club scene but with fresh air, this is the rooftop for you. If you want somewhere to enjoy some hookah with friends and taste some yummy cocktails, you’ll love 77°. There are three stories, so there’s plenty of room to have fun whether you want to hit the dance floor or grab a table. They serve traditional bar food with a modern twist, and I would like to personally recommend their black bean hummus! But this place is not about the food, it’s about the funky cocktails, young atmosphere, and rooftop views of the Austin area.
Geraldine’s
605 Davis St, Austin, TX 78701
512-476-4755
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Geraldine’s is one of the more upscale rooftop bars in the Austin area. While the prices may be high, they’re well worth it. With a pool on the roof deck, it doesn’t get much more relaxing than this. Gerlandine’s also offers a small concert venue inside, so you can go from sipping sunny rooftop drinks to seeing live music later in the nigh. I treated myself to the charcuterie-style snack board, which was a lovely arrangement, and their Cara-Ji-Haw, an intriguing and superb tequila coffee cocktail. Nestled on the shore of the Colorado River, nearby many convention centers and government buildings, this is the perfect spot for a fabulous luncheon or dinner with colleagues.
P6 at the LINE Austin
111 E Cesar Chavez St, Austin, TX 78701
512-473-1566
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Along South Congress Avenue, near the popular tourist spot Buford Tower, P6 is a stunning rooftop bar perfect for almost any occasion. The place is a hotel with a welcoming indoor and rooftop bar that locals and tourists alike flock to. The rooftop bar was formerly a rooftop parking garage, which is where the name P6 came from. The views are impeccable, and the only thing that draws your gaze away from them is the stunning dishes that are colorful and unique. The decor is also bright and colorful, making for Instagram-worthy skyline pictures. I had their burrata which made me fall in love with cheese all over again.
Rules & Regs
101 Red River St, Austin, TX 78701
512-296-4586
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This rooftop bar is along East Cesar Chavez Street in Downtown Austin. Since Rules & Regs is right in the Downtown neighborhood, you get amazing views of Austin’s skyscrapers. We recommend visiting both during the day and at night so you can see the buildings all lit up! I fell in love with their Mexican Street Corn, the stellar views of the river and the city, and the delicious margaritas. They also have a cigar lounge that entices many to the location. The vibe is upscale casual, so you can go for a fancy dinner or a relaxed brunch, depending on your mood.
Upstairs at Caroline
621 Congress Ave #201, Austin, TX 78701
512-982-6766
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For a fun, casual time with friends, Upstairs at Caroline is one of the best places in the heart of Downtown Austin. This rooftop bar offers partial coverage from the sun, and they have fans going to keep the temperature comfortable, so you can enjoy a warm summer day without overheating. They even host “yappy hours” where you can bring your dog to join in the fun! There is a giant Jenga and other fun games that you can play while sipping on their yummy cocktails. I lost a round of Connect Four because I was so focused on my Blood Orange Margarita. I highly recommend their happy hour menu, where you can combine shrimp cocktails or tacos with your favorite beverage at a discount.
Zanzibar
304 E Cesar Chavez St Unit 700, Austin, TX 78701
737-787-6969
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Zanzibar has an exotic and tropical vibe for the Downtown area right by Sixth Street. I enjoyed their Duke’s Pearl rum cocktail, which was sweet with a fruity flavor. This trendy rooftop bar has everything: amazing views, colorful cocktails, a pool, and even cozy tables around fire pits so you can stay warm once the sun goes down. Their menu combines Asian and Spanish flavors, resulting in dazzling dishes that combine sweet and savory, such as their BBQ Pork Wontons and the Grilled Pineapple Salsa. They have lots of meat, as well as fish on their menu, plus vegetarian options, so everyone will find something they like.
Terrace 59 at Speakeasy
412 Congress Ave D, Austin, TX 78701
512-476-8017
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The Terrace 59 Speakeasy is a welcoming bar that features live music and other fun events. It’s excellent for a vibrant night out with friends in the West End off East 5th Street. On the rooftop bar, they often feature local DJs, while inside functions as a concert venue that often features rock music. There’s a mini-bowling alley and tabletop games, so there’s never a dull moment. They serve tacos and other typical bar food, which I found mediocre. But their bartenders make excellent cocktails, like the Pop Rocks Cosmopolitan, which, yes, has Pop Rocks in it to excite your mouth!
Edge Rooftop
110 E 2nd St, Austin, TX 78701
512-608-4503
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Edge Rooftop bar is in Downtown Austin off of Congress Street near several fun tourist spots, making it the perfect place to grab a drink after a fun day exploring Austin. This bar has lots of cozy couch seating, string lights, and greenery, making it a great atmosphere to kick back and relax while you take in the view. It is on top of a Marriott Hotel and offers beautiful views of the city and the nearby river. A lot of their food has a Mediterranean vibe mixed with Spanish. I tried their stunning and refreshing ceviche, along with an indulgent pina colada, both of which were fantastic.
400 Lavaca St, Austin, TX 78701
512-542-9292
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Group therapy is another Downtown bar with a unique vibe. It almost feels like a museum with all of the beautifully framed artwork and decor, but the food and drinks are art in themselves. This bar also features a pool with lots of lounge chairs, so you can dip your toes while you sip on their creative cocktails. Sounds like a great way to end your work day or celebrate on the weekend! I had their Jalapeno Calamari and Paloma Diablo because I was craving some spice, and they delivered! Both were spicy without losing the flavor of the other ingredients. This spot is popular for weddings and other events but is enjoyable for a lovely date or nice dinner with friends.
Summit Austin
120 W 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
702-743-7051
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Summit Austin is another spot off of Sixth Street sans food, but they make up for it with energy and excitement. This rooftop bar is more of a concert venue, with weekly live music and DJs that people specifically come to see. Enjoy new bands and artists while enjoying the fresh Austin air and some creative shots. While inside hosts some of the hottest DJs with a clubby vibe, you can also cool off on the roof where there’s also often live music or day parties. If you like clubs and concerts, you’ll thoroughly enjoy this Austin spot. I had their classic margarita, which was surprisingly on point, despite how hectic the bar was!
310 E 5th St, Austin, TX 78701
512-792-5622
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Azul is right across the street from Summit, making it one of many bars on that busy street Downtown. At Azul, you can take a dip in the pool (lots of people actually go for a swim here!) or enjoy the impressive skyline views at sunset. They even have live music sometimes! They have these signature slushy cocktails that are refreshing and tasty; I went with their strawberry flavor. The atmosphere is young and modern with a touch of class. And their menu serves up clever bar food with some elevated flavors. I had their frozen grapes, which were a delight under the hot Austin sun.
Otopia Rooftop Lounge
1901 San Antonio St Unit 1100, Austin, TX 78705
737-243-9040
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Otopia has everything I could ever ask for from a rooftop bar. It is away from most of the bars in Austin, located in the West Campus neighborhood just off of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Like many others, this rooftop bar also has a pool, as well as comfy couches and chairs, fire pits, stunning views, and a tasty menu. They had crunchy tacos with inventive fillings like raw tuna and Korean BBQ chips with Gojuchang seasoning. All things I love but never would have thought to combine in this way. For a casual but beautiful outing with friends or your significant other, you can’t go wrong with Otopia.
The Upside at East Austin Hotel
1108 E 6th St, Austin, TX 78702
737-205-8888
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Another fabulous rooftop bar above a hotel, Upside rooftop bar has an exotic and eclectic atmosphere with flavors to match. It overlooks East Sixth Street among many other bars, but this one stands out with its combination of Central and South American flavors. This is another poolside bar, and there’s plenty of greenery decorating the space. This is a mixed indoor/outdoor space, so you get the best of both worlds. I enjoyed their brunch under the bright Austin sun. They had a delicious Queso Benedict doused in a cheesy Hollandaise, a fun twist on this classic American meal.
Shiner’s Saloon
422 Congress Ave D, Austin, TX 78701
512-448-4600
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Shiner’s Saloon is one of the hippest rooftop bars in Downtown Austin. It has a funky Western vibe with plenty of fun board games and other tabletop games to keep you busy while enjoying its food and drink. The roof also hosts live music regularly, with plenty of country artists coming to this Texas bar. I tried the Mexican-themed burger sliders, and the massive pretzel served with queso. They mostly only have a beer, but everything is on tap, and they have a wide selection, so as a beer lover, I have no complaints!
Austin, Texas is a sunny and exciting place to find tasty food and delicious drinks. And if you want to work on your tan and enjoy the city views while doing so, you can’t go wrong with any of these stellar rooftop bars. From super classy and luxurious to casual and fun, Austin has everything you need to have a good time!
Don’t sit in a stuffy dive bar without windows when you can enjoy your cocktails and food outdoors on top of a building, and maybe you’ll even catch some live music. Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
Why Trust Us?
When it comes to local restaurant recommendations, we pride ourselves on being a reliable and trustworthy resource. Our suggestions are not just based on our personal experiences, ensuring a more authentic and well-rounded perspective, but also on extensive online research. We diligently searched the internet and reviewed 6 credible sites and blogs, including Therooftopguide.com and Thrillist.com.
We compiled all the findings in one location and sorted them by the frequency of mentions to ensure you receive top-notch recommendations. We strive to present you with a curated list of establishments that truly stand out, allowing you to enjoy the best dining experiences possible.
Interested in the sources we consulted? Check out the list of all 6 sites we referenced below this paragraph, offering transparency and an opportunity for our readers to explore further. Our commitment is to deliver trustworthy and unparalleled recommendations, helping you make informed decisions on your culinary journeys.
https://www.therooftopguide.com/rooftop-bars-in-austin.html
https://www.thrillist.com/drink/austin/best-rooftop-bars-austin
https://www.theinfatuation.com/austin/guides/best-rooftop-bars-austin
https://www.timeout.com/austin/bars/best-austin-rooftop-bars
https://austin.eater.com/maps/best-rooftop-bars-patios-austin-restaurants
https://wanderlog.com/list/geoCategory/80359/best-rooftop-bars-in-austin