Raise your glass—and your expectations. Raleigh’s rooftop bars aren’t just high in altitude; they’re high in style, flavor and sky-sweeping views that pair perfectly with your next cocktail. Cheers!
Fourteen stories up and right in the thick of downtown Raleigh, Urban Oak brings skyline swagger to the new Tempo by Hilton’s rooftop. The vibe is clean and contemporary, with sleek firepits, wraparound views and just enough greenery to soften the cityscape.
Drinks strike a balance between classic and crowd-pleasing—think cucumber gimlets, espresso martinis, and plenty of bubbly by the glass—while the food menu keeps things approachable with flatbreads, sliders and a few elevated Southern touches. It’s a natural fit for golden hour meetups or pre-show cocktails (Red Hat Amphitheater is just a block away).
- Address: 200 W. Davie St., Raleigh, NC 27601
Yes, that RH. The rooftop restaurant at the furniture store formerly known as Restoration Hardware is exactly what you’d expect: wildly elegant, drenched in natural light by day and moody glamour by night.
While the food skews upscale (think truffled fries, lobster rolls and burrata with heirloom tomatoes), the bar may be the true showstopper. Cocktails here are classic and clean—martinis, spritzes, a standout negroni—and everything tastes better beneath sparkling chandeliers and towering olive trees. It’s a scene, but a chic one at this new North Hills standout.
- 4120 Lassiter Mill Rd., Raleigh, NC 27609
High Rail brings rooftop cool to Seaboard Station, topping the Hyatt House with skyline views, flickering fire pits and subtle nods to the area’s railroad roots. The wraparound bar pours bourbon-forward cocktails, spritzes and local beer, while the food menu keeps things shareable with crab dip, tuna stacks and sliders.
It’s relaxed but refined—just the ticket for sunset drinks or a casual night out with a view.
- Address: 11 Seaboard Ave., 7th Floor, Raleigh, NC 27604
A sun-drenched stunner in the heart of Raleigh’s Warehouse District, La Terrazza brings breezy Mediterranean vibes to one of downtown Raleigh's most walkable neighborhoods.
The rooftop space channels coastal European energy—airy, sun-soaked, and awash in blue tiles and white stone. The cocktail list is bright and breezy (hello, Aperol spritz) with plenty of wines by the glass and a few zero-proof options to keep things interesting. If you’re hungry, shareable mezze or wood-fired seafood await.
- Address: 223 S. West St., 9th Floor, Raleigh, NC 27601
A hidden gem in the heart of Holly Springs, Nightingale nails that intimate neighborhood-lounge feel with just the right touch of rooftop charm. The upstairs bar is airy and inviting, dotted with cozy nooks, glowing string lights and views of the town center that feel surprisingly cinematic come sunset.
Cocktails lean modern and well-crafted—gin fizzes, smoked old fashioneds and other bartender-forward creations—while the kitchen turns out seasonal small plates and upscale comfort food worth lingering over.
- Address: 300 S. Main St., Holly Springs, NC 27540
Catch a fantastic view of the Raleigh skyline when you head up to Highgarden, a completely open-air rooftop lounge and event space sitting high above the Glenwood South entertainment district.
Settle into beautifully appointed cabanas surrounded by greenery that makes the entire space feel like a lush getaway in the middle of the city. Visitors can also enjoy delicious small bites from a menu featuring tapas-style selections as well as cheese and meat plate combinations. Where drinks are concerned, Highgarden offers wine, craft cocktails, draft beer and a full champagne bar (of course!).
- Address: 419 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603
Say hello to a rooftop experience that is several stories above and beyond the ordinary. The Willard, located atop the AC Hotel Raleigh Downtown, is the place to be for a meaningful and memorable night out.
Settle in with two heated outdoor terraces and an indoor dining space boasting spectacular skyline views. Finely crafted cocktails and Spanish-inspired small plates serve as perfect complements to the scenery and will certainly send your tastebuds soaring.
- Address: 9 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603
Named for the city newspaper that formerly occupied this historic space (the Raleigh Times was published from 1912 to 1989), the Raleigh Times Bar has been an anchor in the downtown Raleigh nightlife scene since it opened in 2006. In 2012, the space was renovated and expanded to add more private event space plus a rooftop patio.
A great beer selection and a killer view of a busy part of downtown make the rooftop here one of the most coveted spots around on a nice weather day.
- Address: 14 E. Hargett St., Raleigh, NC 27601
AVA feels like a rooftop lounge that wants to be a nightclub—and sometimes is.
Looking over the lively Fenton development in Cary, it trades on bold colors, bottle service energy and panoramic views of the plaza below. The cocktail menu leans sweet and tropical—think passionfruit vodka drinks and frozen daiquiris—and there’s usually a DJ spinning by nightfall. It works for a quiet weeknight glass of wine, but it truly shines as a pick for birthdays, bachelorettes or just blowing off steam with friends.
- Address: 301 Fenton Gateway Dr., Cary, NC 27511
Among the world record-holders for the largest selection of draft beer (the current number is nearly 400 beers on tap), Raleigh Beer Garden is a massive 8,500-square-foot venue with multiple levels of outdoor space (and even an 18-hole mini golf course).
A back garden patio and a rooftop bar are as much of a draw as the beer selection itself. Grab one more than 100 North Carolina-made beers (plus a beer battered pretzel) from the first-floor bar, then find the perfect bench or booth outdoors to enjoy it.
- Address: 614 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603
Perfect for groups big and small, Level7 is a 5,100-square-foot eclectic space sitting atop the AC Hotel Raleigh North Hills that's open to the public seven days a week, serving tapas-style small bites, local craft beers, samplings from small-batch distillers, its own signature cocktail creations plus a selection of Spanish wines on tap as part of a European-inspired experience overlooking the neighborhood.
- Address: 101 Park at North Hills St., 7th floor, Raleigh, NC 27609
A traditional Irish pub, Hibernian has been catering to all walks of life since opening on Glenwood Ave. more than 25 years ago.
Dark wood interiors and cozy nooks surrounded by bookshelves create a host of unique booths and tables to be discovered inside. Upstairs, you'll find floor-to-ceiling windows that open up onto a large, wraparound deck with one of the best views in the city.
- Address: 311 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603
Serving authentic Greek cuisine (with the culture and hospitality to match), Taverna Agora's modern rooftop is the perfect gathering spot for friends and family. Share a number of small plates (plus a couple of bottles of wine) at dinner time or take in the sun and brunch in the open air.
- Address: 326 Hillsborough St., Raleigh, NC 27603
Located atop the Residence Inn Raleigh Downtown, 10th & Terrace promises bar-goers one of the most unique views in the city.
The 10th-floor rooftop deck overlooks the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts—where theater, opera, ballet and other live entertainment takes place year-round—plus a sea of green space surrounding it (they don't call Raleigh a "city in a park" for no reason). Lots of comfortable seating, a small plate menu that changes seasonally, and a local beer and craft cocktail list make this an immediate hit for hotel guests and other visitors to downtown Raleigh.
- Address: 616 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh, NC 27601
Contrary to the B-52’s Love Shack, this Tin Roof is anything but rusted. It can be funky bluesy or even folksy depending on the live musical talent appearing there almost nightly.
Smack dab in the heart of downtown Raleigh, Tin Roof stands out with its brightly lit neon sign anchoring a rooftop space with colorful patio umbrellas and plenty of seating. The live music joint is all about giving musicians a place to play and music lovers a place to hang.
The eclectic vibe here attracts a community of regulars who enjoy not only terrific tunes but also the joint’s “Better Than Bar Food” with standouts like Nashville hot chicken, famous quesadillas and more.
- Address: 300 Glenwood Ave., Raleigh, NC 27603
Header photo by Baxter Miller
