Updated: July 8, 2026
What’s better than a great drink?
A great drink and a fantastic view.
Rooftop season is officially here, and there’s no better way to soak up the sun than with a drink in hand and a killer view. Whether you’re bar-hopping in the Short North or planning a romantic night out, the best Columbus rooftop bars are here to impress.
Brass Eye at The Junto
Scioto Peninsula · Rooftop patio
Brass Eye, perched above The Junto hotel on the Scioto Peninsula, became a Columbus favorite fairly quickly. Not only are there fantastic views of the Scioto Peninsula and downtown Columbus, but there is also an incredible drink menu. From carefully crafted cocktails to amazing wine options, Brass Eye is a great place to gather with your crew or to enjoy a romantic date night.
Location: 77 Belle Street, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Brass Eye
Novak’s Tavern + Patio
Short North · Rooftop patio
Novak’s is an oldie but a goodie, and it doesn’t have the best view on the list, but it has so much character. While you don’t often hear the words “tavern” and “rooftop patio” together, there’s just something about Novak’s that works. It’s a more intimate space, but it’s got great vibes and a fantastic location for kicking off a big night in the Short North.
Location: 475 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Novak’s Tavern + Patio
Jackie O’s on Fourth
Downtown · Rooftop patio
Jackie O’s has been a longtime Athens favorite, and now we get to enjoy the magic right here in Columbus. The downtown taproom is massive and the rooftop patio? Absolute perfection. It’s got the kind of skyline view that makes you want to linger a little longer with a pint in hand. Their beers are top-tier (hello, Mystic Mama), and the food is pretty dang impressive, too.
Location: 171 N Fourth St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Jackie O’s
VASO Rooftop Lounge
Dublin · 8th floor
Okay, so technically, this isn’t in Columbus, but VASO Rooftop Lounge is honestly one of the most amazing bars and it wouldn’t be right to leave it off the list. This is the only rooftop bars on the list that offers a more pastoral view. The bar sits atop the AC Hotel overlooking the Scioto River and the countryside around Dublin. It’s a really magical spot, and if you’re searching for a romantic date night restaurant that will wow your partner, go to VASO.
Location: 6540 Riverside Dr, Dublin, OH 43017
Website: VASO Rooftop Lounge
Seventh Son Brewing Co.
Italian Village · Rooftop patio
The Seventh Son Brewing rooftop manages to feel like the coziest rooftop you’ve ever been on. Sure, it may not have sweeping views of the city, but it’s still got tons of character. Good vibes live here and a night on this charming rooftop will be well spent. Obviously, you’ll find a bunch of incredible beer options when drinking on the rooftop. But don’t miss out on the brewery’s cocktail and mocktail options.
Location: 1101 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Seventh Son Brewing Co.
Stories on High
Downtown · 28th floor
Stories on High is the place to be if your favorite things about rooftop bars are incredible heights and premium, craft cocktails. Located atop the new Hilton Tower, Stories on High has amazing views of Columbus and the surrounding area that you won’t get anywhere else. Perched at 28 stories, this rooftop bar will have you feeling like you’re up in the clouds, instead of steps from North High Street!
Location: 404 North High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Stories on High
Goodale Station
Arena District · 12th floor
Goodale Station is one of those bars that you walk into and instantly feel like you’re the main character. Located on the 12th floor of the Canopy by Hilton hotel, the bar is chic and modern with interesting views of Downtown Columbus that you won’t get anywhere else. In addition to some of the best drinks in town, Goodale Station also offers a dinner menu, brunch options, and happy hour. It’s perfect for a romantic date or an intimate event and honestly, I’ve lost my train of thought because I’ve been overcome by those views.
Location: 77 East Nationwide Blvd, Columbus, Ohio, 43215
Website: Goodale Station
RH Rooftop Restaurant
Easton · 3rd floor
Ready for a glass of wine and a fine dining experience? RH Rooftop Restaurant sits on the third floor of RH Columbus, a massive design gallery. The food menu pairs perfectly with the craft beer and an extensive wine list. The wine bar includes wine and Champagne selections from around the world that guests can enjoy in this stunning rooftop area. This place brings the glitz and the glam, so get fancy and enjoy the sparkling chandeliers, the trickling fountains, and the trellised trees.
Location: 4120 Worth Ave, Columbus, OH 43219
Website: RH Rooftop Restaurant
Mandrake Rooftop
Short North · 10th floor
Mandrake sits ten floors up on top of the Moxy in the Short North, and it’s the splashiest rooftop on this list. The 270-degree view over the skyline is the draw, but the room itself, all custom furniture and low lighting, tips into nightclub territory as the evening goes on. The kitchen bills itself as MediterrAsian and non-GMO, the cocktail list runs long, and there’s bottle service if you’re feeling it. Dress up a little, because this one leans upscale. One heads-up: it’s closed Monday and Tuesday.
Location: 810 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Mandrake Rooftop
Astra Rooftop
Short North · 8th floor
Astra took over the 8th-floor perch above the AC Hotel near Goodale Park in the summer of 2025, on the spot where Lumin Skybar used to be, and reset the whole place. The concept now leans fire-forward: dramatic, flame-kissed small plates with European and Spanish leanings from the One Hospitality crew behind Forno and Standard Hall. The floor-to-ceiling windows still frame the downtown skyline, and there’s an outdoor terrace for when you want the breeze with your cocktail. It’s a genuine “impress your out-of-town friends” kind of spot.
Location: 517 Park St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Astra Rooftop
Antiques on High
Brewery District · 2nd floor
This is one of my favorite little rooftops in Columbus. Not only can you grab a perfectly crafted cocktail or sour beer from the bar, but you can enjoy it on the roof. Antiques on High specializes in sour beer, which can be a bit of an adventure if you’ve never had it before. They also have some pretty incredible cocktails on the menu. The rooftop patio has a cozy fireplace, casual lighting, and a wonderful environment for throwing a few back with your pals.
Location: 714 S High St, Columbus, OH 43206
Website: Antiques on High
Lincoln Social
Short North · 9th floor
Lincoln Social is a fantastic addition to the rooftop bar scene here in Columbus. It has some seriously impressive views of the city and a great, central location in the Short North. While they don’t have a massive food menu at Lincoln Social, they’ve got more than enough options to feed even the hungriest of bar patrons. The menu includes sushi, pizza, and small desserts. They’ve got a great wine selection, in addition to craft cocktails, beer, and non-alcoholic drinks as well. The bar is glamorous yet accessible and it’s quickly become the place I take my friends who are visiting Columbus from out of town to impress them.
Location: 711 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215
Website: Lincoln Social
Budd Dairy Food Hall
Italian Village · Rooftop patio
If you’re looking for a laid-back rooftop with tons of food options and a strong community feel, Budd Dairy is where it’s at. The rooftop bar is a great hangout spot and an ideal place to try bites from multiple local vendors, sip a cocktail, and enjoy the skyline. There’s often live music or events, so it’s easy to turn a casual happy hour into a whole night out.
Location: 1086 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201
Website: Budd Dairy Food Hall
Columbus Rooftop Bar FAQs
What is the tallest rooftop bar in Columbus?
Stories on High takes it, and it isn’t close. Perched 28 stories up on top of the Hilton Columbus Downtown tower, it’s the highest rooftop bar in the city, with 360-degree views to match.
What is the newest rooftop bar in Columbus?
Astra Rooftop is the freshest face, having taken over the former Lumin Sky Bar space atop the AC Hotel in 2025. Mandrake, on top of the Moxy in the Short North, is the other recent arrival worth knowing about.
Which Columbus rooftop bars are open in winter?
Plenty of them are built for the cold. Stories on High, Goodale Station, and Mandrake all have glass-enclosed interior lounges that keep the view without the wind chill, and Antiques on High runs its partially covered rooftop year-round with a cozy fireplace. The fully open-air patios, like Seventh Son and Budd Dairy, are best saved for warm months.
Which rooftop bar has the best view for a date night?
For a skyline that makes people gasp, it’s hard to beat Stories on High or Lincoln Social in the Short North. If you’d rather trade downtown for something more pastoral, VASO out in Dublin overlooks the Scioto River and the countryside, and it’s my go-to when I want to genuinely wow someone.
Featured image via Stories on High Facebook.
