The 8 Best Rooftop Bars in Rome

It’s a Saturday night in Rome, and you’re in the mood for an Aperol Spritz or two; we’ve all been there before.

Sure, you can head down to one of the corner bars in the Piazza Navona, but there’s nothing quite like having a drink at one of the rooftop bars in Rome. For me, the taste of alcohol always goes better with a view, but when it’s a view of the Italian capital, it’s truly special.

If you’re searching for some of the best rooftop bars in Rome, you’ve come to the right place. Any bar in Rome that has a roof, I’ve probably visited it before. I’m a sucker for any venue that offers some sort of vista, whether it’s a simple monument or a dramatic panorama. 

Shall we get started?

Terrace Les Etoiles at the Atlante Star Hotel

The fabulous Terrace Les Etoiles is set on top of the stunning four-star Atlante Star Hotel in Rome’s historic center. The only way I found out about it was when I had family come to visit me, and they stayed in this very hotel. 

One night, they invited me for some drinks here, and the place blew me away with insane views of St. Peter’s Dome, which was within touching distance of oh-so-delicious cocktails.

My reservation was strictly for the bar, but I did have a peak in the restaurant when I was there. It spreads across the sixth and seventh floors and has a clear open-air view of the Vatican; I had never seen anything like it. 

I could tell from the elegant furnishings and the attire of some of the clientele that it was super fancy in there. I definitely have it on my list of must-visits.

As for the bar, it’s situated in a separate garden area outside, surrounded by lush greenery, and has an even better view than the restaurant. 

When the time came to order, I went for a classic Schweppes gin and tonic; it had a well-rounded bitterness to it and was served alongside a complimentary serving of taralli and salted crick cook chips, which cleansed my palate between each sip.

Terrace Les Etoiles (€€€) – Via dei Bastioni, 1, 00193 Roma RM, Italy – 10:00 am until 12:00 am every day

AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari

If someone were to ask me what one of my favorite rooftop bars in Rome is, I would put the AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari up there. 

It encompasses everything a good terraced lounge should have: amazing cocktails (especially the Calabaza), relaxing ambient tunes, and highly-skilled bartenders. Not to forget the unbelievable scenery from the sixth floor, including a view of the Piazza del Popolo.

While the panoramas from the rooftop are extraordinary, the real draw at AcquaRoof is the drinks, especially the signature cocktails. When it’s time to order, I’m always so torn between the Kanzi and the Hass; they’re both so irresistibly tasty.

The Kanzi is crafted with Mount Gay Rum, Jameson Black Barrel, Metaxa 12 brandy, and a drop of apple liqueur. It has a spicy kick to it, clearly made from the Jameson and the rum, but the fruity notes from the brandy even it out, and the apple liqueur provides a crisp aftertaste.

If the sun is shining and I want something more refreshing, I’ll usually start on the Hass. It’s definitely the sweeter option of the two; its ingredients include roasted pineapple crafted soda, Cointreau, avocado, and lime. The Cointreau and the lime create a strong citrusy taste, but the avocado brings a creamy side to it.

AcquaRoof Terrazza Molinari (€€€) – Via del Vantaggio, 14, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – 12:30 am to 2:30 pm, and 6 pm to 1 am every day

Mùn Rooftop Cocktail Bar

The Mùn Rooftop Cocktail Bar sits on the eighth floor of the Double Tree by Hilton Rome Monti, seconds away from major attractions like the Colosseum and the Imperial Forum. 

When you arrive, you’ll have the option to sit inside or outside on the panoramic terrace. Unsurprisingly, the terrace is the most popular, and for a good reason: it looks out over the Rione Monti and the domes of the Santa Maria Maggiore; you won’t find anywhere else like it in Rome.

I felt the atmosphere at the Mùn Rooftop Cocktail Bar to be really chilled out; you could tell it was an upmarket establishment, but nothing was in your face like some other places I have visited. The dim lighting, plush seating areas, and soft noise levels added to this.

I was a big fan of the wine list here; I know their specialties are cocktails, but the staff’s knowledge of wines when I was chatting with them impressed me, so I opted for the Chardonnay ‘Pietrabianca’ Tormaresca. 

It was undoubtedly one of the fruitiest Chardonnays I’ve tried, with a mix of mineral scents and spicy aromas.

Mùn Rooftop Cocktail Bar (€€€) – P.za dell’Esquilino, 1, 00185 Roma RM, Italy – 5:30 pm to 12:30 am every day

Otivm Roof Bar

If it’s your first time in Rome and you want to experience an authentic rooftop bar, Otivm Roof Bar is a classic.

Think of sweeping views of Rome’s best sightseeing locations like Capitoline Hill and the Vittoriano, a drink list with a wonderful variety of options, and cozy sofas that will tempt you to sit outside even when the weather is poor.

The drinks list is small at the Otivm, but some of the options on there might confuse even the most seasoned cocktail lovers because of the amount of unique ingredients used to create them.

My order was “Uncle Enrico’s Negroni.” The mixture consisted of Bombay Sapphire, Campari Bitter, Antica Formula Vermouth, tiger’s claw bitter, and Enrico’s special cordial, which he said nobody could ever know the recipe to.

The juniper from the gin really took me aback, and there was an almost barky flavor to the bitters, but what really made this drink perfect was the cordial. It was slightly syrupy and made up of a variety of sugary fruit juices, which paired excellently with the gin.

Otivm Roof Bar (€€€) – Via d’Aracoeli, 11, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – 4 pm to 11 pm every day

Paparazzo Bar & Rooftop

Paparazzo Bar & Rooftop is a different kind of top-floor bar that has taken the city by storm since its opening. The concept of this spot revolves around the term “La Dolce Vita,” a phrase used to describe “the good life.” 

From the fashionable designs throughout the building blended with the hip drinks menu influenced by movies from back in the 1960s, it really does live up to its name.

As dazzling as the indoor area is, the rooftop raises the bar with an ample seating area featuring a mix of stool and couch zones, a shelter cover on the off chance that it rains, and also the views of Rome city center shouldn’t be forgotten either. 

Paparazzo’s drinks menu is as big as it gets; you can order pretty much any alcoholic beverage here. 

It especially surprised me to see how big their rum selection was; there were up to 17 options on there, including one of my long-standing favorites, Abuelo 7 Year Old. I love ordering it neat; the mixed taste of nuts and coconuts never gets old, either.

Paparazzo Bar & Rooftop (€€) – Via Federico Cesi, 37, 00193 Roma RM, Italy – 6:00 pm to 1:00 am every day

Tiziano Terrace Rooftop & Cocktail Bar

Tiziano Terrace Rooftop & Cocktail Bar is a new addition to Rome’s nightlife scene. I was lucky enough to visit it in the first week of its opening because it’s always full these days, particularly on Fridays and Saturdays.

The bar is placed on the rooftop of the Monti Palace Hotel in the hilly neighborhood of Monti, which can be seen from all corners of the terrace. Seeing the sunset from there is meant to be incredible, but sadly, when I visited, the sky was fairly gloomy. Maybe next time, I’ll have more luck.

The vibe here was really lively during my visit. Everyone was in high spirits, both staff and guests, and the soft beats playing from the surround sound system added to it.

As I got here, I treated myself to a classic mojito with a shot of light rum, sugar cane juice, a handful of mint leaves, and a dash of soda water. When ordering, I made it clear to the bartender that I wanted very little sugar cane juice because they often put too much in. 

Thankfully, she took my request on board and served me an amazing mojito; it was like a breath of fresh air with a bold mintiness from the leaves and a nice fizz from the soda.

Tiziano Terrace Rooftop & Cocktail Bar (€€€) – Via Cavour, n. 185, 00184 Roma RM, Italy – Sunday to Thursday, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm, Friday and Saturday, 5:00 pm to 12:00 pm

Terrazza Borromini

For some vintage allure, take a look at Terrazza Borromini, which is resting on top of the Palazzo Pamphilj, a 17th-century building in the historic Piazza Navona.

As soon as you reach the rooftop, you’ll be gifted with a vista of Bernini’s Four Rivers Fountain that will leave you in awe. I remember gazing, watching the evening chaos of the Piazza Navona for about five minutes before I actually sat down at my seat.

The night I came here, I wanted to keep things simple and ordered a Smirnoff Vodka and Schweppes Tonic Water. Like all vodka and tonics, it left a distinct sharp taste in my mouth. I wasn’t complaining, though; the bartenders were generous with the measures.

A tip for you: if you do end up going to the Terrazza Borromini, you can only make a reservation by emailing or calling the bar directly. But beware, you’ll have to provide them with your bank account details, and if you don’t show up, they’ll charge your card €30.00.

Terrazza Borromini (€€€) – Via di Santa Maria dell’Anima, 30, 00186 Roma RM, Italy – 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm every day

Ambrosia Rooftop Bar And Restaurant

Another one of Rome’s outstanding rooftop bars is the great Ambrosia Rooftop Bar And Restaurant. It’s a little bit outside the main tourist center, making it slightly cheaper than the other options, and it doesn’t get overly busy either. 

Whether you’re craving an espresso during that time or a cheeky Aperol after dark, the views from the rooftop will never fail to impress you. 

I love coming here to watch the locals go about their day while the red-roofed buildings dominate the skyline. I always sit outside, even if I can’t grab a seat close to the ledge. There’s always such a nice atmosphere out there; it’s more relaxed since most guests dining end up sitting indoors.

If you go to Ambrosia, you must try the Espresso Martini, even if you’re not a massive fan of coffee. They make the mixture perfectly between the espresso, egg, and vanilla syrup; it tasted like a mini dessert, so sugary, almost creamy-like. Plus, the vodka, Kahlua, and Frangelico are balanced well, so none of them dominate the taste.

Ambrosia Rooftop Bar And Restaurant (€€) – Via Nazionale, 22/Int.B, 00184 Roma RM, Italy – Every day, 3:30 pm to 12:00 am

Conclusion

That wraps up our list of the best rooftop bars in Rome. We’ve included a nice collection that appeals to a broad range of tastes, like fancy terraced bars in Monti and upscale lounges in the historic center; if you can think of it, it’s on our list.

Stopping by the Italian capital on your European adventure? Check out our food tours in Rome.