It’s summertime in Chicago and it’s wonderful. Everyone is out enjoying the sunshine, the lakefront, & the street festivals. In places like our fair city, it seems the residents really take advantage of their summer months. Yes, perhaps it is because the other seven or so months of the year, the weather can be a bit moody and often times downright bastardly. But right now, it’s fabulous. I had the pleasure of checking out a few of these fairly new (or new to me) swanky spots in the sky.

The Roof at The Wit Hotel

Lazily perched twenty-seven stories above State Street (and right across the street from my former workplace, ABC7) sits the new Wit Hotel’s Roof bar. It has an indoor lounge and outdoor bar. Make sure you don your shades because the combo of white fabric and sun reflecting off loop skyscrapers is enough to give you a nice tan. The views are fantastic of the hustle on State Street directly below, the Chicago River, Millennium Park and Lake Michigan in the distance.  It’s a fun scene and certainly makes me feel like I am in South Beach rather than downtown Chicago.

The Terrace at Trump Tower

The terrace lounge on the sixteenth floor of the Trump Tower has views of the city that many have never seen.  From this chic oasis in the sky, you can take in an impressive eyeful of the Chicago River, Lake Michigan, and the Chicago skyline, including the Wrigley Clock Tower and Tribune Building, dramatically lit right in front of you. There are L-shaped couches for cuddling and sharing a bottle of bubbly or trump-like high priced cocktails.

The Terrace at the Conrad

Yet another oasis in an urban jungle, this hotel roof bar scene is adorned with tropical plants, sofas and day beds, transporting you very easily to a tropical paradise. You can mix and mingle with the beautiful people as you sip overpriced martinis and snack on tasty ‘global-inspired’ tapas.

Pegasus

Then there’s Pegasus – an old standby and fave of yours truly. It’s been in Greektown for two decades now.  It’s not at all flashy or chic or too filled with scenesters. But the waiters are friendly and charming (and Greek!), the Greek beer is cold, the yummy apps never disappoint, and the view? Well, it speaks for itself.