The 8 best rooftop bars in Charlotte

Charlotte’s skyline is its best view of itself, and the rooftops that look at it range from hotel lounges with dress codes to brewery decks with dogs. This list covers both kinds, ranked by the view, the drink and the ease of getting a seat. Eight rather than ten, because a rooftop has to be a real rooftop to make it. Hours are current as of this writing.

1. Fahrenheit Charlotte

The 21st floor restaurant and bar atop the Skye tower on South Caldwell, with a wraparound skyline view that defines the Charlotte rooftop, a dinner menu of steaks and seafood from chef Rocco Whalen, truffle fries, mocktails and a DJ late on weekends. Reserve, expect the outdoor seats to go to diners, and go for sunset.

Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.; Saturday 4 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Address: 222 S. Caldwell St, 21st Floor, Charlotte, NC 28202

Why it made the list

• The view.
• Dinner and a bar in one.
• Open until 2 a.m. on weekends.
• A must for visitors.

Directory listing: Fahrenheit Charlotte

2. Merchant & Trade

The 19th floor rooftop atop the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel, looking straight into Truist Field and across the skyline, with fire pits, couch seating, an espresso martini regulars rank first and a food menu of tacos, pork belly and caviar. 21 and up, ID at the elevator, first come first served, so arrive before golden hour.

Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday 4:30 to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4:30 p.m. to midnight

Address: 303 S. Church St, Charlotte, NC 28202

Why it made the list

• The ballpark view.
• Fire pits for cool nights.
• Cocktails that hold up.
• Reserved sections for groups.

Directory listing: Merchant & Trade

3. Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo

The 22nd floor rooftop above the AC Hotel on East Trade Street, one of the widest views in the city, with skewers, wings and ahi tuna nachos, custom cocktails and bartenders who remember your name. Event space for book clubs and birthdays, open until 1 a.m. on weekends, closed Sunday.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 4 to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 4 p.m. to 1 a.m.; closed Sunday

Address: 220 E. Trade St, Suite 2200, Charlotte, NC 28202

Why it made the list

• Among the highest views Uptown.
• A real kitchen.
• Bartenders with memories.
• Groups welcome.

Directory listing: Nuvole Rooftop TwentyTwo

4. Club West Brewing

The brewery rooftop: a 6,000 square foot second floor patio and bar on the rail trail in South End with a skyline and light rail view, multiple bars, an Airstream selling cans, pizza and burgers, dogs on the patio and a crowd every day of the week. The casual, no dress code answer to the hotel rooftops.

Hours: See the brewery’s site for current taproom hours

Address: 2151 Hawkins St, Charlotte, NC 28203

Why it made the list

• The rail trail from above.
• Beer, pizza and dogs.
• No reservation, no dress code.
• Always something going on.

Directory listing: Club West Brewing

5. Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

The fourth floor restaurant and rooftop in South End’s Gold District from the Craft Tasting Room and MAS owners, industrial chic inside, a skyline facing patio outside, serious cocktails, dinner Tuesday through Saturday and a weekend brunch with an osso buco breakfast sandwich. The South End rooftop for a sit down evening.

Hours: Tuesday to Thursday 5 to 10 p.m.; Friday 5 to 11 p.m.; Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.; closed Monday

Address: 1320 S. Church St, Suite 400, Charlotte, NC 28203

Why it made the list

• A South End skyline patio.
• Craft cocktails.
• Rooftop brunch on weekends.
• A private lounge for groups.

Directory listing: Lincoln Street Kitchen & Cocktails

6. City Lights Rooftop

The large open air rooftop atop the Le Méridien and Sheraton towers on South McDowell Street, with greenery, a skyline view from the Midtown edge and a crowd that comes to talk. Cocktails are the strength, the food is light, and on a weeknight it is the calmest rooftop in Charlotte. Use the valet.

Hours: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 5 p.m. to midnight; Friday and Saturday 5 p.m. to 1 a.m.; closed Monday and Tuesday

Address: 555 S. McDowell St, Charlotte, NC 28204

Why it made the list

• Space to spread out.
• A quieter crowd.
• Good cocktails.
• A view from a different angle.

Directory listing: City Lights Rooftop

7. Burial Beer Co.

Asheville’s brewery in Plaza Midwood with a rooftop bar on the second floor of its Thomas Avenue taproom, a bottle shop downstairs and a Thai food truck out back. Award winning beer instead of cocktails, open until midnight on weekends, and the neighborhood rooftop that does not require a trip Uptown.

Hours: Monday to Thursday 1 to 10 p.m.; Friday and Saturday noon to midnight; Sunday noon to 9 p.m.

Address: 1214 Thomas Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205

Why it made the list

• A rooftop over Plaza Midwood.
• Some of the best beer in the Carolinas.
• Walkable to the rest of the neighborhood.
• Closed when it rains; check first.

Directory listing: Burial Beer Co.

8. The Scorpio

North Carolina’s oldest gay club by its own account, on Freedom Drive west of Uptown, with four rooms including a rooftop and a veranda that are the reason to arrive before the dance floor fills. A rooftop with a crowd, a DJ and a history, and the most fun of any roof on this list after midnight.

Hours: See the club’s site for current hours

Address: 2301 Freedom Dr, Charlotte, NC 28208

Why it made the list

• A rooftop with a dance floor beneath it.
• Charlotte nightlife history.
• Late, loud and welcoming.
• Arrive early for the roof.

Directory listing: The Scorpio

Also worth knowing

Uchibā, the rooftop bar above Uchi in Plaza Midwood, serves the sushi kitchen’s bar menu with a view over the Commonwealth development, and the second floor patio at Petty Thieves north of Uptown is not a rooftop but has a skyline view most rooftops would envy. If we missed a roof, tell us.