Drinks with a View: San Francisco’s Best Rooftop Bars

Perched atop Virgin Hotels SF in the city’s trendy SoMA district, Everdene is the epitome of cool. This 12th floor location is high on San Francisco’s social calendar. Guests routinely clamor for a table at the 370 square meter combination indoor/outdoor bar. With a delicious mix of cocktails paired with creative culinary creations, Everdene is likely to stay popular for a long time to come. Reservations aren’t necessary (nor accepted for that matter) and the dress code is casual. Pop in for a cocktail with a great view overlooking the Children’s Creativity Museum, Yerba Buena Gardens, and the Bay Bridge. In keeping with Virgin’s reputation for lavish spending, it’s no surprise Everdene is a rooftop bar with panache. The wraparound design and lush garden décor add to a general ambiance. Most nights feature DJ entertainment beginning late afternoon and running through the evening hours. The infectious music will certainly help you get into a party mood. Order yourself a fresh round, find a place to relax, and enjoy the people-watching. Or you can strut your stuff to the pulsating rhythms. Everdene is always lively so there’s really not a bad time to visit. Whether you’re looking for a bit of luxury or a just place to be seen, you’ll find it at Everdene, one of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars.

San Francisco’s Mid-Market neighborhood is probably best known for Twitter. The tech giant chose the stylish area when it moved its headquarters downtown in 2012. Spurred on by tax incentives and the city’s promise to revitalize the area, Mid-Market has flourished in the years since. In 2017, the Proper Hotel opened on the triangle plot of land formed where McAllister diverges from Market Street. Soon thereafter, Charmaine’s opened its doors as the hotel’s rooftop bar. Ferns gracefully interweave with eye-catching fire pits as patrons in hoodies and jeans sip Instagram-worthy cocktails. The menu at Charmaine’s gives a nod to San Francisco’s geography and the roughly 7 mile by 7 mile area it inhabits. Choose among 7 different categories each containing 7 inspired cocktails. If you can’t find something among the 49 fantastic menu items, you can always try to convince the bartenders to whip you up some bespoke creation. Though popular with the tech crowd, Charmaine’s is one of those places you’d expect to find in New York or Chicago. A sense of glamor and style not altogether common in the Bay Area pervades at Charmaine’s. If you’re looking for a slightly different take on a Bay Area rooftop bar, it’s hard to go wrong at Charmaine’s. Come see what makes this one of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars.

If you’re in town for a Giants game at Oracle Park, do yourself a favor and stop in for a beer at Rooftop 25. Located only about two blocks from the iconic Willie Mays statue, Rooftop 25 is a thoroughly casual place to have a beer, glass of wine, or a bite to eat. What it lacks in skyline view, it more than makes up for in cozy atmosphere. The southwest-facing deck offers delightful sunset views back across town and the food menu is an eclectic mix with something for everyone. Try the wood-fired pizzas or get a shareable plate with oysters and shrimp. On game days the area is lively. Rooftop 25 is tucked somewhat out of the way on Lusk Street, so you’d be forgiven for not realizing it’s there. This is one of those places where you can impress your friends with your local knowledge. They’ll quickly get the point when you settle down for a scrumptious skillet burger or a hot dog in a pretzel bun with cheddar sauce. The ballpark-style food is great even if you’re not the sportsball type. Rounding out the beer menu is a great selection of wine. Settle in to a table and strike up a conversation with those around you or just hang back with a glass of pinot and enjoy the view. No matter what your preference, we think you’ll agree Rooftop 25 is one of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars.

The Tenderloin has something of a reputation as a rough and tumble neighborhood. Don’t let that put you off visiting this great little spot. Located on Jones Street, the eponymous terrace location would rightfully appear on anyone’s list. Hemmed in on three sides, Jones faces a picturesque set of facades complete with wrought iron fire escapes and lovely cornice work. After dark, illumination from the surrounding buildings creates a cozy visual landscape. Jones is altogether a great place for a drink and espeically convenient for people working in the Financial District. Most days you will find a lively assortment stopping in for happy hour. Pull up a table near the railings and watch San Francisco’s street life in all its fascinating glory. In fading daylight you can see the neighborhood shift as a steady stream of people flock past. The menu has a distinctly Latin / Mediterranean feel and bartenders are happy to serve up one of Jones’ signature cocktails. The wine selection pairs well across the board, making Jones a great place for one-on-one encounters. Drop by on the weekend when live music helps take things up a notch. The art crowd will find Jones a great stop between gallery walks. Come see for yourself what makes this one of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars.

Set in the famed Mission District, El Techo is a Latin American-inspired establishment with a notable reputation. Normally crowded, your best bet is to arrive early if you hope to snag a table. Glass walls and heat lamps shield patrons from stiff Bay Area winds and the distance from downtown means El Techo offers a truly stunning view. Once the sun goes down, the city lights make for a gorgeous backdrop against which to enjoy a cocktail or bit of Latin fare. When summertime temperatures climb, this is the place for an afternoon margarita or some scrumptious street food-style skewers. The piña coladas are always tasty; but if you’re feeling in the mood, order the Belafonte, a rum-based drink rounded out with plenty of flavor. Sunday brunch is popular, especially when sunny days offer plenty of motivation to get out and explore places in the Mission. You can easily swing over when you’re wandering through The Castro. As one of San Francisco’s more popular rooftop bars, you’ll always find something happening at El Techo. Whether you want to groove to Latin beats or find a good place for a cerveza, El Techo has you covered. Order up a plate of carnitas and pick your way through heaven. Do yourself a favor and find an excuse to visit the Mission so you can spend time in one of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars.

SoMA is a great neighborhood, as anyone who lives in San Francisco will testify. The density of cafes, shops, and museums makes this one of the city’s most popular locations. Next time you’re out and about, head to Dirty Habit located on the corner of Market and 4th Street. This chic rooftop location provides an intimate hideaway where the cozy atmosphere is accentuated by natural lighting and open spaces. Dirty Habit aims to take a page from traditional cocktail locations by offering patrons a place with style and sophistication. Inspired culinary creations pair well with the menu and the bartenders here love to display their skills with garnish. Lacking the expansive views found at other rooftop bars, Dirty Habit is place to indulge your more intimate aspirations. Sink your teeth into some seared king salmon with piperade and pair it with a “Noble Soul” oak bourbon. Absolutely mouth-watering! Dirty Habit does a nice job rotating their cocktail menu so there is almost always something new to strike your fancy. If you’re a pick-it-and-stick-with-it type of person don’t worry, Dirty Habit pays homage to the classics and won’t leave you high and dry. Next time you’re around the corner at SFMOMA, indulge yourself at Dirty Habit and carry on the gallery-inspired conversations at one of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars.

Perched above Yerba Buena Gardens and the park’s iconic waterfalls, B Restaurant & Bar is a hidden gem. Often overlooked, this chic location is highly sought after by people in the know. B’s menu rotates with the season ensuring you will always find fresh dishes made from locally-sourced ingredients. Cocktails likewise alternate and evolve depending on the time of year. B is a place where you want to let yourself experience the true enjoyment that comes from an exquisitely paired meal. B sits atop the Moscone Center and provides a lovely view of the downtown skyline, Yerba Buena Gardens, and St. Patrick Church. Design motifs demonstrate a keen understanding that the modern restaurant experience is a holistic enterprise. By blending with the surroundings and making innovative use of materials like deconstructed wine barrels and earthy tones, B embodies an urbane San Francisco. Live music and tasting events are regularly on offer. Given Moscone is San Francisco’s major convention center, B provides a suitable environment for almost any interaction. Whether you want an impressive setting to ink a major deal or just an attractive space in which to share a moment with your significant other, let the atmosphere at B help you do the talking. If you ask us, B Restaurant & Bar is easily one of the best rooftop bars in San Francisco.

Located on the 46th floor of the Hilton San Francisco Union Square, Cityscape Lounge lays claim to arguably the best views among all the locations we’ve profiled thus far. The 360-degree unobstructed vantage point lets you see from Oakland to the Golden Gate Bridge. Grab a table by the window and settle in for a thoroughly romantic evening. When clouds dot the sky, the sunsets here blaze with extravagant hues as light reflects off the Pacific Ocean. Cityscape’s signature cocktails go well with their small plates. Try the delicious meat and cheese spread with olives and walnuts. Order an accompanying glass of white wine and you’ve got yourself a true conversation starter. Spend time gazing out over the Bay or lose yourself in the magic of your partner’s eyes. It’s hard to go wrong 46 stories up. Afternoon happy hour is a convenient time to stop by. This will leave you time to find a good table as you watch San Francisco display its early evening charm. If you’re staying at the Hilton, Cityscape is practically a must. If you’re not lodging here don’t overlook it in your rush to find an attractive two-top. When all is said and done, there will always be something about a choice view and that’s exactly what you’ll find at Cityscape Lounge, one of San Francisco’s best rooftop bars.

If you twist our arm you’ll force us to admit this one isn’t in San Francisco proper. But let’s face it, SF and Oakland are basically one big community given the number of people daily flowing between them. Why not take a ride across the Bay and visit a great little establishment located in Old Oakland on Clay near 8th Street? Oeste’s chill, backyard vibe is often the perfect antidote when San Francisco gets you down. How many times have we all stood looking across the bay at the beautiful sunshine enveloping Oakland and wondered aloud why we’re stuck in all the fog? When you arrive at Oeste, you’re greeted by a warm, inviting space lit with decorous chandeliers perched off lovey wooden beams. Step outside and you will immediately recognize and enjoy the cushioned couches designed to resemble a backyard patio. You’ll know you’ve found a great spot when you settle in with a Mezcal Diablo or a Bees Knees. Oeste’s well-stocked bar gives you plenty of choices when it comes to your spirits. Go ahead and order up your favorite to go with a tasty plate of tacos or maybe some delicious southern-style fare. Happy hour and weekends are great times to visit as Oeste and the streets in Old Oakland will be humming with activity. Drop by and enjoy one of the best rooftop bars in the Bay Area.

This one is for all you do-it-yourself types. Sure the places we’ve looked at are all great, what with the signature cocktails, innovative use of ingredients, and seasonally fresh foods. Sometimes though it’s all just a bit too much. Too much pressure to choose the right location or pick the right newfangled cocktail. Maybe it’s one of those days when you’re looking for a bit of alone time. If this sounds like you, check out the Rooftop Deck at 343 Sansome Street. The publically-accessible rooftop area is not a bar in the traditional sense. There’s no menu here and no one serving drinks. This is a strictly BYOB location, but that’s totally the appeal. Order some of your favorite takeout, grab a six-pack or a bottle of wine, and write your own adventure. Pull up a chair or just relax on one of the benches. The view is a bit hemmed in by the surrounding high-rises, but don’t let that deter you. This down low spot isn’t well-known. You’re not apt to run smack into the happy hour crowd or a gaggle of tech bros discussing their upcoming IPO. This is a place where you can be yourself relatively free from prying eyes. For us, this earns it a spot as one of the best rooftop locations in San Francisco.

The Bay Area is a magnificent if occasionally maddening place. Exorbitant rents and finicky weather lead many to express a love-hate relationship with the place. When it comes right down to it, however, San Francisco is a darn nice place to live. We thoroughly enjoyed putting together this list of the city’s best rooftop bars and we know you will find the locations profiled here great places to get a drink. No matter if you’re looking for high design or a chill atmosphere, there’s something for you. Pay a visit the next time you’re wandering around and see what all the fuss is about. Come discover why these are San Francisco’s best rooftop bars.