Miami is famous for its sunshine, beaches, and its skyline. It is one thing to enjoy these features at street level during the day, but an entirely different experience to see them from the rooftops, especially when the sun transforms the evening sky with its sunset hues and Miami starts to wake up preparing for the night ahead.
The old song goes, “At night the stars put on a show for free” up on the roof! Miami has some great rooftop views with restaurants and bars stretching from Downtown to South Beach where you can take off the cares of the day and relax or party, whichever helps your cares just drift right into space.
Here are some of the rooftops to make for:-
1. Rooftop at Elleven – Downtown
Whatever else is happening in Miami, you will always end up at Elleven! So the saying goes.
The actual rooftop bar is a respite from the real action which takes place downstairs. But while you are on the top deck feeling the breeze blowing down NW 11th Street, enjoy a beer and have something to eat before taking a deep breath and plunging downstairs again into the wall of sound and light that is Elleven!
This place is open 24/7, but at night when they raise the curtain, expect to raise your expectations and your blood pressure when Elleven becomes a full-on cabaret. Burlesque performances, topless dancers on trapezes, and Cirque du Soleil-style and music performances, draw you into the dance party.
If you want royal hospitality, great food and drink and an electric atmosphere make sure you reserve your table in advance. In fact, do it right now!
2. Pawn Broker – Downtown
The Fidelity Bank and Trust company started in December 1916 on this site and was then occupied by the Miami Bank & Trust Company in the early 1920s. Today the Langford Hotel carries the legacy of those years in its walls and windows.
Peel back the years as you walk through the ground floor lobby with its original crown molding and marble walls then step through the elevator’s old brass doors and take a ride to the days of Prohibition.
Pawn Broker is the classy old time cocktail bar that sits on the roof of this grand old building and echoes the days of long ago. Cuban tiles and marble serve to emphasize the retro décor and a drinks menu of which Al Capone would have been proud.
Here you can order crafted cocktails with ironic names and quotes to describe them. Try Giggle Water, a prohibition era bathtub gin, with hints of lemon and lavender, served in a cute little ceramic bathtub – very creative! Or, The Pawnbroker, a delightfully boozy Old Fashioned with a touch of apple and spice.
Here you can drink alone at the bar and strike up conversations with fellow time-travelers, or step out on the terrace and enjoy a Miami sunset and panoramic views of the Downtown skyline.
3. Sugar – Brickell
Watch the day turn into the night from the 40th floor of the charming East Hotel. The 360-degree views take you across Biscayne Bay to the east, and the mirror glass and bright lights of Brickell to the south.
The food is inspired by Chinese and Thai traditions so try the Thai Pork Penang Curry with coconut and pineapple, or the Tiger Cry “Madura” pan-seared New York strip slices with hints of mint and dried chili.
Spending an evening in this Balinese garden in the sky overlooking the Miami waterways, enjoying cocktails and Asian tapas, will be a moment to treasure.
4. The Oasis – South Beach
For those wanting South Beach, a moonlit night by the pool where you can stargaze as you sip a chilled vodka, then make your way to Sense Beach House and the rooftop bar, The Oasis.
Do you want more inspiration? The rooftop pool of this art deco boutique hotel has retro bathing beauties painted on the pillars surrounding the pool, and, if that’s not enough, views of the ocean and the city, while you lounge in style.
5. Rooftop at the 1 Hotel – South Beach
You could spend your whole time in Miami and enjoy every moment. Rooftop at the 1 Hotel South Beach is the only ocean front hotel with a rooftop pool. You can relax poolside 18 stories high with panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the city.
This place combines urban rooftop, ocean views, and a trendy pool bar. You can book a poolside cabana and spend the day with friends and family.
An All Day menu sets the scene with starters, salads, and sushi among a range of other great meals, along with crafted cocktails and an organic wine selection.
Thrillist included the rooftop pool at 1 Hotel South Beach in their list of “The World’s Most Beautiful Hotel Pool Views.”
These are just a few of the rooftop venues for you to experience in Miami. With so many opportunities to enjoy your time in the clouds, it’s going to be difficult to keep your feet on the ground! Welcome to Miami!
I’ve been to Miami 3 years ago. I loved going to the States. I’m going back to the USA this year again, but now to New York. I’m sure there will be some pretty impressive rooftops as well! I must say that I haven’t visited these when I was in Miami. But it’s nice to have some tips for when I visit a second time. The last one sounds awesome since it combines an urban rooftop, ocean views, and a trendy pool bar.
I was recently at a rooftop bar in my hometown Manila. View was amazing and you really get a more fun night in those types of bars. All these sound like much fun.