Written By Patricia Doherty
Get the best views in Los Angeles
There’s something special about being on a rooftop and gazing for miles in every direction, whether it’s during the day surrounded by blue skies or at night under the stars. With its ideal outdoor weather, impressive downtown buildings, picturesque mountains, and the Pacific Ocean, Los Angeles is a prime locale for open-air dining and drinking. Here are a few noteworthy places to combine a well-made cocktail with a breathtaking view.
Grandmaster Recorders
Set in the heart of Hollywood’s buzzy Vinyl District and making a contribution to the area’s vibe, Grandmaster Recorders features a rooftop spot that serves up Italian dishes with California style and a bit of Australian flair. Pizza by the slice—the perfect late night snack—and superb cocktails are on the menu along with the Chicken Parma Roll, a local favorite that can also be made with eggplant for a vegetarian option. Stay on theme with a spritz or cocktail like the Bittersweet Escape, a blend of rye, cognac, Amaro Nonino, cynar, Campari, and bitters. The setting—above the recording studios where music greats like David Bowie, Ringo Starr, Bonnie Raitt, Kanye West, and Stevie Wonder created their hits—offers spectacular views of city lights, the Hollywood sign, and appropriately, the Capital Records building. Choose your happy place—a table for two or a cushy sofa. And don’t miss the restaurant and 71 Studio Bar lounge plus live music venue.
Open Daily, Monday – Friday, 4pm – 2am. Saturday & Sunday, 12pm – 2am. 1518 N Cahuenga Blvd.
Hollywood. grandmasterrecorders.com
Pendry West Hollywood
Views of Los Angeles from high above Sunset Boulevard atop the elegant new hotel and residences are the backdrop for famed chef Wolfgang Puck’s sophisticated cuisine. The modern space offers indoor seating as well as outdoor seating, which has a central fireplace for warmth and atmosphere. The view for outdoor diners goes on for miles, but even those who opt to sit inside the main room—enhanced by draped fabric and chandeliers—can get spectacular views. Rivaling the city view is Puck’s cuisine. Described as “global flavors,” menu items reflect influences from Thailand, Singapore, Japan, France, and California. Appetizers like hamachi tartare and Kurobuta pork belly skewers set the stage for main dishes such as red Thai curry, Shanghai lobster, and crispy Peking duck. The Pendry’s rooftop pool is another perfect spot for cocktails with a view.
Times Vary. 8430 Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood. pendry.com
Spire 73
This expansive open-air rooftop bar at the InterContinental Los Angeles Downtown is the tallest in the western hemisphere. Quite a statement, but totally credible when you’re taking in 360-degree views of the skyline, tops of nearby buildings, and the winding freeways and city streets below. You’ll see mountains and even the ocean in the distance when the weather cooperates. Whether you sip your cocktail at the bar, alongside one of the huge firepits, or at one of the intimate tables for two, you’ll be part of the vibrant atmosphere’s glittering lights, music, and lively conversation. There’s a $60 per person minimum and sometimes a bit of a wait to join the rooftop revelers. The menu includes appetizers such as tuna poke and a mezze platter for sharing, as well as burgers, salads, and mains like filet mignon and herb-crusted prawns.
Open Daily, Monday – Sunday, 5pm – 12am. 900 Wilshire Blvd fl 73, Los Angeles. More Info
Fairmont Century Plaza
In the heart of glitzy Century City, the newly reimagined and totally elegant Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel is home to a rooftop pool and bar with views in every direction. Gorgeous day and night as well as the perfect place to watch the sunset with a cocktail in hand, the rooftop features a heated zero-edge pool surrounded by cushy lounge chairs. Sip a refreshing cocktail and order light bites to accompany it. Relax around the firepit or stretch out on a lounge chair and enjoy the ambiance. For breakfast, lunch, or dinner, visit Lumière, a modern brasserie that combines French tradition and American style to create cuisine based on fresh, seasonal ingredients.
Times Vary. 2025 Avenue of the Stars, California. fairmont.com
The Rooftop by JG, Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills
A visit to this rooftop bar and restaurant begins with your arrival at the Waldorf Astoria Beverly Hills’ opulent lobby, creating the expectation—fully rewarded—that the elevator ride to the top is the next step in a luxury experience. You’re greeted by breathtaking views of Los Angeles and plush furniture in shades of green that complement the garden-like setting. Why not begin your sunny morning with organic juice and scrambled eggs with ossetra caviar, continue with a lobster burger for lunch, and start the dinner hour with a cocktail or glass of bubbly along with an appetizer like fresh burrata or avocado with crab? Or just arrive for sunset and evening cocktails accompanied by light dishes from the appetizer menu as Los Angeles glitters along with the stars overhead.
Open Daily, Monday – Sunday, 10am – 11pm. 9850 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills. waldorfastoriabeverlyhills.com
Read more at ‘Where Traveler Los Angeles: The Best Rooftop Bars in Los Angeles‘
Photo mages are courtesy of the businesses and venues.
