The 15 Most Essential Rooftop Bars in Dallas

After closing in 2020, Hide has decamped from Deep Ellum and opened its doors on Lower Greenville, occupying a much larger space complete with an elevated patio that overlooks the city. The creative, top-notch cocktails are still there, as the bartenders continue to enlist science-y roto vaporizers and centrifuges. But now, you can drink such things on a comfortable rooftop with plenty of seating. Sit above Greenville Avenue, sip a whiskey-and-amaro cocktail that comes in a glass flask, or try an herbal gin drink laced with cucumber-mint shrub, and watch this small section of the world go by.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

As far as rooftop restaurants located above big box furniture stores go, this has to be one of the nicest—with some of the best decor. RH Rooftop is set on buzzing Knox Street, and it makes a fine spot for lunch, dinner, or drinks whether or not you did some shopping below. Enclosed in glass and housing a bunch of trees, green plants, and a fountain, it’s like dining in an upscale greenhouse, but with more wine and lobster rolls.

Take the elevator to the eighth floor of the Hilton Canopy Hotel, and you’ll find Upside, which sports one of the city’s best skyline views. Snag a table inside if you just want to look out the floor-to-ceiling windows, or grab a patio seat for fresh air and slightly closer proximity to your surroundings. Either way, the menu has all the flatbreads, sliders, and gin-spiked cocktails you appreciate in such environs.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.

The Thompson hotel graced downtown with multiple concepts when it opened last year, including the extra-fancy Italian spot Monarch and sushi and cocktail lounge Kessaku. But don’t sidestep Catbird, the 10th floor restaurant armed with a terrace overlooking the city. The airy space is adorned with patterned tile floors, low-slung furniture, and hanging green plants, and gives off the general vibe of your cool friend’s patio. The menu merges shareable plates (Smoked Bone Marrow, Crab Rangoon Dip) with handhelds (Chicken Katsu Sandwiches, Grilled Octopus Tacos), while the drinks portion highlights classics like Negronis and French 75s that can be made traditionally or with a creative Catbird riff.

This two-story, 14,000-square-foot restaurant has a lot going on, with multiple dining rooms, four bars, and one damn fine-looking rooftop. Each area is a great spot to post up with Latin American-inspired cocktails and food, but when you’d like some fresh air with your drinks, make a beeline for the upper deck. The roof is partially covered, so you can choose the sun or the shade. It’s lined with succulents and other greenery, Margaritas and wine flow freely, and it’s one of the few places around with a dedicated cigar menu, if you care to indulge.
How to book: Reserve via SevenRooms.

The Woolworth’s terrace is a great choice when you want to hang out and watch the world go by. It’s perched above the Eye—downtown’s 30-foot-tall eyeball sculpture—and gazes onto the city streets below. Come for lunch or dinner to fill your table with sandwiches, salads, tacos, and steaks, or swing by on a weekend to indulge in brunch favorites like the Short Rib Skillet and an aptly titled smorgasbord of breakfast foods dubbed The Hangover. The Woolworth is also home to one of Dallas’s best happy hours. What we’re saying is, you’ve got options.
How to book: Reserve via Yelp.

This bi-level hotspot offers a one-two punch of outdoor options. When the umbrella-dotted ground floor patio just won’t cut it, head upstairs to drink from a heightened perch lined with greenery. The rooftop sports an indoor bar in addition to a spacious partially covered terrace, so you can bask in the sun or retreat to the shade—your call. Wherever you sit, though, you’ll need refreshments. A dedicated upstairs menu is loaded with soft pretzels, nachos, burgers, and Short Rib Potstickers, plus sparkling wines and cocktails ranging from the Famous Pineapple Daiquiri to the Fig & Ginger Mule.

This sixth-floor restaurant serves a reliable Vietnamese fusion menu for lunch, dinner, and happy hour, but the real draw is the roof deck overlooking Main Street. Snack on spring rolls, crispy wings, and pho while floating between the adjacent buildings and admiring the Joule Hotel’s cantilevered pool across the street. But first, you have to find this place—take the dedicated elevator next to Campisi’s on Elm Street.

The Gallery Rooftop Lounge sits atop the Canvas Hotel, with a heated infinity pool, private cabanas, and fire pits, making this a true 365-day affair. Sit at the bar, take a dip, or reserve a cabana for you and up to 19 of your closest friends, then fill up on ceviche, tacos, and wings. It’s possible you may not want to leave this urban oasis, in which case, there’s good news. It boasts 76 guest rooms lurking just below your feet.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating or reserve a private cabana online.

When HG Sply Co. opened in 2013, it kickstarted the revitalization of Lower Greenville’s once-great rooftop scene, and it’s still going strong today. The roof is awash in green plants, and the dedicated menu is loaded with Cochinita Nachos, Deviled Avocados, and Charred Chicken Thighs, plus frozen cocktails, beer, and wine. If you’re ducking out of work early, the weekday happy hour begins at 3 pm with select cocktails available for $6 and beer for $4.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served rooftop seating.

There aren’t many places in town where you can scarf down a bowl of pasta while gazing out at the Downtown skyline and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. But that’s what you get at Saint Rocco’s. The fun-loving Italian-American eatery houses a third-floor bar that’s open Fridays and Saturdays from 5 pm to 11 pm, with a late-night happy hour beginning at 9 pm. Linger over a bottle of wine, lounge on the white South Beach-style couches, and then jockey for position along the railing to take that mandatory sunset selfie.

You already know that the Granada Theater on Greenville Avenue is one of the best places to catch a show in Dallas, but that’s no reason to sleep on Sundown. The attached bar is an ideal spot for grabbing pre-performance drinks above the busy street or skipping the show entirely in favor of a few hours of vegetarian-friendly bites, local beers, and creative cocktails under the stars. If you like to start early, the generous weekday happy hour begins at 11 am, and the rooftop also hosts brunch each Saturday and Sunday with Mimosa carafes, Bloody Marys, and a Cold Brew Old Fashioned.

Take the Statler’s elevator to the 19th floor to find Waterproof, an indoor-outdoor ode to boozy summertime fun. During the day, the pool beckons visitors to take a dip or relax in a nearby cabana, but when the sun goes down, you’ll need to retire your swimsuit and flip-flops for evening attire. The lounge serves classic cocktails, bubbly, and beer to patrons who gather for people-watching and skyline views.

This Deep Ellum favorite is an eye-catching bi-level restaurant complete with a rooftop bar festooned with colorful tile, potted plants, and plenty of seating. Grab a couch if you’re lounging with friends or request a table along the building’s edge for a breezier one-on-one experience. Start with a round of margaritas and queso before moving on to larger plates like tacos and enchiladas. If you’re planning to stick around for a while, opt for a tequila flight or share a refreshing large-format cocktail like the Guadalajaran (tequila, mezcal, citrus, and Squirt) or a pitcher of Watermelon Patio Punch with vodka, tequila, watermelon, lime, and agave.
How to book: Reserve via SevenRooms.

This McKinney Avenue staple plies regulars with cold drinks and casual Big Easy-inspired vibes. The ivy-covered bar’s quaint rooftop overlooks all the hubbub below while offering enticing drink specials ($3 domestics, anyone?) each weekday. Signature cocktails like Vieux Carres, Sazeracs, and frozen Hurricanes play on the French Quarter theme while the dining program hails from next door’s Bread Winners Cafe and spans tacos, burgers, and flatbreads, plus the famous Voodoo Fries, a heap of crispy French fries smothered in bacon, queso, jalapeño gravy, and Sriracha.
How to book: Stop by for first come, first served seating.