Looking for a cocktail with a view in Los Angeles? These scenic hotspots are the total package.
Catch LA
Famed New York City restaurant/bar Catch made a splash in West Hollywood when it opened in 2016. Cleverly designed cocktails complement amazing seafood dishes, and a retractable roof opens the main dining room and bar to glittery skies. Or, enjoy the cityscape from the surrounding outdoor patio, complete with mini succulent gardens. On any given night, expect to see paparazzi waiting outside to snap one of Catch’s celebrity regulars. Reserve a table to imbibe and feast beneath (or among) the stars. No reservation? You may be able to convince the door guy to let you up for a drink at the bar…
The Rooftop at Petit Ermitage
Delight your inner hippie-meets-French-bohemian on the atmospheric rooftop of Petit Ermitage. This is a guests-only spot, but when staying at the hotel you’ll find that the rooftop is a real gathering place for people who share an appreciation for the artistic, the unique and the beautiful. There are many whimsical experiences to be had in this rabbit hole of a space: Impress your date with champagne or a vintage wine from the bar’s extensive wine cellar. Choose a cabana, a sunken fireplace or a seat at the Butterfly Bar, situated next to a saltwater pool. And indulge your senses in the rooftop garden, a hummingbird and butterfly sanctuary with leafy kumquat trees.
Pool and Bar at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills
Boxwood Restaurant on the roof of The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills is touted as “playfully sophisticated,” and we think that’s just perfect. Drink in dreamy vistas while enjoying British-inspired tipples like The London Libation (gin, St. Germain, black tea, lemon and honey syrup). Meanwhile, the pool is a rooftop oasis of potted palms and topiaries, sleek sofas and glass walls that hide nothing of the pretty views. You might as well stay for a few days, so check their room rates.
The Formosa Café
Chic and historic, the Formosa Café was once frequented by the likes of Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart, James Dean, Elvis Presley and John Wayne, who was once caught making scrambled eggs in the café’s kitchen after a late night of debauchery. The Formosa has undergone several renovations over the years, including the addition of a fabulous rooftop bar. Enjoy sticky spare ribs, fluffy fried rice and other Chinese-American classics beneath the dangling lanterns of the outdoor bar.
Harriet’s Rooftop
To get to Harriet’s Rooftop, you’ll first need to find your way to the greenery-laden patio of 1 Hotel West Hollywood. From there, a discreet elevator whisks you up to one of the most magical perches in LA, where the city unfurls before you like a shimmering carpet. The space has the vibe of an old-fashioned lounge, with its pinstriped sofas and fringed umbrellas, but the bar is decidedly modern. The mood might move you to order the Jojo, a refreshing concoction of Ketel One vodka, St. Germain, strawberry and lemon, topped with bubbly prosecco. If you’re feeling snacky, a full dinner menu offers everything from spicy tuna crispy rice to Korean short ribs.
The Roof at The West Hollywood EDITION
The Roof at The West Hollywood EDITION resembles a sunken living room overlooking Los Angeles. White upholstered chairs and raw-wood tables are rimmed in tropical foliage at waist level, and the angular lines put the outstanding view front and center. Order a Latin-inspired craft cocktail and take it all in. Even on rare, chillier days, you can take in the view from inside via enormous glass windows.
Skybar at Mondrian Los Angeles
If you’re planning a big night out, this is your spot. The ivy-trimmed Skybar on the pool deck of the Mondrian Los Angeles offers dazzling city views, day or night — but its world-class DJ sets and pulsing party scene are what make it one of LA’s premier nightlife hubs. The bar menu boasts a variety of wines, champagnes, cocktails and spirits at varying price points; or, you could splash out on a double-magnum of Veuve Clicquot or large-format beverages like the Leaning Tower of Tequila to really get the party going.
Merois
Perched on the top floor of The Sun Rose West Hollywood, Merois is the creation of legendary chef Wolfgang Puck. The sweeping views from the dining room are almost as big of a draw as the food, which deftly combines Japanese, Southeast Asian, French and Californian cuisine. Merois is also one of the most romantic spots in town. Craft cocktails like the Samurai Sword — made with Suntory Toki whiskey, Cointreau, lemon, ginger and honey — go down easy. Merois is open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night bar bites.
Soho House West Hollywood
While most of West Hollywood’s best rooftops are open to the public, we couldn’t miss out on telling you about SoHo House. You can’t just walk into this exclusive celebrity hangout — you must be a member (or the guest of a member) to get in, so start schmoozing now. There’s a reason A-listers love the top floor of the Luckman Building on Sunset Boulevard. Sensual and swank, you’ll be enchanted by the fairytale rooftop garden with lanterns hanging from olive trees and an outdoor balcony built for gazing upon the glittering West Hollywood night lights.
