From the Great Lakes in the northeast, to the Wabash and Ohio rivers in the south, Illinois features everything from major metropolitan areas to farmland, forests, rolling hills and wetlands.
For us rooftop-lovers, seeking to drink and dine with a view, Chicago and its majestic skyline is the given destination. But there are also some great rooftop venues outside the 'Windy City', offering more rural and natural panoramics.
This listing will take you from Chicago to Peoria, and several destinations in between, presenting the top Illinois rooftop bars to visit.
Inspired by the world’s cultural and culinary riches, Z Bar is an upscale and refined rooftop lounge, set on the 6th floor of the fantastic hotel The Peninsula Chicago.
Perched above Michigan Avenue, the rooftop features both a stylish indoor lounge and a beautiful outdoor terrace, where you are surrounded with majestic views over the central parts of Chicago.
In a luxurious and contemporary setting, here you can enjoy a carefully curated menu, inspired by exotic and bold flavors from around the world.
There are 'Tried and True’ cocktails, creative items from the ‘Something New’ collection, truly elevated sips called 'The Finer Things', as well as shareable bites and satisfying small plates with flavours from Asia, Europe and the Americas.
Z BAR
Found in downtown Wheaton, approximately 25 miles west of Chicago, Il Sogno is a stylish, lively and family-owned Italian restaurant and bar.
Aiming to offer the best service experience in the industry, and to create a truly personal atmosphere, here customers are treated as friends and part of the family.
Offering a pleasant and harmonious mix of old fashioned and modern, Il Sogno features both a stylish and exposed-brick interior dining room, as well as a lush and charming rooftop terrace, with great views over Wheaton.
Here you can explore an enticing menu that focuses on a traditional modern Southern Italian cuisine, filled with everything from antipasti and pastas, to classics like 'Salmon Puttanesca' and 'Chicken Parmigiana'.
There is also a great selection of wines from Italy, United States and France, and refreshing and Italian-inspired cocktails.
IL SOGNO
Found on the 26th floor of the superb Virgin Hotels Chicago, Cerise Rooftop is an elevated cocktail lounge and nightclub.
Part chic and trendy indoor lounge, and part stylish and winding rooftop terrace, the rooftop presents breathtaking views over the Chicago skyline.
Alongside the vistas, Cerise offers plenty of craft cocktails, wine, beer and seasonal bar bites.
Filled with a vibrant and buzzing atmosphere, you can visit for skyline sips, a VIP experience with bottle service, happening nights with live DJs, or a fun rooftop brunch.
CERISE ROOFTOP
Perched on the 12th floor of the Embassy Suites By Hilton Rockford Riverfront, The Top Rooftop Bar & Lounge is a one of a kind venue in Rockford.
Featuring an inviting and modern atmosphere with an indoor lounge and seasonal two-tiered outdoor deck, The Top offers panoramic views of historic downtown Rockford, Illinois, and the Rock River.
Up here, you can enjoy a menu filled with hand-crafted signature cocktails, an extensive selection of wine list, craft beers, and shareable dishes inspired by cuisine around the world.
Visit for a relaxing night out with friends, a date night with incredible sunset views, or cosy sessions around the outdoor fire with a drink in hand.
THE TOP
For an exclusive and Japanese-inspired Illinois rooftop experience, head to the top floor of the elegant Nobu Hotel Chicago.
Mixing a stylish indoor lounge and an airy outdoor terrace with wooden furniture and greenery, here you are surrounded with some of the best Chicago skyline views you can find.
Dive into a selection of hot and cold plates, created by famous sushi chef Nobu Matsuhisa, or sip something from the fine selection of specialty cocktails, where many are classics with an Asian twist.
With a sophisticated and upscale atmosphere and setting, the Rooftop at Nobu Hotel Chicago is made for special and elevated memories.
ROOFTOP AT NOBU HOTEL
Santo Cielo is a a Latino Moderno restaurant and lounge, found on top of the excellent Hotel Indigo in downtown Naperville.
Trendy, light-filled and chic, the rooftop invites to unique libations, captivating sounds, and breathtaking vistas.
The Santo Cielo menu comes filled with inspiration from Latin American countries & cultures. Here you find everything from 'Tacos de Camaron & Jicama' and 'Papas a la Huancaina', to 'Mejillones con Chorizo' and 'Branzino a la Plancha'.
Always a great spot for evenings of elevated dining and drinks, Santo Cielo also offers a weekend rooftop brunch.
SANTO CIELO
Covering the top floors of the superb hotel LondonHouse Chicago, LH Rooftop offers a spectacular tri-level experience.
Including an indoor lounge, called LH on 21, and a private Cupola, the main destination is the spacious 22nd floor outdoor terrace, where you get a superb view among the city's skyscrapers and out towards Lake Michigan and the Chicago River.
From the rooftop bar you can order from a fine selection of LH signature and classic cocktails, as well as a large array of crafted beer and wine. There is also an all-day food menu, with everything from American tapas to burgers.
Visit for fun days in the Chicago sun, or vibrant and trendy evenings with a glittering Chicago as backdrop.
LH ROOFTOP
The 12 Bar Lounge is a distinctive rooftop haven nestled in the heart of Peoria Heights, above sister venue Fusion 45.
Overlooking Peoria Heights, the rustic and inviting terrace is a place where live music, culinary excellence, and crafted libations come together.
In the open air, here you can sip crowd-pleasing craft cocktails and beers, explore one of the most extensive whiskey and bourbon menus in Illinois, munch on locally sourced bar bites and burgers, all to the tunes from skilled DJs and musicians.
From Tuesday through Saturday, 12 Bar Lounge is open for weekly specials and rooftop fun.
THE 12 BAR LOUNGE
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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