Alibi
108 East University Drive, TempeAlibi is on the rooftop of Canopy by Hilton Tempe Downtown, also home to Alter Ego. Set on the 14th floor, this full-service bar has 180-degree views, a menu of street food designed by Executive Chef Ken Arneson, and some specialty craft cocktails. Hours are 3 to 11 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday.
Outrider Rooftop Lounge
7142 East First Street, ScottsdaleSet atop the Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town, Outrider Rooftop Lounge is found on the Scottsdale hotel’s seventh floor. There are killer views of Camelback Mountain, as well as open seating, private cabanas, a fire pit, and, of course, a bar serving Arizona-inspired cocktails. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., daily.
Lustre Rooftop Bar at Hotel Palomar
2 East Jefferson StreetSweeping views of South Mountain and the downtown Phoenix skyline make Lustre Rooftop Bar at Hotel Palomar one of the go-to open-air lounges for travelers and Valley locals. Lustre has ample seating space with sofas and tables, a pool, and a full bar featuring local brews like Four Peaks Kilt Lifter and San Tan Brewery's Mr. Pineapple on tap. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday. Reservations are required.
Rockbar Inc.
4245 North Craftsman Court, ScottsdaleRockbar Inc. fits the bill if you're looking for a cocktail hour with a view. Housed in the former ACME Roadhouse, this Scottsdale spot has hosted local and national bands at its indoor-outdoor bar for years now. In addition to its first-floor stage, patrons are just a short climb up the stairs from a rooftop bar with televisions, comfortable couches, and more alcohol. Hours are 3 p.m. to 2 a.m., Monday through Friday and noon to 2 a.m. Saturday and Sunday.Floor 13 Rooftop Bar
15 East Monroe StreetSoak up the sun and enjoy a cocktail at Floor 13 the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Phoenix. Take in the Sonoran sunsets while lounging on the sundeck of one of downtown's historic buildings. The bar also offers a small bites menu that pairs well with its wide variety of alcoholic beverages. What's extra cool is, Alfred Hitchcock filmed the opening sequences of Psycho right at Hilton Garden Inn, and there's an homage to it on the 13th floor. Hours are 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
The Grapevine
4013 North Brown Avenue, ScottsdaleNestled in between the country-western shops of Old Town is The Grapevine, a two-story bar and restaurant that has been around since 1971. The quaint rooftop bar doesn't have any beer on draft but does carry several domestic and imported beers in bottles, plus well drinks. (However, you can get draft beer downstairs and bring it up to the roof.) Hours 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Karaoke is currently on hold.
From the Rooftop
222 East Portland StreetThe rooftop bar at Cambria Hotel Downtown Phoenix gives you a straight-shot view of all the big attractions — downtown Phoenix, Camelback Mountain, Piestewa Peak, and more. Head up to From the Rooftop for an after-dinner-at-Poppy drink. The rooftop bar is open from 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday, 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. (or earlier) Friday, 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. (or earlier) Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. The bar is open to 50 people at a time, and craft beer and cocktails are definitely on deck.
Editor's note: This story was originally published on October 9, 2013. It was updated on October 22, 2020.