By night, this dive bar in the heart of the city is home to anything from karaoke or punk rock bingo to live band performances. During the day, skip the shadowy interior at Broken City and opt for the rooftop that offers plenty of seating, sun and shelter, plus a great selection of pub fare and draught beer. On a weekend afternoon, you just might catch a band performing on the roof, too!

With over 100 beers available on tap, this Canadian beer hall chain with locations in Calgary, Ottawa and Vancouver (though this is the only one with a rooftop patio) is a hit with both avid beer drinkers and anyone looking for a lively place to go in the evening. Craft Beer Market’s rooftop patio is guaranteed to be packed Thursday evening through Saturday, so come early and claim your stake at a table before getting lost in the crowd.

Though Kelowna has no shortage of patios, waterfront or otherwise, finding one that’s located on an upper level is few and far between. The food and drink found at this Earls location is the same as any other, with summer cocktails like their signature slushy bellinis, and eats like calamari and truffle fries, but it’s the view of Lake Okangan from the patio that makes it stand out from the rest.

The only way a proper beer garden can be more refreshing and lively would be to set it on a roof. That’s exactly what’s going on at Mascot Brewery, Toronto’s newest microbrewery and brewpub. Though there are plenty of house-made brews to sip on, light and bright cocktails are also available, including a couple batch cocktails available on tap. And don’t forget about their shareable snacks including fresh oysters, schnitzel and pretzel sticks.

Located inside The Metropolitan, one of the city’s main event centres, this upper level patio is buzzing with after-work crowds throughout the work week. The Met Patio’s menu is fairly straightforward, offering up items like Caesar salad, flatbreads and noodle bowls, as are the cocktails. That being said, keeping things classic with a refreshing French 75 is nothing to be ashamed of.

Whether you’re looking for more of a lounge vibe or something more food-focused, Toronto has no shortage of large-scale, high-level patios. With its contemporary British cuisine and close proximity to the downtown core, The Queen and Beaver makes for a nice, relaxing rooftop patio experience. Sit down with a few friends, order some pints and maybe try their hand-chopped burger with chips.

Arguably one of the best spots to grab a drink on the weekend, Reflections is an extension of the beautiful Hotel Georgia property in downtown Vancouver. There’s plenty of cushy seating in a gorgeous outdoor area surrounded by water, giving it an urban oasis-type feel. Open day and night, the crowd definitely brings their fashion A-game, so make sure you’re looking your best, too!

Starting this summer, Charbar’s top level has become its own entity with a separate food and drink menu on the roof of the historic Simmons Building in the East Village. Expect the same mix of hearty plates like the seafood and cured meat platter that you’ll find downstairs, but grab a seat and soak up a North-facing view of the city that you can’t find anywhere else.

Located on campus at Societe des Arts Technologiques, the Labo Culinaire Foodlab is a place for chefs to get creative. Grab a seat on the beautiful terrace and try their ever-evolving seasonal menu that focuses on local ingredients, as well as the natural wine selections. What could be better than enjoying some chef-driven cuisine on a rooftop as the summer sun is setting?

At Terrasse Nelligan, you can get simple fare like shrimp cocktail or marinated olives, or opt for one of their hearty mains like salmon tartare or fish tacos. Order a bottle of wine to share, and take your time soaking up the view of Old Montreal that surrounds you, as well as the St. Lawrence riverfront.

It may not be the city’s biggest, but the rooftop patio situated on top of one of Saskatoon’s most beloved pubs has got a certain je ne sais quoi. During the height of summer, consider yourself lucky if you manage to get a table up on the patio without a wait. The Yard and Flagon's menu offers up classic pub grub, but you can also find some unique bites like their fried coconut chicken sandwich with hazelnut cream, or the cranberry and gouda salad if you’re looking for lighter fare alongside your pint.

Be sure to check out more of Canada's best patios here.

Dan Clapson is a food writer and culinary instructor based out of Calgary. He is constantly creating new recipes and striving to expand his culinary horizons. He thinks yam fries are overrated.