By Neva Andrews
There’s only one thing better than a cocktail at the end of a hard day’s sightseeing — a cocktail in a fancy rooftop bar. The views from this new breed of European hotel rooftop bar are so good, you could even call your afternoon drinks sightseeing. These chic rooftops are taking European cities’ nightlife to new heights for locals and guests alike with decadent designs, master mixologists, and stellar city views.
Soak in the skyline atop some of the continent-across-the-pond’s poshest perches with a cocktail in hand. Cocktails never taste better than when sipped under open skies, high above the noise and bustle of the city streets. Here are some of our top picks:
La Terazza Rose, St George Hotel, Rome
You have to like rosé if you’re going to drink at La Terazza; it’s the only bar in Europe to be dedicated exclusively to rosé wines. Actually, there is one other option—champagne, served up with platters of seafood which make a suitably swish supper for this sleek cream and stone-colored space.
Saltwater, Nottingham
The only rooftop bar in the city, Saltwater is a pretty impressive set-up: a terrace that can hold up to 250 party-goers, either for lazy days in the sunshine or slightly more energetic nights. The cocktail menu is impressive and the formal yet still pretty affordable indoor restaurant is a good spot for supper. Heat lamps and canopies mean you can party alfresco pretty much whatever the temperature; a good thing, with summers like ours.
China Moon Roof Terrace, Mandarin Oriental, Munich
Set on the eighth floor of Munich’s Mandarin Oriental, the Asian-inspired China Moon Roof Terrace opened this May with a newly designed bar and menu. Up that high, you’ll pair 360-degree panoramas of the twin domes of the Munich Cathedral, Parliament buildings, and Munich’s alpine horizon with Asian and Mediterranean eats and creative cocktails. Or pair those views with a daytime dip in the rooftop pool.
The 7th at Terrass Hotel, Paris
Perched on the seventh floor of the Montmartre neighborhood’s Terrass Hotel is The 7th, a rooftop with a picture-perfect Parisian panorama, with views that sweep across the Seine to the Eiffel tower and beyond. Now in its second season, advance table reservations are recommended to secure one of the best seats in the house at this rooftop oasis, a surprisingly rare rooftop lounge in this city. In addition to delightfully handcrafted cocktails, a light fare menu features tapas, salads, and more.
