Seattle's Best Rooftop Bars With a View

If there's one thing Seattle does well, it's pairing a great cocktail with an even better view. Rooftop bars and sky lounges have become the city's favorite way to take in the skyline, the water, and the mountains all at once, and the lineup keeps getting better.

It started picking up steam in the mid-2010s, when high-rise hotels and restaurants realized a rooftop wasn't just a perk, it was a destination. Even the Space Needle got in on it, adding a 21-plus lounge back in 2021. Today there's a rooftop spot for nearly every neighborhood and every kind of view.

In South Lake Union, Altitude Sky Lounge sits atop the Astra Hotel with downtown and Space Needle views, plus a fruity, egg white forward cocktail called the Clickbait. Head east to Bellevue and you'll find Ascend Prime Steak & Sushi on the 31st floor of Lincoln Square South, with 360 degree views of Lake Washington and the Seattle skyline, plus a glittery, dry ice topped Cloud 9 cocktail that's almost as fun as the view.

Down in Pioneer Square, Firn is the newest addition, opening in 2025 atop the Populus Hotel with treetop level views and a savory Sea-Tini featuring a truffle and blue cheese olive. Over in the University District, The Mountaineering Club at the Graduate Hotel leans into its name with alpine bitters, foraged berries, and a corner fireplace table perfect for catching sunset over the Olympics.

Closer to the waterfront, The Nest on the 13th floor of the Thompson Hotel overlooks Puget Sound and the Great Wheel, and pours a rosy gin cocktail called The 1921. If you're up for a day trip, The Shed in Woodinville opened this year atop The Somm Hotel and Spa, with Sammamish Valley views and Mount Rainier on clear days. And for a true bird's eye view of the city, the Smith Tower Observatory & Bar sits 35 floors up with views of Elliott Bay, downtown, and the Port of Seattle.

Whether you're celebrating a closing, scoping out a new neighborhood, or just want to see the city from a new angle, these rooftops are worth the elevator ride. Seattle's skyline looks good from up here, and so does its future.

This post was based on information found on the Puget Sound Business Journal. For an interactive map of all the venues, check out the full PSBJ map here.