When the weather is hot this summer, you’ll definitely be in need of a cool watering hole. Luckily for you residents of Los Angeles, there are more than enough rooftop bars where you can chill out with a drink in hand to beat the heat. But which high-in-the-sky locales are still haute?

High at the Hotel Erwin

1697 Pacific Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90291
(310) 452-1111
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Imagine watching a hot pink and purple sunset go down over the Pacific Ocean as if it were your own, personal movie screen, and you’ve got an average evening out up High. If you happen to get bored by beauty (a ridiculous statement in itself) then you only need look down to see the crazy, kooky harmony of the Venice boardwalk — including some muscular eye candy in the form of Muscle Beach juiceheads.

Suite 700 at the Shangri-La Hotel

1301 Ocean Avenue
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 394-2791
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At the Shangri-La, your fantasy can become a reality. Although a typical night includes an up-close and personal view of the Santa Monica Promenade, you should check out this hot west side rooftop bar at the end of the week on Speakeasy Sundays. Dress up in your finest flapper gear, look up the weekly Twitter password @hotelshangrila and prepare to drink yourself silly with some bootleg Rum Rickeys at this Art Deco-inspired hotel.

Andaz West Hollywood

8401 West Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(323) 656-1234
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Andaz is the Hindi word for ‘stylish’, which is why haute West Hollywood types still flock there in droves. The fact that his Hyatt hotel also happens to have the highest rooftop swimming pool in Los Angeles doesn’t hurt, either. Not only can you see all the action on the Sunset Strip, but you’ve got a pretty sick view of the Hills as well. Too bad Lauren, Audrina, Heidi and co. don’t live there as a group anymore. Shucks.

The Roof Garden at the Peninsula Beverly Hills

9882 South Santa Monica Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 551-2888
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If you’re looking for a classy alternative to the typical bikini-clad Jersey-Shore-loving set that you can sometimes find running rampant in Hollywood, the Roof Garden is your kind of place. This high-end playground for the rich and famous just underwent a $4 million renovation as well, so when you’re munching on some organic delights poolside, you’ll be able to see the green, not just taste it.

The Standard Rooftop Bar – Downtown

550 South Flower Street
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 892-8080
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Hotelier Andre Balazs knows a good thing when he sees it, which is why he owns some of the best hotels in the world, including the legendary Chateau Marmont and the Standard Downtown. He’s managed to make the latter an homage to 1960’s-era chic with its red, white and neon colored lounge, waterbeds and projector screening classic flicks on the wall of the building next door. You can imagine bad, bad things going down at this sinful spot — and that’s a good thing.

Skybar at the Mondrian West Hollywood

8440 Sunset Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069
(800) 785-2179
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Skybar is technically perched just above the outdoor pool at West Hollywood’s Mondrian Hotel, but it’s still considered a swimming spot in the sky (where no one actually swims, mind). The bar itself is like a giant treehouse in the sky, albeit one where couture-clad celebs frolic until the wee hours of the morning. It’s a scene all right — and there’s even a nightly DJ to prove it.

ABH at the Thompson Beverly Hills

9360 Wilshire Boulevard
Beverly Hills, CA 90212
(310) 273-1400
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How’s this for chic? Jason Pomeranc’s hotel bar doesn’t have just any old rooftop pool, oh no. The hotelier, known as much for creating swanky sleep spots as he is his celebrity clientele, actually has a bar encrusted with Swarovski crystals. You heard it right. You should go to this rooftop bar to enjoy a little local glamour, but you should stay for the food — delicacies from Bond Street chef Hiroshi Nakahara. It’s an experience that can’t be missed — unlike the celebs who may just be hiding in ABH’s private cabanas.

Rooftop pool at the London West Hollywood

1020 North San Vicente Boulevard
West Hollywood, CA 90069-3802
(310) 854-1111
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The London West Hollywood’s rooftop pool may be housed in a garden setting, but that’s where all similarities to anything British end. This spot is the crème de la crème of party pools, plain and simple. Things can get crazy here come summertime, and you will definitely see scores of blokes attempting to pull British (and non-British) birds. There’s also a marble fire pit for some saucy nighttime action.

The Rooftop Lounge at La Casa del Camino, Laguna Beach

1289 South Coast Highway
Laguna Beach, CA 92651-3115
(949) 497-2446
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The Rooftop Lounge offers the best views Laguna Beach has to offer – and that’s high praise. You may just see a Real Housewife of Orange County or two (or all of them) hanging out there nowadays taking in the scenery and relaxing from the stress of their personal dramas. However, you too, can settle back with a Mojito and let the weight of the world fall from your shoulders as you stare out at the sea, sun and — best of all — surfers.

Vivo Rooftop Lounge at the DoubleTree Hilton Dana Point

34402 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 661-1100
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If you’re looking for unparalleled views outside of LA proper, you’ll want to head to the Vivo Rooftop Lounge at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Dana Point. It’s a great place to savor the sunset at the fourth floor patio lounge. Best of all, you won’t have to freak out about the excessive traffic you’ll encounter en route to your well-deserved relaxing experience in Doheny Beach.

Laura Schreffler is a former entertainment editor who decided to combine her passions for love and travel into a new business venture: a website devoted to seeking out love and romance around the world. LoveTrekker.com is Laura’s personal quest to explore love, romance and dating – why you should or shouldn’t go to a specific location, the best restaurants to be taken to, the best hotels to stay in, fun date ideas and where you should go for a pre-date beauty treatment.