Three of our favorite bar and restaurant rooftop decks to visit in Northern Michigan. Plus, explore even more Traverse City rooftop decks in our video below.
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HI Bar at Hotel Earl
120 Michigan Ave., Charlevoix
Charlevoix’s newest rooftop bar debuted in July at Hotel Earl. Open to both guests and the public, HI Bar has views of Lake Charlevoix, Round Lake and downtown. The seasonal menu offers light bites, including charcuterie boards and whitefish dip. Live music is scheduled for most summer Sundays from 2 to 5 p.m., but call the hotel to ask about additional dates.
Related Read: Grab & Go: Get Lunch and Get Lost at these Turquoise Lakes.
Photo by Tia Young
North Bar
160 E. Front St., Traverse City
It’s rooftop season all year long at North Bar, where a greenhouse roof and re- mote-controlled panels allow the team to adjust to the weather. In addition to the patio area that overlooks downtown (and if you sit at the corner of Cass and Front you’ll see the bay), North Bar has two additional rooms: The “Bat Cave” is a relaxed lounge space with tufted couches and bamboo furniture, and the “Dune Room,” which is available for private events. Bar Manager Tommy Nakhovanh dishes on the menu: “I’m most excited about some items I wouldn’t typically order while dining out. Our panko fried green tomatoes served with pimento cheese and tomato jam is the perfect blend of savory and sweet.” Other highlights include the beer-braised short rib sandwich and drunken peach cobbler.
Dos Árboles
735 Main St., Frankfort
The location alone makes this new Frankfort restaurant worth the visit. (The tacos and tequila are a welcome bonus.) Set across the street from Betsie Lake, Dos Árboles has stellar water views from its patio and rooftop deck, which seats 40 and offers live music and sunset happy hours. The Mexican-inspired menu features shareable plates like chilaquiles divorciados (tortilla chips topped with salsa verde, salsa roja, black beans, queso fresco, aioli and a fried egg), but tacos take center stage here. Filled with everything from shaved ribeye to roasted squash, individual tacos range from $3.50 to $4.75, so try a few. “It’s upscale yet inviting to everybody,” says Nick Crawford, who owns the restaurant with Chef Natalie Crawford. The couple also owns Birch & Maple, located next door.
Photo by Allison Jarrell
More Northern Michigan Rooftop Decks to Explore
If you’ve already visited HI Bar in Charlevoix, Dos Arboles in Frankfort or North Bar in Traverse City, here are 3 more rooftops to visit. Head to Traverse City Whiskey Co., Pangea’s Pizza and H&L Social at Hotel Indigo in Traverse City with these tips.