Rooftop pool bars

It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a…poolside bar in the sky

By Andy Gillette, Special to Metromix

April 16, 2008

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As long as there have been roofs, people have been hanging out on them. Just look at the Rooftop Bar at the Standard downtown. Maybe it’s our way of slowing the aging process by getting as far from the center of the Earth’s rotation as possible. Or perhaps we just love a good view. Whatever the case, the upcoming openings of these poolside bars in the sky are a sign of the times.

Next month, Hollywood's elite will have a new poolside bar to sip at. ABH (Above Beverly Hills) atop the Thompson Hotel promises to bring a touch of its Lower East Side roots and minimalist East Coast style to the L.A. Designer Dodd Mitchell outfitted the space with cabanas, fireplaces, leather and lots of dark wood—and he's even having a canary palm tree dropped in via helicopter. Those lucky enough to get access to the pool, open only to members and hotel guests, will get to drink sake-tinis and feast on selections from Bond St., the much-gushed-about sushi spot downstairs.

For a classic lounge with a lush garden atmosphere, the Peninsula is due to reopen its rooftop next month. The $4 million renovation should add some more drama to an already beautiful bar. Expect more fountains, a smattering of open-air fire pits and decadently comfortable cabana areas when the cover comes off.

And then there’s Pure, slated to open at the Hollywood W Hotel in 2009. If the club’s flagship venue in Vegas is any indication, DJ AM will book a lucrative weekly residency and spin for a celebrity-studded crowd that includes sisters Hilton and Simpson. Maybe the owners will even pay Britney Spears more than most of us make in a year to host 2010's New Year's Eve party.

If you can't wait that long, the Standard's wet-and-wild summer parties are already in action. A recent visit provided free Jell-O shots and a couple making out in the pool. Talk about making a splash.

With additional reporting by Yasmin Humayun, Special to Metromix