Empire Journal | Dining
Rooftop Bars Miami: Brickell, South Beach and the Bay Views
The rooftop bars in Miami actually worth the cover — Brickell high-rises, South Beach pool decks, and the bay-view terraces locals use. Plus dress codes and timing.
Rooftop Bars Miami
Miami has more rooftops than any city in the Southeast and the widest quality range. The difference between a great Miami rooftop and an expensive one is usually which water it faces: Biscayne Bay and the downtown skyline from Brickell or the Arts District, or the Atlantic from a South Beach pool deck. They are different nights.
Here is the split.
Brickell, downtown and the bay
Sugar — EAST Miami, Brickell. Fortieth-floor rooftop garden with the best bay-and-skyline view in the city, Asian-leaning small plates, and a crowd that stays civil. The single best rooftop bar in Miami. Hotel site.
Area 31 — Kimpton EPIC Hotel, downtown. Sixteenth-floor terrace on the Miami River where it meets the bay, with a seafood kitchen that is genuinely good rather than incidental. Hotel site.
Juvia — Lincoln Road, South Beach. Top-floor indoor-outdoor room looking across the bay and back at the mainland skyline — the best view on the island, and the only one facing that direction.
South Beach pool decks
The rooftop at 1 Hotel South Beach. Multiple pool decks, one of them rooftop, with the Atlantic in front of you. The best daytime rooftop in Miami Beach. Hotel site.
Serena Rooftop — Moxy Miami South Beach. Rooftop pool and bar with a full food menu, and the liveliest of the South Beach rooftops without becoming a club.
Highbar — Dream South Beach. Smaller rooftop pool bar in the middle of the South Beach action, and the best of the walk-in options.
What to know before you go
- Reservations and minimums. Weekend nights at the Brickell and South Beach rooftops commonly run table minimums. Book a table through Resy or OpenTable instead of negotiating at the elevator.
- Dress code is enforced. No beachwear after dark, no athletic wear, closed shoes at the lounge-style rooftops. Miami looks casual and does not dress casually at night.
- Season matters more than in most cities. December through April is peak — perfect weather, highest prices, hardest reservations. June through September is hot, humid, and cheaper, with afternoon storms almost daily.
- Sunset direction. Facing west from South Beach means the sun sets behind the skyline, which is the better photo. Facing east from Brickell means the light lands on the towers.
Where to stay
Brickell for the skyline rooftops and the shortest rides; South Beach for the pool decks and the ocean. Compare Miami hotel rates through our Expedia partner link, and for a rooftop pool day without booking a room, ResortPass lists Miami hotel day passes.
Adding a day on the water? See our guides to Miami yacht charter cost and how to book a yacht in Miami — a charter afternoon into a Brickell rooftop evening is the best version of a Miami Saturday.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best rooftop bar in Miami?
Sugar at EAST Miami in Brickell, for the fortieth-floor bay and skyline view. Juvia has the best view from South Beach; Area 31 has the best food.
Which Miami rooftop bar has the best skyline view?
Sugar at EAST Miami looks across Brickell and the bay. Juvia looks back at the mainland skyline from South Beach, which many people prefer at sunset.
Do Miami rooftop bars have a dress code?
Yes, and they enforce it. No beachwear or athletic wear after dark; closed shoes at the lounge-style rooftops.
Do you need a reservation for Miami rooftop bars?
For weekend evenings, yes — and expect table minimums at the busiest rooftops. Weekday afternoons at the pool decks are much easier.
When is the best time to visit Miami rooftops?
December through April for weather. June through September is cheaper and hotter, with near-daily afternoon storms that clear quickly.
