5 Rooftop Bars in Rome That Locals Love

Who doesn’t love a drink with a view?

Rome is astonishingly beautiful. Pretty much everywhere you look. There are no skyscrapers here so when you do get above street level the view is almost always expansive. On clear days you can see as far as the distant mountain ranges. Here are our favorite 5 rooftop bars in Rome that are perfect for a sunset drink.

Insiders Tip: Many of Rome’s rooftop bars are only open from roughly late April until early November. If you are visiting in the off-season make sure to call ahead.

Get ready for the best drinks of your life at these five fabulous rooftop bars in Rome.

1. Minerva Roof Garden

You feel like you can almost touch the dome of the Pantheon from the Minerva Roof Garden at the Hotel Minvera. The this classic bar is open from noon until late and has plenty of umbrellas for shade so you don’t have to wait until sunset on a hot afternoon. Small bowls of olives, potato chips and nuts come with your drink order but if you are hungry the very non-Roman club sandwich and thin cut fries are excellent.

2. American Bar at the Hotel Forum

The American Bar at the Hotel Forum offers up views of Rome’s most ancient sites. This rooftop bar sits is on the edge of the Forum of Nerva in the Monti neighborhood. You can see the Vittoriano monument, Palatine hill and the Imperial Forums from here. There is a cozy old fashioned atmosphere with dark wood tables and walls of bright bougainvillea here so expect old fashioned drink offerings like prosecco, gin & tonic and negronis.

3. The La Grande Bellezza

This expansive rooftop just might have the most spectacular view in Rome. The Eitch Borromini’s La Grande Bellezza bar is all out glamor with almost 360 views. Groups of white couches sit on top of a 17th century Palazzo (the Collegio Innocenziano wing of the Palazzo Pamphil to be exact) directly above the Piazza Navona. Look down and you see the three Baroque fountains in the piazza. Look out over the terra cotta tiled rooftops you can spot the Pantheon from one side, Saint Peter’s Basilica from another and a swirl of a Boromini spire if you know where to look.

Insiders Tip: This is a very popular place. The La Grande Bellezza bar is strictly reservations only.

The Grande Bellezza is one of the best rooftop bars in Rome for unforgettable sunset views. — The sunset from the Grande Bellezza terrace is a view you’ll remember for a long time. Photo credit: Gillian’s Lists

4. Zuma

The Fendi empire extends beyond high fashion here in Rome. On top of the flagship store in the city’s chicest shopping district is a branch of global sushi hotspot Zuma. The bar and lounge area has a chill wave soundtrack, killer sunset views and a sampling of menu choices from the restaurant. Contemporary architecture buffs will love the close-up view of the “La Lanterna” construction by Fuksas.

Sunset View from Zuma, one of the best rooftop bars in Rome. — Sunset View from Zuma. Photo credit: Gillian’s Lists

5. Up Sunset Bar

You will not have to shop until you drop if you plan on a refreshment at the Up Sunset Bar on the roof of the Rinascente department store. Even though sunset is in the name the bar is open all day from 9:30am. There are plenty of tables with umbrellas so you can take in the view of Sant’Andrea delle Fratte and the cloisters below and towards Saint Peter’s Basilica in the distance starting with a breakfast bloody marys or ending with an after dinner nightcap. There is also all day food service serving pasta, salads, and desserts.