Rooftop Restaurants In Philadelphia

With the arrival of the World Cafe Live Beer Garden at Cira Green atop the city’s 95-foot-high elevated park, Philadelphia’s skyward hospitality has reached new heights. The new park’s soaring, stunning views wow visitors during a seasonal Friday night beer garden series, as do the live music and beverage menu. Cira Green Beer Gardenjoins a growing roster of restaurants and bars that deliver up-in-the-atmospheric drama along with delicious eats and drinks. Here are some of Philly’s best places to scope out the view:

All-Weather Views:

• Lined with windows, the dramatic dining room of R2L on the 37th floor of Two Liberty Place provides a glittering vista year round. Meanwhile, chef Daniel Stern’s inventive fine dining menu matches the sparkle of the lights outside. 50 S. 16th Street, (215) 564-5337, r2lrestaurant.com
  It’s not surprising that a place called SkyBrunch would make the most of its setting. Fifty stories up, the restaurant serves a luxurious weekend buffet with lofty scenery to match. 1717 Arch Street, (215) 557-1999, skyphiladelphia.com
• There’s no need to wait until summer at Center City’s Vango. The restaurant and nightclub keeps its third-story deck open all year. A fireplace, lounge bar and DJs spinning dance, hip-hop and top-40 music keep the crowd hot in all seasons. 116 S. 18th Street, (215) 568-1020, vangoloungeandskybar.com
  It doesn’t get much more stunning than the view from XIX, the elegant restaurant, bar and lounge on the 19th floor of the Hyatt at The Bellevue. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a picturesque balcony ensure that the atmosphere properly befits the fine modern American menu. 200 S. Broad Street, (215) 790-1919, nineteenrestaurant.com

Rooftop Lounges:

• Nine floors above the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the Assembly Rooftop Lounge at The Logan hotel beckons bar-goers with its modern luxe seating nests and fireplaces. As if sweeping views of the city weren’t enough, craft cocktails and shareable charcuterie and cheese plates add to the appeal. 1840 Benjamin Franklin Parkway, (215) 783-4171, assemblyrooftop.com
• Instagram was made for views like the ones Bok Bar serves up. The South Philadelphia pop-up sits atop a former vocational school, now reimagined as a space for creative types. The 21+ crowd enjoys drinks and Vietnamese fare Wednesday through Sunday, and families and dogs are invited to join the rooftop fun on Sundays. Opens May 25. 1901 S. 9th Street, bok-bar.com
• The second-floor patio at University City’s CoZara may be one of the city’s better-kept secrets. Overlooking Chestnut Street, the outdoor area seats 35 people at tables and couches and offers the restaurant’s full menu of Japanese small plates, cocktails and sake. 3200 Chestnut Street,
  (267) 233-7488, cozaraphilly.com
• Beer lovers gather inside and out at University City’s City Tap House. The 60+ draft selections and inventive menu of American fare taste even better en plein air on one of the two rooftop terraces, replete with fire pits. 3925 Walnut Street, (215) 662-0105, ucity.citytap.com
• New atop the historic Parkway Central Library branch of the Free Library of Philadelphia is Brews & Views: Spring Rooftop Mini Series. In addition to great views of the Benjamin Franklin Parkway, the pop-up will serve local craft beer from Victory, Tröegs and such, plus wine, cocktails and pretzels, cheese plates and chips from Brûlée Catering on Thursdays, 5-9 p.m., May 18-June 29. 1901 Vine Street, (215) 686-5322, freelibrary.org
• The city’s tallest rooftop hangout comes courtesy a collaboration of the popular Sunday buffet spot Skybrunch and German beer hall Brauhaus Schmitz. An impressive 51 stories up, the seasonal SkyGarten serves summery brews and beer hall bites, including bratwurst sandwiches, soft pretzels and wings—along with incredible sunsets. 1717 Arch Street, (215) 557-7887, skyphiladelphia.com
• Open year-round, Stratus Rooftop Lounge pulses with DJs and live music. The glamorous bar on the 11th story of the Hotel Monaco Philadelphia overlooks Independence Hall and goes above the usual offerings with bottle service and finely crafted cocktails. 433 Chestnut Street, (215) 925-2889, stratuslounge.com
• Tropical drinks and food taste even better on the second-floor roof deck at Midtown Village’s fun Tiki. From 6 to 8 p.m. on weekdays, the generous happy hour specials—half-price dumplings, $5 cocktails and $3 and $4 beers—get the alfresco party started. 102 S. 13th Street, (215) 309-3435, tikiphilly.com
• The city’s elevated park raises its game even more with the World Cafe Live Beer Garden at Cira Green, a Friday night pop-up that welcomes 21-and-older guests, weather permitting. Guests may bring their own food or enjoy light snacks as they take in stunning views along with eight different beers, wine, cider, cocktails and live music staged by World Cafe Live. Friday nights through June 23. 129 S. 30th Street, ciragreen.com
• The fiesta goes outdoors at Más Mexicali Cantina in West Chester, about 36 miles outside of Center City Philadelphia. Red lanterns strung along the roof deck set a lively scene for sipping margaritas, tasting more than 100 tequilas and downing enchiladas. 102 E. Market Street,
  West Chester, (610) 918-6280, masmexicali.com

By The Water:

• Those in the mood for an apertivo or two are in good company at Jose Garces’ 24. While overlooking the Schuylkill River, guests on the elevated patio indulge in cocktails, antipasti, wood-fired pizza and pastas. 2401 Walnut Street, (215) 333-3331, 24philly.com
• So, it’s not exactly a roof, but food and drinks on The Deck of the Moshulu, the world’s oldest and largest square-rigged sailing vessel, makes for a remarkable experience. The Deck offers brunch, dinner, small bites and signature items such as chilled oysters and loaded burgers—all with a waterfront view along Penn’s Landing. 401 S. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 923-2500, moshulu.com
• There’s really no bad view from Delaware River beer garden Morgan’s Pier, but the Crow’s Nest deck overlooking the restaurant gives diners and drinkers an even better vantage point to enjoy craft beer, summer cocktails and fun picnic eats. 221 N. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 279-7134, morganspier.com
• On warmer nights, patrons of Old City’s Revolution House take advantage of the lively roof deck, one of the few in the neighborhood. The full menu of comfort food and creative cocktails can be ordered from the higher perch. 200 Market Street, (215) 625-4566, revolutionhouse.com
• Southern-fried dinner or brunch plus live music equals Warmdaddy’s winning formula. The waterfront club also features a sunny deck for alfresco seating. 1400 S. Columbus Boulevard, (215) 462-2000, warmdaddys.com

Intimate Yet Magnificent:

• While the 26 lanes may be the draw of South Bowl, the recently opened South Philly bowling alley offers plenty of gathering space, including the roof deck. The outdoor bar area serves handcrafted cocktails, plenty of draft beers and an eclectic menu of party food. 19 E. Oregon Avenue, (215) 389-2695, southbowlphilly.com
• Northern Liberties’ mainstay Standard Tap tempts with reliably delicious gastropub fare and a thoughtful supply of craft beer. On warm days, the upper deck provides yet another reason to visit. 901 N. 2nd Street, (215) 238-0630, standardtap.com
• An easy 20 miles from Center City, Media’s pan-Asian eatery Azie offers roof deck seating in warmer months. High above the downtown bustle, diners can indulge in spicy salmon tartare, sushi and short rib bibimbap. 217 W. State Street, Media, (610) 566-4750, azie-restaurant.com

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