Rooftops for Dining and Drinks
Let’s face it: life can sometimes drag you down a bit. Which is why it’s nice that, in Long Beach, there are plenty of places designed to raise you up above it all. Whether you’re sipping on something refreshing or dining on something delicious, these local rooftop spots will allow you to elevate your experience, day or night.
HALO
Perched on top of Fairmont Breakers Long Beach (210 E Ocean Blvd), Halo Rooftop Lounge offers panoramic 360-degree views stretching from the Hollywood Hills to Catalina Island. This chic, indoor-outdoor lounge boasts a bold design featuring emerald green tiles and a grand marble bar with brass accents. Guests can unwind with expertly crafted cocktails or mocktails while enjoying live DJ performances on select evenings. Whether you’re looking for a romantic sunset spot or a fun nightlife experience, Halo provides a stunning mix.
MICHAEL’S ON NAPLES
Michael’s on Naples (5620 Second St) offers a rooftop dining area that makes for a refined outdoor dinner at sunset or drinks al fresco. Renowned for serving some of the highest-rated Italian dishes in the city, all of it made from scratch–pasta, sauces, mozzarella, gelato–Michael’s original roof configuration was augmented to now to include additional lounge seating as well as a dedicated bar. And, if you’re there while the sun is still out, there are canopies–stylish, of course–which can be employed to block the rays.
BALLAST POINT
If you’re looking for a brew with a view, there are few places better suited than the sizable elevated deck at Ballast Point (110 N Marina Dr). The patio overlooks Alamitos Bay at Long Beach’s southernmost tip, giving you a one-of-a-kind view of sailboats and kayakers on the calm waters around Naples Island. Ballast Point’s full bar is highlighted by its line of beers, which pretty much launched the craft beer era. The brewery also serves a classic bar menu of small plates, pizza, burgers, fish and chips and salads.
BO-BEAU KITCHEN + ROOFTAP
Located Downtown, BO-beau kitchen + rooftap’s (144 Pine Ave) second story deck is equal parts vibey taproom and ultra-cool urban hangout, with a design both stunning and welcoming. As likely to draw your attention up to the surrounding skyline as down to the street scene below, it draws energy from the city while providing a sophisticated respite from it. This stylish space is in keeping with Bo-Beau’s equally spectacular dining room below, serving such signature dishes as its famous Brussel Sprouts and Burger Royal.
THE BUNGALOW
The Bungalow’s (6400 E Pacific Coast Hwy) cozy network of comfortable dens and niches all lead to its spectacular patio overlooking the Alamitos Bay Marina; a rooftop spot that is both laidback and energizing. Located on the second floor of the 2nd & PCH retail center, The Bungalow is the kind of place where you and your companions can retreat–with a traditional California bungalow aesthetic–or groove, especially during one of its many live DJ sets. Stylish and cozy, chic and relaxed, it’s a perfect spot perfect for cocktails and small bites.
BALLAST POINT
If you’re looking for a brew with a view, there are few places better suited than the sizable, elevated deck at Ballast Point (110 N. Marina Dr.). The energy that permeates from the area is a constant, in part because it serves a beverage line–ranging from “Crisp and Bright” to “Rich and Malty”--that helped launch the boutique beer era. It also serves a classic bar menu featuring fish and chips, wings, burgers, flatbreads and salads. Sitting high above Alamitos Bay, the outdoor space, sitting at Long Beach’s southernmost tip, gives you a one-of-a-kind view not only of the bay but Seal Beach and the Pacific Ocean.
MICHAEL’S ON NAPLES
A signature spot in Naples, Michael’s (5620 Second St.) rooftop dining area sacrifices nothing in the way of refinement while patrons eat and/or drink. Renowned for serving some of the consistently best dishes in the city, all of it made from scratch–pasta, sauces, mozzarella, gelato. The roof has been renovated from its original configuration to now include additional lounge seating as well as a dedicated bar. And, if you’re there while the sun is still out–ah, summer–there are canopies–stylish, of course, that which can be employed to block the rays.
OLA MEXICAN KITCHEN AND THE BUNGALOW KITCHEN
These two exceptional, though distinct restaurants sit next door to each other and share one of the more gorgeous views of the Alamitos Bay Marina. The fact that the two share space on the second floor of the 2nd & PCH retail center, says a lot about the city; it’s not very common for shopping centers to have jaw-dropping water views. The Bungalow melds a traditional California bungalow aesthetic with a punk-rock edge, serving the likes of oysters, dry-rubbed burger and Short Rib “Pop-Tart.” Ola’s Latin elegance is seen in its classic/progressive Mexican menu and in some of the best margaritas in town with which to toast the sunset.
MEZCALERO
This place is as if your very hip friend constructed a very hip backyard space–complete with cafe lights, palm trees, comfortable couches–except that it’s on a rooftop and has one of the city’s best bar programs. Located amidst the downtown hub-bub, Mezcalero (525 E. Broadway) is a cocktail lounge featuring an extensive selection of agave spirits and craft beers. There’s also DJ nights and, well, is there a better pairing than Taco Tuesdays, an expertly mixed cocktail and an exceptional view of the Long Beach skyline?
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