Sunset cocktails, Atlantic horizons, and a few Intracoastal bonus picks: a north-to-south tour of South Florida's best rooftops.
If you're searching for rooftop bars with ocean views in South Florida, here's a useful bit of local knowledge up front: not every rooftop on this stretch actually looks at the ocean. Many of the area's best-known rooftops face the Intracoastal Waterway or a city skyline instead. The true ocean-view rooftops cluster in Delray Beach, Boca Raton, Pompano Beach, and Fort Lauderdale Beach, so that's where this guide spends most of its time. We've also flagged the best Intracoastal and skyline rooftops, so you know exactly what view you're getting before you book.
If you're making a night of it, our 48 Hours in Delray Beach itinerary and Clematis Street Nightlife Guide cover what to do before and after your rooftop stop.
The Quick Answer
Best ocean-view rooftop in Delray Beach: Elevate Skye Bar at the Opal Grand, with the Atlantic on one side and Atlantic Avenue on the other.
Best ocean-view rooftop on Fort Lauderdale Beach: Nubé Rooftop at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 26 floors up, with SKY Bar at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa as a strong runner-up.
Best casual beachfront rooftop: McSorley's Beach Pub in Fort Lauderdale or Pier 6 Rooftop in Pompano Beach, both with ocean views and a laid-back crowd.
Best old-school glamour: Pier Top at Pier Sixty-Six, a rotating lounge with views stretching from the Intracoastal to the Atlantic.
Best Intracoastal views: Spruzzo at The Ben and Bar Capri in West Palm Beach.
Delray Beach: Where the Rooftops Meet the Atlantic
Elevate Skye Bar & Lounge (Opal Grand)
Reached by a dedicated rooftop elevator, this open-air lounge looks out at the ocean on one side and downtown Atlantic Avenue on the other. It's known for handcrafted cocktails and sunsets, and the dress code is relaxed resort casual, with beach-casual fine during the day. Walk-ins usually work, and the west side tends to catch the best evening breeze.
The Reef Pool Bar (Courtyard Delray)
A low-key hotel pool bar with panoramic views over downtown Delray toward the Atlantic. It's friendly, casual, and a good pick when you want a view without the dress-up. It tends to be quietest in the mid-afternoon.
Rosewater Rooftop (The Ray Hotel)
Not an ocean-view bar, but worth knowing about: this party-leaning rooftop in the Pineapple Grove area has a pool, Asian-fusion small plates, a daily happy hour, and DJs on weekends. Dinner tables fill quickly, so reservations are smart.
For a ground-level look at the neighborhood around these rooftops, our Local's Guide to Atlantic Avenue covers shops, restaurants, and parking.
Boca Raton: One Memorable Ocean View, With a Catch
At The Boca Raton resort, The Blue sits on the 27th floor with ocean and sunset views through windows on all sides. It's an indoor lounge rather than an open-air rooftop, and access is limited to resort guests and members, so it's one for planning a staycation rather than dropping in. If you're weighing Boca against its neighbor to the north for a night out, our Boca Raton vs. Delray Beach comparison breaks down the differences.
Pompano Beach: Pier Views and Live Music
Pier 6 Rooftop (Tru by Hilton Pompano Beach Pier)
An open-air lounge near the Pompano Beach Pier with ocean views, live music (from steel drums to tropical sounds), regular market nights, and a happy hour that runs on set days. It's casual, friendly, and less crowded than the Fort Lauderdale Beach options.
Fort Lauderdale: The Heart of the Ocean-View Rooftop Scene
Nubé Rooftop (Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort)
On the 26th floor, Nubé pairs an indoor restaurant with an outdoor lounge and sweeping ocean views. The cocktails are made for photos, and the menu leans coastal American with South Florida flavors.
SKY Bar at The Atlantic Hotel & Spa
A fifth-floor perch with ocean and beach views, a polished hotel setting, and a good fit for a pre-dinner drink.
High Tide Lounge at Bahia Mar
Overlooking both the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean, High Tide is a daytime pool-and-cocktails stop that also hosts themed nights and pool parties.
McSorley's Beach Pub
The casual pick. The upstairs rooftop looks out over the ocean and beach, with weekday happy hours and a group-friendly atmosphere.
Pier Top at Pier Sixty-Six
A slowly rotating lounge on the 17th floor with views from the Intracoastal across to the Atlantic, champagne and caviar service, and a throwback-glamour feel. If you arrive by boat, our guide to waterfront restaurants with boat docking in Fort Lauderdale covers dockage at Pier Sixty-Six too.
Looking for deals before you head up? Our Best Happy Hours in Fort Lauderdale roundup is a good place to start.
Best Intracoastal and Skyline Rooftops (When the Ocean Isn't the Point)
North of Delray, the area's rooftops lean toward Intracoastal and downtown views rather than the open Atlantic. They're still some of the best rooftop experiences in the region:
- Spruzzo at The Ben (West Palm Beach): Eighth-floor Mediterranean-style rooftop with cabanas, fire pits, and Intracoastal and Palm Beach Island views.
- Bar Capri (West Palm Beach): Amalfi-style rooftop above Elisabetta's with panoramic Intracoastal views and a weekday happy hour.
- Treehouse at Canopy (West Palm Beach): Poolside, 13th floor, with downtown and Intracoastal views and a lively after-work crowd.
- Topside at The Beacon (Jupiter): A tiki-style rooftop with an unobstructed view of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. Pair it with our Local's Guide to Jupiter's Beaches and the Lighthouse Loop Trail.
- Rooftop @1WL0 (Fort Lauderdale): Garden-like rooftop above the New River and Las Olas Boulevard. See our Las Olas Boulevard Guide for what to do nearby.
New to West Palm Beach? Our Local's Guide to West Palm Beach covers where to eat, shop, and explore.
Tips for Visiting Rooftop Bars in South Florida
Go for golden hour: Arrive 45 minutes before sunset for the best light, then stay for the evening. Locations facing west, like some of the Intracoastal rooftops, catch the sunset directly, while ocean-facing rooftops get the glow on the water after.
Reserve on weekends: Walk-ins often work at the bar, but dinner tables and prime seating fill up quickly, particularly in winter high season.
Dress for the venue: Most are resort casual to smart casual, and some enforce no-swimwear rules after a certain hour. Check each venue's policy.
Confirm access: Some hotel and resort rooftops reserve daytime hours for guests, and a few lounges are open only to guests and members.
Check hours and happy hours: Schedules, entertainment nights, and menus change seasonally.
Hosting friends or family who want the best view in town? Our locals' cheat sheet for out-of-town guests helps fill in the rest of their trip.
FAQ: Rooftop Bars With Ocean Views in South Florida
What are the best rooftop bars with ocean views in South Florida? Top picks include Elevate Skye Bar in Delray Beach, Nubé Rooftop and SKY Bar on Fort Lauderdale Beach, Pier 6 Rooftop in Pompano Beach, and Pier Top at Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale.
Are there rooftop bars with ocean views in Palm Beach and West Palm Beach? Most West Palm Beach rooftops face the Intracoastal Waterway or the downtown skyline rather than the open ocean. For a true Atlantic view, Delray Beach and points south have more options.
Which rooftop bar in Delray Beach has ocean views? Elevate Skye Bar at the Opal Grand has ocean views on one side and downtown Atlantic Avenue views on the other. The Reef Pool Bar at Courtyard Delray also offers views toward the Atlantic.
Do I need a reservation at a rooftop bar? Not always. Walk-ins often work at the bar, but reservations are recommended for dinner tables and weekend evenings, especially in high season.
Are any rooftop bars casual and low-key? Yes. The Reef Pool Bar in Delray Beach and McSorley's Beach Pub in Fort Lauderdale are two of the more laid-back options.
Can anyone visit The Blue at The Boca Raton? Access is limited to resort guests and members, so check with the resort before planning a visit.
Let SoFlo Coastal Group Help You Make the Move
If you keep ending your evenings with an ocean view in hand, it may be time to live a little closer to it. Our team can help you find a walkable, coastal neighborhood between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale that fits your lifestyle and budget.
📲 Call/Text: 732.754.9323 🌐 Visit: soflocoastalgroup.com 🏡 Browse homes: Home Search 📸 Instagram: @melissa.buy.sell.invest
Melissa Naman, REALTOR® Founder, SoFlo Coastal Group Helping you buy, sell, and invest across Palm Beach and Broward County.
