One of the perks of vacationing in San Diego is the perfect weather and everything it allows you to do. For one, San Diego has a remarkable selection of rooftop bars where you can enjoy your favorite beverage while taking in the spectacular views of the city and the bay. Happy hour in San Diego is second-to-none, and date night can get off to a tremendous start with getting-to-know-you drinks and appetizers overlooking the bustling city below. Below are our 9 favorite rooftop bars in San Diego for your approval. These are the best rooftop bars in San Diego for relaxing, having a cold one, and enjoying life to the fullest.
#1 – Float at Hard Rock Café
207 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp District
Set atop a classic Hard Rock Café & Hotel, this stylish poolside oasis is consistently voted San Diego’s best rooftop bar. Float at Hard Rock evolves into a sophisticated lounge in the late afternoons, complete with fire pits and music. You can rent private poolside cabanas, lounge seating, and flatscreen TVs to catch the game.
#2 – Upper East Bar
616 J Street, Gaslamp Quarter
If you’re looking for a trendy rooftop pool bar in the Gaslamp Quarter, you’ve found it. The best part? No cover charges. Spacious and inviting, the Upper East Bar is ideal for kicking back for drinks, especially during happy hour on Tuesday through Friday for deals on wells, drafts, wines, and canned beers. Relax in a rooftop chair at no cost, or reserve a poolside lounger or private cabana for an additional charge. On Thursdays, start the weekend early with half-off house margaritas.
#3 – Altitude Sky Lounge
660 K Street, Gaslamp Quarter
Altitude Sky Lounge is the highest open-air rooftop bar in the Gaslamp Quarter – 22 stories above the ground. The lounge skies over the city, including Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres. It’s a unique perspective to catch a game! From the rooftop bar, you can see Coronado Bridge and Point Loma. The views are complemented by a hearty menu of craft cocktails, beers, and wines at a reasonable price. (Hey, at least it’s not stadium prices.)
#4 – Rustic Root
535 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Rustic Root has an awesome vibe – super-relaxed. The cozy restaurant and rooftop bar are perfect for when you need a breather from the rest of the Gaslamp Quarter. At Rustic Root, you can hole up and snag a brew while keeping a watchful eye on the crowds making their way down Sixth Avenue. Many nights, it’s the ideal jumping-off spot or the place you want to be when the Last Call rolls around. Tasty New American nosh like truffle fries makes it harder to abandon your post at this laid-back gem.
#5 – The Nolen Rooftop
453 Sixth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
The Nolen is a quaint patio and rooftop with skyline views, lounge seating, and a communal fire pit. Sitting on the 14th floor, The Nolen isn’t as high or majestic as some of the other rooftop bars on this list, but what it lacks in size makes up for in character. (Isn’t that how it always is?) The bar’s wonderfully crafted menu includes traditional favorites like the Nolen Old Fashioned and more contemporary cocktails like the Nolen Smash.
#6 – Lumi by Akira Back
366 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Sheek and contemporary, Lumi by Akira Back in the Gaslamp Quarter is the best spot in the Gaslamp Quarter to have sake at sunset. Lumi has innovative fare and fantastic views. A Michelin-starred chef utilizes Korean and Nikkei influences to craft modern Japanese cuisine that pairs perfectly with top-tier Japanese whiskies and other handcrafted cocktails on the menu.
#7 – Level 9 Rooftop Bar
509 Ninth Avenue, Gaslamp Quarter
Sitting high above Petco Park, Level 9 Rooftop Bar presents an unparalleled atmosphere to eat and drink in the east end of the Gaslamp Quarter. The modern outdoor lounge has a firepit and plenty of seating to enjoy the views of the San Diego skyline. The hearty menu includes tastes like grilled salmon tacos, sweet potato fries with chipotle bacon jam, and roasted beet salad.
#8 – The Rooftop by STK
600 F Street, Gaslamp District
The Rooftop by STK is the top-floor club at the Andaz Hotel that caters to the velvet-rope and VIP crowd. During the day, you can dine al fresco at a rooftop table overlooking the city. In the evening, enjoy prime cuts of steak from the main menu, or enjoy a creative cocktail at one of the hippest spots in the city.
#9 – The Pool House
435 Fifth Avenue, Gaslamp District
The Pool House at Pendry has some of the best rooftop views in the Gaslamp Quarter. Perched high above Fifth Avenue, the open-air bar is an outdoor oasis featuring a signature bar and cocktail experience for poolside guests. The pool has an incredible beach club-type vibe, with delicious cocktails and food. It’s a great place to go to enjoy the weather, people watch and grab something to eat.
Vacation Rentals in Downtown San Diego
You’ve come to the right place if you’re researching rooftop bars for your next trip to San Diego. We have condos, townhouses, and private homes that you can rent for your vacation that are larger, nicer, and more private than any hotel you’ll find in the city. Avoid crowds and those who prey on tourists by reserving one of our quiet residences for your stay. You’ll have the utmost privacy and a slew of amenities and perks you wouldn’t get at a traditional hotel.
We have vacation rentals in all shapes and sizes all over San Diego, so if you’re coming to party in the Gaslamp Quarter, we have excellent properties there. We also have tremendous rentals near the beach that are affordable and awesome. Browse our inventory now or contact us at 858-531-3247, and we can recommend something based on your needs, budget, and timeframe.
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