Phoenix's Best Rooftop Bars

When the sun dips below the Sierra Estrella and the sky turns shades of tangerine and violet, there is no better place to be than a rooftop bar in Phoenix or Scottsdale. The Valley's year-round warm evenings and dramatic desert sunsets make elevated drinking a way of life here, and the city's bar scene has responded with a growing collection of stylish rooftop venues that pair craft cocktails with panoramic views.

Lustre Rooftop Garden in downtown Phoenix sits atop Hotel Palomar and offers a lush, garden-like setting with plunge pools, cabanas, and creative cocktails that draw a fashionable crowd. Nearby, The Rooftop at The Clarendon delivers a more laid-back vibe with strong drinks, DJ sets, and unobstructed views of Piestewa Peak. For a more refined experience, Skysill Rooftop Lounge in Tempe perches above the Marriott and serves elevated small plates alongside its cocktail menu, with sweeping views of Tempe Town Lake and the surrounding mountains.

In Scottsdale, Hotel Valley Ho's ZuZu lounge channels mid-century modern cool with poolside seating, retro decor, and a killer happy hour that locals swear by. For something truly special, Orange Sky at Talking Stick Resort rises 15 floors above the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, offering fine dining and floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the entire Valley from Camelback Mountain to Four Peaks.

Most rooftop bars in the Valley are at their best during the cooler months from October through April, when patio season is in full swing and the weather is nothing short of perfect. Arrive before sunset to claim a good spot, and let the colors of the Arizona sky do the rest.