The weather is finally warming up, and there’s no better place to enjoy it than several stories about the madness on a DTLA rooftop. From bars to pools to bars with pools, here are a few spots where you can catch some rays, enjoy some fresh(ish) air, and take in those breathtaking views in the heart of the city.
Upstairs at the Ace Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/p/By27jgDF2lS/Long a favorite hang for downtown’s hip locals and visitors, the rooftop bar at the Ace stays fresh by frequently updating its menu, and hosting art shows, pop-ups, and events, and turning over the decks to a rotating cast of DJs who keep the party flowing, from low-key daytimes when artsy types take lunches and laptops, to more swinging nighttime shindigs. The pool is open to the public from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m., but keep in mind that guests get priority. 929 S. Broadway, downtown.
Perch
https://www.instagram.com/p/BuZ-OzglZB-/You haven’t really experienced L.A. until you’ve spent “Apertif Hour” at Perch. Situated on the 16th floor of the historic Pershing Square Building, the French bistro’s rooftop bar hosts a weekday sunset happy hour with live music, a menu of small plates, plus $5 Kronenburgs, $6 glasses of (actually good) wine, and $7 cocktails, including a Penicillin an a drink of the day. The bar caters to stargazing night owls every day of the week, staying open till 2 a.m. (1 a.m. on Sundays), and on weekend’s, early(ish) birds seeking sunshine can guzzle brunch bevs starting at 10 a.m. 448 S. Hill St., downtown.
Broken Shaker
https://www.instagram.com/p/ByvjwPvjWXX/If you’re looking for the perfect rooftop bar to have a low-key night with friends, have Insta-worthy drinks, and take in beautiful views of DTLA, then plan a night out at the Broken Shaker at Freehand Hotel. Hell, with L.A.’s recent unpredictable weather, you can even take a dip in the pool. 501 S. Spring St., downtown.
NoMad Hotel
https://www.instagram.com/p/By-u02enpkW/Literally every inch of the NoMad is breathtaking (even the lobby bathrooms are insane), and the 12th-floor rooftop is no exception. The pool itself is reserved for guests, but the pool bar and outdoor café are open to the public, and has plenty of lounge seating and tables, not to mention views for days and a replica Orcus statue that doubles as a fireplace. 649 S. Olive St., downtown.
Spire 73
https://www.instagram.com/p/By1oiQHl7fx/Not for people who are fearful of heights, Spire 73 has the distinction of being the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere, 73 stories up as the name suggests. There’s an entry fee of $10 a person for non-hotel guests ($20 on Fridays and Saturdays after 8), but the views—not to mention the fire pits and highly quaffable cocktails—justify the cost of admission. 900 Wilshire Blvd., 73rd Floor, downtown.
The Standard, Downtown L.A.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu1p3yRB1dr/If you’re looking for a clubby vibe, weekend nights on the rooftop pool deck at the Standard is your scene. During the day, the roof’s mid-century styling really shines; post up in one of their waterbed pods, sip something bubbly, and gaze at the greatest city in the world. 550 S. Flower St., downtown.
WP24 by Wolfgang Puck
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bww2s2xAwJk/The rooftop pool deck at the Ritz-Carlton is only open to guests, but then there’s WP24. Wolfgang Puck’s swanky restaurant atop the hotel’s L.A. Live location also has open-air seating, where you can sip cocktails and gawk at the masses of sports fans and concertgoers below. 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown.
RELATED: 23 of the Best Bars in Downtown L.A.
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