Where to Eat and Drink in Philly: 10 Philadelphia Rooftop Bars with Great Views of the City

 

Well, it’s finally summertime, and the living is easy—especially if you know where you can go to catch a breeze and grab a cool cocktail (or two, or three). And you’re in luck: We here at Guild House Hotel (a historic luxury boutique hotel in the heart of Philadelphia) know a little bit about the slew of sky-skimming bars that promise great views, refreshing libations and a perfect spot to soak in some summer vibes. Many of the best are just a short ride (or even a walk!) away from our location in the Gayborhood inside Philly’s beautiful Washington Square West neighborhood. Let us point you in the right direction here, with the Guild House Guide to rooftop (and terrace) bars truly worth a visit while the sun is out and the weather is warm.

 

 

The Spot: Bok Bar

The Details: This place is—no exaggeration—one of the most special spots in the entire city, thanks to its breathtaking, jaw-dropping panoramic views of the city. Perched on the 8th floor terrace of the historic Bok building—once a school, now an innovative space for makers, entrepreneurs and local businesses—this bar is effortlessly, casually cool. There’s rotating food partnerships, so the menu is constantly changing. (This summer? You can expect fare from award-winning Gabriella’s Vietnam, as well as Korea Taqueria and Sweet Amalia.) There’s a thoughtfully curated beer selection and fun, innovative cocktails (try the Overnighter, a citrusy tequila drink with a touch of rose water), an exceedingly chill vibe (no rezzies here, just drop in!) and—of course—that astounding view. This is a Philly bucket-list destination.

The Neighborhood: South Philly

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 11 minutes by car; 13 by bike; 42 on foot

 

 

 

The Spot: The Continental Midtown

The Details: This classic Stephen Starr spot is an OG favorite in the heart of Center City — a fun, convivial restaurant and bar with a great menu and a third floor roof deck that includes both enclosed and terrace seating. The happy hour is especially great, with $6 wine and $7 cocktails—the best of which is probably the Frozen Astronaut, a twist on the restaurant’s signature Astronaut cocktail: peach vodka, sherbet and Tang. Delish. Also, don’t miss the pork tacos or the (non-happy-hour) white pizza.

The Neighborhood: Rittenhouse

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 10 minutes by car; 7 by bike; 15 minutes on foot

 

 

 

The Spot: Liberty Point

The Details: A roof-top bar right on the mighty Delaware? What could be more appealing? How about five bars, at three different levels? This massive new(ish) addition to the Philly bar scene offers an absolute ton of seating, a chill, youthful vibe and really pretty views of the river and the imposing Ben Franklin Bridge. This summer, the restaurant is hosting a pop-up with an absolutely insane number of tiki drinks (fun!), in addition to their usual lineup of a seafood-heavy menu (clam-and-bacon flatbread! Tuna nachos! Mahi tacos!) and summery cocktails.

The Neighborhood: Old City

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 12 minutes by car; 13 minutes by bike; 31 minutes on foot.

 

 

 

The Spot: Assembly Rooftop Lounge

The Details: Sitting atop the Logan Hotel,this chic Center City hotspot might just offer one of the best views you can find of Philly. The hotel and its nine-story-high bar, smack dab in the middle of the Ben Franklin Parkway (Philadelphia’s own Champs-Élysées), is situated between City Hall and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, directly across from the famed Logan Circle and the Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul. It’s a postcard location, breezy and beautiful, with comfy seating, firepits, a rotating menu of gorgeous frozen cocktails and concoctions like the Crimson Snap (bourbon, blackberry puree, ginger and lemon) make for a wonderful summer night.

The Neighborhood: Logan Circle

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 10 minutes by car; 11 minutes by bike; 21 minutes on foot.

 

 

 

The Spot: El Techo

The Details: This excellent and stylish 11th-floor taqueria and bar has a retractable roof (cool!), a primo location (atop Rittenhouse’s Motto hotel), and a menu to die for. If you’re talking food, the queso fundido is a crave-worthy fave, but the thing folks talk about the most for summertime are the paletas—Mexican popsicles—that come in fun flavors like flan-and-caramel and mango-and-chamoy. But, of course, this is mainly a story about where to drink, and on that front, too, El Techo really, really delivers with a creative, tequila-heavy cocktail menu, refreshing beers, and enough frozen drink options to last you all summer.

The Neighborhood: Rittenhouse

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 8 minutes by car; 9 minutes by bike; 17 minutes on foot.

 

 

 

The Spot: Standard Tap

The Details: A longtime Northern Liberties favorite, Standard Tap never (ever!) disappoints. The food is top-notch (farro and English pea salad, roast pork sandwich, fancy cheese boards, grilled duck breast), and the place shines in both its beer selection and its cocktail menu, which features a bunch of classic drinks with intriguing little twists. The whole place is charming, but the patio—a causal, second-story deck overlooking the busy neighborhood—makes for an especially great hang.

The Neighborhood: Northern Liberties

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 12 minutes by car; 16 minutes by bike; 51 minutes on foot.

 

 

 

The Spot: Emmy Squared Pizza

The Details: This super-fun, kid-friendly, wonderfully casual pizza spot (with killer Detroit-style pizza) offers a deck to die for and a truly great cocktail list—including a handful of options you can order by the pitcher, for sharing. Great mocktails and local beer selection, too.

The Neighborhood: Queen Village

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 6 minutes by car; 8 minutes by bike; 25 minutes on foot

 

 

 

The Spot: Revolution House

The Details: The Old City fave offers a pretty, twinkle-lit outdoor bar (with an overhead cover), loads of greenery and killer views of the Christ Church cathedral. An easy menu of well-executed pub fare and fun drink specials makes for a beautiful happy hour or date night.

The Neighborhood: Old City

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 9 minutes by car; 10 minutes by bike; 28 minutes on foot.

 

 

 

The Spot: Sunset Social

The Details: Perched atop University City’s Cira Center is this green, grassy rooftop hotspot is beloved for gorgeous views of the Schuylkill and the city skyline (not to mention all of West Philly). The vibe is “picnic” (quite a feat to pull off on a towering building 12 stories up), the food is casual (think burgers and hot dogs), and the drinks are festive (think frozen cherry margaritas, watermelon gin coolers, loads of beers). Bonus: Programming! Come for drinks, but stay for outdoor movies, Quizzo, game tournaments, screenings of Phillies games and more.

The Neighborhood: West Philly’s University City

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 9 minutes by car; 11 by bike; 30 minutes on foot.

 

 

 

The Spot: Attico

The Details: This gorgeous indoor/outdoor spot 16 floors up is chic, sun-drenched and stylish (and we do mean stylish—no athletic wear here! Check the dress code before you go). Happy hour is especially great, with dishes like shaved mortadella toast, skewers of jerk chicken, and cheesesteak arancini, to name a few highlights. (Wash it down with a happy hour guava margarita.)

The Neighborhood: Avenue of the Arts

The Distance from Guild House Hotel: 4 minutes by car; 3 minutes by bike; 4 minutes on foot.

 

 

** Want to book a room or suite — or book the entire house — at our historic boutique Philadelphia hotel? Click here to plan your stay!