Spring patio season has arrived, making it the perfect time of year to soak up Phoenix and Scottsdale sunsets, pristine views and luscious libations. These seven open-air, rooftop bars and lounges are the perfect places to unwind and enjoy the best of what spring in the Valley has to offer.

1. Outrider Rooftop Lounge

Outrider Rooftop Lounge at Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town is home to some of the Valley’s best views with unrivaled 180-degree panoramas of the surrounding city and Camelback Mountain. The bar and lounge brings handcrafted cocktails, refreshing local brews and posh plates to Canopy by Hilton Scottsdale Old Town, the first new hotel in over a decade in Old Town Scottsdale. Underscoring its chic ambiance is a roaring fireplace, casual seating and social spaces with turf, as well as a custom bar that shares the spotlight with an Instagram-worthy mural.

2. Don Wood’s Say When

Photo by Shelby Moore

Set to open this spring, Don Woods’ Say When brings “a bon vivant” cocktail lounge featuring 270-degree city views to boutique hotel ARRIVE Phoenix. Inspired by the 1970s classic entertaining tome, Playboy’s Host & Bar Book, Say When gets its namesake and flavor from the chapter of the same name. Open said book to the chapter titled “Say When” and you’ll find every recipe and every touch recreated at ARRIVE’s rooftop bar and lounge, an authentic step back to the ’60s and ’70s with retro-modern and throwback bar bites such as Fondue for Two or Chilled Shrimp Cocktail and chef-crafted canape. So, what about the other part of Say When’s namesake—Mr. Don Woods himself? He was a longtime Arizona real estate developer who was active in the 1950s and beyond. Woods held an office in what is now ARRIVE Phoenix for decades. The bar honors the lasting legacy he left on Arizona.

3. Alibi

Canopy by Hilton: Tempe, AZ photographed by Stephen Denton in June 2020

Perched atop the 14th floor of Canopy by Hilton Downtown Tempe, Alibi offers an impressive craft cocktail program, a global street food menu by longtime Valley Chef Ken Arneson and 180-degree panoramic views of downtown Tempe. This playful oasis also features a pool, lounge seating, chic cabana, fire pit and retractable, climate-controlled glass walls for year-round entertaining. Completing Alibi’s tropical atmosphere are staff donning casual Hawaiian gear and a rock-soul soundtrack, which invokes breezy relaxation.

4. Lustre Bar

Located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, this rooftop pool and lounge balances sociability with tranquility and a design highlighted by sleek surfaces and clean lines. Lustre’s bar program offers carefully crafted libations, while its kitchen features locally sourced ingredients and creative dishes that are easy to share. Whether you’re lounging at the cabana or having a summer pool party, Lustre brings everything we love about al fresco drinking and dining to one illustrious setting.

5. Thirsty Camel

Nestled on the third floor of The Phoenician, Thirsty Camel offers patrons stunning views of the resort’s grounds and the valley beyond. This relaxed lounge is not only known for its views, but also for its signature collection of cocktails and bites inspired by the surrounding Sonoran Desert, as well as a diverse selection of bourbons, whiskies and premium spirits. Plus, the terrace fireplace is the perfect spot to cuddle up and watch the sunset.

6. Cottontail Lounge

Opened in 2021, Cottontail Lounge has replaced Shade Lounge at W Scottsdale, bringing with it a sophisticated new look and menu. The upscale venue features innovative cocktails and light bites, as well as sweeping pool views, shaded outdoor seating and a refined atmosphere tempered with playful design choices. Decked out in vibrant natural hues, Cottontail Lounge was designed with an organic, undulating layout that celebrates its surrounding desert landscape. In total, Cottontail Lounge and neighboring Cottontail Cafe can accommodate up to 55 guests at a time with an 18-seat raised platform, 28-seat bar and comfortable booths, as well as sofas and tables scattered throughout the stylish interior and outdoor terrace.

7. Upstairs at Flint

Photo by Tavits Photography

Boasting sweeping city and mountain views of Phoenix’s Biltmore neighborhood is Upstairs at Flint. Pairing chef-crafted bar bites and premium cocktails, this speakeasy-style rooftop is the perfect spot to unwind with friends and soak in those postcard-perfect Arizona sunsets. Seating is limited, so we recommend arriving early.