There’s something cool about rooftop restaurants and bars.
For starters, they are outdoors. Plus, they have you elevated above ground level which provides views of the streets and scenery below. Somehow, you feel a little special when you’re at a rooftop bar.
Here is a rundown of four cool rooftop bars in Plano, Texas, a suburb of Dallas. Plano, by the way, is right in the path of the 2024 solar eclipse, making these places ideal viewing spots. With a cocktail in hand, of course.
The 32 Degree Rooftop Bar at Urban Crust. This downtown aerie has an outdoor patio with downtown views and an ice bar that keeps cocktails like the “Suit & Tie” (a cherry vodka and sparkling wine concoction) and the “Rooftop Buzz” (a coffee and martini mashup).
Haywire. This Texas farm-to-table restaurant has a whiskey bar on the ground floor, but the views from the third floor patio are the thing come spring and summer. It has an Airstream trailer, which is a really cool touch, and themed climate-controlled tents Appetizers include mini-elk tacos, lump crab dip and fried green tomatoes. Among the cocktails are The Front Porch Swing (Deep Eddy Ruby Red Vodka + Aperol + pineapple + lime) or Forever Texas Tea and a Lone Star state spin on the Long Island Iced Tea.
Box Garden at Legacy Hall. This is a three-level food and drink court with a concert stage.
Zen Rooftop Bar at the Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West.Open from April to October, this luxe poolside lounge is the perfect place to relax with a specialty cocktail like the Pecan Old Fashioned or the Sapphire Blossom. You can bask in the sun or in the shade at one of the poolside cabanas that can be reserved for a half or full day. Not a hotel guest? No worries, since you can book a day pass to Zen.
On the Rocks Cantina at Urban Rio. The downtown Plano building that houses this eatery and bar began its life as an ice house in 1917,and today, the top floor cantina has the vibe of a Texas ice house. Sip one of the bars’s freshly muddled concoctions, specialty margaritas or other craft cocktails and enjoy the wonderful views. Garage doors open to create an open-air environment. It has live music and these drinks on all-day Happy Hours each day of the week:
• Monday – $3 House Margaritas
• Tuesday – $2 Off OTR Signature Drinks
• Wednesday – $3 Crown & Down
• Thursday – $4 Mexican Draft Beer
• Friday – $5 Glasses of House Wine
• Saturday – $6 Beer-Ritas
• Sunday – $7 Sangria Carafes