South America have some amazing rooftop bars available. Most of them located at luxurious hotels in the bigger cities.
Apart from great vibes, many of the rooftops in South America are also equipped with luxurious rooftop swimming pools. So to get the most out of your rooftop visit, it’s advisable to book a stay at one of these hotels, as you then can use the rooftop pools.
Here’s our list of the 10 best rooftop bars in South America.
Found in the heart of the lively and colourful Historic Center of Cartagena, Mirador Gastro Bar is the place to go if you want to experience it all from above.
Set over several levels, this modern venue mixes indoor and outdoor dining room and bar, but the prime spot for alfresco vibes is the lovely Mirador Rooftop.
Blessed with fantastic 360° views over Cartagena, including close-ups of the majestic clock tower, the terrace comes with a natural and lush setting, blending perfectly with the surroundings.
Floating above Cartagena de Indias, here you can enjoy amazing sunsets combined with crafted and refreshing cocktails and mocktails, plenty of wine, sangria and beers, as well as live music and DJs.
Or try some of the gastro bar dishes, ranging from seafood and meat to pasta and burgers, perfect for a casual dinner or even a sunny brunch.
Open throughout the day and night, Mirador Gastro Bar is always filled with a fun, friendly and vibrant lounge atmosphere.
MARADOR GASTRO BAR
A trendy and chic choice for those looking for something a bit more casual, Yoo2 offers a laid-back yet classy atmosphere that makes it popular amongst the younger crowd.
Facing the Botafogo Beach, and giving visitors first-row seats to the ocean waves, the Sugar Loaf Mountain, some of the world's best sunsets and Río's most famous statue.
With a modern and chic interior, large and comfortable lounge areas, trendy high-stools, and a well-stocked and beautiful bar, Yoo2 is always ready to welcome all kinds of visitors.
Though this bar focuses mainly on specialty cocktails, it also offers an extensive collection of beers, wines, sake, vodkas, and other world spirits.
Though small, Yoo2 also comes with a small rooftop pool from which you can enjoy both the views and the drinks, though this one is exclusive to hotel guests.
YOO2 RIO DE JANEIRO
The vibrant and unique rooftop lounge El Purgatorio Roof is found on top of the Hotel TRYP Medellin Estadio, right in the center of the city.
Perched 14 floors above it all, the stylish rooftop mixes a sleek interior lounge with a breezy outdoor terrace, where cabanas and loungers come surrounded with fantastic 360° views over Medellín.
Made for unique night experiences, El Purgatorio Roof is a prime spot for hot and elevated evenings above the city, with fun-filled events and DJ sessions bring the atmosphere sky-high.
Offering both table and bar service, the rooftop menu includes both classic and crafted signature cocktails and select array of spirits and wines. The drinks are complemented with a varied array of fast food, from burgers to empanadas.
EL PURGATORIO ROOF
Perched on top of the fantastic Hotel B in Barranco, The Rooftop is an elevated venue above Lima’s coolest district.
Surrounded by impressive views over the Pacific Ocean and the Barranco rooftops, here you can sink back in an armchair, get comfy in the lounge sofas, or perch on a bar stool, and enjoy food and drinks in a modern and elegant atmosphere.
The rooftop menu includes an amazing selection of crafted and Peruvian-inspired cocktails, as well as an extensive range of local and international wines and beers.
The drinks are complemented with contemporary cold and hot dishes to share, from cheese & ham boards and Baby Pig Taco, to pizzas. There is also a selection of mains from the Josper grill.
From amazing ocean sunset drinks to a romantic dinner or a night out with friends, The Rooftop at Hotel B is an urban and lively oasis that must be experienced.
THE ROOFTOP AT HOTEL B
A chic and luxurious option for those looking to enjoy a drink in style, Alvear Roof Bar offers not only delicious drinks but also fantastic panoramic views of the city.
Perched on an 11th floor and overlooking the Recolega neighborhood, this open-air terrace offers a relaxed and fun vibe that's popular amongst locals and visitors alike.
Decorated in a classic style that vaguely reminds you of a French bistro, and employing some of the best mixology artists Argentina has to offer, Alvear Roof Bar is something of a cocktail lounge with a modern twist; A characteristic that reflects both in the atmosphere and the decoration.
Providing guests with both outdoor and indoor seating options, Alvear is open year-round, and the relaxing chill house music, top-notch service, and upscale clientele make it one of the best spots in the city to enjoy good drinks and a sense of privacy.
Be prepared to spend and dress to impress, as Alvear is not a cheap destination.
ALVEAR ROOF BAR
Florianópolis (or Floripa as the locals call it) is one of the hidden gems in Brazil, offering everything from hiking to a large selection of beautiful beaches. And also, a vibrant nightlife, which is of course best enjoyed above it all.
The prime spot to mix amazing views over the city and ocean with fine food and drinks, is Cité Rooftop. Perched on top of the Cidade Milano complex in the center of the city, this sophisticated and elegant urban oasis comes with both a stylish indoor lounge and an outdoor rooftop terrace.
Up here you can indulge in creative and crafted signature cocktails, as well as classics with a special touch, and a nice array of wine and spirits. Usually served with a side of live music performances.
But not only a venue for drinks, as Cité also works as a rooftop restaurant, with fresh and tasty food served as both 'entradinhas', like the Steak Tartar or Burrata, and more filling 'principais', like File Mignon and Lamb Rack.
Elegant, relaxing and cosy at the same time, Cité Rooftop is a fantastic spot to enjoy friendly service, views, drinks and bites with friends or a loved one on any given night.
CITE ROOFTOP
Perched on Santiago's W Hotel, this elegant and modern rooftop bar offers stunning panoramic views of the Andes and the city's skyline.
This modern bar is furnished with a well-equipped bar, sleek leather couches, and a fantastic rooftop pool.
Exclusive to guests from dusk till dawn, here you'll be able to relax and admire the view while enjoying expertly crafted signature cocktails, small but delicious bar bites, and chill-out music.
Once the sun sets, though, the bar opens to the public, and the atmosphere kicks up a notch, with live DJ shows and plenty of dancing.
Red2One is split into multiple levels, so privacy is a possibility, even though this bar is one of the most popular in Río.
RED2ONE W SANTIAGO
Often considered one of the best rooftop bars in the world by visitors and experts alike, the Skye Bar aims to make any visit an experience of a lifetime by offering stunning views, mouthwatering drinks, and top-notch service.
The wooden-deck terrace is spacious and elegantly furnished by comfortable lounge areas, recliners, and the more traditional stools. It is also home to one of the world's coolest rooftop pools, a deep crimson red marvel that comes with an underwater sound system to ensure you don't miss out on anything.
While the bar is open to the public, its famous pool is available only to hotel guests, so keep that in mind if you want to swim in it.
The bar offers all kinds of delicious cocktails, as well as wine, champagne, beer, and other types of spirits. It also offers traditional Brazilian food with a modern twist and sushi, made fresh with local ingredients.
Live DJ shows and an upscale clientele make this one of the most expensive, yet memorable, destinations to visit while in Sao Paolo, and a fantastic reason to book a room at the Hotel Unique.
SKYE BAR
Located on top of the Hotel Pulitzer, a chich ad lovely boutique hotel located in the heart of Buenos Aires, Sky Bar is a great choice for those looking for great views and a comfortable atmosphere.
This open-air, wooden terrace gives guests unparalleled views of Plaza San Martín and Buenos Aires' skyline, as well as one of the city's best spots to admire the sunset.
With comfortable lounge furniture, chill-out and Bossanova music, fantastically mixed cocktails, tasty bar bites, and a laid-back atmosphere, the Sky Bar has quickly transformed into one of Buenos Aires' favorite spots for workers to indulge in after a busy day at the office.
Both the food and the drinks are seasonal, so visiting this bar throughout the year is encouraged. Arriving early is also a good idea, as the Sky Bar is quite popular with the locals, and the best seats of the house fill quickly.
SKY BAR AT HOTEL PULITZER
This beautiful boutique hotel promotes itself as "more than just a place to sleep," and nothing advertises that fact as the fact that this hotel has not one, but two rooftop bars ready to entertain.
Ziruma Tik Bar is, as you've probably guessed, a Tiki bar, and it embraces the style entirely; El Bar offers a more modern setting, with an inspired cosmopolitan atmosphere that stands out in its straightforwardness.
Both bars offer stunning views of the city, comfortable seating, friendly and expert service, and unpretentious atmospheres that welcome everyone for a night of fun.
Popular amongst tourists and locals alike, the rooftop bars also serve as coworking areas, sports bars, and relaxation spots, thanks to the spacious tables, speedy internet connection, hammocks, and comfortable atmosphere.
The bar service proper starts at 4:30, and while both bars have excellent drinks, they do tend to focus on different themes.
Ziruma specializes in exotic fruit cocktails, as all Tiki bars ought to do, while El Bar sticks to classic drinks and more international offerings, but both offer undeniable quality.
While service, atmosphere, and drinks are all fantastic, perhaps the best thing Los Patios can offer guests is the gift of choice.
Start your evening at Ziruma, then hop to El Bar for a completely different experience, or explore them during different days: The choice is yours, and the experiences are always great.
LOS ROOFTOPS BY LOS PATIOS
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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