Few things are better than enjoying a fantastic cocktail while taking in a beautiful view. Charlottesville isn’t short on either of those, but if you are looking for a true rooftop bar experience you’ll want to check out one of my favorite spots, the Rooftop Bar at the Quirk Hotel.

Best Spot for Rooftop Drinks in Cville: The Quirk Rooftop

The Vibe

Located on West Main Street, this boutique hotel is has a fun aesthetic. You’ll notice a ton of pink decor when you step inside (rumor has it pink is the designer’s favorite color; you can actually see the shades of pink darken as you go up the different floors) and it feels very light and airy inside. 

Once you get up to the fifth floor, you’ll find the the rooftop bar itself. I like to describe it as a Southern Belle version of Miami; from the decor to the drinks, it feels a little beachy, but with mountain views.  

Fun Cocktails & Drinks

The Rooftop Bar features a variety of seasonal cocktails, beers (mostly bottled with a few on tap) and wine with a healthy amount of local winery offerings available. A lot of the cocktails are very Instagrammable and their Quirk Rose is always a nice choice during the hot summer months. 

I personally like opting for one of their signature cocktails, the Pink Breeze. Made with local Virginia vodka (Cirrus Vodka. hails from Richmond, VA), cucumber, raspberry, lime, and Prosecco, it’s a fun and refreshing cocktail that packs a little bit of a punch. 

Food Options to Please Everyone

If I’m enjoying cocktails with a group, chances are I’m going to start craving snacks and the Rooftop Bar has the perfect menu to accompany your drinks. With shareable starters like charcuterie, amazing shishito peppers (the breadcrumbs and aioli make this dish!) and roasted broccoli to their salads and pizzas, you’ll be able to find something to make everyone happy.

If you have dinner plans elsewhere, their menu works perfectly for having a small snack beforehand - or going all out if this is your only stop.

A Rooftop Setting with Stunning Views

Of course, we can’t forget the biggest selling point: those rooftop views!

The nice thing about Quirk Rooftop Bar is they offer both indoor and outdoor seating. In the colder months they even have igloos and fire pits to keep you warm so you aren’t restricted to only enjoying the space on warmer nights. One thing to note is they only take reservations for groups larger than seven people so during busier times a smaller group could encounter a wait. However, I’ve found going during the week or at an earlier time usually works out perfectly.

Stay & Play at the Quirk Charlottesville

You could easily turn your trip to the rooftop bar into a mini vacation or staycation (like I did wiht my puppy Ollie - read the post here) by staying overnight at this boutique hotel. 

Booking a night is super easy on their website and you can choose from several room types ranging from Standard King and Deluxe Double Queen to the Quirk Suite. Some of the rooms even come with balconies! Best of all, they also offer ADA compliant options. The rooms are all beautiful and bright, managing to combine minimalism with fun decor. As I mentioned earlier, floor by floor the hues of pink get darker in shade and more vibrant. Each room also has thoughtful amenities for your stay, including dispensers in the huge modern shower for shampoo, conditioner and body wash so you don’t have to pack as much! 

If you like to plan ahead, Quirk Hotel even offers an Advance Purchase Deal where, if you book at least 21 days ahead of time and pay in advance, you’ll receive 20% off. It's a great deal to stay at a fantastic spot in a perfect location in downtown Charlottesville. Plus, the fact they are dog friendly is a huge benefit! I will say, it’s not going to be one of the cheaper options in Cville. During slow times you’ll be looking at just under $200, but peak times in Charlottesville can go close to $600. If you can vsit during one of the off weekends, then I would definitely aim for that. 

Onsite you’ll also fine art gallery & gift shop, event space and meeting rooms, and five different food and beverage outlets; Quirk Café, The Lobby Bar, The Rooftop Bar, The Pink Grouse Restaurant , and Bobboo, their signature whiskey bar. They also have a friendly and efficient front desk and their team is always willing to help point you in the right direction for whatever you are doing. 

If you find yourself looking for a great spot for rooftop drinks (and a possible overnight!) in Charlottesville, the rooftop at Quirk Hotel is definitely where I would go.

 Until next time, cheers and happy eating!