Last updated on September 30th, 2024 at 07:48 pm
Why stand in long lines of observation decks when you can get panoramic views of Chicago for free!?
There has been a renaissance of rooftop culture in Chicago since 2015. This has not only given a new meaning to the short-lived Chicago summer but free public access to several old heritage buildings. Now, you could pay to visit the observation decks of Willis Tower or the John Hancock Tower or escape the entrance fee altogether by going to one of the places mentioned below.
In this post, I am going to share 5 of my favorite Chicago rooftops with exceptional panoramic views of downtown. All you have to do is get a drink or grab a friend who will if you want it to be completely free. I will also share my 5 bucket list rooftop bars at the end that I hope to visit soon. There you go, 10 best rooftop bars to pick from this summer.
On that note, here are our recommended summer activities in Chicago. If this is your first trip to Chicago or to the US you definitely want to read these practical money saving tips we put together.
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1. London House
Recently open to the public, London House is located at the corner of Wacker Drive and Michigan Street. The outdoor rooftop offers a panoramic view of the city, and wait for it, it even has a cupola for a higher vantage point. My favorite part is watching the bend of Chicago River giving an interesting perspective to the skyline.
There are two rooftop lounges in London House. One is indoor and the other, where you want to be, is outdoors a floor above the main lounge level.
2. Cindy’s Rooftop
Cindy’s Rooftop certainly offers a very different view from other rooftops mentioned here. The rooftop patio opens into a view of vast green space of Grant Park blending into blues of Lake Michigan in the horizon. I love how tiny the Bean in Millenium Park looks from up here. On the southern corner, you can see other famous Chicago landmarks such as Art Institute, Buckingham Fountain, Shedd Aquarium and, Adler Planetarium.
Cindy’s is located on top of the Chicago Athletic Association Hotel which makes for a great brunch spot as well.
PRO TIP: While you are at Cindy’s stop by at their Game Room on the second level (hotel lobby). They not only have a pool table but lots of antique decorations from the past.
3. Raised Rooftop
My recent find, Raised Rooftop is located on top of Renaissance hotel on the intersection of Wacker Dr. and State St. Technically this patio – terrace is only on the 3rd floor, the angle at which it opens up provides a gorgeous panorama of downtown.
They have a big indoor lounge and bar area but I was pleasantly surprised by the spacious outdoor terrace which offers fire pits for the winter season. According to one of the bartenders, their outdoor space is open all year long!
4. Signature Lounge
This one is here for its legacy, Signature Lounge is one of the oldest lounges in a high rise with 360-degree views of Chicago. It’s been one of my favorite spots in downtown Chicago for almost a decade. TIP: Best time to visit is right before sunset.
Don’t confuse this with Signature Room which is a restaurant one level down. The lounge is located on the 96th floor of John Hancock Tower, just a floor below the main observatory. The Signature lounge doesn’t accept reservations so you might have to wait to get seated depending on what time of the week/day you go.
PRO TIP: To all the ladies out there, make your way to the ladies’ room! With floor-to-ceiling glass walls, I haven’t seen a loo with better views ever (Sorry, Gents).
5. Restoration Hardware
RH store located in the Gold Coast area of Chicago is not necessarily a rooftop bar; it’s much more. It is, in fact, a unique home furnishing retail store with a beautiful restaurant, a coffee shop, and a wine bar inside. Another Chicago old heritage building restored by this Californian company, RH furniture store, allows you to roam freely throughout their five floors (indoors & rooftop) with your drinks in tow.
PRO TIP: Try reserving a spot for brunch or lunch at their beautiful indoor courtyard restaurant called 3 Arts Club Cafe.
Chicago Rooftop Bars Bucket List
As always, I have my bucket list, too, and below are the Chicago rooftops that I want to visit in better weather. Once I visit, I will update this post with new views and reviews.
Meanwhile, if you guys have been to any of these rooftops, then don’t forget to leave your reviews in the comments section. Or if you have any other recommendations, please do tell!
- 6. Noyane – Gotta go here.
- 7. Green River – I must mention that I dined in Green River, but the rooftop was closed for a private party.
- 8. Joy District – Also dined in Joy District since I heard a lot about their rooftop, but it was closed for the season.
- 9. Aire – I tried visiting Aire as well in early Nov, but even that was closed for the season.
- 10. The J. Parker – Gotta go here.
The second most difficult debate between me and my husband, after iOS and Android, is which is the best skyline in the US – New York City or Chicago? It always ends with us agreeing to disagree since Chicago is and will always be my first home in the US. Although much smaller compared to Manhattan’s skyline, Chicago’s architectural beauty & history is beyond comparison.
Hope you guys enjoyed this post. Don’t forget to share it with friends and family!
Where to Stay in Chicago
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- 3 Days in St. Augustine, Florida – Fun things to see and do
- The Best Day Trips from Las Vegas
Happy Traveling!
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This sounds like some amazing information to go exploring Chicago with! Will definitely keep this in mind!
Yes! Definitely a great way to see a big city 🙂
Beautiful photographs. I love a good roof bar. There is something about combining amazing city views and a good drink. I’ve not yet been to Chicago, but it’s been on my bucket list for a while. Time to start planning.
Please go in summer time and you will return in love with Chicago 😀
Wow, these pictures are amazing! I love rooftops and I always look for them wherever I travel. And it is so funny since me and my husband will move to Chicago soon, so perfect timing!
Omg! I moved out of Chicago a few years ago and miss it terribly. I wish you and your husband a wonderful stay in my beautiful city 🙂 And oh, if you need more recommendations then do check out my post on stuff to do in Chicago here – https://www.myticklefeet.com/chicago-travel-itinerary-what-to-see-do-eat/
Hi, thanks for the info do you know if any of them are kid friendly? We are going with an 11 year old, and I’m not sure if they would allow her into the lounges. Thanks!
Hi Sandy, that’s an excellent question. I know for sure that London House, Raised, Cindy’s & Signature lounge serve more than alcohol. They all have a small plate food and dessert menu as well. So my guess would be they should allow kids for food however if you can wait till this weekend, I can personally stop by to find out since I will be visiting the city! 😀
That would be great. We dont go until Nov, so that would be great !
I like how you list it down.. Thanks for posting this and Best Regards!
Thanks Kate! 🙂
OMG I loved this list! I’ll be heading over to Chicago in a couple of months so thank you so much for putting all of this together, I’m excited to see some of these in real life!
So excited for you! Chicago is one of the best cities ever, especially in summer! Have a fab trip there 🙂
Chicago looks like SUCH a cool city!! I love the look of it. All these views are amazing! My husband and I have been meaning to take a trip there for awhile as we’ve never been so I will be sure to refer back to this! I love rooftop views 😀
Thanks a lot Louise! I am in the process of writing a Chicago itinerary too which will come in handy for you too when you visit.. which I hope is very soon for you and your husband 🙂
I love this collection!! Need to check out Chicago!!! The photos are amazing! ❤️
Thank-you!! Yes check out Chicago and please go during warmer days tho 😉
These are some great rooftops with some awesome views… definitely bookmarking this for when i take a trip to Chicago.. I want to go to all of them!
Chicago has been on my list for quite some time – I’m happy that you gave a breakdown of all the great places to see the cityscape! I’ve been to NYC and the views were spectacular…so now I can actually compare once I make it to Chicago! lol
I am so glad I could help. Tbh, I can’t wait to go back to Chicago to check out the remaining rooftops in my list ..lol I might be biased since I called Chicago home for many years but Chicago is definitely prettier than NYC although not as big.
Chicago has been on my list for quite some time – I’m happy that you gave a breakdown of all the great places to see the cityscape! I’ve been to NYC and the views were spectacular…so now I can actually compare once I make it to Chicago! lol
Restoration Hardware?! Ha, how funny that you can have drinks on their rooftop – great idea for them!
You have to see it to believe it Angela! You can even drink throughout the store and all the floors while lounging on the furniture that is on display. True Story!
I never knew Chicago was so beautiful! These are great tips to get the best views. I will be checking these out when I make a trip in the future
It is a very beautiful city! I hope you get to go soon 🙂
Those cityscapes are just just awesome! Would definitely visit any of these rooftops if I get to visit Chicago. Love your photos! 🙂
Thank-you so much Joy!! 😀
Omg these views are just amazing. The pictures too. This is sparking my lust to go to Chicagoo.
Thanks!! Let those sparks guide you to Go Chicagooo 😀
Wow, you took me down the memory lane. It was more than a decade back that I had seen skylines of both New York and Chicago. I would say between the two I would choose New York but then Chicago is no less. I remember going on top of a building that belonged to a retail chain for the views. Navy pier is another place I loved in Chicago along with its museum.
I am pretty sure you are talking about the view from top Sears tower Anu. And about 8 years ago its name changed to Willis tower since that retail chain moved it’s headqtrs in the burbs. You can still go on top to the observation deck, they even have a glass ledge now! check it out online. I am so glad to hear you got to see both the skylines, they are one of the best skylines in the US (maybe the world?) 😉 lol
I had the pleasure of working in downtown Chicago for 3 months. I lived right on Michigan, and I consider Chicago to have the most iconic cityscape view from the Navy Pier. Your rooftop list is long, and certainly offers opportunities to view this beautiful city in various ways.
Chicago has so many cool spots to view the skyline, Navy Pier as you mentioned and The Museum campus too is one of my favs. But rooftops have started becoming a thing here in the last 2-3 years .. so these are pretty unique views that weren’t accessible earlier. 🙂
I love Chicago! Next time I visit, I’d try to visit these! Free beautiful views, win!
Yes!! 🙂
The raised rooftop has such gorgeous views of the city. I also love establishments that have fireplaces for those cold winter nights. Such a great list!
Raised was one of my favorites 🙂
Being from Michigan, most of my high school friends have migrated to Chicago 🙂 Definitely sharing this with some of my girl friends!
Thanks Jordan!! I lived in Chicago for many years and I have friends from Michigan who live in the city too 🙂 The rooftop scene in Chicago is bringing its A game on.
I’m actually heading to Chicago next January. I absolutely love cityscape views, so this is like heaven to me. The best part, they’re free! Thanks for the fantastic suggestions! Will definitely be building some of these into my itinerary!
I am so glad this was of help! I hope you get to check out some rooftops in Jan… in case they don’t shut them coz of snow. Doesn’t harm to ask the bartender to let you out for a quick look/photo 😉
These are awesome views from the top!
Been around Chicago for about a decade, have no idea about all these options, very informative!
It’s has been a recent thing in Chicago. For the past couple of years, so many open rooftop bars have come up in old heritage buildings. Trust me I have a bucket list in there for a reason 🙂