The Best Rooftop Bars In Austin

In a city where it feels like summer for nine months of the year, you’ll want to catch every possible breeze. There are plenty of rooftop bars in Austin where you can enjoy a cold cocktail under the evening sky, or perhaps even take a dip in a pool and listen to live music. Enjoy the ever-changing skyline that is Austin from each of these seven elevated oases.

1. Browse the Mexican art at Techo Mezcaleria & Agave Bar

Bar, Mexican

The only rooftop bar in Austin’s Cherrywood neighborhood, Techo is aptly named because it literally means “roof” in Spanish. This tiny bar only holds about two dozen people and often has a line, but the drinks are worth the wait. It helps that the bar is located right on top of Mi Madre’s restaurant, so you can grab a taco while you wait to indulge in your mezcal creation. We wouldn’t fault you for waiting around inside, either. The space is beautifully decorated with an unusual conglomeration of Mexican art, picturesque wrought metal chairs and other curiosities.

2. Take a dip in the pool at Azul Rooftop Pool Bar + Lounge

Hotel

When visiting the Azul Rooftop Pool Bar + Lounge at Austin’s downtown Westin hotel, you can swim while taking in breathtaking views of the city. Open year-round, this rooftop bar and pool offers guests and the public relaxation and drinks, as well as views of Austin sites. Check out the Azul Rooftop page for public pool hours, and consider enjoying a sunset or two, rooftop-style.

3. Try out the mustache look at HandleBar

Bar, North American

The theme is mustaches, not bicycles, at this Texas establishment. If you don’t have a mustache, you can buy a handlebar-style knockoff for $1 and put it on your glass or your face! The rooftop is decorated with twinkle lights and a few green plants and trees, creating an intimate ambiance. Both the upstairs and downstairs bars have fun games to keep patrons entertained. Downstairs, play a game of pool, darts or pinball. On the second floor, there’s a seesaw, rocking horses, cornhole and a giant Jenga set. There’s also a lot of DJs and live music performances, so you can sing and dance to your favorite hit songs. Stop by on Sundays for all-day happy hour.

5. Enjoy a tipple with a modern twist at Geraldine's

Boutique Hotel Restaurant, American

Inside the Hotel Van Zandt is a swanky bar filled with creative food and drinks that are sure to liven up any evening. Although named after a guinea fowl who used to roam the neighborhood streets, this rooftop bar doesn’t have a country style. Modern flair is everywhere, including the drink options, and you can enjoy your cocktail poolside. So this weekend, take a dip while you sip. Unfortunately, the pool is for guests only, so maybe split a night out with a couple of friends? Alternatively, you can simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the nightly live music.

6. Choose Summit Rooftop Lounge if you're looking for luxury

Bar, American

The Summit Rooftop Lounge’s dance floor sits just under Austin’s skyline

With its LED walls, plush rooftop area, sultry servers, and an ever-present high energy, Summit Rooftop Lounge is the perfect place to impress someone or host a bachelor party. Enjoy bottle service with amazing views of downtown Austin, dance to live DJ sets from local and touring acts, or host a luxurious private event. There are lots of great bars in downtown Austin if you’re looking to experience the cities amazing nightlife.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.