Cite Restaurant
Cite Rooftop Restaurant, 70th floor, Lake Point Tower, 505 N. Lake Shore Drive, Gold Coast, Chicago 60611. +1 312 644 4050. This stylish French/American resto-bar offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the Chicago skyline.
Castaways Bar and Grill, 1603 N. Shore Lake Drive, Chicago 60614. North Ave Beach. Lincoln Park. Open May through September. Daily 11am – 11pm.
Oak Street Beachstro, 1001 N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago (Gold Coast). Sitting right on the crescent curve of the Oak Street Beach, its tables on the sandy edge of Lake Michigan, this restaurant has a dazzling beach view.
North Pond, 2610 N. Cannon Drive, Chicago. +1 773 477 5845 Situated within the grounds of Lincoln Park, at the edge of a pond overlooking Chicago's dramatic skyline, North Pond can easily claim the city's loveliest setting. Business casual. Dinner Tues to Sun. Sunday Brunch 10.30 - 1.30pm.
Vines on Clark, 3554 N. Clark St. (Addison St), Chicago 60657. +1 773 327 8572. A rooftop deck for 50 and a sidewalk patio for 35 so you've got your al fresco options covered. Near Wrigley Field.
Signature Room at the 95th, 95th floor, John Hancock Building, 875 N. Michigan Ave (bet. Chestnut St & Delaware Pl.), Chicago 60611. +1 312 787 9596. On the Magnificent Mile and atop the building. Navy Pier is about 1 mile away, about 3 minutes by taxi. Windows on all sides provide a spectacular view from almost any part of the Signature Room on the 95th floor or Signature Lounge on the 96th but you should request a table near the South East windows. Sun to Thurs 11.30am - 12.30am. Fri & Sat 11.30am - 1.30am
Zed 451, 739 N Clark St, Chicago. +1 312 266 6691. email
NoMI, 7th Floor, Park Hyatt, 800 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago 60611. +1 312 239 4030. NoMI Garden, the über-chic NoMI Lounge and Cellar on the seventh floor.
The Terrace Rooftop, 4th floor, The Peninsula Hotel, 108 E. Superior St (bet. Michigan Ave. & Rush St.), Chicago 60611. +1 312 573 6695. (River North). Eastern skyline views over Chicago.
The Lobby, 5th floor, The Peninsula Hotel, 108 E. Superior St (bet. Michigan Ave. & Rush St.), Chicago 60611. +1 312 573 6760. Huge windows.
Peninsula
The Terrace, The Peninsula Hotel, 108 E. Superior St (bet. Michigan Ave. & Rush St.), Chicago 60611. +1 312 573 6695. Small plates and specialty cocktails.
C-View, Affinia Hotel, 166 E. Superior St, Streeterville, Chicago 60611. +1 312 523 0923. The C-House restaurant serves smaller portions of its seafood-focused menu on the cozy rooftop.
Citizen Rooftop Bar
Citizen Rooftop Bar, 364 W Erie St, Chicago. +1 312 640 1156. Rooftop. 2 levels, 2 bars and Djs. facebook
Epic Sky, 112 W Hubbard St, Chicago. +1 312 222 4940. 3rd floor outdoor rooftop. Summer months. Mon to Fri 4pm - 2am. Sat 4pm – 3am. email
Sixteen Restaurant
Sixteen, 16th floor, Trump International Tower & Hotel, 401 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago 60611. +1 312 588 8151. 30-foot floor-to-ceiling windows. Just North of Chicago River. Bar opens daily at 11am.
The Terrace at Trump
The Terrace at Trump, 16th floor (adjacent to Sixteen). Trump International Tower & Hotel, 401 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago 60611. +1 877 458 7867. Spectacular vistas of Lake Michigan, the Chicago River and the Wrigley Clock Tower. Seasonal. Daily 2.30pm to 11pm. The Terrace may be currently closed.
Rebar Lounge, Mezzanine Level, Trump International Hotel & Tower, 401 N. Wabash Avenue, Chicago 60611. A chic and sophisticated lounge with gorgeous views of the Chicago River and Michigan Avenue Bridge.
Whiskey Sky Rooftop Bar, 33rd floor, W Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Drive (between N. Eire St and N. Ontario St), Chicago 60611. +1 312 255 4463. Panoramic city views at the lake shore. Directly across the street from the Pier. Starwood.
Wave Rooftop Restaurant, 33rd floor, W Hotel, 644 N. Lake Shore Drive (between N. Eire St and N. Ontario St), Chicago 60611. Overlooks the sparkling shores of Lake Michigan. Breakfast Daily 6am – 11am. Lunch Daily 11am – 2pm. Bar Menu Daily 2pm – 5pm. Dinner Sun to Thurs 5pm –10pm. Fri – Sat 5pm – 11pm. Starwood.
Vertigo
Vertigo Sky Rooftop Lounge, Dana Hotel & Spa, Two West Erie Street, Chicago 60654. +1 312 213 9637. Fancy rooftop bar. Cocktails perched 26 floors up. DJ nightly. Fall and winter hours of operation: Patio closes at 11pm on weekdays and 12 midnight on weekends. Sun to Wed 6pm - 12 Midnight. Thurs & Fri 6pm - 2am. Sat 6pm - 3am. email
Skyline Terrace, 22nd floor, Best Western Inn, 162 E. Ohio Street, Chicago 60611. +1 312 573 6695. Enjoy the view from this rooftop terrace. Warm months.
Rock Bottom, 1 West Grand Avenue, Chicago, IL 60654. +1 312 755 9339. Mon to Fri 11am - 2am. Sat & Sun. Now opening at 10am with a great new brunch menu.
Terrace at Conrad
The Terrace at the Conrad Conrad, 5th floor, Conrad Hotel, 521 N. Rush St (bet. Illinois St & Grand Ave), Chicago 60611. +1 312 645 1500. Seasonal. Daily for Lunch, Dinner and Drinks 11.30am - 11pm.
Cityscape Bar, 15th floor, 350 W Mart Center Dr, Chicago. +1 312 836 5000 Floor to Ceiling city views. Mon - Thurs 3pm - 12 midnight. Fri & Sat 11am - 1am. Sun 11am - 12 midnight. Food till 11pm.
Plaza at Park Grill, 11 N. Michigan Ave (E. Madison Street), Chicago 60602. +1 312 957 8259. In the winter, the restaurant's innovative seating allows all diners a view of the fun on the McCormick Tribune Ice Rink. Mon to Thurs opens 11am & serving dinner until 9.30pm. Fri opens 11am & serving dinner until 10.30pm. Sat opens 10am & serving dinner until 10.30pm. email
The Wit Hotel
Roof, 27th floor, The Wit Hotel, 201 N. State St, Chicago 60601. +1 312 239 9501. Indoor/outdoor lounge featuring soaring panoramic views, roaring fire pits, live music, telescopes and unparalleled ambiance. Overlooking the Chicago River with stunning views of the city. Mon to Thurs 3pm - 2am. Fri 1pm - 2am. Sat 1pm - 3pm. Sun 1pm - 12 Midnight. Hilton.
Rivers, 30 South Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL 60606. +1 312 559 1515. Large outdoor deck for alfresco dining during warm weather months. email
Plymouth Rooftop Bar & Grill, 327 S. Plymouth Ct, The Loop, Chicago 60604. +1 312 362 1212. This is a cool little outdoor rooftop bar overlooking, yes, a parking garage top and the library and the el. It's a great hangout for drinks after work in the loop. Open year round. Summer Hours May - Sept 30th: Mon to Fri 11am - Close. Sat & Sun 10am - Close. Winter Hours Oct till April 30th: Mon to Fri 4pm - Close. Sat & Sun Closed.
Everest Room, 40th floor, Chicago Stock Exchange Building, 440 S. LaSalle St (Congress Pkwy), Chicago 60605. +1 312 663 8920. On the top floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange, this elegant restaurant has magnificent views of the city. Tues to Fri from 5.30 pm. Sat from 5pm.
Terzo Piano Rooftop, Modern Wing, Art Institute of Chicago, 159 East Monroe, Chicago, Illinois 60603. +1 312 443 8650. Views of Millennium Park and Michigan Avenue. Lunch daily and also Thursday Dinner.
The Rooftop Lounge, 3rd floor, Market Bar, 1113 W. Randolf St (between Aberdeen St and May St), Chicago 60607. +1 312 929 4787. Retractable roof. Cabanas. Sun to Wed 11am - 12 Midnight. Thurs 11am - 2am. Fri 11am - 2am. Sat 11am - 3am. email
Pegasus
Pegasus, 130 South Halsted St, Chicago 60661. +1 312 226 3377. 888 558 2637. The rooftop has plenty of seating and a full bar and it offers diners a beautiful, unobstructed Eastern view of the Chicago Skyline. SUMMER: Sun 12 Noon - 12 Midnight. Mon to Thurs 11am - 12 Midnight. Fri 11am - 1am. Sat 12 Noon - 1am. WINTER: Sun 12 Noon - 11pm. Mon to Thurs 11am - 11pm. Fri 11am - 1am. Sat 12 Noon - 1am.
Medici, 1327 E 57th St (Kenwood St), Hyde Park, Chicago. +1 773 667 7394. Outdoor patio. South.
Ale House and Rooftop Cafe, 825 S Oak Park Ave, Oak Park, Chicago. +1 708 848 2801. West.
Ventana Revolving Restaurant, atop Hyatt Regency O'Hare, 9300 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Rosemont, IL 60018-5202. +1 847 696 1234. Near O'Hare airport. North West. Closed to the public; only open for receptions, parties, etc.
Aroma Indian Cuisine, 270 Hawthorn Village Common, Vernon Hills, Illinois 60061.+ 1 847 247 0898.
Ol Orchard Rooftop Bar, Wilde & Greene, Westfield Old Orchard Mall, Stokie, Il.