Considering the stifling winter we all have to endure each year, Chicagoans are ravenous about their al fresco dining and drinking opportunities. From sidewalk patios to courtyards, there’s no shortage of outdoor dining to be had throughout the city, but in order to find a truly stunning experience, you’ll have to look up. Rooftop bars are absolute treasures, offering sprawling views with quenching cocktails and snackable plates. Here are a few to check out this year.

One of the swankest and most popular bar/restaurants in River North is ready for its relaunch. Rockit Bar & Grill just underwent an extensive redesign and menu revamp, in line with its 10-year anniversary of the downtown entertainment nexus. Now it’s once again ready for its close-up.

For sandwich shops, coffee shops, and cafes, it makes sense to outsource baked goods and desserts from stalwart local sources. After all, the day-to-day focus is elsewhere. That’s what makes it all the more admirable when a sandwich shop or coffee shop takes the baking process into its own hands, going the extra mile to create breads, pastries, and desserts in-house. Such is the case with Duran European Cafe and Dollop Coffee Company.