Watch Fireworks in Style at These Rooftop Bars This New Year’s Eve

A fireworks show is one of the best ways to ring in the new year. While there are countless places to go to watch the New Year’s Eve pyrotechnics, finding your way to higher ground is the best option if you want an unobstructed view of the sky. Why not celebrate with a few drinks and a lively atmosphere at the same time? Here are the best rooftop bars to see in 2025.

The Best Rooftop Bars for New Year’s Eve

1. Azul Rooftop, Austin, Texas

Located at the top of The Westin Austin Downtown in downtown Austin, Azul Rooftop is a local favorite all year long. It’s a laid-back and cool lounge, complete with fire pits, a small menu of small plates, and a rooftop swimming pool.

It’s not surprising that this rooftop bar is the premier place to be on New Year’s Eve. Starting at 8 p.m., Azul is hosting an NYE bash with a DJ,  free appetizers, a midnight Champagne toast, and a front-row seat to the city’s fireworks display.

Tickets for the event start at $100, though there are a few VIP upgrades you can make for a truly one-of-a-kind experience. The party doesn’t stop once the clock strikes midnight, either. You can keep dancing and enjoying the festivities until 1 a.m. before calling it a night.

2. Bar 54, New York, New York

With its panoramic views of Midtown Manhattan and a fantastic selection of cocktails and appetizers, Bar 54 is a great place to grab a drink on an evening in NYC all year.

On New Year’s Eve, though, it’s one of the best places in the whole city to enjoy the Times Square fireworks. It’s located on the 54th floor of the Hyatt Centric Times Square New York, making it the tallest rooftop in the square, so its guests can get an unobstructed view of the festivities.

Tickets start at $1,399 and give partygoers a live view of the ball drop. The festivities don’t end there, though. Starting at 9 p.m., visitors can enjoy an open bar and free appetizers while dancing to live music in a sophisticated setting.

3. Cavaña, San Francisco, California

With its Central and South American-inspired ambiance, live music, and interesting bar offerings, Cavaña is a great place for a lively evening, especially New Year’s Eve.

Tickets for the bar’s NYE party start at $91.50 for standing room, though upgrades for table seating are also available. While walk-up tickets might be available, space is limited, so make sure to reserve your spot if you want to take part in the event.

Starting at 9 p.m., partygoers can enjoy music from a live DJ, party favors, appetizers, and 2 free cocktails from Cavaña’s special event menu. At midnight, grab a free Champagne flute and toast a happy new year while taking in the city’s fireworks over the skyline.

If you want to stay and party until the bar’s doors close at 1:30 a.m., consider booking a room at the LUMA hotel, which shares a building.

4. CloudBar at 360 Chicago, Chicago, Illinois

CloudBar at 360 Chicago has the best views in the city. After all, it’s the highest bar on the Magnificent Mile. Most of the year, the bar is an all-ages locale where guests can grab a drink and a snack or just enjoy the scenery.

However, on New Year’s Eve, it hosts one of the best parties in the Windy City. Tickets start at $125 and include unlimited rides on the TILT ride, appetizers, and a glass of prosecco to toast at midnight during the fireworks.

360 Chicago’s fun starts well before 12, though. Guests can start enjoying the festivities at 9 p.m., which gives guests plenty of time to grab dinner and dress up for the occasion. Keep in mind there’s a strict cocktail-attire dress code for the event.

To fully enjoy the party, consider booking a stay at The Drake Hotel, which is just a minute away on the same block.

5. Level 6 Rooftop, Miami, Florida

On a typical night, Level 6 has a laid-back but still lively and cool atmosphere. However, on NYE, that ambiance is elevated to a new level.

Noche de Discoteca is the bar’s end-of-year party. Since Level 6 is both a restaurant and bar, it offers multiple packages to enjoy the festivities. The Open Bar Package is the general admission rate, starting at $125 a person.

Guests can enjoy free drinks, live music, and appetizers from 10 to midnight when they ring in the new year with a toast and a view of the city’s fireworks. The party doesn’t end at 12, either. However, keep in mind that after midnight, drinks are no longer free.

For a comfortable and convenient evening, book a stay at the Hotel Arya Coconut Grove. It’s just a 7-minute walk a few blocks away.

6. Harriet’s Rooftop, Los Angeles, California

Located on the top floor of the 1 Hotel West Hollywood, Harriet’s Rooftop mixes old and new with its old-fashioned cocktail menu and modern decor.

On New Year’s Eve, there’s no better place in West Hollywood to celebrate than Harriet’s. It offers a panoramic view of the city, which means you’ll get an unobstructed view of the fireworks in the distance.

The bash starts at 9 p.m. with an open bar and live DJ music while guests countdown to the new year. Availability is limited, but tickets start at $97.88 for 5 hours of fun and entertainment.

Harriet’s just opened in 2023, so it’s still one of the newest and most exclusive NYE celebrations in the city. There’s no strict dress code for the party, but cocktail or upscale casual attire is welcome to help ring in the new year with sophistication and style.

7. Hot Tin Rooftop Bar, New Orleans, Louisiana

Located in the Pontchartrain Hotel, Hot Tin Rooftop Bar is a chic and stylish bar that offers good drinks and even better views on a normal night. On New Year’s Eve, though, the bar’s ambiance is even more unforgettable.

Partygoers can enjoy live music from a DJ, as well as a trumpet player and vocalist in true NOLA fashion. At the stroke of midnight, head out to get a view of the fireworks. The party starts in the afternoon at 2 p.m. as soon as the doors open, though things really start to liven up in the evening.

Notably, there are no reservations for this particular party. There’s a $55 cover charge, though. Hot Tin is known for its intimate ambiance, so it’s highly recommended to arrive early to make sure you get a spot before room runs out.

8. Skye Lounge, Nashville, Tennessee

Skye Lounge‘s location at the top of the Sheraton Grand Nashville Downtown makes it a top location for Nashville’s New Year’s Eve festivities. Since it’s one of the highest bars in the city, guests get a view of the city’s celebrations, including its fireworks.

Starting at 7 p.m., partygoers can enjoy live music, free food, an open bar, and bottomless Champagne. Tickets cost $175 plus taxes and tips.

The party continues well after midnight, with the bar staying open until 1 a.m. If you want to be the first there and the last to leave, book a room at the Sheraton to avoid any NYE crowds and traffic.

As usual, there’s no dress code to get into the Skye Lounge. However, guests are still welcome to dress up for the occasion.

9. Skyfall Panoramic Bar & Lounge, Las Vegas, Nevada

Located on the top floor of the new W Las Vegas, Skyfall Panoramic Bar & Lounge hosts one of the best New Year’s Eve parties on the Las Vegas Strip. Guests are free to linger and enjoy a 180-degree view of the city, which also doubles as a front-row seat of the fireworks show in the desert.

Tickets start at just $175 and allow access to the bar’s dancefloor, where a DJ will be performing all night. Bottle service, cocktails, and appetizers are also available. Doors open at 8 p.m. Patio access is available for an additional $65.

The NYE bash follows the same dress code as a typical night at Skyfall. Upscale casual or cocktail attire is suitable, though partygoers are welcome to dress up more to ring in the new year.

Final Thoughts

There’s no shortage of rooftop bars to celebrate the end of the year at. From live music and a party atmosphere to something a little more sophisticated and formal, there’s something for everyone. We hope this list has helped inspire you to head to a rooftop bar to check out the fireworks and the end-of-year festivities. All you have to do now is pick a venue, grab a drink, and wait for the ball to drop.