Editorial
A view doesn't make a bar great. What makes a bar with a view worth traveling to is the combination of three things: an honest-to-god extraordinary panorama that hasn't been compromised by architecture or poor sightlines, drinks that would be worth ordering even if you were facing a brick wall, and an atmosphere that somehow honors the view without being enslaved by it.
The twelve bars below earn their locations. They're not trading on geography alone. Each serves drinks that command attention, each has been designed with real intelligence, and each offers the kind of moment that becomes a travel memory. These are the rooftop bars, clifftop perches, and skyline temples worth the journey.
"The best view bars know that the vista is the starter course. The drinks and conversation are the main."
Every rooftop and view bar transforms with light. We recommend visiting these spaces at three times: early evening when the golden hour illuminates the city, twilight when the street lights come on but the sky still holds color, and full night when the city becomes completely artificial light. Each hour offers a completely different experience of the same place. If you're making a journey to one of these bars, consider staying through the transition. The view you came for becomes something entirely new.
"A great view is an accident of geography. Great drinks are a choice of craft."
These twelve bars demonstrate that a spectacular view, when combined with serious drinks and thoughtful service, creates an experience that becomes a travel memory. We've included some of the world's most famous rooftop venues, but what matters isn't the fame—it's the craft. If you've found a rooftop bar with views that belongs on this list, tell us about it. And if you're visiting any of these cities, check our city guides for rooftop bars in places you're traveling to. These spaces change seasonally and by the hour. The best time to visit is always the next time you find yourself in the city.
Marcus has visited every bar on this list and many more. He's obsessed with elevation, vistas, and drinks that justify the trip. He's traveled to 45 countries in search of the world's best bars and bases himself between London and Barcelona.
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