Sunset with a view of the mountains is a Colorado Springs rite of passage. Most of the rooftops below look straight at Pikes Peak, and one looks out over the Air Force Academy. The patios come after, and that's where you'll find the schnitzel. Bring a layer: it cools off fast once the sun drops behind the mountains.
📍 Downtown · 402 S. Tejon St., atop the eight-story Element and SpringHill Suites
Why go: A hotel rooftop with fire pits and big mountain-and-skyline views. It's the dressed-up date-night pick.
Order: Come for weekend brunch (Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.). The Lumen8 Jazz Brunch features the Todd Williams Trio.
Good to know: Book ahead. The Gazette reports reservations are required.
Official site ↗📍 Downtown · top floor of the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown, 125 N. Cascade Ave.
Why go: An open-air rooftop with Pikes Peak straight ahead. There are fire pits, lush landscaping and alcoves sized for two or a table of ten.
Order: Craft cocktails, organic wines or a low-proof sip, plus a few plates from the kitchen.
Good to know: It's open year-round, with heaters and blankets once it gets cold. Reservations are recommended for sunset and weekends.
Official site ↗📍 North · 8989 North Gate Blvd., next to the Air Force Academy
Why go: A rooftop overlooking the Air Force Academy and the Rockies. It's the north-end answer to the downtown roofs.
Order: Ask about the daily sushi roll special. The "Final Approach" happy hour knocks 50% off every drink, Tuesday–Thursday, 4–5 p.m.
Good to know: Hours are Tuesday–Thursday 4–11 p.m. and Friday–Saturday 4 p.m.–midnight. It's closed Sunday and Monday, and the hotel notes hours are subject to change.
Official site ↗📍 Old Colorado City · 2316 W. Colorado Ave.
Why go: The brewery's rooftop patio is, in its own words, the best view in town of Pikes Peak and the mountains. Sunset is the move.
Order: Something from the 16 rotating house taps and scratch-made pub food.
Good to know: It takes online reservations and recommends booking ahead. There's also a dog-friendly, street-level patio out front for happy hour.
Official site ↗📍 Downtown · 2 E. Pikes Peak Ave., in the old Cheyenne Hotel building
Why go: A downtown brewpub classic. Its rooftop patio is a second-story deck built on top of the brewhouse, so think downtown-and-mountain views rather than a sky-high perch.
Order: Happy hour runs 3–6 p.m. daily and all day Sunday, with $5 flagship pints.
Good to know: The rooftop is first come, first served. When it's full, head to the billiards room.
Official site ↗📍 North side · 7114 Campus Dr.
Why go: A rooftop bar with outdoor TVs and views of Pikes Peak and Cheyenne Mountain. It's the north-side game-day hang.
Order: Something from the Colorado-centric lineup of 35 local taps, or one of the house cocktails.
Good to know: It's independently owned, with four Front Range locations. There's also a ground-level courtyard.
Official site ↗📍 Old Colorado City · 2616 W. Colorado Ave.
Why go: Patio dining on a second-floor balcony over Colorado Avenue, at a family Greek spot that's been cooking here since 1997.
Order: Family recipes from the Greek island of Chios. There are vegetarian and vegan options and a kids menu, so it works for everyone.
Official site ↗📍 South side · 34 E. Ramona Ave.
Why go: A 50-plus-year family restaurant with an authentic biergarten. It's a summer thing, but the restaurant's own rule of thumb is that if it's 50 degrees or warmer, come check out the biergarten.
Order: Schnitzel, bratwurst or sauerbraten with an imported German beer. Save room for a torte from the Swiss pastry chef.
Good to know: Reservations are recommended. Strolling musicians play Friday and Saturday nights.
Official site ↗These are outdoor seats, not rooftops.
Every pick was checked against its official site or a recent local news report in October 2026. Hours, menus and trail conditions change, so tap through before you head out. Spot something out of date? Email hello@cosscoop.com.
Photo: Colorado Springs, Colorado by Quintin Soloviev, CC BY 4.0, cropped.
Join your neighbors, from the Westside to Briargate, for the best things to do, eat, walk and ride around Pikes Peak. It's a five-minute read.
