A rooftop lounge or bar provides a breathtaking setting for cocktail parties, birthday celebrations, and more. If you're planning a rooftop party, here's how to find the best rooftop venues near you—and how to plan a successful party.
Here are some of the best rooftop venues you can rent to provide a spectacular location for your next event.
Bars
There's just something about sipping a cocktail in a rooftop bar that makes you feel like you're a celebrity. Sky-high bars provide an exclusive setting where you and your friends can party the night away.
Lounges
Rooftop lounges create a cozy and intimate setting for a private event. When you have the space all to yourself, you and your guests can enjoy an evening of laughter and relaxed conversation as you gaze out at the city skyline.
Restaurants
Treat your taste buds to a gourmet meal in a rooftop restaurant. The food always tastes better when paired with a gorgeous view, while some eateries also have exclusive private dining rooms for an added sense of prestige.
Patios
Some of the best rooftop venues are actually quite humble spaces. With minimal decor or furniture, these rooftop patios offer a blank canvas that you can customize to create your own unique event setting.
These are the top factors to consider when choosing a venue for a rooftop event.
Ambiance
Imagine yourself sipping a cocktail while you gaze out at the New York City skyline and midtown Manhattan—is that the sort of party experience you want to share with your guests? Make sure you have a clear picture of the type of rooftop party you want to host, then search for the venue that matches what you want.
Facilities
The best rooftop venue for you will offer all the practical inclusions you need to host a stress-free party. Furniture, bathroom access, a bar, even a dance floor—make a checklist of all the things that are must-haves for your ideal party space.
Location
Look for a rooftop venue that is easy for you and your guests to get to. Most rooftop venues tend to be in central city locations, but it's worth checking to make sure there are convenient public transport options nearby.
Access
Check how you can access the rooftop space. For example, if you can only get to the roof via the stairs, it may not be convenient for elderly guests or people with disabilities.
Rental Price
The ideal venue for your rooftop party will also sit comfortably within your budget. Compare a range of venues to find one that offers the best value for money.
Helpful Host
Check whether the venue owner responds quickly to any questions you have. Are they happy to adjust the space to suit your needs and let you decorate it how you want?
Make your event even more memorable by getting a little creative.
Choosing a unique theme can turn even the most basic of rooftop parties into something a whole lot more interesting. How about donning a glamorous gown for a golden days of Hollywood theme? Would a tropical island theme be a more inspiring choice if you're looking for an escape from the cold during winter?
Decorations can also transform a humble rooftop space into something much more elegant. With a few splashes of color, some throw cushions, and simple string lighting, you can turn what may be little more than a patch of empty space into an intimate, welcoming area.
Booking some unique entertainment is another easy way to make rooftop parties a little more special. You could book an up-and-coming singer with a unique voice—now that should put a creative twist on your fave party tunes. You could find a party rental company where you can hire a couple of old arcade games for a retro vibe, or even whip out your childhood favorite board games to encourage the good times to flow.
Use this checklist to ensure that you tick off all the important jobs you need to complete to organize a successful rooftop party.
Set Your Event Budget
Calculate how much you can afford to spend on your rooftop party. Venue hire, catering, entertainment, and party rentals—costs can quickly add up, so it makes sense to make a budget and stick to it.
Put Together Your Guest List
Who are you going to invite to your rooftop party? Compile a guest list and get the invitations out as early as possible to ensure a high attendance rate.
Choose a Venue
Compare rooftop venues for rent to find one that's ideal for your needs. Check whether it's available on your chosen date, book your slot, and put down a deposit.
Organize Catering
Compare menus and food and drinks packages from catering companies so you can put on a delicious spread for your guests.
Book Entertainment
What sort of experience do you want your guests to enjoy at your rooftop party? If you need to organize any entertainment or party games, make the necessary bookings now.
Hire Equipment
Do you need extra equipment or supplies to make your rooftop lounge more suitable to host an event? Book furniture, lighting, AV gear, and more from party rental companies.
Check out these great ideas for events in rooftop spaces that will be sure to impress your guests.
Corporate Cocktail Reception
Corporate gatherings can sometimes tend towards the bland and uninspiring end of the spectrum. Make a lasting impression with a cocktail reception in a rooftop bar—the stunning backdrop of the city skyline will give you a unique point of difference.
21st Birthday Party
A milestone birthday calls for something special, and there aren't many parties as memorable as rooftop venue gatherings. Host your birthday party in a chic rooftop lounge and you can be sure that everyone will RSVP yes to their invitation.
Intimate Wedding Reception
A versatile venue like a rooftop space is good for more than just a birthday party. A wedding reception in a stylish rooftop venue provides an intimate setting to celebrate your nuptials with close friends and family.
New Year's Eve Celebration
Where do you go to get the best view of the city's New Year's Eve fireworks? To the rooftop, of course! Grab a glass of bubbles, grab the best spot with a view of the skyline, then sit back and watch the pyrotechnics as you celebrate the arrival of a new year.
The best rooftop venues for rent can unfortunately be quite expensive, while there are also lots of other major expenses to consider to organize a successful party. The good news is that there are plenty of simple things you can do to keep costs down and limit the damage to your bank account.
Be Realistic
You might have visions of throwing an opulent rooftop party that will be the envy of all your friends, but don't go overboard. Opulence comes at a cost, so set yourself a realistic budget for your event. It's not worth blowing your budget for a party that will only be one night of your life.
Go Into Detail
Setting a budget involves a lot more than just choosing an overall figure you don't want to exceed. You need to break down all of your major expenses into separate categories—venue hire, catering, entertainment, party rentals, drinks, games, and more. This will help you get a much better idea of exactly how much your rooftop party will cost.
Have a Safety Net
Think about what you'll do if something goes wrong—as it usually does—and you'll need to cover an unexpected party expense. With this in mind, it's always a good idea to set a portion of your total budget aside to deal with those unforeseen expenses that may arise. Even leaving 5% aside provides a handy financial safety net.
Decide Where You Can Cut Costs (and Where You Can't)
Take a while to think about the experience you want to provide to your rooftop party guests—what are the things that you absolutely must have for your celebration? This will help you prioritize the most important expenses for your party and budget for them accordingly. It will also give you the chance to work out which purchases or rental costs are not essential, which should make it easier to decide which items can be cut from your budget.
Choosing a special rooftop venue can take your party to the next level. Compare the best options on Giggster today and book your ideal rooftop space.