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Home CA Places CA Meet & Eat Rooftop Venues Offer No-Fuss Settings for Meetings & Events of all Sizes

Rooftop Venues Offer No-Fuss Settings for Meetings & Events of all Sizes

By Bonnie Steele

Hit the elevator button or take the stairs and head up to the roof, where these six spaces o er beautiful backdrops for a night of drinks, dinner and business. 

Mix Downtown

Located next door to the art deco Firestone Building in downtown Sacramento, Mix Downtown feels decidedly urban, with modern furnishings, reclaimed wood and a sleek indoor-outdoor setup. Co-workers can stake out a couple of chairs by one of four fire pits on the outdoor patio and talk business over such shared plates as Korean beef skewers, lamb chops with polenta fries and mini chicken gyros. For those gathering more than a couple of business associates, the rooftop is also available for events.

“We do events for political, business and family functions, as small as 30 and up to 500 guests for cocktail receptions,” says Special Events Manager Diane Lally. Tri-tip carving stations, smoked salmon, deviled eggs and assorted flatbreads are among the offerings for a catered party. If it rains, your event can be moved indoors. 

Scott’s Seafood

The sixth-floor rooftop at Scott’s Seafood offers amazing views of San Jose and the surrounding hills of the Silicon Valley. With its 18-foot outdoor fireplace and LED-lit bar, the welcoming space offers a sophisticated vibe for drinks with vendors, a business dinner or a company event for up to 100 seated or 150 standing.

“I believe the location and the rooftop setting in downtown San Jose are unmatched,” says Event and Banquet Director Andrew Palmyra. “You sprinkle in some amazing food by our chef, Alfonso Tamayo, and you have the catalyst for a great night.”

Oysters on the half shell, Scott’s classic cioppino and Palmyra’s favorite—crab cakes and bacon-wrapped scallops, which he calls “dangerously wonderful”—are among the tasty offerings. And don’t worry if the temperatures drop. “We have many heat lamps, along with our fireplace to ensure the best possible temperature,” says Palmyra.

E.P. & L.P.

This eclectic two-story venue in West Hollywood features a modern Asian eatery on the ground floor (E.P.) and a 5,500-square-foot rooftop lounge with Australian-inspired alfresco-style fare on the top (L.P.). While the rooftop’s 21-foot bar and fire pit with com – munal seating are inviting, the view is what lures networking hipsters and industry types for business gatherings.

“We have a unique perspective on the Hollywood Hills,” says co-owner Grant Smillie. “We look up north toward the moun – tain range, while other venues on the Strip all look down the hill to the south. In addition, most rooftops are attached to hotels, and we’re a stand-alone venue.”

For big events, L.P. hosts up to 400 guests, who can enjoy pitchers of Sunset in Rosarito (tequila, cinnamon, mandarin, hibiscus tea and fresh lime) while sampling Kingfish sashimi, crispy lamb chops and twice-cooked pork with star anise and palm sugar caramel. Smaller groups can reserve Frankie’s private bar, a 15-foot-long bar accented by comfy daybed seating.

It doesn’t rain often in Southern California, but if it does, a clear tent is set up so the snap-worthy view of the hills remains unobstructed.

El Techo

A favorite of the tech crowd, this casual eat – ery is located in San Francisco’s Mission on the rooftop of sister restaurant Lolinda. The Latin-American menu includes street food like chicharrones de carne by the half-pound, ceviche and grilled meat skewers. Wash down the authentic fare with pitchers or glasses of sangria, wine, margaritas or a selection of beers, all while taking in vistas of the Castro hills and downtown.

Gathering business associates on a rooftop in this foggy, windy city can be dicey, but El Techo keeps guests warm with heat lamps and windscreens. Seating is limited (and cov – eted), so it’s recommended that groups of 20 or more planning a weeknight outing call for a reservation. When the whole team needs a night out, El Techo is available for buyouts for groups of up to 200 for a cocktail reception or 80 seated.

RoofTop600 at Andaz

Sitting atop the 159-room Andaz hotel in San Diego’s historic Gaslamp Quarter, RoofTop600 offers a scenic backdrop for a quiet business breakfast or lunch by the pool. For the postwork crowd there’s “Sunset Hour” Monday through Friday from 5-8 p.m., with drink specials and half-priced small plates and pizzas.

On Friday and Saturday nights, RoofTop600 takes it up a notch and transforms its 6,150-square-foot space into a trendy outdoor nightclub, complete with velvet ropes, a DJ and bottle service. Reserve a private cabana to entertain clients or bond with the team.

“We can accommodate up to 600 people at one time for a reception with light setup, and we have a very open floor plan that showcases over 180 degrees of San Diego, from the sunrise over the mountains in the east to the sunset on the ocean in the west and all the beautiful architecture of downtown in between,” says publicist Erin Brown. It’s also possible to reserve just a portion of the space, including the Pool Deck, the East Rooftop or the West Rooftop.

MoQUILA Agave Lounge

This fourth-floor outdoor lounge that tops the DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Doheny BeachDana Point was formerly known at Vivo Rooftop Lounge; it recently underwent a makeover when the hotel changed hands. A favorite spot for locals and hotel guests alike, it’s a relaxed, unpretentious setting for enjoying an ocean breeze, sunset cocktails and appetizers like grilled calamari and ahi poke.

Overlooking Doheny Beach State Park, MoQUILA is open from 4-10 p.m. daily. Buyouts are available, or a portion of the deck can be reserved for groups of up to 25 for an evening event with a minimal food and beverage requirement. During the day, the entire event space can be reserved for groups of up to 70 for breakfast or lunch.

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