It’s no longer a given question of season or weather when it comes to visiting rooftop bars around the world. 230 Fifth in NYC was the first rooftop bar to install rooftop igloos on their terrace, back in 2014. Heated igloos with plastic windows, making it possible to enjoy drinks, bites and views on rooftop bars even during the colder months.
Rooftop igloos is one of the latest trend on the rooftop scene, and to keep the alfresco fun going all year round, plenty rooftops also offers things like rooftop curling and rooftop ice skating.
These days you can find rooftop igloos in quite a few places, and our feeling is that it will only become more and more common. Here’s our list of 20+ rooftop bars that can boost with really cool and popular rooftop igloos, well worth checking out for some elevated winter fun.
As mentioned above, 230 Fifth (New York's largest outdoor rooftop garden) was the first place to offer rooftop igloos. Since 2014, people can enjoy cocktails and views right in the center of Manhattan, and right in the middle of winter.
The Igloo Bar is open from November 15th 2023 to April 2024, offering food and hot drinks like 'Pumpkin Pie Hot Chocolate' and Hot Ciders. During Christmas you can even spot rooftop Santa’s up here and people – both locals and tourists – flock around these popular igloos.
The rooftop igloos can be reserved for $2500 food and beverage credit for up to 25 guests, but mainly work on a walk-in basis. So expect to share your igloo with others, and take the chance to make some new friends. If you have to wait on an igloo-spot opening up, you can slip into a warming and complimentary red snuggie.
The igloos are heated, but warm clothes are still recommend, especially on freezing evenings.
230 FIFTH
Found 10 floors up on the fantastic hotel Montcalm Royal London House, Aviary London is a chic rooftop bar, restaurant and terrace. And during the 2023/24 season, the very stylish and luxurious rooftop igloos at Aviary are back.
Presented in collaboration with Grey Goose, and called Nordic Lights, the igloos are available to book from October 20th 2023. Then you can stay warm and cosy, while still enjoying grand views of the London skyline, along with a carefully curated collection of menus.
Sip on the finest cocktails with some nibbles, or indulge in a full dining experience, all in a setting that really feels like a winter fairy tale.
Due to the very high demand, The Aviary igloos must be pre-booked with a minimum spend, as 2-hour timeslots. The igloos can host up to a maximum of 8 people, but even if you are only 4 persons you will have the igloo privately.
AVIARY
A great place for sun, drinks, vibes and views during summer, 360 Bar in the heart of Budapest is also a fantastic destination for the colder winter days and nights.
Starting October 2023, the spacious terrace once again turned into the Rooftop Igloo Garden. This means 9 giant rooftop igloos that are heated, very cosy and offering (almost) the same grand views as always.
Inside the rooftop igloos you can enjoy a seasonal menu, offering both special hot drinks and chilled winter cocktails, along with Swiss Cheese Fondue and other bites. Want another cocktail? Just buzz the bell and your waiter will be right out.
Reservations for the igloos at 360 Bar are highly recommended (available as 2 hours, with a maximum of 10 persons/igloo), but you can also just pop up and try your luck. If the sun is shining, you can also spend some time on the outside terrace while waiting for an igloo-spot to open up.
360 BAR
The I|O stands for Indoor | Outdoor, so it is no surprise that the spacious rooftop at the fabulous Godfrey Hotel Chicago is open year round. But the colder months does not only offer visits at the indoor lounge, but also at the outdoor terrace, dressed as a Winter Wonderland
While the heat lamps, fire pits and plush robes are very cosy and might keep you warm enough, the best part is still the heated, clear-domed rooftop igloos. In here you can enjoy skyline views of the Windy City, no matter how chilly (or windy) it gets.
Usually available from end of October (starting with a Haunted Manor Halloween Party) through about half of March, the rooftop igloos come as both small and big, and they can be reserved for a maximum of 6 people. They are very popular and do come with a deposit/minimum spend. But it is well worth it to get a couple of hours to lean back and indulge in hot cocktails and s'mores to grill over the open fire. Or a weekend rooftop brunch.
I|O GODFREY
The rooftop igloos at the popular Boston rooftop bar Lookout is set to open up its transparent doors for the seventh year runing during late fall 2023, and will run throughout spring 2024.
Here you can enjoy well-made speciality cocktails and light fare, all to one of the best skyline views Boston has to offer. During weekends, the igloo's are also available for brunch.
Located at the Envoy Hotel, there are 6 heated igloos, with seating’s for 8-10 persons in every igloo. The Igloo’s are usually by reservation only and comes with a beverage minimum. And while you should hope to get a spot in one of the igloos, fleece blankets and a rooftop enclosure of the main bar means you can visit the winter terrace even without.
The rooftop igloos at Lookout Rooftop & Bar are well worth a visit, just remember to dress a bit warm. The igloos are heated, but are not hot when the outside temperature drops.
LOOKOUT
Ponce City Roof, or The Roof at Ponce City Market, offers a rooftop experience out of the ordinary.
Found in Atlanta's historic Old Fourth Ward, the rooftop is home to several different, but equally fantastic rooftop venues: the rooftop restaurant and beer garden 9 Mile Station, the elegant 12 Cocktail Bar, and the rooftop amusement park Skyline Park.
So here you can mix New American food, craft beer, cocktails, games and fun rides with breathtaking views over the Atlanta skyline.
A vibrant and lively spot during summer, but also available during the colder months, when The Roof at PCM invites to 'Skate the Sky', including a 3.500-square-foot ice skating rink, fur coat mini golf and rooftop igloos.
The cozy and private igloos seat up to six guests and are found at the 9 Mile Station terrace. Reservation for an igloos include general admission to The Roof, 2.5 hours in one of the decorated igloos, and a dedicated server.
PONCE CITY ROOF
Located on top of the INNSIDE by Melia hotel in the heart of Leipzig, Bar Cabana will offer winter season on the rooftop for the sixth year running, open from November 2023 to March 2024. On the terrace you will find 7 beautiful and heated rooftop igloos, fitting up to 12 people each.
From inside the igloos you can enjoy fantastic views over Leipzig, complemented with mulled wine, winter cocktails, punch and maybe a Pulled Goose burger. Or you try the 'Igloo with Fondue' (€45 p.p). Dip your meat and veggies in bouillon, perfect experience for a family.
Radiant heaters, fire bowls, blankets and the associated 6th floor indoor bar, means you can visit Bar Cabana even if you do not have an igloo reservation.
BAR CABANA
Skylight London rooftop bar at Tobacco Dock is an adult playground with great views of the London skyline, perfect for a summer day or evening of fun. But the season also continues long after the warmer months, and starting October 2023, the winter version of Skylight will help stay elevated all throughout the darker season.
Here you find 18 skyline-facing and heated igloos on two levels, complete with blankets and mounds of cushions, perfect to enjoy the amazing views and table service of award-winning (and seasonal) mixology and alpine-inspired street food.
Available for groups of up to 10 people, the igloos are a perfect option to get cosy with family or a few friends, but it is by no means the only option at Skylight this winter. Here you also find Europe’s only real rooftop ice rink, Alpine huts that fit up to 14 people, and a covered and heated pergola, perfect if the igloos are not available.
SKYLIGHT
Found on top of the fantastic hotel LondonHouse Chicago, right by the Chicago River, LH Rooftop is a tri-level rooftop bar offering both indoor and outdoor fun.
While the 22nd floor outdoor terrace is mostly a venue for the warm summer months, the winter months usually also means a glittering, festive and cosy winter experience
Apart form the ever present amazing city views, the winter version of the rooftop is usually decorated in a sparkling and charming dress, including some very cosy rooftop igloos.
LH ROOFTOP
Otopia Rooftop is the only luxury rooftop pool bar and lounge in Austin's Campus District. Equipped with a beautiful rooftop pool and plenty of comfy, open-air seating, the 11th floor terrace is a true hotspot during summer. But, it is actually equally inviting during the colder season.
Get cosy by the fire-pits, or even better, reserve one of the private rooftop igloos. Here you can enjoy seasonal cocktails, along with the amazing views over downtown Austin.
Complemented with everything from movie-nights to Vinyl DJ Spins, Otopia Rooftop makes the most of the winter season.
OTOPIA ROOFTOP
Perched on top of the excellent William Gray Hotel in the heart of Old Montreal, Terrasse William Gray is a very stylish rooftop bar, surrounded with amazing panoramic views over pretty much all of the city.
Known as a true summertime hot-spot, but for the 2023/24 winter season Terrasse William Gray will offfer a beautiful, intimate and limited-time pop-up dining experience.
Part of MTLàTable, the rooftop terrace will be dressed with clear heated frameless geodesic domes, where guests can enjoy a sumptuous gastronomic evening at an affordable price, from November 3rd to 19th.
Reservations are mandatory, with a minimum of 4 and max of 8 guests per booking.
TERRASSE WILLIAM GRAY
On top of the Clarion Sign, located just a few minutes from Stockholm Central Station, you find a dual rooftop setting. On one side is the Rooftop Garden Bar, a green oasis perfect for summer alfresco drinks. On the other, Selma City Spa offers an indoor lounge, sauna and treatments, and more so, a fantastic outdoor rooftop pool.
Available for refreshing dips during summer, the pool is heated and also open in winter. And during the colder months (October to March), it gets some very cosy rooftop igloos as neighbour on the terrace. Decorated with soft blankets, comfy lighting and bluetooth speakers, this is the perfect spot for elevated hours above the winter Stockholm.
The igloos need to be reserved and cost between 2780 SEK to 3580 SEK per igloo (seats 4-6persons), but this includes 3 hours of Pool Club access, slippers, bathrobe, towel and a glass of bubbles.
SELMA CITY SPA
Located in downtown Nashville, the fantastic Bobby Hotel comes with an equally fantastic rooftop lounge.
During the colder months, the Bobby rooftop turns into a cosy Nordic camping village, complete with rooftop igloos, a heated cabin (which is actually a retrofitted 1956 Scenicruiser) and seasonal hot cocktails.
Usually starting mid-November, the rooftop igloos are available for up to 5 people (the cabin fits 8 people), and this is a perfect spot to make it a season to remember.
BOBBY HOTEL
Bar Elba is a vibrant and colorful Waterloo rooftop cocktail bar, surrounded with fantastic views over the London skyline, and focusing very much on "good vibes only".
Packed with atmosphere and events during summer, the colder season is not far behind, when Bar Elba presents a Winter Wonderland with Rooftop Party Pods.
The Party Pods are what we call rooftop igloos, they just come with even more of a vibrant atmosphere. Seating up to 12 guests, here you can enjoy a designated server offering cocktails, wine and everything from chrome-griddled burgers to honey-soaked halloumi fries.
To raise the vibe even more, every igloo is kitted with its very own speaker where you can create the playlist. Just book one for up to 3-hours and dance the night away.
BAR ELBA
Perched on top of the fabulous AC Hotel by Marriott, high above Greenville’s Main Street, Juniper is a beautiful and botanical rooftop dream, both inside and out.
The 16,000 square-foot space comes with greenhouse vines, fire pits, fans and cosy string lights, as well as stunning views of downtown Greenville and the surrounding Blue Ridge Mountains.
While the lush interior space is more obviously available year-round, so is the outside terrace. Part thanks to an Equinox louvered roof system, but also thanks to some luxurious and private rooftop igloos.
Avaialble during the coldest Greenville months, the igloos offer a beautiful setting to enjoy delectable small plates and unique, handcrafted cocktails, as well as a nice selection of wine and craft beer.
JUNIPER
Located in the Pike Place Market, Maximilien is a romantic and charming French restaurant, equipped with an equally charming rooftop terrace.
With panoramic views of the Puget Sound, Elliott Bay, West Seattle and the Olympic Mountains, the terrace is a summer hot-spot, but also available during the colder months, thanks to some cool and cosy rooftop igloos.
Under the name LE IGLOO @ Maximilien, the winter season starts early October 2023, and here you can enjoy set menus with changing themes, featuring Chef Potvin authentic French cooking.
The 3 igloos can be reserved for up to 5 guests (requires a pre-paid minimum spend of $200 per booking), and note they are not heated but acts as a green house, so please dress adequately.
MAXIMILIEN
Covering the top floor of the iconic retail store John Lewis on Oxford Street in the heart of London, Willows On The Roof is an urban rooftop, high above the mayhem of the city.
With the look and feel of an urban jungle, this is one of the biggest roof gardens in London, surrounded by panoramic views across the city skyline.
A great spot to make the most of the UK summer, but Willows is close-to eqaully lovely during the colder season, with both heated chalet inspired cabins and private rooftop igloos out on the terrace.
The 4 cosy and luxurious rooftop igloos offers an immersive experience while dining under the stars, and they are available to book from October 2023. Each of the igloos has space for up to 6 people, and come with a minimum spend. Well worth it to enjoy a seasonal selection of crafted cocktails and contemporary dishes, elevated above a twinkling London.
WILLOWS ON THE ROOF
Set in the center of old town of Bratislava, the spacious Rooftop by Regal is found on the second floor, surrounded with lovely views over the Slovakian capital.
The rooftop bar offers a varied selection of signature and classic cocktails, wines from around the world, tasty beers and excellent lemonades, as well as an American style kitchen, with dishes ranging from burgers to Central and South American flavours.
Offering a great vibe and various musical and cultural events during the summer, Rooftop by Regal is also available during the colder months, turning into a charming winter oasis with some magical rooftop igloos.
As capacity is limited, reservations are highly recommended.
ROOFTOP BY REGAL
Located in Dublin, just outside Columbus, Ohio, VASO Rooftop Lounge is a swanky and elevated venue, serving Spanish-style tapas and signature drinks.
Perched on top of the AC Hotel Dublin, the indoor / outdoor rooftop comes surrounded with incredible views over Scioto River and the historic downtown Dublin.
Reachable by an express glass elevator, the rooftop terrace comes with cosy fire pits and stylish cabanas to enjoy long summer nights. In fall and winter, the cabans are swapped for equally stylish rooftop igloos.
Starting November 1, 2023, the temperature controlled igloos are available for anyone to enjoy a great selection of food and drinks, all while relaxing and getting comfy under blankets and ambient lighting.
VASO
Soaring above the Hudson River in Weehawken, NoHu Rooftop Bar & Restaurant is a 15,000 square foot rooftop bar, lounge, and restaurant, mixing tasty food and drinks with amazing views of the Manhattan skyline.
Open daily for dining, drinks and weekend brunch, the outdoor terrace is a New Jersey hot-spot during the warmer months, but it's an equally fantastic place for amazing winter sessions.
In a beautiful winter wonderland setting, there are fire-pits to keep you warm, but the best option is the even warmer and highly cosy rooftop igloos (or snow globes), perfect for an intimate dining experience with a view.
Here you can enjoy a menu that includes locally inspired dishes by Chef Stefan Sabo, along with everything from crafted fresh cocktails to bottle service.
To add some competition and extra fun to the experience, try out the curling rink available to guests at the rooftop restaurant.
NOHU ROOFTOP
Coppa by the Tower, right next to the Thames, had some pop-up igloos already in 2016 and will continue with the great invention during the 2023/24 winter season. Or actually all season round, with summer-dressed igloos available during the warmer months.
The winter igloos has been a huge success for seven years, and it will almost certain be a very popular thing this year as well, so reservations are highly recommended.
The smashing looking igloos are equipped with candles and cosy blankets, evergreen trees, sheepskin rugs and wool blankets. Cosy indeed, and available for a maximum of 6 guests in 2-hour slots. Guests dining in the igloos can dine from both the main restaurant and Igloo menus.
If the igloos themselves don't convince you for a visit, maybe the fantastic views of the Tower Bridge do.
COPPA CLUB
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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