Best Rooftop Restaurants and Bars in Birmingham
Birmingham’s skyline looks a lot better with a cocktail in hand. Over the past few years, the city has built an impressive lineup of rooftop restaurants and bars, each with its own take on skyline views, small plates, and evening energy. Whether you’re after a birthday celebration, a happy hour with coworkers, or a date night, there’s something here for you, and this guide covers the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Birmingham worth your time.
Before you head out, it’s worth browsing our new vehicle inventory so you’re arriving in something that matches the occasion. A night on a Birmingham rooftop deserves a comfortable ride to match, and we’ve got you covered whether you’re coming from Hoover, Irondale, or anywhere else in the metro area.
Why Birmingham’s Rooftop Scene Is Worth Exploring
Birmingham’s topography does a lot of the work here. With Red Mountain and Vulcan visible from nearly every elevated point downtown, rooftop bars in Birmingham get a natural advantage that flatter cities simply can’t offer. Add in a wave of hotel renovations and new culinary concepts over the last several years, and you’ve got a real reason to look up when deciding where to eat or drink.
Four standout venues make this list, each within about an hour of our Hoover and Irondale locations, so a great rooftop night out is well within reach.
The Roof at The Redmont — Downtown Skyline Views for Every Occasion
Perched on the 14th floor of the historic Redmont Hotel, The Roof at The Redmont sits higher above ground than any other rooftop bar in Alabama. From up here, downtown Birmingham unfolds beneath you, with Vulcan standing watch on Red Mountain in the distance.
Seating mixes indoor and outdoor spaces for flexibility no matter the weather. The drink menu leans creative: try The Gin Roof, a lavender gimlet, or Athena, which drinks like a grown-up pink lemonade, alongside wines and local beers. Sunday brunch brings bottomless mimosas from 2 to 4 p.m., and daily drink specials run from 4 to 7 p.m.
The vibe stays relaxed rather than rowdy, making this a strong pick for date nights and birthday celebrations alike. Hours run Monday through Thursday and Sunday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., stretching to 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. Valet parking runs $40 per day with in-and-out privileges, though self-parking is available across the street in the same lot at a lower rate; hotel guests park free.
Moon Shine at The Elyton Hotel — Chic Rooftop Nightlife
Seventeen floors up in the former Empire Building, Moon Shine at The Elyton Hotel delivers one of the most complete views in the city, taking in downtown, Railroad Park, and Vulcan on Red Mountain all at once.
The design tells a story, with original red brick and reclaimed elevator steel giving the space character, especially once the firelight kicks in at dusk. Two outdoor lounges give guests room to spread out. The food menu centers on sharables from a hearth pizza oven, a Cuban Panini, an Ahi Tuna Salad, and an Avocado Spread, alongside craft cocktails, beer, and wine.
Moon Shine works well for both date nights and larger gatherings. The Uptown section is a private rooftop area reserved for smaller groups, and it’s become popular for private parties, rehearsal dinners, and small weddings. Valet parking costs $37.60 per day, running Sunday through Thursday from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. and 24 hours on Fridays and Saturdays. There’s no on-site self-parking, but a garage sits just down the street.
Habitat Feed & Social — All-Day Rooftop Dining with Live Energy
On the third floor of the Grand Bohemian Hotel Mountain Brook, Habitat Feed & Social brings a botanical theme to life with artistic décor that feels distinct from the other rooftop spots on this list.
The outdoor terrace includes private VIP areas, and the kitchen focuses on regionally-inspired New American cooking using fresh, local ingredients. The pork tenderloin stuffed with Conecuh sausage is a standout, and the honey used across the menu comes from the hotel’s own apiary. Cocktails follow the botanical theme, handcrafted to match the setting.
Habitat suits romantic dinners and anniversaries just as well as casual lunches, and live music sometimes adds to the atmosphere. Breakfast runs 7 to 11 a.m., lunch from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and dinner runs 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, with later hours Friday and Saturday., with the Rooftop Bar continuing to serve guests as lunch transitions into dinner service. A VIP private table is available on the rooftop, and reservations go through OpenTable.
The Terrace at The Valley Hotel — Relaxed Elegance Above Homewood
About ten minutes from downtown Birmingham, in Homewood, The Terrace Bar at The Valley Hotel sits on the second floor of the Curio Collection by Hilton property, offering views over 18th Street and downtown Homewood with Vulcan visible near Red Mountain.
Fire pit tables on the patio and terrace seating a floor above 18th Street give this spot a warmer, more intimate feel, especially on cooler evenings. The cocktail list leans local: the Red Mountain Ryetai blends rye, rum, Aperol, lime, pineapple, and orgeat, while The Puddler’s Old Fashioned finishes Bulleit bourbon with mesquite smoke. For food, don’t skip The Hanger, brown sugar chipotle bacon served on clothespins and torched at the table.
The energy here runs higher than at some of the other locations, making it a natural fit for casual happy hours. Craft beer is on hand for those who want something simpler than a cocktail. The property also includes more than 7,000 square feet of event space, and on-site parking makes this one of the easier venues to access without valet.
Choosing the Right Rooftop Spot for Your Visit
With four strong options across Birmingham and Homewood, picking the right one comes down to matching the venue to your occasion. Here’s how we’d break it down.
Best for date nights and celebrations: The Roof at The Redmont and Habitat Feed & Social both offer more intimate settings; book a sunset table around 6 or 7 p.m. for the best light on the skyline. If you’re planning something bigger, like a rehearsal dinner or milestone birthday, Moon Shine’s Uptown section is worth requesting when you reserve.
Best for groups, happy hour, and casual hangouts: The Terrace Bar at The Valley Hotel is our go-to recommendation for after-work happy hours or casual group hangouts, thanks to its lively atmosphere and fire pit seating. For larger friend groups, ask about outdoor lounge seating at Moon Shine, which tends to accommodate bigger parties comfortably.
Arriving in a vehicle that fits the occasion makes the night feel a little more special. If you’ve been considering an upgrade, our certified pre-owned Mercedes-Benz inventory is a great place to start, and our finance application makes getting into your next pre-owned vehicle straightforward.
Planning Ahead: Parking, Valet, and Weather Considerations
We’d recommend booking one to two weeks ahead for Friday or Saturday reservations, since these venues fill up fast once word gets around. Outdoor rooftop seating is weather-dependent at all four locations, so check the forecast before you go and ask each venue whether they offer heaters or covered areas for cooler months.
Parking varies by venue. The Redmont offers valet at $40 per day with a cheaper self-park option across the street, while Moon Shine’s valet runs $37.60 per day with no on-site self-parking. The Valley Hotel offers on-site parking, which simplifies things if you’re not interested in valet. Hours and rooftop access can shift with the seasons, so confirm directly with each venue before you head out.
Explore Birmingham in Style with Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham
Birmingham’s rooftop restaurants and bars give locals and visitors plenty of reasons to dress up, head downtown, or make the short drive out to Homewood or Mountain Brook. Whether you’re drawn to the skyline views at The Roof at The Redmont, the firelight ambiance at Moon Shine, the botanical charm of Habitat Feed & Social, or the fireside energy at The Terrace at The Valley Hotel, there’s a rooftop for every mood in the Birmingham area.
Make a Night of It
Before your next outing, make sure your vehicle is ready for it. Our team at Mercedes-Benz of Birmingham, with full-service campuses in Hoover and Irondale, can get your Mercedes-Benz serviced and road-ready with genuine OEM parts and factory-trained technicians. Contact our team with questions. And if you’re in the market for a reliable ride for your Birmingham outings, our inventory is worth a look.
Photo of a group of elegantly dressed adults in suits toasting with red wine at a sophisticated party by Pavel Danilyuk is licensed with Pexels License.