3 rooftop bars in Santa Monica our editors have drunk at, sorted by score. All Santa Monica nightlife.

Elephante ★ 4.3

$$$Downtown

Elephante stacks a coastal Italian kitchen onto a 2nd Street rooftop in Santa Monica, whipped eggplant, pizzas and pasta with the ocean over the rail.

TipGo before sunset for the light and stay for the DJ; weekend mornings it runs ricotta pancakes from 09:00.

Calabra ★ 4.3

$$$Downtown

Calabra spreads Mediterranean-Californian plates across the Santa Monica Proper Hotel rooftop, a circular bar and garden terrace with Pacific views.

TipProper Hour runs 16:00-17:00 weekdays and 15:00-17:00 weekends; the poolside alcoves take groups up to twelve.

The Penthouse ★ 4.1

$$$Downtown

The Penthouse floats on the 18th floor of the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, white banquettes and coastline views from breakfast through late cocktails.

TipHappy hour runs 16:00-18:00 on weekdays; sunset window tables go to whoever books earliest on OpenTable.

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