14 Best Rooftop Bars in Houston, TX

Tap into our favorite form of sightseeing with these rooftop bars in Houston, offering the perfect blend of delicious drinks and gorgeous downtown views.

On this list, we’re going behind the bar to tell you all about the best places to drink in Houston, including pricing, classic cocktails, and all the different atmospheres you can experience on a night out, from upscale to dive bar.

Houston has made a real name for itself as a pioneer of creative drinks and trendy nightlife, and now you have the inside guide to the city’s prime real estate.

14 Best Rooftop Bars in Houston, TX

We know you probably have a long list of things to do in Houston. To kill two birds with one stone, why not grab some of the best drinks in the city while also enjoying skyline vistas? Keep reading to plan your night out!

Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar & Spirit Lodge

$$ | Website | (718) 387-6962

Quirky, comfy, and without all the pretension of Houston’s pricier places, Captain Foxheart’s Bad News Bar and Spirit Lounge instantly sets itself apart from the competition.

Stay inside and enjoy the classic speakeasy-style decor–all dark wood, crystal chandeliers, and vinyl records–or head out to the intimate second-floor balcony for sweeping views of bustling Main Street below.

When it comes to cocktails, they don’t mess around. Their seasoned bartenders nail the basics and know how to get creative. Give them an ingredient, and they’ll build your drink around it.

They hold a weekly “dirty haiku” competition open for anyone to enter. Just order the drink by the same name, submit your poem, and wait until the winner announcement every Monday on their Instagram (prizes are involved)!

Lawless Spirits & Kitchen

$$ | Website | (281) 823-8600

Get right into the action of downtown Houston with a sweeping outdoor patio that boasts both lounge-style and table seating.

Whether you’re in the mood for a beer and bar bites or some inventive craft cocktails, Lawless delivers.

We hear the El Pepino is a must-try, a refreshing, kicky drink with Pearl cucumber vodka, triple sec, lime juice, and fresh cucumber purée sipped from a tajin rim.

You can also go a more playful route with spiked snow cones or a Mandarin Orange Crush complete with Boba bubbles & CBD oil. Yum!

Whatever you’re drinking, the chic, glitzy glamor of this downtown destination will have you feeling fancy.

The Grove

$$ | Website | (713) 337-7321

Step away from the chaos of the big city and retreat to a spacious 12,000 square foot two-level venue with modern interiors and lovely greenery.

Although The Grove still has a super central location in the heart of downtown, this rooftop bar feels a world away.

When it comes to drinks, you’ll be spoiled for choice. They boast an extensive wine list, a number of domestic and imported craft beers, and a curated selection of tried-and-true cocktails.

For those who prefer fine spirits, try The Grove’s beverage flights, which allow you to mix and match 4 ¾-oz pours of whiskey, bourbon, scotch, and tequila.

And it only goes up from there (literally)! Their rooftop offers stunning views of glittering skyscrapers, Texas sunsets, and the lush treetops of Houston’s Discovery Green Park.

Z on 23

$$ | Website | (346) 330-3446

No list of the best rooftop bars in Houston would be complete without a mention of this iconic spot. 

Z on 23 will have your jaw on the floor as soon as you step outside, greeted by an open-air bar, comfy lounge seating, and (of course) the bright lights of the city skyline.

Arrive early to enjoy the striking colors of a Texas sunset and 360-degree views from the 23rd floor, then stick around as the buildings of downtown light up the night, with you right in the middle of the action.

The panoramic views are perfectly paired with one of Z on 23’s delicious seasonal cocktails; they even have rooftop-themed names like the Sunset Party Pouch, Rooftop Refresher, and Skyline Smash.

If you’re feeling peckish, the bar also features a menu full of mouthwatering Southern bites like brisket sliders, quesadillas, and burgers.

Beyond that, the inside it’s all colorful murals and plush cocktail chairs.

Brenner’s on the Bayou

$$$ | Website | (713) 868-4444

This tried-and-true classic scores a mention on almost every list of the best rooftop bars in Houston, and for a good reason. The Brenner’s brand has been around since 1936, giving them lots of time to perfect what they do.

Between their eclectic wine list, specialty cocktails, and wide selection of single malt scotches, you’ll have trouble choosing just one drink.

And if you’re considering a food pairing, don’t think twice! Brenner’s steaks, seafood dishes, and soufflés are all worth a try.

Unlike other Houston rooftop bars, you won’t be snagging views of skyscrapers and lights at this tranquil spot.

Instead, enjoy cascading waterfalls, lush gardens, and (as the name suggests) intimate lounge seating on the banks of the beautiful Buffalo Bayou.

Grand Prize Bar

$ | Website | (713) 526-4566

Welcome to the ultimate hangout of hipsters and anyone in the know when it comes to the best Houston bars.

Grand Prize is trendy yet eclectic, with an atmosphere that feels instantly welcoming.

Enjoy funky lighting, chandeliers overhead, and the coolest crowd in the city. Despite the easygoing scene, however, the drinks dished up at this spot are nothing to sneeze at.

The aptly-named Grand Prize employs a prestigious staff of local award winners and industry veterans, all of whom know how to make a mean cocktail.

We hear their “Melon Collins and the Infinite Seedness” is particularly delicious, a blend of watermelon vodka, midori, lemongrass, ginger, lemon, soda, and basil seeds.

If cocktails aren’t your thing, Grand Prize boasts one of the best beer lists in the city.

Once you snag a drink, stay inside to enjoy the jukebox, pinball machine, and pool table, or head upstairs to their expansive rooftop for picnic table seating, darts, and amazing views.

This hip rooftop bar is easily one of the best in Houston, let alone the state!

The Dogwood

$$ | Website | (281) 501-9075

What’s to be found behind the doors of The Dogwood? Southern comforts, hearty dishes, and all the major game coverage you could ask for.

This elevated take on a classic Texas sports bar has the best of both worlds.

Stick close to one of their many TVs and stay updated on the latest scores, or enjoy the huge, open-air rooftop patio and its unparalleled views of the Houston skyline.

While their comfort food is highly sought after (sweet tea marinated wings, chicken ‘n waffle sliders, jalapeño mac and cheese, and more!), the drink menu has plenty of enticing offers as well.

The Dogwood’s beer selection alone fills multiple pages, and their cocktail list includes a number of delightful Texas-themed drinks.

Try the Sweet Dixie (Deep Eddy sweet tea vodka, fresh lemon, Patron Citrónge, and black raspberry liqueur) or The Heart of Texas (Absolut Texas vodka, fresh lemon juice, and agave shaken with fresh jalapeños and topped with Sprite).

La Carafe

$ | Website | (713) 229-9399

Perhaps none of the rooftop bars in Houston are quite as unique as this one, an intimate, candlelit wine bar located in Houston’s oldest commercial building.

La Carafe was built in 1847, and its original brick facade is still standing tall in the heart of Old Market Square.

Over the years, it has been used as everything from a bakery to a Pony Express station before finally settling into a destination for laidback drinks and fascinating conversations with locals and travelers alike.

The small upstairs balcony boasts amazing views of city lights and Market Square Park, so make sure to sneak away from the cozy crowds and lively jukebox downstairs to snap a couple of photos.

La Carafe serves an array of beers and wine, and all purchases are cash-only (processed with a vintage brass register from the late 1800s)!

Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co

$$ | Website | (713) 714-3335

A fan favorite when it comes to rooftop bars in Houston, Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. guarantees tasty beers, panoramic skyline views, and a good time for all.

With three floors and more than 70 beers on tap, you could easily spend hours exploring everything this spot has to offer.

They also run Saturday brewery tours that take you behind the scenes of their creative beer-making process, so check availability before you go.

There are far too many options for us to highlight standout stars on the drink menu.

Buff Brew has flavors that run the gamut from chocolate to citrus to spice and everything in between.

On their site, you can browse by color, style, taste, food pairings, and more to start picking out your must-tries.

Electric FeelGood

$$ | Website | (713) 637-4581

Bold, colorful with painted stucco walls, and just plain fun, this unique spot truly embodies its name.

As their site says, “At Electric FeelGood: groovy meets futuristic, gourmet food meets a lounge atmosphere, and signature cocktails meet classic Texas beers.”

There’s something for everyone on a night out, whether you want to enjoy city views from the 4,000 square-foot covered rooftop patio with LED lights or take a spin on their 2-story indoor slide.

Whatever you do, make sure to save time for at least a few snaps. Between the neon signs, retro-futuristic decor, and colorful cocktails, Electric FeelGood provides plenty of photo ops.

Feeling thirsty? Choose from a diverse selection of beers, ciders, hard seltzers, wines, craft cocktails, and cheekily-named shots.

Sunset

$$ | Website | (832) 530-4270

The aptly-named Sunset Rooftop Lounge is easily among the best rooftop bars in Houston if you’re hoping to watch the stunning natural shows put on by the Texas sky each evening.

Watch the horizon change colors and the lights of downtown come on, all while sipping a craft cocktail made by their team of seasoned pros. Each drink is named after a sunset somewhere in the world!

We hear the St. Petersburg Sunset (their take on a Moscow Mule), Tullahoma Sunset (a whisky sour), and the Jalisco Sunset (Espolon tequila, triple sec, lime juice, agave, cucumber, and jalapeño with a tajin rim) are particularly worth a try.

All in all, this spot is the perfect blend between upscale sophistication and a straightforward good time, with outdoor lounge seating, plenty of space to spread out, and live DJ sets most nights.

Truck Yard

$$ | Website | (713) 855-9666

Not all cocktail bars with a view in Houston require business casual wear and a high price tag.

The buzzy, unpretentious Truck Yard is just the place to gather a group of good friends and wind down after a long day.

If great beer and bar food aren’t enough of a draw already, go for the super eclectic decor, which includes ping-pong tables, mismatched furniture, tree houses, and even their very own ferris wheel.

You can also score some views on their rooftop patio, which looks out over the Houston skyline.

Truck Yard is self-described as an “adult playground,” and they certainly have the spacious backyard, food trucks, and pages-long draft beer list to back it up.

High Dive

$$ | Website | (346) 229-2579

Located on the sixth floor of the ritzy Marriott Marquis Houston, this airy al fresco bar features palm trees, lounge seating, and sprawling views of downtown, plus Instagrammable cocktails that you just have to snap some photos of before drinking.

There’s something for each season here–from a lazy river in the shape of Texas (perfect for hotter months) to fire pits that will keep you warm in the winter breezes.

Grab a beachy drink like their frozen piña colada or margarita, opt for an IPA or draft beer, or support local and splurge on a Deep Eddy vodka pitcher in a flavor of your choice. They even offer Jell-o shots to really get the party going!

Upstairs Bar & Lounge

$$ | Website | (713) 523-8652

Last but certainly not least on our list of rooftop bars in Houston is a casual, contemporary neighborhood hangout located near the Museum District and Rice University.

Their sprawling patio is shaded enough to stay cool but also gets some beautiful afternoon sun, and you’ll have views of the oak tree-lined streets below.

As for drinks, you can’t go wrong with anything you order; the spicy pineapple margarita and cucumber martini come highly recommended, and all cocktails are made with fresh juices and garnishes.

Happy hour runs daily from 3-6 PM, featuring deals on bar bites, pizzas, draft beers, and select wine and cocktails.

Other Houston Rooftop Bars and Restaurants Worth Checking Out

Here are some rooftop restaurants in Houston that you may like.

• Harold’s Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace on 350 W 19th Street
• B&B Butchers & Restaurant on 1814 Washington Ave
• 77 Degrees Rooftop Bar with four levels of cabana-style seating on 2416 Brazos Street STE 200

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