Savvy planners know that when an event's finished for the day, important networking and valued connections are made during social, casual, pre-dinner mixers. Even as COVID-19 abates, eventgoers continue to be keen on social distancing and fresh air-infused event space. For sweeping vistas, dramatic cityscapes and setups that encourage flow, it’s hard to beat the top floor. Here are 15 rooftop venues across the United States to consider for your next alfresco gathering.
A note regarding COVID-19: Some of the venues listed here may not yet be available for hosting events due to COVID-19, or they may be operating at a lower capacity. As venues begin to slowly reopen across North America, we encourage event organizers to contact the venues to verify current capacity restrictions.
The Ready, New York
One of Tao Group's newest venues, The Ready, opened in April atop the 286-room Moxy East Village hotel in New York. Designed by Rockwell Group, the year-round rooftop space is meant to evoke an eclectic New York City backyard with multicolored crates, a green wall with climbing vines, a handpainted mural and a beer-pong table. Another bonus? The venue offers retractable glass walls and a retractable glass roof. The Ready can host semiprivate groups as small as 11, or host up to 150 for a reception-style buyout. Customizable catering options and open bar packages are available.
Photo: Courtesy of The Ready
St. Julep, Atlanta
Opened in March atop the new Kympton Sylvan Hotel, St. Julep is perched nine stories above Atlanta's Buckhead neighborhood and offers panoramic views of the city. The indoor-outdoor space boasts a hip, eclectic feel with bold colors and vibrant design elements, including a custom mural by local artist Shanequa Gay. The 3,400-square-foot space seats 36 and can hold as many as 200 guests standing. The space is available for full buyouts with rates starting at $15,000 and going up to $30,000 depending on the day of the week. For smaller events, the venue offers passed or stationed canapés and culinary displays. For buyouts, executive chef Brandon Chavannes can create a customized menu for guests.
Photo: Courtesy of St. Julep
HarbourView Inn, Charleston, S.C.
In June, HarbourView Inn unveiled a $1 million renovation including a refresh of its private, open-air rooftop terrace. As a nod to its location near Charleston’s historic harbor, the space features a nautical-inspired design by Jenny Keenan Design that includes custom furniture and plush seating. The 1,080-square-foot terrace is available for buyouts, as are all 52 guest rooms (rates vary depending on the dates and group size).
Photo: Courtesy of HarbourView Inn
The Vista, Cincinnati
Situated atop The Lytle Park Hotel, The Vista, offers 5,177 square feet of indoor-outdoor event space complete with sweeping views of Lytle Park, downtown Cincinnati and the Ohio River. The kitchen churns out contemporary dishes and specialty craft cocktails (the property is best known for its rotating monthly cocktail menu known as the Lytle Libation series). The space can host 100 guests for seated dinners or 150 for receptions. The space is available for full buyouts starting at a rate of $10,000.
Photo: Courtesy of The Vista
The Rooftop at Selina Chelsea, New York
Opened in September at Selina Chelsea, this 2,500-square-foot rooftop space can hold as many as 200 guests for events with a view. Definition Design’s Heather Maloney handled the design of the rooftop, which guests enter via an elevator that opens directly to a lounge and bar space with a plunge pool. The outdoor area is flanked by cabanas, daybeds and palm trees. It boasts views of the Hudson River and the Highline and features an east-facing VIP terrace offering unobstructed views of the Empire State Building. The drink menu includes cocktails and zero-proof cocktails built on the bases of mezcal, tequila, pisco, rum and aguardiente, using in-house ingredients. Full buyouts start at $7,500.
Photo: Courtesy of The Rooftop at Selina Chelsea
Alto at The MC Hotel, Montclair, N.J.
Captivating views of Montclair and the New York City skyline welcome groups from Alto, an all-season rooftop featuring over 3,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space within The MC Hotel. Host up to 100 guests (60 outdoors, 40 indoors) for receptions and seated events. Buyouts of 30 or more guests range from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the day of the week and menu selections.
Photo: Courtesy of Alto at The MC Hotel
Beacon Social Drinkery at Luminary Hotel & Co., Fort Myers, Fla.
Newly opened in the fall of 2020, Beacon Social Drinkery crowns the Luminary Hotel & Co., the area's first hotel in Marriott’s Autograph Collection. Nearly 1,600 square feet of 12th-floor rooftop event space overlooking the marina and the Caloosahatchee River hosts receptions only of up to 80 guests. Rates are based upon F&B minimums, plus day and duration of use.
Photo: Courtesy of Beacon Social Drinkery at Luminary Hotel & Co.
Gansevoort Rooftop at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC, New York
With 360-degree views of Manhattan, including a clear view of the newly developed Little Island at Pier 55, Gansevoort Rooftop at Gansevoort Meatpacking delivers for event planners with distinctive spaces and options including the Loft, North Terrace and the Greenhouse. There’s a total of more than 6,200 square feet of space, accommodating up to 240 for receptions or 133 for seated affairs. Buyouts include minimum F&B spends and range from $55,000 to $125,000-plus.
Photo: Courtesy of Gansevoort Rooftop
ION Rooftop Patio and L.A. Live Pool Sundeck at JW Marriott, Los Angeles
Stunning two-for-one venues at JW Marriott Los Angeles offer planners multiple California-cool setups accessing 12,000 square feet of space split between the pool sun deck and ION Rooftop Patio. Situated in the downtown core, the property is only steps from the Los Angeles Convention Center. Seated events accommodate 100 where the hotel’s fourth-floor pool deck features spectacular views of downtown, a heated swimming pool, a hot tub and a sun deck with loungers and cabanas. Full and partial buyouts range between $20,000 and $40,000, plus F&B minimums.
Photo: Courtesy of JW Marriott Los Angeles
Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Garden at JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, Savannah, Ga.
The newly opened JW Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District, located in the heart of historic Savannah, hosts a pair of rooftop venues: Moon Deck with 3,156 square feet can host 210 for receptions and 180 seated, while Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Garden hosts 180 for receptions only with 5,191 square feet. Full buyouts begin at $10,000, plus F&B minimums.
Photo: Courtesy of Myrtle & Rose Rooftop Garden
Perch360 at The Wyvern Hotel, Punta Gorda, Fla.
Guests of Perch 360 enjoy views of the royal palm-lined avenues of Punta Gorda and the impressive yachts moored in Charlotte Harbor at this boutique hotel rooftop haunt. With 2,800 square feet of space, 125 guests can be hosted for both receptions and seated events. Fire pits and cozy nooks make catching Florida’s sunsets alongside a tapas-style menu and craft cocktails a simple task. Full and partial buyouts are offered at flexible rates (starting at $1,500) midweek.
Photo: Courtesy of Perch360
Rosie’s on the Roof at The Higgins Hotel & Conference Center, New Orleans
This Rosie the Riveter-themed rooftop bar and lounge oozes nostalgia in the heart of the New Orleans Arts and Warehouse District, and it provides sweeping views of the city’s skyline as well as a glimpse of a bygone era. A member of Curio Collection by Hilton, the Higgins Hotel & Conference Center is styled with original World War II artifacts, such as Gen. George S. Patton's piano and a 48-star American flag, and offers convenient access to some of New Orleans’ top attractions, including The National WWII Museum and the French Quarter. Rosie’s accommodates 175 for receptions or 140 seated. Weekday buyouts start at $4,000.
Photo: Courtesy of Rosie’s on the Roof
Merchant & Trade at Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, Charlotte, N.C.
Merchant & Trade atop the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel delivers 4,500 square feet of sleek rooftop space at this 19-story-high overlook in the heart of uptown Charlotte. Guests get the VIP treatment with private entry and express elevator, indoor-outdoor flow, outdoor fire pits, gas-fired sconces and skyline views of the burgeoning Queen City skyline, including Romare Bearden Park and Truist Field, home of the Charlotte Knights. The venue accommodates up to 250 for receptions or 100 for seated affairs. Rates vary based on the type of event and season.
Photo: Courtesy of Merchant & Trade
The Moon’s Daughters at Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk, Texas
Opened in February, Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk is home to the Riverwalk’s hottest rooftop venue inspired by the Greek moon goddess, Selene. The Moon’s Daughters accommodates 200 guests for receptions or 150 guests seated, with 5,000 square feet overlooking downtown San Antonio and the fabled Riverwalk from 20 stories up high. Partial buyouts start at $20,000, while full buyouts start at $40,000.
Photo: Courtesy of The Moon’s Daughters
Tanner’s Treehouse at Pasea Hotel & Spa, Huntington Beach, Calif.
Everyone loves a treehouse, and Tanner’s Treehouse rekindles childhood joy with swinging chairs, cozy cabanas and plush sofas overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Host up to 156 guests at this 2,200-square-foot escape. Full and partial buyout rates range from $25,000 on weekdays to $100,000 on weekends, plus F&B minimums. The 250-room Pasea Hotel & Spa has direct beach access and 35,000 square feet of flexible meeting space.
Photo: Courtesy of Tanner’s Treehouse
