Take the Statler’s elevator to the 19th floor to find Waterproof, an indoor-outdoor ode to summertime fun. During the day, the pool beckons visitors to take a dip or relax in a nearby cabana, but when the sun goes down, you’ll need to retire your swimsuit and flip-flops for evening attire. The lounge serves classic cocktails, bubbly, and beer to patrons who gather for people-watching and skyline views.

Packed within Deep Ellum’s high concentration of bars is Harlowe and its three distinct spaces to eat and drink. Take the stairs to the roof overlooking Main Street and watch the scene unfolding below as you sip on classic and seasonal tipples. During summer, the bar mixes up a rotating selection of frozen drinks including Frosé and a frosty Gin & Tonic that’s a real life-saver when the mercury rises.

Another Deep Ellum favorite, Vidorra is an eye-catching bi-level restaurant complete with a rooftop bar awash in colorful tile, potted plants, and plenty of seating. Grab a couch if you’re lounging with friends or request a table along the building’s edge for a breezier one-on-one experience. Start with a round of Margaritas and queso before moving on to larger plates like tacos and enchiladas.

If this place reminds you of the SODA bar on top of the NYLO Hotel, that’s because it is—or, at least, it used to be. Fortunately, after the hotel changed hands in 2019, the rooftop bar and its sweeping views stayed put. Head upstairs for a heated infinity pool, private cabanas, fire pits, local artwork, and a bar shaking up all the cocktails you’d want to drink while immersed in such beachy surrounds (think: tequila-spiked Watermelon Coolers, Mango Jalapeño Margaritas, and more).

With a name like Happiest Hour, you know what you’re in for. The well-located spot—it’s situated near Uptown, Downtown, Victory Park, and the American Airlines Center—draws patrons for both post-work and pre-game sessions. To keep your festivities outdoors, head upstairs to the roof for prime views and cold beers. Once the happy hour crowd departs, the vibe turns more loungey, complete with DJs and bottle service.

You can find a full menu of healthy-leaning “hunted” and “gathered” dishes inside the first-floor restaurant while the rooftop is all about cold drinks and warm scenery. Try the Double Under, spiked with beet-infused tequila, the Frozen Moscow Mule, or any one of the many craft beers on tap. If you’re ducking out of work early, the weekday happy hour begins at 3 pm with select wines for $6, cocktails for $5, and beer for $3.

There aren’t many places in town where you can scarf down a bowl of pasta while gazing out at the Downtown skyline and the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge. But that’s what you get at Saint Rocco’s. The fun-loving Italian-American eatery houses a third-floor bar that’s open Fridays and Saturdays until 1 am. Linger over a bottle of wine, lounge on the white South Beach-style couches, and then jockey for position along the railing to take that mandatory sunset selfie.

You already know that the Granada Theater on Greenville Avenue is one of the best places to catch a show in Dallas, but that’s no reason to sleep on Sundown. The attached bar is an ideal spot for grabbing pre-performance drinks high above the busy street or skipping the show entirely in favor of a few hours of vegetarian-friendly bites, local beers, and creative cocktails under the stars. If you prefer getting started early, the rooftop also hosts brunch each Saturday and Sunday.

Festooned with a black-and-white geometric-patterned bar, blue banquettes, and comfy cushions for days, Stirr is quite a looker. And it’s subsequently become the go-to party spot in Deep Ellum, where see-and-be-seen groups gather for lengthy dinners that lead to even lengthier late night bashes. The eclectic menu features everything from fish tacos and hot chicken sandwiches to ocean-fresh salmon and a 20-ounce ribeye. Drinks include the usual beer and wine rigamarole plus craft cocktails.

This McKinney Avenue staple plies regulars with cold drinks and casual Big Easy-inspired vibes. The ivy-covered bar’s quaint rooftop overlooks all the hubbub below while offering enticing drink specials Sunday through Thursday. Signature cocktails like Vieux Carres, Sazeracs, and frozen Hurricanes continue the French Quarter theme while dining program hails from next door’s Bread Winners Cafe and spans tacos, burgers, and flatbreads, plus the famous Voodoo Fries.