Rooftop bars Toronto deliver some of the best urban sunset views in North America: 553 metres of CN Tower glow, the Lake Ontario horizon, and the canyon of glass condos that has reshaped the skyline since 2010. Toronto’s rooftop scene exploded after a 2018 zoning change made it easier for hotels and restaurants to license outdoor terraces above the third floor, and the city now boasts more than 30 dedicated rooftop bars open from late April through early October. This guide ranks the best of them by view, vibe, food, and price — from the four-star elegance of the Park Hyatt Roof Lounge (which has been serving martinis since 1936) to the new high-energy spots like Casa Madera and Lavelle.

Why rooftop bars Toronto are a summer must

Toronto’s rooftop season is short and intense — typically May 1 to early October, with September often the warmest and least crowded month. Most rooftops accept reservations through OpenTable or directly, and high-traffic Friday and Saturday nights between June and August require booking 7–14 days in advance. The CN Tower stands at the centre of nearly every south- and east-facing rooftop view, and many bars time their playlists to the nightly EdgeWalk lights show that begins at sunset.

The city also enforces a 9pm sound bylaw on most outdoor patios, so the rooftop “club” experience tends to peak between 5pm and 10pm rather than running late into the night. Plan accordingly.

Park Hyatt Roof Lounge: the historic original

The Park Hyatt Roof Lounge (4 Avenue Rd, 18th floor) reopened in 2021 after a major hotel renovation and remains the gold standard for rooftop bars Toronto travellers love. Mordecai Richler, Margaret Atwood, and Leonard Cohen all drank here. The 360-degree views over Yorkville and the U of T campus are unmatched, the martinis are made tableside, and the small-plate menu (oysters, tartare, tuna crudo) is legitimately good. Smart-casual dress; no reservations after 5pm so arrive by 4:30 to grab a corner table for sunset. Cocktails CA$22–$28.

KOST: the Hollywood imitation that works

KOST sits on the 44th floor of the Bisha Hotel (80 Blue Jays Way) and is the most photographed rooftop in the city. The pool deck pivots around a Pacific-blue infinity pool with the CN Tower framing every sunset shot. The food is Baja Mexican (excellent ceviche; expensive tacos), and the playlist is house DJ. Reservations on OpenTable open six weeks ahead and Friday/Saturday primes book within an hour. Arrive at 5pm if you want the view without the wait. Closest TTC: St. Andrew (Line 1).

Lavelle: poolside party energy

Lavelle (627 King St W, 16th floor) is the loudest, youngest, and most fun of the rooftop bars Toronto has produced in the last decade. Two pools, three bars, two DJs, a Mediterranean restaurant under the stars, and 2,000+ square feet of terrace looking south toward the lake. Cabanas seat six and start at $750 minimum spend. Lavelle is the closest Toronto comes to a Vegas day-club. King West, closest TTC: King (Line 1) plus 504 streetcar.

Casa Madera

Casa Madera at 1 Hotel Toronto (550 Wellington W, 11th floor) opened in 2023 as the Toronto outpost of the Sbe / Disruptive Restaurant Group brand from West Hollywood. The room is all live-edge wood and ferns; the menu is “Latin-Mediterranean”; the cocktails are inventive and properly stiff. The view is south to the lake — better in late afternoon than at sunset. The food is the strongest of any pure rooftop in town; the wood-grilled branzino is famous.

Drake Sky Yard

Drake Sky Yard sits atop the Drake Hotel (1150 Queen W, 4th floor) — not the highest rooftop in the city, but the most authentically Toronto: West-Queen-West locals, indie-art crowd, ribs and hot honey chicken from the Drake’s beloved kitchen, and a roll-down winter dome that keeps it open year-round. Cocktails $16–$20 (a rare relative bargain), no reservations after 6pm — line up at the front desk before 5:30 if you want a table on a Friday.

Lapinou Rooftop / Bar Vendetta / Other notable rooftop bars Toronto

Other well-reviewed rooftop bars Toronto repeat-visitors love include:

The Broadview Rooftop (106 Broadview, 5th floor) — east-side, Riverside neighbourhood, classic 1891 Broadview Hotel restoration with a wraparound terrace looking west to the skyline. Cocktail prices $18, food menu is small bites and oysters.

Skyline Restaurant at the Bisha (40th floor) — a quieter alternative to KOST one floor above, with a full Lebanese-inspired menu from chef Akira Back and a quieter clientele.

Oretta Rooftop (633 King St W, 4th floor) — Italian wine bar with a romantic, candle-lit terrace; better for date night than for groups.

Patios at Soho House Toronto (192 Adelaide W, 8th floor) — members and hotel guests only, but the 35-seat bar with the fireplace remains the city’s worst-kept secret.

Sky Bar at Casa Loma — seasonal pop-up June through September on the castle terrace at 1 Austin Tce. The view is north over Casa Loma’s gardens and the city — uniquely beautiful at twilight.

Hotel rooftop bars worth booking a stay for

Several Toronto hotel rooftop bars are reservation-only for guests, but the rooms at the host hotel are often worth the visit on their own:

1 Hotel Toronto (550 Wellington W) — Casa Madera plus a second guest-only pool deck on the same floor.

Bisha Hotel (80 Blue Jays Way) — KOST and Skyline plus two stunning view rooms.

Park Hyatt Toronto (4 Avenue Rd) — Roof Lounge and an entire rooftop floor of conference space and suites.

See our where to stay in Toronto guide for full reviews of these properties and our luxury hotels Toronto guide for the rooftop-focused properties.

Practical tips for rooftop bars Toronto

When to go

The peak of rooftop season is the second week of June through Labour Day. September is often the best month — warm days, cooler nights, no humidity, easier reservations. May and early October are weather-dependent; check forecasts. The ten or so rooftops with retractable roofs or domes (Drake Sky Yard, Casa Madera partial, KOST cabanas) extend the season into late October and early April.

What to wear

Most Toronto rooftops are smart-casual: collared shirts and dress shoes for men, dresses or upscale denim for women. KOST, Lavelle, and Casa Madera have stricter dress codes (no athletic wear, no flip-flops). Park Hyatt Roof Lounge requires a jacket after 6pm. Bring a light layer — Toronto rooftop temps can drop 8–10°C between sunset and 10pm.

How to book

OpenTable handles 80% of the rooftop reservations in Toronto. The remaining 20% (Park Hyatt, Soho House, Drake Sky Yard before 6pm) take walk-ins only. Deposits of $50/person are common at premium spots; cancellation policies are typically 48 hours.

Costs

Expect $18–$28 cocktails, $32+ shared plates, and a 18–20% service charge automatically added at higher-end spots. A reasonable two-cocktail-and-snacks visit runs $80–$120 per person before tip. Cabana minimums at Lavelle, KOST, and Casa Madera typically start at $500 for 4 people on a weeknight, $1,500+ for groups of 8 on weekends.

Internal links: round out your Toronto night

Pair a rooftop sunset with the rest of the night via our other guides: best bars in Toronto, live music venues in Toronto, best restaurants in Toronto, things to do in Toronto, and comedy clubs in Toronto. For ground-level skyline views, see our CN Tower tickets guide.

Rooftop bars Toronto offers some of the most striking views in the city — book early, dress smart, and aim for the September shoulder season.