Brian Nagele
Maybe you don’t hear many people talk about Cleveland, but this vibrant city is full of exciting attractions. Some examples?
Well, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland Botanical Garden, and West Side Market, for a start!
And Cleveland has an abundant supply of rooftop bars, including locations that provide a great view of the city.
Best Rooftop Bars in Cleveland
- Alley Cat Oyster Bar
- Azure
- Punch Bowl Social Cleveland
- The Velvet Dog
- Bar 32
- Margaritaville Restaurant – Cleveland
- RED the Steakhouse Downtown
- Felice Urban Cafe
- Landshark Rooftop Bar
- Lockkeepers
- Luca Italian Cuisine
- Luxe Kitchen & Lounge
- Merwin’s Wharf
- Music Box Supper Club
- Nano Brew Cleveland
- Pier W
- The Harp
On my trip to Cleveland, I visited many rooftop bars so I could choose the best ones for this list. Check out my list of the best rooftop bars in Cleveland below!
Alley Cat Oyster Bar
1056 Old River Rd, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-574-9999
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Head over to Cuyahoga’s east bank for drinks at Alley Cat Oyster Bar. Whether on the patio or in the dining room, you enjoy a lovely view of the Cleveland shore, no matter where you enjoy your drinks.
This bar is also a restaurant serving top-notch dishes, including, of course, oysters. Executive Chef Al Ives makes sure everything is delicious.
When it comes to drinks, Alley Cat Oyster Bar serves an impressive range of cocktails, white wines, sparkling wines, and beer. Happy Hour takes place between 3 and 6 pm, Monday through Friday.
Azure
2017 E. 9th Street The 9 – Level 12, Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: 216-239-1200
Go experience the only sun deck in Cleveland at Azure. You’ll sit 150 feet in the air at this iconic local rooftop bar. Needless to say, it provides an outstanding view.
There’s a resident mixologist here, and the cocktails are fantastic. I say this from experience. Azure often offers live music, too.
Azure has several popular hotels nearby, such as the Hampton Inn Cleveland-Downtown, the Hotel Indigo Cleveland Downtown, the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Cleveland Downtown, and the Hilton Garden Inn Cleveland Downtown.
Punch Bowl Social Cleveland
1086 W 11th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-239-1508
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Punch Bowl Social Cleveland is conveniently near Browns Stadium and the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. This large lounge spans 27,000 square feet.
Head over there to enjoy this location’s rooftop lounge. It’s spectacular! I loved the view of Cleveland from this local rooftop bar.
In fact, it’s not just one bar. It has several bars with plentiful craft cocktails and more. Get something to eat, too. This restaurant offers a from-scratch menu. Play some billiards and indulge in some karaoke, too.
The Velvet Dog
1280 W 6th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-664-1116
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You’ll find The Velvet Dog in Cleveland’s famous Warehouse District. It’s a dance club, so it’s perfect for an exciting night out.
Love to dance when visiting Cleveland? Then, add The Velvet Dog to your itinerary. And head up to the first floor, where you’ll love the high-tech dance club atmosphere.
And the top-roof cabanas are perfect for private parties. You’ve got to make a reservation, though, so get to it! They offer a great view of the city.
Bar 32
100 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: 216-413-5000
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Bar 32 is found on the 32nd floor of one of Cleveland’s most popular hotels, the Hilton Cleveland Downtown.
This great destination offers delicious signature cocktails to enjoy with delectable small plates when you get the nibbles.
Check out the schedule of live entertainment at Bar 32. It’s on offer on Fridays and Saturdays. Bar 32 features large glass windows to provide a panoramic view of Cleveland.
This lounge has an upscale atmosphere, so choose it for a special night out.
Margaritaville Restaurant – Cleveland
1150 Front Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-615-8855
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It’s all in the name. Or almost. After all, Margaritaville Restaurant is not only a bar but also a restaurant serving satisfying meals.
Some popular culinary options include the Hand-Battered Chicken Tenders, Grilled Chicken Breast, and Junior Cheeseburger in Paradise.
As fantastic as Cleveland is, sometimes you want to feel you’re in a tropical locale. This is one of Margaritaville Restaurant’s strengths.
They say you’ll feel like you could be in Key West, and I can tell you from experience that this is true, especially if you’re visiting in the summer.
RED the Steakhouse Downtown
417 Prospect Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: 216-664-0941
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RED the Steakhouse is ideal when you want to combine a full juicy steak dinner with the rooftop lounge experience.
One of my favorite things about RED the Steakhouse is its sophisticated ambiance. The food and drinks are top-notch too.
This lounge and restaurant are in high demand, so consider making reservations. Want somewhere to go for Happy Hour?
RED the Steakhouse Downtown’s Happy Hour takes place between 4:30 and 6 in the afternoon from Tuesday to Friday.
Felice Urban Cafe
12502 Larchmere Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44120
Phone: 216-791-0918
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Located on Larchmere Boulevard between East 124th Street and East 126th Street, Felice Urban Cafe is another well-known Cleveland location for a great city view.
The cuisine here is just as outstanding as the drinks. Popular dishes include the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Octopus, and Fried Calamari.
And check out Happy Hour, which takes place from 4 to 5:30 pm on Tuesday through Friday. Felicia Urban Cafe is found in a historic home, adding to the unique experience.
Landshark Rooftop Bar
1069 Front Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-615-8855
Landshark Rooftop Bar specializes in the rooftop bar experience. It’s a restaurant too, and I enjoyed the tasty treats I got with my drinks.
This local bar’s experience is decidedly casual and is a great place to meet the locals. And did I mention the fantastic view? This spot gives you an authentic Cleveland experience.
Add Landshark Rooftop bar to your Cleveland itinerary. It’s situated conveniently close to other attractions, like Collision Bend Brewing Company.
Lockkeepers
8001 Rockside Rd, Valley View, OH 44125
Phone: 216-524-9404
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For something decidedly upscale, give Lockkeepers a try. Make reservations so you get the rooftop lounge experience with an impressive water view.
Lockkeepers is located in Valley View, on the Cuyahoga River. Happy Hour at Lockkeepers occurs from 3 to 6 pm, from Monday through Friday.
Just head to the bar and lounge area for your drinks. Some nibbles on offer include Saffron Arancini, Porchetta Sandwich, and Meatballs. When it comes to dinner, I recommend the Seafood Risotto.
Luca Italian Cuisine
2100 Superior Viaduct, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-862-2761
Luca Italian Cuisine is a premium Cleveland destination for Italian food. If you love the arts, you’ll love Luca. This restaurant is full of art displays.
If you want drinks with a view, make a reservation. Some seating in this Cleveland destination offers a view that makes it an ideal rooftop bar experience.
Heading to Luca Italian Cuisine for dinner as well as drinks? Ask the locals for the best dishes here, and you’ll get a long list.
Just a few examples include the Ravioli Di Aragosta, Sacchetti Al Tartufo Bianco, Caprese, Sacchetti Con Gorgonzola, and Caprese.
Luxe Kitchen & Lounge
6605 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44102
Phone: 216-920-0600
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Luxe Kitchen & Lounge is appropriately named. Its drinks and its dishes are unabashedly upscale and impressive. Some of its most iconic drinks are the LUXE Margarita, Smoke & Spice, and House Manhattan.
Order some snacks to accompany drinks as you enjoy the rooftop view. I went with the Smashed New Potatoes. This filling treat includes smashed new potatoes with extra virgin olive oil, capers, and smoked leeks.
You’ll discover Luxe Kitchen & Lounge near some well-known boutiques, including Oceanne Studio and Boutique and Turnstyle Boutique.
Merwin’s Wharf
1785 Merwin Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-664-5696
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Enjoy time admiring the beautiful Cuyahoga River with drinks at Merwin’s Wharf. This lounge offers outstanding rooftop views, and it has a unique location.
You’ll discover Merwin’s Wharf in a post-industrial area called Cleveland’s Flats, with must-know locations for your Cleveland adventures.
Check out the meals as well as the drinks. All the culinary ingredients are locally sourced, making this an in-demand destination.
So make reservations in advance. There is a full range of dishes, including shareables that are perfect for drinks with friends.
Music Box Supper Club
1148 Main Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-242-1250
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Music Box Supper Club is found in the trendy post-industrial area called the Flats. Enjoy drinks here for a great view of the Cuyahoga River.
You can’t be in the know in Cleveland unless you explore this trendy neighborhood. Have some drinks as you enjoy your view of the water. Or you can have a full meal.
Check out the Supper Club and Concert Hall menus for everything you could want. This restaurant also serves brunch on the weekends.
Nano Brew Cleveland
1859 W 25th St, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-862-6631
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Craving a burger along with some great drinks? You can’t do better than Nano Brew Cleveland, which is a happening local spot when it comes to craft beer.
All the ingredients for dishes here are fresh and never-frozen. The burgers are made from Angus beef! I can attest to how delicious they are, especially when washed down with a refreshing glass of beer.
Not really a beer person? Have some wine. Nano Brew has an excellent wine menu.
Pier W
12700 Lake Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107
Phone: 216-228-2250
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Pier W is an essential Cleveland restaurant for seafood. The locals will tell you how fresh and delicious the fish and other seafood dishes are at this well-known location.
But it’s also a drinks lounge where you will take in great rooftop views of Cleveland. Happy Hour happens every night.
Want to visit for some brunch, too, while you’re in Cleveland. Stop by again on a Sunday. Enjoy a spectacular glass of wine here.
There’s a good reason Pier W has won the Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator’s Magazine for the last 15 years.
The Harp
4408 Detroit Ave, Cleveland, OH 44113
Phone: 216-939-0200
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Love Irish pubs? Don’t leave Cleveland without enjoying rooftop drinks at The Harp. I love this restaurant, and it offers all the mouthwatering traditional Irish pub dishes you can think of.
How about some Corned Beef Boxty or Fish and Chips. Yep, these are on offer. You’ll feel you’ve been transported to the Old World as soon as you walk in The Harp.
You’ll discover The Harp conveniently located on Detroit Avenue. It’s quite nearby West 38th Street.
