Set the scene.
In California’s laid-back Venice Beach, rooftop restaurants and bars are surprisingly scarce. Despite the prime oceanfront real estate, vibey day-to-night rooftop scenes are less common than expected.
Thankfully, the iconic Hotel Erwin’s High Rooftop Lounge offers an enticing exception. Recently revamped, this spot is drawing both tourists and locals back. With panoramic views of the Los Angeles skyline and the Pacific Ocean, it’s the perfect place to unwind. Refurbished wood floors and casually chic outdoor seating invite you to relax with a drink in hand.
On Saturdays and Sundays, you’ll catch a DJ set that’s quintessentially LA; it’s California cool at its finest. Lounge seating tucked along the glass-lined deck allows for prime views of the palm tree-fringed beach below and the Santa Monica Mountains in the distance.
What can we expect from the food?
Executive Chef Emilio Noselotl’s re-energized menu focuses on the Coastal Mediterranean side that SoCal is well-known for in the culinary realm. We started with the Chips & Guac, which was adequately juiced with lime and garnished with pumpkin seeds and coriander. Then, we dove into the Shrimp Ceviche appetizer—which comes with tostada circles, avocado, and a freshly mixed pico de gallo. To balance the salty with the sweet, the Peaches and Burrata dish of ripe, grilled Californian peaches paired with burrata on a bed of arugula, finished with a drizzle of passionfruit vinaigrette, was a true delight.
Regarding entrées, the Baja Fish Tacos are a must-try, comprising crispy cod filets and a zesty pineapple slaw. The Wavecrest Lobster Roll is another standout, arriving wonderfully warm, drenched in butter, and nestled in a toasted Hawaiian roll that’s crisp on the outside and pillowy soft on the inside. We also sampled the California Burrito, loaded with juicy NY strip steak, crispy french fries, Oaxacan cheese, guacamole, and pico de gallo, all wrapped in a flour tortilla. (A word of advice: plan to dine here after a day at the beach, as you’ll want to indulge freely—and worrying about your bikini body post-feast just isn’t worth it.)
Before wrapping up, it’s worth highlighting the Poke Bowl—a colorful course featuring fresh salmon, sushi rice, baby greens, cucumbers, carrots, mango, seaweed, edamame, and avocado; all brought together with poke sauce, sriracha aioli, and a sprinkle of nori seasoning.
And what about the drinks?
The thoughtfully curated drink menu offers a pleasing mix of refreshing cocktails, wines, beers, zero-proof options, and playful slushies. For the adventurous type, try the bartender’s choice—share your liquor preferences, and they’ll craft a creative concoction just for you. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Espresso Martini or Aperol Spritz or something more inventive like the Venice Sodie (Grey Goose vodka, cucumber, mint, lime, and soda) or Wavy Baby (818 tequila, watermelon, Cointreau, lime, agave), there’s plenty of boozy fun to explore.
Final thoughts?
Whether it’s date night, Sunday Funday, happy hour, or just a weekend soaking up the California sunshine, Hotel Erwin’s High Rooftop Lounge is the place to be.
Top Takeaways
Location: Venice Beach, California
Address: 1697 Pacific Ave, Venice, CA 90291
Cuisine: Coastal Mediterranean
The vibe: An upscale-yet-relaxed rooftop hangout overlooking the Pacific Ocean along Venice Beach’s boardwalk; it’s the kind of place that sinks in the feeling that you’re in L.A. with palm trees and the ocean in the distance.
Pricing: $$
Takes reservations? Yes – Resy
Our favorite dish on the menu: The lobster roll was absolutely exceptional—appearing drenched in butter with the Hawaiian roll crisped to perfection, and just the right size.
The attire: California Casual
Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner: Open daily from 12 p.m. to 11 p.m., offering lunch, dinner, and cocktail service.
