Houston rooftop bars: 11 downtown spots to enjoy a drink, sunset views

Yahaira Trejos and Luis Garcia on the rooftop deck at El Big Bad on Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Houston.

Yahaira Trejos and Luis Garcia on the rooftop deck at El Big Bad on Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Houston.

Karen Warren/Staff photographer

All is right in the world with a drink in your hand, several stories up, where you can see the sunset from an optimal view.

And Houston has no shortage of rooftop bars from which to do just that. From a rooftop terrace fit for the family to a hookah bar to try with friends, you're sure to enjoy the view from these 11 bars and restaurants.

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Downtown Houston rooftop bars

Z on 23 Rooftop bar

The views are magnificent from Z on 23, Houston's highest open-air rooftop bar at downtown’s Le Meridien Hotel.

The views are magnificent from Z on 23, Houston's highest open-air rooftop bar at downtown’s Le Meridien Hotel.

Greg Morago

Twenty-three stories high in Le Méridien hotel, Z on 23 offers a full 360-view of downtown Houston. Attached to restaurant Zutro, you can get a drink on the rooftop before dinner or make the rooftop view your main course. Z on on 23 has a full-service bar and shareable bites like Margherita flatbread, hummus and spinach and artichoke dip.

1121 Walker St.; 3 p.m.-midnight daily

Sunset Rooftop Lounge

In the vibrant EaDo neighborhood, Sunset Rooftop Lounge brings live music, downtown views and cocktails together. The bar offers a wide variety of whiskeys and puts a spin on classic cocktails by each drink name with "sunset." Be sure to eat before you go because there is no food menu.

Happy hour is 4-7 p.m. Monday through Friday. Deals include $3 off signature cocktails, $2 off frozen cocktails and half off all wine bottles and draft beer. And don't miss out on daily events including live music Sundays and Latin night Thursdays.

2119 Dallas St.; 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Monday-Friday, 12 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

Patterson Park

Patterson Park is a colorful rooftop bar that has events daily and happy hour deals. 

Patterson Park is a colorful rooftop bar that has events daily and happy hour deals.

Courtesy of Patterson Park

Perfect for both you and your dog, the colorful Patterson Park bar has specials and lawn games all week long. Drinks include a mix of classics and fun tropical drinks. Various food trucks on site, such as Nola Po Boys and Lupe Tortilla, will keep you fed.

Happy hour is 2-7 p.m. Monday through Friday with $7 ranch waters, $5 Deep Eddy drinks and $1 off draft beers. Industry Night is 7 p.m. to close Sunday through Thursday, during which you can show proof of employment and get 20 percent off your tab. Also, bicycle riders receive 10 percent off at all times. Events hosted at Patterson Park, including "movie night Mondays" and "ladies night Tuesdays," come with their own special deals .

2205 Patterson St.; 2 p.m.-12 a.m. Monday-Thursday, 2 p.m.-12 a.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, 12 p.m.-12 a.m. Sunday

El Big Bad

Manuel and Evelyn Median enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop deck at El Big Bad on Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Houston.

Manuel and Evelyn Median enjoy a cocktail on the rooftop deck at El Big Bad on Saturday, April 8, 2023 in Houston.

Karen Warren/Staff photographer

In the heart of downtown, El Big Bad brings its Mexican flare to the rooftop scene. It claims to have the world's largest infused tequila bar with more than 30 house-made infused tequilas. And from the kitchen, order Mexican, Latin and Texas cuisine such as tacos, nachos and wings.

419 Travis St.; 4 p.m.-12 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday through Saturday

Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co.

View of downtown Houston skyline from the second floor of Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company in Houston.

View of downtown Houston skyline from the second floor of Buffalo Bayou Brewing Company in Houston.

Marie D. De Jesús/Staff photographer

Get a clear view of the Houston skyline with a drink in hand at Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co. A three-story location, the brewery has its own unique beer to enjoy with your dog or the whole family. A full-service kitchen serves up wings, pizza and tacos.

"Hoppy hour" is 3-6 p.m. Monday through Friday offering $1 off all beer and $2 off all appetizers. Also, don't miss "taco Tuesday" and weekend crawfish boils.

2101 Summer St.; 11 a.m.-midnight daily

Harold's Restaurant & Tap Room

Located in a 100-year-old building in the Heights, Harold's Restaurant, Bar & Rooftop Terrace has Southern cuisine with seasonal dishes. Eat and drink in the taproom on the first level or on the upstairs terrace.

Get happy hour drinks from 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. and happy hour grub from 4-6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.

350 W. 19th St.; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

Upstairs Bar & Lounge

With a rooftop terrace perched in Oak trees, Upstairs Bar & Lounge is a casual spot to get some fresh air and enjoy drinks and a pizza. Enjoy a variety of salads, sandwiches and pizza while there.

Happy hour is 3-6 p.m. daily with $5 draft beers, $7 house wine, $9 signature cocktails and specials on bar bites. There are also daily specials including "mules and martini Monday" and "wine down Wednesday."

2356 Rice Blvd.; 3-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday

Lawless Spirits & Kitchen

A swanky bar in the Rice Hotel, Lawless Spirits & Kitchen has a cozy rooftop terrace. Get drinks and shareable bites such as a grazing board or brisket nachos. And if you don't feel like drinking alcohol, the beverage menu includes a variety of mocktails.

909 Texas Avenue; 4-10 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, 4-11 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday, 6 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday

B&B Butchers & Restaurant

Steakhouse B&B Butchers & Restaurant in the Sixth Ward has an upper terrace with views of the Houston skyline. Enjoy lunch, dinner, drinks or weekend brunch when you're there.

1814 Washington Avenue; 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

77 Degrees

There are drinks, light bites and hookah on offer at Midtown's 77 Degrees . Expect DJs and a lively atmosphere at this rooftop bar. Drinks are Caribbean inspired.

2416 Brazos St.; 5 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday- Friday, 3 p.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday

The Dogwood

At two stories high, The Dogwood brings Southern food together with classic drinks. A perfect stop if you're bar hopping in Midtown and want loud music.

Happy hour is 4-7 p.m. weekdays with select appetizers such as chips and queso ringing in at $6.

2403 Bagby St.; 4 p.m. to 12 a.m. Monday and Tuesday, 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Wednesday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday