photo by Nathan Mueller
Food & Drinks
33 Of America’s Best Summertime Drinking Holes
Nobody likes a bummer in the Summer so here is a little list to wet your whistle because the sunshine is here and it's heating up fast! The best way to cool down and really enjoy the rays? Heading to your favorite outdoor drinking...
photo by Nathan Mueller
Nobody likes a bummer in the Summer so here is a little list to wet your whistle because the sunshine is here and it's heating up fast! The best way to cool down and really enjoy the rays? Heading to your favorite outdoor drinking hole, of course. From oyster bars in Brooklyn to rooftops in Chicago to little New Orleans courtyards, we've got a little something for everyone who's looking to get out and hang with friends under the Summer sun. Tink, tink, tink. We'll cheers to that.
Reporter: Alyssa Brown | Location: Palihouse
Reporter: Alyssa Brown | Location: Palihouse
Sooo, this spot is pretty cool. Brooklyn Grange is a massive rooftop farm that overlooks the NYC skyline. While it's not a bar, you can rent out the space and throw quite a cocktail filled fete if you're in the market for a rooftop venue.
A Chicago crowd favorite, the rooftop at the Chicago Athletic Association is primo parking grounds for watching the sunset on the harbor. Head on up to Cindy’s Rooftop for a Negroni and a gorgeous view. Ambitious drinkers can go for another round of their signature cocktail.
Gaze out at the Hollywood sign in the distance at this colorful and trendy rooftop bar in LA. Mama Shelter is part hotel and part cool eatery. We’ll let you decide which you prefer, as you toast to that golden California good life.
Options abound at DC’s Columbia Room, where one may choose to enjoy their libations in the Spirits Library, Tasting Room or Punch Garden. Head to this James Beard award-nominated spot for outstanding craft cocktails and an elegant, old-world atmosphere.
This vibrant, Caribbean-inspired hotel has one of San Antonio's best drinking holes. Ocho is kind of like a cool tiffany blue birdcage meets greenhouse meets chic lounge space. With massive windows and a courtyard, this is an easy place to hang indoors or out while sipping on a glass of pinot.
Looking for a rooftop spot to grab a couple beers in San Diego? Head on over to Fairweather for great views and lots of brews.
A lush rooftop setting in Miami’s Brickell District, Sugar strikes a chord for anyone looking to sip on fresh lychee cocktails while taking in a city skyline view.
A top notch Brooklyn oyster bar, Maison Premiere is as known for its lush courtyard as it is for its massive absinthe bar. If you're looking for a kind of old-world, almost European vibe in NYC, this spot is legit.
Love, love, love how this spot perfectly combines indoor and outdoor space to make your drinking experience top notch. Check out Kettner Exchange if you’re after an awesome rooftop bar in San Diego with great cocktails.
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One of Manhattan's best rooftops to catch a quick cocktail with friends, Spyglass at the Archer Hotel overlooks Midtown West. A tough part of town to find a drinking hole that's stylish and cozy, this spot gets two thumbs up for being charming and convenient.
This West Hollywood eatery boasts unbeatable views of the Hollywood Hills. Grab a California Love cocktail at the bar and saddle on up to the loungers to enjoy the summertime scene.
DTLA has lots of rooftop options on deck, but Perch is one of the best for its cozy charm and great downtown views. Grab a couple glasses of bubbly and snap a few shots for the 'gram.
With one of Santa Monica’s most charming courtyards, the Fairmont Miramar is as lovely a spot to sip on a glass of rosé as it is to take in the beachy atmosphere. Head out this way if you’re looking for a lovely place to sit and spend the day by the beach.
In total Miami fashion, SOHO Beach House has that down-home-but-glossier tropical vibe we’re all about for a beachside hang. The hotel is equally charming too.
A West Hollywood long-stay hotel, Palihouse is a chic crashpad with gorgeous, lush courtyards. Pop over to this spot if you're after a beautiful sunset cocktail lounge outdoors.
A hidden gem of SoHo, Crosby Street Hotel has one of the most gorgeous courtyards in NYC. Full of lush plants and comfy lounge seating, this drinking spot is an easy place to spend a few hours in the sunshine with your crew.
If you're after a more intimate experience in Miami, a trip to 27 should be a priority. The cocktail list here is primo, and the ambience in the lush environs is even better.
Why head to the drinking hole when it can come to you? Check out The Old Fashioned if you're looking to hire a mobile cocktail bar for a gathering of folk. The vintage '54 Boles Aero caravan is pretty rad.
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Shaded by a towering oak tree, this cool Austin restaurant has a massive patio that's an easy place to spend an afternoon or evening with friends. The casual vibe feels oh-so-Austin.
With its Mad Men era décor and sweeping views of the NYC skyline, The Skylark offers a perfect perch for a sunset rosé or even a nightcap. This cocktail lounge feels like it's floating in the clouds above the city.
One of San Francisco's most exclusive venues, The Battery is a social club with multiple venue spaces. Head out to The Garden Bar if you're after a chic outdoor hang.
The 21C Hotel group is known for their cool hotel and museum combos that are modern and artistic. The Cincinnati outpost scores extra points by having a cocktail terrace that's perfectly suited for rooftop soirees in the Queen City.
An urban park filled with converted shipping containers, Quartyard is all about getting people together. Through music showcases, pop-up markets, movie nights, and other community-focused events, this spot gets some serious momentum going in the summertime.
Courtyards are a big part of southern culture and Cannon Green offers one of Charleston's most beautiful courtyards. If you're looking for a setting to have a few bottles of wine and a delicious meal with friends or family, check this spot out.
A bit of rock n' roll edge goes a long way in Austin, and this hotspot has all the rock vibes you'd expect. The Deck at Hotel Van Zandt gets pretty packed around sunset, what with the perfect views of Downtown ATX and all. Upside? It's totally worth the crowds.
Modern and spacious, the Q Rooftop Bar in Richmond offers views, brews and a whole lot of sunshine. Check this one out if you’re in the area and looking for a place to spend a few hours hanging with friends and enjoying the breeze.
With a combo of indoor and outdoor spaces, each with incredible views of Seattle, The Nest at The Thompson Hotel is an easy place to spend an afternoon with your crew. Sipping on local brews and overlooking the harbor on a summery Seattle day? Sign us up.
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New Orleans is home to many courtyards, but none quite like Bacchanal. This mega-sized courtyard packs out on a nightly basis and often features live music throughout those humid summer nights.
Savannah has a certain glowy southern charm about it at night, and nowhere is that more visible than from the deck at Cotton Sail Hotel. Head on over for an evening cheers with friends and gaze out at the river as the sun sets.
New Yorkers know this place well, as the Wythe Hotel is home to one of Brooklyn’s best rooftop drinking spots. Not only does it offer a great cocktail list, but the views of the NYC skyline are epic too.
They had us at fried chicken and sparkling rosé. The rooftop at Marvin on 14th Street in DC is a great spot for a post-work unwind.
When wood fired pizzas and craft beers are the claim to fame, we're all ears. With its big, open courtyard vibe, Louisville's Garage Bar is an awesome place to hang for a night out with friends.
With multiple roof decks, it'd be impossible to forget Denver's Avanti F&B in a drinking hole list. Dubbed "a collective eatery," you can expect delicious bites and a long list of brews.