Previously Hot Tin, the bar and restaurant on the roof of the historic Pontchartain Hotel on St. Charles Avenue is now called the Jack Rose Roof, though it still offers the same beautiful and unique view of the city. Chef Brian Landry, who has led the hotel’s acclaimed Jack Rose since its opening, offers a vast, elegant menu, making it one of the best places on the map for an extravagant meal to complement the views. There’s also an impressive selection of cocktails, champagne, and other potables; the refreshing Spritzer Named Desire is a favorite.

Arguably the best rooftop bar in the city, the Monkey Board is on top of the Troubador Hotel, featuring artist Gabe Flores’ bright, graffiti-style artwork and expansive views of the city from the 17th floor. Fresh bar bites like ceviche, crab cakes, and carne asada tacos are on the menu along with a couple of fun frozen drinks and tropical cocktails, with happy hour specials for house wine and classic cocktails running daily from 4 to 6 p.m. Monkey Board is open Sunday through Thursday from 4 to 11 p.m. and until midnight on Friday and Saturday.

The third floor rooftop terrace of the Catahoula Hotel is less about the panoramic views of the city taller spots around town offer and more about its cozy, hideaway vibe. The tropical oasis includes a tiki-inspired cocktail menu, live music, and elegant wood decor. The rooftop bar is open to the public, Friday and Saturday nights, and is available for private events.

There’s almost always something going on at Alto, the Ace Hotel’s rooftop bar and pool, from DJs to special brunches. The summertime favorite is open to the public daily from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. for lunch, dinner, and drinks (with a fee on weekends), serving a menu from Josephine Estelle chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman of burgers, one of the best hot dogs in the city, bites like wings and fish tacos, and a drink menu with excellent frozen craft cocktails.

Rosie’s on the Roof is the casual restaurant and Irish bar atop the new Higgins Hotel, which opened on the National WWII Museum’s campus in the Warehouse District in 2019. NOLA hospitality vet Marc Becker opened Rosie’s last year in the midst of the pandemic, offering top-notch views of the city and a menu of classic bar food, perhaps with the exception of the not-so-classic crab beignets. In an exciting development, the bar just started hosting live music on the rooftop; follow on Facebook for updates.

Usually closed to the public, Le Meridien opens the doors of its rooftop pool and bar to locals in the spring and keeps them open through the summer. While it’s still closed through April, the hotel plans to open the rooftop bar back up in May, with weekday and weekend day passes for locals returning. Note: Only 21 and up.