Seattle doesn’t get many warm, dry evenings. When one shows up, the city’s rooftop bars fill up fast, and the best ones back up the view with a real reason to stay for a second round.
This guide covers where to actually go, which hotel sits underneath each one, and when a rooftop is worth booking a room for the night instead of just stopping by. Explore the best rooftop bars in Seattle with views you’ll remember for life.
The easiest way to guarantee a great seat, especially during a sold-out sunset, is to stay upstairs. We’ve noted which ones offer that option throughout this guide.
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Which Seattle Rooftop Bar Has the Best View?
The Nest, on top of Thompson Seattle near Pike Place Market, has one of the best rooftop views in Seattle. You’ll look out over Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains, making it a popular spot around sunset. Check rates at Thompson Seattle here.
If you’re spending time in Pioneer Square instead, Firn at Populus Seattle is your best rooftop option. It’s the only rooftop bar in the neighborhood, giving you a different view and easy access to the area’s historic streets. Check rates at Populus Seattle here.
Seattle’s Top Rooftop Bars in Seattle At a Glance
| Seattle’s Rooftop Bar | Hotel or Venue | Neighborhood | Best View | Price |
| The Nest | Thompson Seattle | Downtown, near Pike Place | Elliott Bay, Olympic Mountains | $$$ |
| Fog Room Sky Lounge & Terrace | The Charter Hotel | Downtown | Puget Sound, city skyline | $$$ |
| ALTITUDE Sky Lounge | Astra Hotel Seattle | South Lake Union | Space Needle, Lake Union | $$$ |
| Firn | Populus Seattle | Pioneer Square | Downtown skyline | $$$ |
| The Mountaineering Club | Graduate Seattle | University District | Lake Washington, Mount Rainier | $$ |
| Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails | Hotel Motif | Downtown | Downtown skyscrapers | $$$ |
| Little Ben’s Rooftop Bar | The State Hotel | Downtown, near Pike Place | Elliott Bay, Pike Place Market | $$ |
| Smith Tower Observatory & Bar | Smith Tower | Pioneer Square | 360-degree skyline | $$ |
8 Best Rooftop Bars in Seattle With Beautiful Views
Below are 8 top-rated rooftop bars in Seattle with breathtaking views:
1. The Nest at Thompson Seattle
110 Stewart St, Seattle, WA 98101
The Nest sits above Pike Place Market and has one of the best views in Seattle. You’ll look across Elliott Bay to the Olympic Mountains on a clear day.
Fire pits and comfortable seating create a relaxed atmosphere, but it gets busy fast. If you’re visiting on a Friday or Saturday, it’s worth booking a table in advance.
Pros:
- Widest waterfront view of any rooftop on this list
- Fire pits extend the season into cooler months
- Steps from Pike Place Market
Cons:
- Gets crowded fast on clear evenings, reservations recommended
- 21 and older only
Staying at Thompson Seattle means you can head upstairs for golden hour and back down to your room without fighting for a rideshare afterward.
2. Fog Room Sky Lounge & Terrace at The Charter Hotel
1610 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Fog Room Sky Lounge & Terrace is 16 floors above 2nd Avenue, with large windows that keep the Puget Sound view in sight even when the weather changes. It’s also one of the few rooftop bars in Seattle that stays open until midnight most nights, making it a good choice if you’re heading out after dinner.
Pros:
- Open until midnight, later than most rooftop bars in Seattle
- Indoor and outdoor seating both keep the view
- Central downtown location
Cons:
- Reservations aren’t accepted for parties under 10, so seating is first-come
- Can run loud on weekend nights
If a late rooftop nightcap is part of the plan, booking a room at The Charter Hotel skips the elevator ride down to a cold cab line.
3. ALTITUDE Sky Lounge at Astra Hotel Seattle
300 Terry Ave N, Seattle, WA 98109
ALTITUDE Sky Lounge is on the 16th floor of the Astra Hotel in South Lake Union. It’s one of the best places to see the Space Needle without dealing with the crowds downtown. Part of the lounge is indoors, and part is outside, so it’s still comfortable when the wind picks up.
Pros:
- Clean sightline to the Space Needle and Lake Union
- Interior lounge works even when it’s too cold for the terrace
- Fire pits on the outdoor side
Cons:
- Hours shift seasonally, confirm before you go
- South Lake Union has fewer walkable dinner options nearby than downtown
4. Firn at Populus Seattle
100 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104
Firn is the only rooftop bar in Pioneer Square. The cocktail menu includes everything from classic drinks with clear ice to frozen slushies.
The sixth-floor terrace looks out over the surrounding buildings instead of the waterfront, but it’s still the best rooftop view in the neighborhood.
Pros:
- Only rooftop bar in Pioneer Square
- Distinctive ice-forward cocktail menu
- Walkable to T-Mobile Park and Lumen Field for a pre or post-game drink
Cons:
- Sixth-floor elevation means a closer, less panoramic view than the taller rooftops on this list
- Reservations recommended on weekends
Populus is also within walking distance of both Seattle stadiums. If you’re planning rooftop drinks after a game, take a look at our guides to hotels near T-Mobile Park and hotels near Lumen Field to compare more places to stay in the area.
5. The Mountaineering Club at Graduate Seattle
4507 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105
The Mountaineering Club takes a different approach, with a rooftop inspired by the Pacific Northwest outdoors. On the 16th floor of Graduate Seattle, you’ll find camping-themed decor, mountain-inspired drinks, and views across Lake Washington. On clear days, you can even see Mount Rainier in the distance.
Pros:
- Least crowded rooftop on this list most nights
- View toward Mount Rainier on clear days, uncommon among Seattle rooftops
- Playful theme that stands out from the usual upscale-lounge formula
Cons:
- University District location means a longer trip from downtown hotels
- Less waterfront visibility than the downtown options
6. Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails at Hotel Motif
1415 5th Ave, Seattle, WA 98101
Frolik is on the fifth floor of Hotel Motif. The view focuses more on downtown buildings than the waterfront, but the atmosphere is what brings people here. Rooftop curling, giant Jenga, fire pits, and plenty of seating make it a fun choice if you’re out with friends.
Pros:
- Livelier, more playful atmosphere than most rooftop bars in Seattle
- Central downtown location near the retail core
- Year-round covered seating available
Cons:
- Lower floor means less of a panoramic view
- Food runs pricier than the portions suggest
7. Little Ben’s Rooftop Bar at The State Hotel
Corner of 2nd Ave and Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101
Little Ben’s Rooftop Bar is on the eighth floor of The State Hotel, just a short walk from Pike Place Market. It opens during the summer season and charges a $15 entry fee that includes your first drink. Many people like it because it’s usually quieter than The Nest while still giving you great views over Elliott Bay.
Pros:
- Quieter alternative to The Nest with a similar Elliott Bay view
- $15 entry includes your first drink
- A block from Pike Place Market
Cons:
- Seasonal, typically summer only, confirm current dates before planning around it
- Smaller terrace than the downtown hotel rooftops
8. Smith Tower Observatory & Bar
506 2nd Ave, Seattle, WA 98104
Smith Tower Observatory & Bar isn’t inside a hotel, but it’s still one of Seattle’s best rooftop experiences. The observation deck wraps around the 35th floor, giving you 360-degree views of Pioneer Square, downtown, and the waterfront.
Inside, you’ll find a bar inspired by the Prohibition era. Unlike the other spots on this list, you buy a ticket for the observatory rather than simply walking into the bar.
Pros:
- 360-degree view, the widest angle of coverage on this list
- Historic building with a genuine sense of place
- Combines an observation deck with a full bar
Cons:
- Ticketed entry, not a casual walk-up
- Closes earlier than most rooftop bars on this list
Best Rooftop Bars in Downtown Seattle
If you’re staying downtown and don’t want to cross neighborhoods, four of the rooftops above sit within a 10-minute walk of each other:
- The Nest at Thompson Seattle
- Fog Room Sky Lounge & Terrace – at The Charter
- Frolik Kitchen + Cocktails – at Hotel Motif
- And Little Ben’s Rooftop Bar – at The State Hotel
Any hotel in this cluster puts you close enough to bounce between two or three in one evening. Explore the best hotels in Downtown Seattle for the wider lodging options in that area if none of the rooftop hotels above fit your dates or budget.
Top Rooftop Bars for Brunch in Seattle
Seattle doesn’t have many rooftop brunch spots. Morning fog often lingers longer than brunch hours in the city. So rooftop restaurants are less common than rooftop bars.
Ben Paris at The State Hotel serves weekend brunch indoors. During the summer, you can head up to Little Ben’s Rooftop Bar after your meal when it’s open for the season.
If you’re open to leaving your hotel, Terra Plata in Capitol Hill serves weekend brunch on its rooftop garden. Monsoon also has a Vietnamese-style dim sum brunch on its rooftop terrace during the warmer months.
👉 Since neither restaurant is inside a hotel, they’re better as a stop during your day than a reason to book a different place to stay.
Best Rooftop Restaurants and Dinner Views in Seattle
If you want a full dinner instead of just drinks and small plates, Fog Room Sky Lounge & Terrace at The Charter Hotel is a good choice. The menu includes Argentine-inspired dishes that are easy to share, along with cocktails and city views.
At Thompson Seattle, you can have dinner at Conversation Kitchen & Bar before heading upstairs to The Nest for a drink. Both are good options if you want a proper meal as well as a rooftop view, instead of choosing one or the other.
Top Rooftop Bars Open Late in Seattle
Most rooftop bars in Seattle close by 9 or 10 p.m., which is earlier than many visitors expect. If you want to stay out later, Fog Room Sky Lounge & Terrace is one of the best choices, staying open until around midnight on most nights.
For a different kind of night out, head to Monkey Loft in SoDo. It’s more of a rooftop music venue than a traditional rooftop bar, with DJs, a cover charge, and a crowd that comes for the nightlife rather than the sunset.
Rooftop Bar Etiquette in Seattle: Reservations, Dress Code, and Price
It’s worth making a reservation, especially during the summer. Seattle’s rooftop season is short, so the most popular spots fill up quickly on clear evenings. The Nest and Firn are often fully booked, and Fog Room requires a reservation for groups of fewer than 10.
Most rooftop bars have a smart-casual dress code. Jeans are usually fine, but flip-flops and gym clothes can feel out of place at the more upscale hotel rooftops.
Cocktails usually cost between $16 and $22. The main exceptions are Smith Tower, where you pay for observatory access, and Little Ben’s Rooftop Bar, which charges a $15 entry fee.
Where Do 30 Year Olds Go Out in Seattle?
If you’re looking for a more relaxed crowd, hotel rooftop bars are usually a better choice than the college-focused nightlife around the city.
The Nest, Fog Room, and ALTITUDE Sky Lounge tend to attract people on date nights, special occasions, or after-work outings. Frolik has a livelier atmosphere, thanks to its games and social spaces, making it a fun choice for groups.
If you plan to keep the evening going after rooftop drinks, explore things to do in Seattle at night for more ideas across the city.
Where to Stay for Easy Rooftop Access in Seattle
Staying at a hotel with its own rooftop bar makes your evening much easier. You won’t need to worry about finding a rideshare after closing time, and getting back to your room takes just an elevator ride. It also gives you more flexibility if the weather suddenly clears on one of Seattle’s sunny evenings.
Thompson Seattle, The Charter Hotel, Astra Hotel Seattle, Populus Seattle, Graduate Seattle, Hotel Motif, and The State Hotel all have rooftop bars in the same building.
If you’d like to compare more downtown options before booking, read our guides on where to stay in Seattle and best hotels in Belltown. They cover the neighborhoods where you’ll find many of the city’s best rooftop bars.
FAQs About Seattle’s Rooftop Bars
Now is the time for answering your questions about enjoying Seattle’s rooftops.
Are Seattle rooftop bars open in winter?
What’s the cheapest way to visit a Seattle rooftop bar?
Most rooftop bars don’t charge an entry fee, so you’ll usually only pay for drinks. Little Ben’s Rooftop Bar charges a seasonal entry fee that includes your first drink, while Smith Tower Observatory & Bar requires an observatory ticket.
Which rooftop bar is best for watching the sunset in Seattle?
The Nest at Thompson Seattle is one of the best places to watch the sunset thanks to its west-facing view over Elliott Bay and the Olympic Mountains. Arrive early or make a reservation during summer because seats fill quickly on clear evenings.
Do you have to stay at the hotel to visit its rooftop bar?
No. Most hotel rooftop bars in Seattle welcome both hotel guests and the public. During busy evenings, reservations or walk-in availability may be limited, even if you’re staying elsewhere.
