El Techo de Lolinda 

• Location: 2516 Mission Street
• Bar Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4 p.m.-9 p.m., Friday 4 p.m.-10:30 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-10:30 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m.-9:00 p.m.
• Must Try: Chicharrones de Carne and Margarita pitchers.

El Techo de Lolinda offers up Latin-style street food with an awe-inspiring view of the city that puts it as one of the top rooftop bars in San Francisco. The name translates into “the roof of Lolinda,” with Lolinda as the steakhouse underneath. Regulars of the bar often claim it’s the best place to go on a sunny day, but even if the San Francisco chill sweeps through, the heated patio will keep you nice and toasty. There’s also upbeat latin music that, perhaps after a pitcher (or two) of their margaritas, might get you on your feet and dancing. 

The atmosphere here is high energy without being overwhelming and you can’t beat the price for the food and drinks. The Chicharrones de Carne are roasted and fried chunks of pork shoulder that come in either half pound, one pound, or pound-and-a-half portions served alongside homemade tortillas, black bean puree, and escabeche. We’ll pull out our stretchy pants to enjoy some with you.

Photo Courtesy of the Proper Hotel

620 Jones

• Location: 620 Jones Street
• Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday 4 p.m.-10p.m, Thursday 4 p.m.-11 p.m, Friday 4 p.m.-12 a.m, Saturday 11 a.m.-12 a.m, Sunday 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Must Try: Grilled Peach & Burrata Salad and Don’t Go Bacon My Heart

620 Jones is one of the rooftop bars in San Francisco that promises a little something for everyone, whether it be a good dinner with delicious drinks or a weekend brunch with a view. The patio itself is 8,000 square feet and extends all the way out to Geary street. Here you can also sit with a bit of nature as the plant-rich décor balances out the distinct urban vibes of this chic establishment. 

Their list of signature and house cocktails showcase one of the few rooftop bars in San Francisco that also has a creative sense of humor. From a bacon-washed Bulleit bourbon in the Don’t Go Bacon My Heart to the Ketel Oranje Vodka in the San-Fran-Tastic, the drink names are just as much of a reason to visit as the libations themselves!

Photo Courtesy of Dirty Habit

Cavaña

• Location: San Francisco LUMA Hotel, 100 Channel Street, 17th Floor
• Hours: Monday-Thursday 4 p.m.-12 a.m, Friday 4 p.m.-1 a.m, Saturday 2 p.m.-1 a.m, Sunday 2p.m.-12 a.m.
• Must Try: Beef Brisket arepas (!!!)

Sitting on the 17th floor of the San Francisco’s LUMA Hotel, Cavaña is the city’s newest addition to the rooftop bar family. They highlight Latin flavors in all their drinks and dishes, and boast a panoramic view of the city from Sutro tower to the Bay Bridge. You can sip a Oaxacan style margarita and bop your head to matching tunes before gorging yourself on some of the classiest arepas, tacos, and esquites you’ll ever find. Don’t even get me started on the house-made guac and crispy tortillas 😋 There’s little wonder we rank this newcomer highly in our guide to the best rooftop bars in San Francisco.

Photo Courtesy of The View Lounge

Cityscape Bar and Lounge

• Location: Hilton San Francisco Union Square Tower 1, 333 O’Farrell Street
• Hours: Sunday-Thursday 4:30.pm.-12a.m, Friday-Saturday 4:30 p.m.-1 a.m.
• Must Try: Local Cheese Board and Cityscape Exclusive: The 1919

Those interested in the tallest rooftop bars in San Francisco can put their eyes toward the Hilton’s Cityscape Bar and Lounge. Overlooking the city on the 46th floor, this is the tallest of all the rooftop bars in San Francisco, and is well worth experiencing if for nothing more than the view. The bar can get packed and finding a table might be difficult, but no matter where you sit (or stand), it is a sight to behold.

The menu here is much more cocktail-forward than food, with just some small bites to accompany your drinks. We recommend the Nineteen Nineteen, which is a reference to the year of their founding and tasty throwback in itself.

Photo Courtesy of B Restaurant and Bar

Top of the Mark

• Location: Intercontinental Mark Hopkins, 999 California Street
• Hours: Tuesday-Thursday 4:30 p.m.-11 p.m, Friday-Saturday 2:30 p.m.-12:30 a.m, Sunday-Monday 3:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m.
• Must Try: Pulled Baby Back Ribs Bao Bun and Golden Gate

The Top of the Mark bar at the tip of the Intercontinental Mark Hopkins Hotel is among the more high-end rooftop bars in San Francisco, and with panoramic, 360-degree views of the city matched with an elegant and classy interior, it’s easy to see why.  Not only is it one of the more popular rooftop bars in San Francisco, it’s also been that way since its opening in 1939, and it’s certainly seen its fair share of famous faces since then.

Like some of the other locations on this list, the Top of the Mark is also one of the rooftop bars in San Francisco that offers a Sunday brunch, which is a great choice for those looking for a good family outing. Please remember that reservations are recommended for brunches, as tables go fast — the blessing and the curse of being in demand!