The 18 best rooftop bars in Charlotte for drinks with a view
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Merchant & Trade in Uptown. Photo: Laura Barrero/Axios Charlotte
We've rounded up 18 of Charlotte's best rooftops, from Uptown high rises to chill neighborhood hangouts.
Why it matters: The only thing Charlotteans love more than a good drink is a view to sip one from.
Editor's note: These establishments are grouped by neighborhood; this is not a ranking.
Uptown
Merchant & Trade
The vibe: A chic "urban oasis" meets swanky cocktail bar that is broken into four areas — an indoor bar, outdoor terrace, private terrace and lawn.
Stop by: 303 S Church St., on the 19th floor of the Kimpton Tryon Park Hotel.
Go deeper: 11 best Uptown Charlotte hotels
Fahrenheit
The vibe: Another one of Uptown's popular rooftop bars, you can't go wrong taking out-of-towners here, whether you're day drinking or looking for an upscale dinner out.
Stop by: 222 S. Caldwell St., on the 21st floor of the Skye building in Uptown.
Graham St. Pub & Patio
The vibe: A casual sports bar between Bank of America Stadium and Truist Field.
Stop by: 400 South Graham St.
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Nuvolé Rooftop TwentyTwo
The vibe: Pronounced "new-va-lay." Expect a sophisticated, airy, indoor-outdoor bar in Uptown, with a large menu of specialty cocktails and snacks like ahi tuna tacos and sliders.
Stop by: 220 East Trade St., on the 22nd floor of the AC Hotel in Uptown.
- Reservations are accepted for groups of 15 or more.
Aura Rooftop
The vibe: A trendy, botanical-inspired rooftop bar with a pool and cabanas on the fifth floor of the JW Marriott in Uptown.
Stop by: 600 South College St.
- Make a reservation here.
- Cabana rentals start at $200.
Búho Bar
The vibe: An elegant rooftop bar inspired by the bars and lounges found in South America on top of Uptown's Grand Bohemian Hotel.
Stop by: 201 West Trade St., on the 16th floor of the Grand Bohemian.
Of note: Búho Bar encourages a "smart casual" dress code.
Novelty House
The vibe: A photo-worthy rooftop decked out with flowers in the same building as Saku Yakitori and Sushi Bar in Uptown's 5th Street District.
Stop by: 123 East 5th St., in the Binaco Tower.
- The dress code is smart casual.
City Lights Rooftop
The vibe: Sip a craft cocktail and take in skyline views at this nighttime hangout atop the Le Méridien Charlotte hotel, where Cloud Bar used to be.
Stop by: 555 S McDowell St.
- Open Tuesday-Thursday, 5pm-midnight, and Friday-Saturday, 5pm-1am.
Plaza Midwood
Uchibā
The vibe: Inspired by a Japanese izakaya (a casual bar where people go to drink and share small plates after work), Uchibā is the rooftop above its sister restaurant, Uchi.
- It's focused on craft cocktails, Japanese whisky and shareable plates.
Stop by: 1720 Commonwealth Ave., in the Commonwealth development in Plaza Midwood.
Whiskey Warehouse
The vibe: A treehouse-style escape in the heart of Plaza Midwood, with daily specials like half-priced wine on Thursdays and $4 mimosas on weekends.
Stop by: 1221 The Plaza.
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Burial Beer Co.
The vibe: This popular Asheville brewery opened its Plaza Midwood taproom and bottle shop called House of Relics in 2022.
- It's inspired by a vintage clothing store that previously occupied the space and features a full bar, kitchen and rooftop deck.
Stop by: 1214 Thomas Ave., across from Calle Sol.
SouthPark
Cordial SouthPark
The vibe: An everyday spot atop the AC Marriott Hotel in SouthPark, offering cocktails and a Spanish-inspired menu of small plates.
Stop by: 1824 Roxborough Rd.
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NoDa
Wooden Robot — The Chamber
The vibe: Wooden Robot Brewery's NoDa location, dubbed The Chamber, offers a spacious rooftop deck with picnic tables, lounge furniture and its own bar.
Stop by: 416 E. 36th St., right off 36th Street Station.
South End & Lower South End
Charlotte Beer Garden
The vibe: A massive three-story bar with a greenhouse-style rooftop in South End. It's open until 2am nightly, with hundreds of taps and a large food menu.
If you go: The first floor menu is all local beer. You'll find international beer on the second floor.
Stop by: 1300 South Tryon St.
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Topside 2.0 at The Waterman Fish Bar
The vibe: A rooftop space atop The Waterman in South End, with $1.50 oyster happy hour and ceviche, plus cocktails, boat drinks and weekend brunch.
Stop by: 2729 South Blvd.
State of Confusion
The vibe: A two-story, family-friendly restaurant with a fusion menu of Latin American, New Orleanian and low-country fare, and a rooftop that delivers partial skyline views.
If you go: Try one of their draft cocktails, like the margarita or hurricane and grab ceviche for a starter.
Stop by: 3500 Dewitt Lane.
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Belmont neighborhood
The Royal Tot
The vibe: A two-story tiki bar and event space in the Belmont neighborhood with a rooftop deck offering a clear view of Uptown's skyline.
Stop by: 933 Louise Ave., in the Sugar Mill development.
Ballantyne
Hestia Rooftop
The vibe: An upscale, modern Asian restaurant in Ballantyne with a rooftop patio that delivers a 180-degree view of the Charlotte area and a range of elevated Asian cuisine, from omakase to a $400 flaming tomahawk.
Stop by: 14819 Ballantyne Village Way, on the 16th floor of the AC Hotel in Ballantyne Village.
Honorable mentions
The Imperial, Gin Mill, Nellie's Southern Kitchen (Belmont), Urban District Market's rooftop deck and Lincoln Street Kitchen and Cocktails.
What we're watching: Guard and Grace, a rooftop steakhouse, will open this fall on the 10th floor of Queensbridge Collective at 1111 South Tryon St.
Scared of heights but still love the outdoors? Here are 40 of the best patios in Charlotte.
Editor's note: This guide was last updated in April 2026.