Although it’s the city’s traditional pubs that tend to get most of the attention, there’s some excellent rooftop bars in Dublin, too.
The topic of rooftop drinks in Dublin usually just conjures up thoughts of The Marker and Sophie’s – they’re the best known in the city, after all.
However, Dublin is home to a sizable handful of other rooftop bars and restaurants that make the perfect destination for a tipple with a difference.
Below, you’ll find the best rooftop bars Dublin has to offer in 2024, with a mix of swanky spots and hidden gems.
Our favourite rooftop bars in Dublin
The first section of our guide is packed with what we think are the best rooftop bars in Dublin. These are places that one of the team here have been to, and have raved about.
Below, you’ll find everywhere from Ryleigh’s and The Marker to Sophie’s at The Dean and more. Dive on in!
1. The Marker
Always the clear winner, the rooftop bar and restaurant at The Marker Hotel is widely considered one of the best rooftop bars in the city.
This is a luxurious spot (it’s located on the roof of one of the top 5 star hotels in Dublin) and it offers an impressive view across the city skyline with both indoor and outdoor terrace seating.
The cocktail list is created by award winning mixologists, and you’ll also find some delicious grazing boards on the food menu for a long afternoon turned evening of socialising.
2. Sophie’s
This is the perfect rooftop bar to match Dublin’s moody weather. You can enjoy panoramic views come rain, hail or shine at Sophie’s with a covered terrace glasshouse on top of The Dean Hotel.
The stylish restaurant also serves up delicious Italian and Irish meals from wood-fired pizza to juicy steaks and fresh fish.
The cocktail list changes almost daily, so you can find something to tickle your fancy along with a curated gin menu as well. It’s also a great spot for the sunset, if you’re looking for Dublin date ideas!
Related read: Check out our guide to the finest rooftop bars in Dublin (from swanky restaurants to quirky cocktail bars in Dublin)
3. Layla’s
Layla’s at The Devlin Hotel is located in Ranelagh, just outside of the city centre, and it’s one of the quirkier rooftop bars in Dublin.
The glasshouse-style terrace offers panoramic views across Ranelagh as well as towards the mountains in the distance. The covered area is perfect for drinks with a view at any time of the year.
While the cocktails are the clear highlight, they also have a nice selection of beer and wine. If you’re looking to warm up with a meal, they serve some delicious wood fired pizza from the cosy dining area inside.
4. Ryleigh’s
Located inside The Mayson, one of the funkiest boutique hotels in Dublin, this stylish rooftop restaurant is ideal for a romantic date night or for a special birthday gathering.
It has an outdoor terrace or indoor dining depending on the weather, with large floor to ceiling windows so you can gaze out over Dublin Bay and beyond.
While it’s more of a restaurant than a bar, the food is incredibly good with classic grill dishes being the standout option at this steakhouse. It’s open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, although you’ll want a decent meal before you dip into the extensive cocktail list.
Other popular rooftop bars in Dublin
Now that we have what we think are the best rooftop bars in Dublin out of the way, it’s time to see what else the capital has to offer.
Below, you’ll find everywhere from The Gravity Bar in the Guinness Storehouse to the newest rooftop bar in Dublin (and it’s in a fairly unique location…).
1. The Gravity Bar
Located inside the famous Guinness Storehouse, this is Dublin’s highest bar, and you’ll find it on the seventh floor of the building, hence its name, The Gravity Bar.
While it’s only open to visitors of the brewery, the views from here are mighty, and it’s the perfect way to polish off your visit to Dublin’s most visited attraction.
It’s worth the admission ticket just to check out the incredible views across the entire city. There’s floor to ceiling glass walls so you don’t have to worry about the weather either.
2. Vintage Cocktail Club
For some old school glamour, the Vintage Cocktail Club is a very quirky drinking experience in Dublin’s Temple Bar.
The low-lit bar and restaurant has beautiful vintage furniture and décor, with a 1920s speakeasy vibe – think velvet lounge chairs.
They’re very serious about their cocktails here, with incredible creations from classic favourites to inventive concoctions on offer.
If you’re looking for a rooftop, they have a secluded terrace which is the perfect place for some wining and dining. The kitchen is also open all day with European fine dining options.
Related read: Check out our guide to 13 pubs pouring the best Guinness in Dublin (well known spots and hidden gems)
3. Fade Street Social
Fade Street Social has a beautiful outdoor terrace area set amongst towering Georgian buildings that’s the perfect setting for an evening with friends.
Located above the Fade Street Restaurant, it offers seating both inside and outside, so you don’t have to worry too much about the weather.
The bar serves up some really elaborate cocktail mixes or you can always make a selection from their extensive wine list.
4. Taphouse
For more of a relaxed vibe, The Taphouse has a cute outdoor terrace area covered from the weather but open enough that you can easily people watch from your table.
It overlooks the Ranelagh Triangle and boasts a great selection of classic cocktails and craft beer on tap. The food menu is also excellent and includes everything from burgers to tacos and other classic pub grub.
Being outside of the busy city centre, you’re more likely to get a prime seat at this spot compared to other’s on this list.
Related read: Check out our guide to 7 of the oldest pubs in Dublin (or, for something fancier, our guide to the top wine bars in Dublin)
5. Fitzsimons Bar
The colourful rooftop beer garden at Fitzsimons is definitely one of the livlier rooftop bars in Dublin, and it’s perfect for a summers afternoon spent sippin’.
The spacious outdoor area has plenty of large tables for groups, with heating for when the temperatures begin to cool down.
Once the night kicks on, you’ll find a traditional pub downstairs serving classic meals and a 90s-inpsired club for partying all night. It’s definitely a more laidback option compared to the sometimes more exclusive rooftop bars in Dublin.
6. Runway 28
For a pre or post flight celebratory drink, Runway 28 Rooftop Terrace and Bar at Carlton Hotel on the Old Airport Road is the perfect spot.
You can watch planes took off and land from the outdoor seating area, which also has heaters for those cooler days.
The food menu is delightful with particularly good pizza and a popular weekend brunch menu too. But if it’s the drinks you came for then you’ll find tasty cocktails, wine and beer on tap.
FAQs about the best rooftop bars Dublin has to offer
We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘Which are the most unique?’ to ‘Which do the cheapest drinks?’.
In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.
What are the fanciest rooftop bars in Dublin?
Ryleigh’s, Layla’s, Sophie’s and The Marker are arguably some of the swankiest rooftop bars Dublin has to offer.
What rooftop bars in Dublin do people tend to overlook?
Fitzsimons, Taphouse, Fade Street Social and the Vintage Cocktail Club, although all popular, tend to get overlooked by some.