With spring arriving, it's time for a new and hot Chicago rooftop season. Packed with elevated venues to enjoy the city from above, we've picked our favorite 'must-visit' spots for 2026. Some new and fresh venues, and some offering an extra special experience this year.
Visiting rooftop bars in Chicago is a popular thing to do - both among tourist and locals - so always book your spot in advance. Also, check out which of the rooftops that are winter open and equipped with rooftop igloos.
Soaring above the heart of Chicago, The Riu Rooftop is a chic, well-designed and open-air rooftop, inviting to an elevated setting where the vibrant meets the upscale. Featuring a sleek bar and a blend of dining tables, cosy fire pit loungers, and bar stools right by the edge, here you are surrounded with spectacular panoramic views of the Chicago skyline. While the sweeping vistas are highly impressive, the highlight when it comes to views and photo-ops is the glass balcony, where the dare devils can stand 'on air', 288 feet above the world below.
The Riu Rooftop is found on the 27th floor of Hotel Riu Plaza Chicago on 150 E Ontario Street.
The rooftop menu features an appealing blend of American and Latin flavors with global flair, complemented with a well-curated cocktail list, fresh mocktails, fine spirits, a wide array of beers and wines from all over the world.
Opened in September 2024, The Riu Rooftop Chicago has had one full rooftop season, but still very much feels like a breath of fresh air on the Chicago rooftop heaven for 2026. The seasonal setting (open from 3 April) also adds a bit of an exclusive touch, and if you haven't got your photo from the glass balcony yet, this is the year to put Chicago at your feet.
Tetto Chicago brings an upbeat, sophisticated twist to the West Loop rooftop scene with its Italian-inspired setting. This colorful and seasonal al fresco oasis creates a seamless environment for sun-soaked afternoons and lively evenings. While by no means sky-high, the terrace still comes surrounded with some really impressive skyline vistas, offering unobstructed and panoramic views of Chicago’s architectural icons.
The rooftop is set atop 406 N Sangamon in the vibrant Fulton Market. Note that access to the rooftop is via the elevator at 406 N Sangamon only.
Tetto’s menu showcases authentic Italian regional cuisine from Trattoria RNB, with a spotlight on Roman-style handmade pizza crafted by acclaimed chef Pasquale Di Diana. Antipasti and pasta round out the food offerings, complemented by summerish and refreshing cocktails, large format drinks, a strong spritz game, brews, seltzer and small sample of wines.
Since opening in 2023, Tetto Chicago is the place to go for a trip to the trattorias of Rome, Naples, and Bari, but with the Chicago skyline as backdrop. For the 2026 season, the rooftop will host the Chicago version of Azure Day Party, meaning every Sunday will be packed with house music, sweeping skyline views and all the vibes.
Pandan invites to a lush and intimate rooftop bar and lounge setting, with unobstructed views of Chicago’s skyline and Lake Michigan. While the year-round indoor lounge is stylish enough, the true gem is the seasonal outdoor terrace. Something of a rarity in Chicago, this is a poolside rooftop lounge, and really the go-to spot for summertime vibes in the glittering blue lighting reflecting off the pool.
Pandan is perched 18 floors up at the fantastic Viceroy Chicago in the Gold Coast area of Chicago.
The rooftop menu comes filled with a vast array of creative and beautiful cocktails sparkling with flavors, and a curated wine selection, paired with Southeast Asian-inspired bites perfect to share.
Taking over the top floor of Viceroy Chicago from Devereaux, Pandan opened during summer 2024. So while not brand new, it still has the allure of an exciting rooftop find. The bold and seasonal menu means you can always come back for a fresh experience, and summer season with the outdoor terrace in full swing, is of course prime time.
The 101 Rooftop is a vibrant urban oasis soaring above Chicago’s River North and Magnificent Mile. The rooftop is part of The 101 Bar, Grill & Rooftop, which also features a beautifully designed Bar & grill on the ground floor and a the 20th floor Club 101. The rooftop terrace showcases panoramic cityscape views, including Michigan Avenue, Lake Michigan, and the downtown skyline.
The 101 Rooftop is located atop Residence Inn by Marriott Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile.
The menu features Mediterranean-inspired dishes, shareable plates, and American comfort favorites, ranging from sliders and tacos to steak frites. Drink-wise, you can sip crafted signature cocktail and 101 classics, refreshing spritz, craft beer and a nice variety of wine.
For summer afternoons and evenings high above the heart of Chicago, The 101 Rooftop is hard to beat. Opened late summer 2024, many have not yet had the chance to experience this social oasis, but this is the year to make it happen. And while sunset visits are great, we would recommend the weekend rooftop brunch, which premiered during summer 2025.
Set 24 floors above the heart of Chicago, Château Carbide invites to an exclusive, crafted and sleek rooftop experience. Part stylish interior lounge, the rooftop also features a beautiful and sun-drenched alfresco garden, opening up to majestic views over the city skyline.
Château Carbide is set on top of the modern and exceptional Pendry Chicago, within the iconic 1929 Art Deco Carbide & Carbon Building in Chicago’s Loop neighborhood.
Expect perfectly crafted signature cocktails, a curated selection of wine and beers, complemented with elevated bar bites.
Ever evolving, and home to plenty of pop-up experiences, from March to May 2026, Château Carbide turns into an 'Speakeasy in the Sky', a classic Chicago speakeasy setting which features two live music sets nightly. And from end of May, there will be live music and DJ‑driven sounds every Friday & Saturday, raising the vibes all summer long.
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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