The Top Rooftop Bars and Restaurants in Boston

Sometimes you’re fine with simply finding the closest possible restaurant patio for a pleasant al fresco meal. At other times, though, there’s something about ascending to a rooftop bar for a slightly more, well, elevated experience. When that mood strikes, here’s where to head, from a cocktail bar 12 floors above the city to beers and barbecue with skyline views to tasty tacos under clear blue skies.

This guide was last updated in May 2026; stay tuned for periodic updates.

Bubble Bath Back Bay. / Photo by Drea Catalano

Bubble Bath Back Bay

Bubble Bath’s original Downtown Boston food hall location sure is fun (A Champagne vending machine! Popcorn!)—but the 2025 expansion to Back Bay takes things up a level, or 15. Atop the CitizenM hotel, take in uninterrupted Boston skyline vistas over caviar carts (including make-your-own savory caviar cannoli), fancy bar snacks, and bubbly. This comes from Tiffani Faison’s restaurant group (Sweet Cheeks Q, Fool’s Errand), so you know it’s equal parts whimsical and tasty.

408 Newbury St. (CitizenM Back Bay Hotel; take the first elevator to floor 2 and the next elevator to “R”), Back Bay, Boston, bubblebathboston.com.

Cityside Tavern

A popular watering hole for Boston College grad students and their Brighton neighbors since ’85, Cityside is a friendly, straightforward city tavern with great people-watching, thanks to its roof deck overlooking Cleveland Circle and the comings and goings of the Green Line’s C trains. Enjoy your anthropological studies with something from Cityside’s “Hangover Cures” menu of brunch cocktails, including a boozy iced coffee with vanilla vodka, hazelnut liqueur, and whipped cream.

1960 Beacon St., Cleveland Circle, Brighton, Boston, 617-566-1002, cityside-tavern.com.

Daedalus

In Harvard Square, a neighborhood that has transformed dramatically over the last decade, enduring hangouts like the 25-year-old Daedalus take on a kind of mythic quality now. At this point, it has one of the oldest rooftop dining scenes in the area, still full of garrulous grad students who either sound like they’re on double dates or as though they’re practicing for debate club. In all instances, the people-pleasing New American food and drink, from sangria to some dessert-friendly Scotch and ports, remains a reliable social lubricant.

45.5 Mt. Auburn St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-349-0071, daedalusrestaurantcambridge.com.

Deck 12 at Yotel. / Courtesy photo

Deck 12

You’ll want to book a reservation in advance for this little nook a dozen floors high in the sky at the Seaport’s Yotel—and bring sunscreen, as it’s mostly uncovered, aside from a couple of umbrellas. Twinkling string lights add a bit of magic after sunset, but the spot is also a favorite for brunch—hello, crab-, shrimp-, and tuna-bedecked seafood towers. Views are impressive closeups of the Financial District skyline, and there’s plenty to drink. Start with the house frosé and then dip into other warm-weather concoctions, such as a cucumber melon cooler or an elderflower and cran-piña spritz. A concise selection of wine and beer is available, too. Keep it in mind for the cooler months, too, when Deck 12 breaks out the heaters and a ski lodge theme.

Yotel Boston, 65 Seaport Blvd., Seaport District, Boston, 617-377-4640, deck12bos.com.

The rooftop beer hall at Dorchester Brewing Company is ready for year-round enjoyment. / Courtesy photo

Dorchester Brewing Company

The upper level of this neighborhood fave features a year-round enclosed space—with greenhouse-style floor-to-ceiling windows for views regardless of the weather—and a lively seasonal outdoor deck. (Look past the parking lot for impressive Back Bay skyline vistas.) Friendly crowds gather in the sun to enjoy ribs and brisket from the on-site restaurant, M & M BBQ, and, of course, beer. Dorchester Brewing’s own beers are on tap in numerous styles—fruited sours, New England IPAs, and more—plus other options produced on-site by partner brewers. There’s a bit of cider and wine, too.

1250 Massachusetts Ave., Dorchester, Boston, 617-514-0900, dorchesterbrewing.com. 

Earls rooftop. / Photo by Melissa Ostrow Photography

Earls Kitchen & Bar

This twinkling roof deck seats more than 200 people across various dining and lounge-style settings. It has a gigantic tree and an ivy-lined wall, and the retractable roof allows for year-round enjoyment. Earls, a Canadian chain, offers a globe-trotting menu, so you can enjoy Atlantic cod tacos while your date digs into ahi tuna tataki. Add a frozen margarita for fun.

The Shops at the Prudential Center, 800 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston, 857-957-0949, earls.ca.

Esmai’s Restaurant & Bar

This globetrotting Coolidge Corner restaurant (think: bulgogi empanadas; bánh mì; Buffalo chicken mac and cheese) boasts a cheery 45-seat roof deck—a rarity in this neck of the woods—with twinkling string lights and floral décor. Reservations are available for groups of six and up, and the roof is 21+ after 6 p.m. (Bring the fam for brunch, though—soufflé pancakes, anyone?)

1306 Beacon St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline, 617-232-8808, esmaisbrookline.com.

Felipe’s Taqueria

It’s party central at this iconic Harvard Square rooftop. There’s some seating, but you’re going to want to be on your feet, shoulder to shoulder with friends and strangers, socializing with the young, energetic crowd. The views are of good old Harvard Square—lots of red bricks!—and you’re almost definitely drinking a frozen margarita or a Modelo, perfect complements to burritos and Baja-style tacos filled with wood-grilled meats, fish, and veggies.

21 Brattle St., Harvard Square, Cambridge, 617-354-9944, felipesboston.com.

Foxglove Terrace

New for 2026, this cocktail bar atop Allston’s new Atlas Hotel—part fully indoors, part open-air—is sibling to Ama at the Atlas on the ground floor and Comfort Kitchen in Dorchester. High-concept drinks, bottle service, and room for dancing—complemented by panoramic city views—make for a fun night out. Hungry? Check out the selection of small plates showcasing local seafood.

40 Western Ave., 16th floor (Atlas Hotel), Allston, Boston, foxgloveterrace.com.

Gordon Ramsay Burger

Donkeys, assemble: The particularly loud television personality and restaurateur Gordon Ramsay opened his second Boston spot in summer 2023, this one focused on burgers. The second floor features a partially covered but mostly sunny roof deck with downtown and Greenway views—a good setting for an Oreo crème brûlée milkshake, some truffle fries, and a hefty burger.

Canopy by Hilton Hotel, 99 Blackstone St., Downtown Boston, 617-263-8610, gordonramsayrestaurants.com.

The Great American Beer Hall

Peek at the Boston skyline from north of the city in Medford. This multi-story beer hall features loads of outdoor space at ground level and on a sunny roof deck spanning out from the building’s mezzanine level. The lengthy beer list has something for everyone—lots of fun local picks, bolstered by some crowd-pleasing national brands—and there are cocktails and mocktails, too. Try easy-drinking summer specials like strawberry lime rickeys and mango margaritas alongside pizzas, giant pretzels, and more.

142 Mystic Ave., Medford, gabhall.com.

The Layover at Cunard Tavern

It feels like you’re cocktailing atop a tropical shipping container at Cunard Tavern’s so-called Layover in East Boston, a great place to see a spring or summer sunset over the western horizon. Currently open every night but Monday (and featuring trivia on Tuesdays), the deck has slim square-footage—so reserve a table in advance if you want to soak up the wharf-side breezes while wolfing down duck confit fried rice and sticky pork spare ribs with a mai tai.

24 Orleans St., East Boston, 617-567-7609, cunardtavern.com/roofdeck.

Legal Harborside. / Photo by Chip Nestor

Legal Harborside

This three-story behemoth is a stunner in all seasons, but summertime is when it really excels. Grab a pint at nearby Harpoon before hitting up Legal’s picturesque rooftop patio—equipped with a rain-fortified retractable roof—for some steamers, New England fried clams, and freshly shucked shellfish.

270 Northern Ave., Seaport District, Boston, 617-477-2900, legalseafoods.com.

The Lexington

Chef Will Gilson’s triad of restaurants at Cambridge Crossing includes Cafe Beatrice, an all-day café; Geppetto, a full-service Italian spot; and the Lexington, a people-pleasing restaurant and bar that just happens to boast a rare-for-the-neighborhood roof deck connected to its dining room by wide walls of retractable windows. It’s a stylish, breezy space for kicking back with Gilson’s New American cuisine (try the French onion grilled cheese or pan-roasted swordfish) and delightful cocktails.

100 N First St., East Cambridge, 617-945-1349, thelexingtoncx.com.

Mex Taqueria & Bar. / Courtesy photo

Mex Taqueria & Bar

Ascend through the first two levels of this gorgeously designed restaurant to find the rooftop, a festive hideaway above Kendall Square featuring hospitable service and tacos aplenty. A retractable covering provides a bit of shade on part of the roof, but be prepared for sun. (There’s not much to see up here aside from a building across the street and plenty of blue skies above, but fun vibes make up for the lack of a spectacular view.) To drink, you’re ordering margaritas galore, in plenty of flavors, of course, but don’t miss the mangonada slushie, garnished with a Tajín rim and tamarind candy stick. And don’t hesitate to come here for a full meal: The tacos are top-notch.

500 Technology Square, Kendall Square, Cambridge, 617-945-2503, mexcambridge.com. 

Mia at Umbria

Taking over the former Ristorante Fiore space, restaurateur Frank DePasquale debuted Umbria in summer 2023, a North End rebirth of a multi-story restaurant, bar, and club downtown. The Italian steakhouse features two floors of indoor dining, plus the roof deck, Mia, a reservation-only, adults-only space open Friday through Sunday night. Ditch your hats, sandals, shorts, and athletic wear when you head here for made-to-share appetizers, plus cocktails and nightlife.

250 Hanover St., North End, Boston, 617-865-1265, umbrianorthend.com. 

Over the Charles. / Courtesy photo

Over the Charles

With a relaxed atmosphere, this rooftop on the 16th floor of the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Boston-Cambridge plays host to hotel guests and locals alike, who come for the stunning vistas and satisfying bites and drinks. Framingham-based Jack’s Abby, known for its lagers, is featured here; watch for a rotating selection on draft as well as some options by the can. There are also plenty of cocktails, including a couple of selections available by the five-serving tower. Bonus points for churros. High-top seating ensures you won’t miss a thing when it comes to the commanding panoramas of the Charles River—and the skyline—on both sides.

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton, 400 Soldiers Field Rd., Allston, Boston, 617-783-0090, hilton.com.

Pier 6. / Photo by Brian Samuels Photography

Pier 6

Dine in full view of the historic Charlestown Navy Yard and the USS Constitution on the roof deck, or on the huge, first-floor patio. Downstairs, there’s an outdoor bar, with rosé magnums and cocktails like the painkillers and frozen mudslides. Plus: There’s a complimentary (weather-dependent) seasonal water taxi directly to the equally scenic East Boston sibling spot, ReelHouse.

1 8th St., Charlestown, Boston, 617-337-0054, pier6boston.com.

Rooftop at the Envoy. / Courtesy photo

Rooftop at the Envoy

Best of Boston winner, 2021

Perhaps best known for its winter igloos, the Envoy Hotel’s rooftop is a destination in warmer months, too, drawing huge, well-dressed crowds to sip cocktails high above the Seaport. Special seating areas, including some with fire pits for those summer nights that get a little chilly, can be reserved for a fee. Wherever you sit, the downtown skyline and Boston Harbor are in full, glorious view. Expect easy-drinking cocktails like lychee frosé and fun spritzes; classic cocktails with a choice of top-shelf liquors; and straightforward beer and wine lists.

The Envoy Hotel, 70 Sleeper St., Seaport District, Boston, 617-530-1538, envoyrooftop.com.

Rooftop @ Revere / Courtesy

Rooftop at Revere

The Revere Hotel’s expansive rooftop bar offers the perfect blend of right-in-the-middle-of-the-city energy and up-so-high exclusivity. Settle in and enjoy the views; there’s a bit of a parking garage from one angle, but it barely detracts from the downtown city sights and gorgeous sunsets. A mix of high-tops, standard tables, and bar seating give plenty of options for hanging out (plus, there’s some indoor lounge space to duck into if the weather turns). You’ll find sangria and other refreshing, fruity cocktails available alongside a short beer and wine list—with a couple of pricier bubbly options if you’re feeling fancy—and a snacky food menu with poke, salt-and-vinegar wings, grilled street corn, and more.

200 Stuart St., Bay Village, Boston, 617-482-1800, rooftopatrevere.com.

The RTP at the Colonnade Hotel. / Courtesy photo

RTP at the Colonnade Hotel

It’s exclusive, it’s sunny, and it’s a must-visit on your summer-in-Boston bucket list. This isn’t just a bar a dozen floors above Back Bay with the skyline so close you could almost touch it: RTP stands for rooftop pool, and it’s among the only ones open to the public around Boston these days. (You’ll have to pay a hefty entrance fee if you’re not a hotel guest, though.) To drink, frozen cocktails take center stage, but you can dive into a non-frozen cocktail or a short list of beers and wines if you prefer.

The Colonnade Hotel, 120 Huntington Ave., Back Bay, Boston, 617-425-3420, colonnadehotel.com/roof-top-pool. 

Saigon Babylon’s roof deck. / Photo by Rachel Leah Blumenthal

Saigon Babylon

Best of Boston Vietnamese restaurant Saigon Babylon, from the talented folks behind Cicada and the Eaves, is beautifully decorated inside and out. On the garden-like Central Square rooftop, you’ll sit amongst greenery and artfully crumbling stone columns while sipping on, perhaps, a tamarind Old Fashioned or foamy gin-and-yuzu-jam concoction. The short but delightful food menu includes an irresistible lemongrass beef carpaccio, gingery sliced duck with fresh rice noodles, and more. Good views from the indoor section, too.

907 Main St., Floor 5, Central Square, Cambridge, 617-945-4509, instagram.com/saigon_babylon.

Samuel Adams Downtown Boston Taproom. / Photo by After Brunch Entertainment x Sam Adams Downtown Taproom

Samuel Adams Downtown Boston Taproom

Drinking Sam Adams right outside Faneuil Hall might feel a tad touristy, but that’s not a bad thing when you’re soaking in the sunshine and knocking back a lager after work in this umbrella-bedecked space. And the roof deck is just a story up, so it’s perfect for those who feel a little queasy at the thought of bird’s-eye views. (Instead, the view is basically Boston history—including, conveniently, a Samuel Adams statue that long predates the opening of the taproom.) To drink, choose from 20 or so rotating Sam Adams brews—everything from classics such as the Summer Ale to taproom exclusives like Unphazed, a New England IPA, and Cherry Wheat, a cherry ale with a touch of honey. Flights are available, too, as are snacks like pretzels and tater tots.

60 State St., Downtown Boston, 617-466-6418, samadamsbostontaproom.com.

Trillium Brewing Company’s Seaport roof deck. / Courtesy photo

Trillium Brewing Company

Trillium’s energy-packed Seaport location is topped with an uncovered roof deck with its own bar. The space fills up fast, but if you’re lucky, you’ll be able to grab a table or room at the standing rail. Place your order at the bar and enjoy your drink among a pretty chill crowd of beer lovers. Trillium’s own beer is showcased here, naturally. The roof deck features a variety of rotating draft pours; keep an eye out for hoppy IPAs, a fruity Berliner Weisse or two, some crisp lagers, and more, not to mention hard seltzers from Trillium’s in-house brand, Soak. Views include Seaport architecture, old and new; the occasional low-flying gull; and Trader Joe’s—brainstorm your shopping list while you drink.

50 Thomson Pl., Seaport District, Boston, 857-449-0083, trilliumbrewing.com.

With additional research by Siena Griffin.