Rooftop Restaurants and Bars in Charlotte
Enjoy a meal or drink against the backdrop of Charlotte’s stunning skyline.
by Lauren Hawk
Whether you’re looking for a lowkey night on the town with some light bites and refreshing drinks or want to go full-scale city glam above the clouds, the Queen City has a rooftop restaurant or bar for every mood.
Aura Rooftop
Neighborhood: Uptown
Aura Rooftop is located on the fifth level of the Carolinas’ first JW Marriott. Inspired by Queen Charlotte herself, the city views, aesthetic foliage and signature botanical cocktails create an idyllic and photogenic urban oasis in the heart is the Queen City. Looking for a higher-altitude place to cool down? Aura Pool offers day passes and cabana rentals through ResortPass.
Búho Bar
Neighborhood: Uptown
Like the Grand Bohemian Hotel that houses it, Búho Bar is dripping in luxury and Argentinian inspiration. Channeling the rooftop bars and lounges across South America, Búho Bar is an open-air, bohemian-style cocktail lounge with sultry music, artfully crafted concoctions and sweeping views of the Charlotte skyline.
The Chamber by Wooden Robot
Neighborhood: NoDa
Sip a craft beer in an al fresco setting at The Chamber by Wooden Robot. The brewery’s NoDa location features a sprawling rooftop deck, outfitted with lounge furniture and picnic tables, along with a bar, so you don’t have to walk downstairs to get another pint.
Charlotte Beer Garden
Neighborhood: South End
Famous for housing one of the largest selections of draft beer available in one restaurant, Charlotte Beer Garden has four bars on three levels – including its greenhouse-style, partially covered rooftop. With picnic seating, lawn games and fire pits, the bar is a great option for rooftop lovers looking for a lowkey day with limitless beer options.
Coin Bar
Neighborhood: Uptown
Atop the Omni Hotel is Coin Bar, a resort-style pool bar with a lively atmosphere. The food and drink menu features fruity cocktail mixes and seasonal snacks for guests to enjoy while playing cornhole or relaxing in the seating area. The massive, double-sided LED screens are some of the largest in the city, making this pool bar a great spot for gameday. Day passes are available for purchase on ResortPass.
Cordial
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Above the tree line in SouthPark’s AC Hotel is Cordial, which became the neighborhood’s first rooftop bar upon opening. Cordial offers a unique, but equally stunning, view of the city’s skyline compared to its Uptown and South End counterparts, alongside a Spanish-inspired menu filled with tapas and inventive, seasonal cocktails.
Fahrenheit
Neighborhood: Uptown
Fahrenheit has an unrivaled Uptown view from its 21st-floor post atop Skye Condos/Hyatt Place Charlotte Downtown. Snapping a selfie from the balcony with a skyscraper backdrop is on every Queen City bucket list. The view’s only competition is the food — short ribs, steaks and grilled seafood — coming from the kitchen, led by chef Rocco Whalen.
Gin Mill
Neighborhood: South End
The Gin Mill, along the LYNX Blue Line light rail, features a rooftop bar that’s a lowkey space to gather with friends. This bar offers drink specials and live music on the weekends, with a food menu of classic bar bites. Its proximity to the breweries of South End makes it a convenient pre-game or after-party stop.
Graham St. Pub & Patio
Neighborhood: Uptown
Graham Street Pub & Patio offers skyline views and a menu of handcrafted cocktails and bites. This popular bar is located just blocks from Bank of America Stadium and Truist Field, making it a buzzing gameday stop for drinks, brunch, lunch or dinner, along with picturesque views.
Hestia
Area: Ballantyne
Hestia is one of the region’s newest rooftop restaurants, situated atop the 16th floor of Ballantyne’s Panorama Tower. The menu of this modern Asian restaurant includes wagyu beef, maki sushi and an omakase-style experience that focuses on sashimi. The rooftop patio boasts 180-degree views of the skyline.
Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails
Neighborhood: South End
Make a reservation for this restaurant dishing out seasonal small plates and innovative cocktails. Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails serves elevated food and drinks in a relaxed, modern setting. Speaking of elevated, the restaurant’s rooftop deck provides additional banquette and high-top seating with views of Uptown.
Merchant & Trade
Neighborhood: Uptown
Situated on the 19th floor of the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel is Merchant & Trade. Overlooking Uptown’s Romare Bearden Park and Truist Field, the swanky hangout boasts panoramic views of the city below and the skyline ahead. Cocktail lovers will enjoy the specially curated program, which highlights North Carolina-produced spirits and house-made mixers.
Mizu
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Inspired by the wood-fired Robata grills of Japan, Mizu offers a fusion of ancient Japanese cooking with Southern influences and Asian flavors. Inside this live-fire cooking restaurant, located atop the Hyatt Centric, guests will find seafood-focused cuisine and a cocktail program using Japanese spirits and seasonal ingredients.
Novelty House
Neighborhood: Uptown
The big draw to Novelty House’s rooftop is its expertly crafted floral aesthetic and Insta-worthy walls, making it a great destination for events, drinks or a well-timed golden hour photoshoot. Guests can sip specialty cocktails and catch a live DJ most nights.
Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo
Neighborhood: Uptown
Located on the 22nd floor of Uptown’s AC Hotel, Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo is a rooftop bar and dining experience that’s anything but ordinary. With patio seating, outdoor heaters, firepits and unforgettable views of the Queen City, Nuvolé is a great year-round option for date nights, happy hours and everything in between.
RH Charlotte
Neighborhood: SouthPark
Located on the third floor of Charlotte’s Restoration Hardware, RH Rooftop features food menus for brunch, lunch and dinner alongside a curated selection of artisanal wines and craft beers. Open year-round, the skylit garden whisks guests away as they enjoy the sounds and sights of trickling fountains, trellised trees and glimmering chandeliers.
The Royal Tot
Neighborhood: Belmont, Charlotte
Escape to an urban oasis as you sip playful rum-based cocktails at The Royal Tot. This bar boasts the largest collection of rum in Charlotte, including over 200 antique bottles. The rooftop bar, known as The Bird’s Nest, offers stunning skyline views of Uptown that are perfect for enjoying a frozen cocktail or tiki drink.
RSVP South End
Neighborhood: South End
Sip cocktails as you dance the night away at RSVP South End. This venue offers four spaces to socialize and party, including a rooftop bar. Take a seat at the bar, or one of the nearby tables overlooking South End, to give your feet a break.
State of Confusion
Neighborhood: Lower South End
Order everything from ceviche and steak to a shrimp po’boy and muffuletta at State of Confusion, a restaurant with Peruvian and New Orleans influences. Enjoy your food and drinks, like a nonalcoholic agua fresca or sugarcane mojito, on the rooftop overlooking the burgeoning Lower South End neighborhood.
The Waterman
Neighborhood: South End
This neighborhood seafood restaurant features a casual atmosphere and serves fresh, sustainable seafood. Those looking for a rooftop experience can take a seat at Topside, the year-round rooftop bar (weather permitting), which offers views of the South End skyline.
Whiskey Warehouse
Neighborhood: Plaza Midwood
Whiskey Warehouse’s bar occupies most of its upper floor. The covered, U-shaped bar has TVs for game-watching. The tables rimming the deck’s edge have umbrellas, so diners can enjoy streetscape views in the shade. Stop by any day of the week and take advantage of the drink specials.
Article originally written by Lauren Hawk. Updates by Arielle Patterson in March 2024.
