You Don’t Need to Be a Tourist to Visit The Rooftop at the Broadview Hotel

There’s a particular moment, somewhere between late afternoon and early evening, when Toronto glows. From The Rooftop at the Broadview Hotel, that moment stretches out a little longer. It begins the second you step off the elevator.

The elevator doors open to reveal the bar first, with soft light bouncing off the brass accents and warm wood tones. Walk around the bar, past the glass facade, and you’re immediately met with a sweeping, uninterrupted view of the Toronto skyline. The CN Tower stands proudly in the distance, framed by the city’s growing silhouette and softened by golden light. Just to the right, the rooftop patio wraps around the building, buzzing with conversation and clinking glasses. It’s hard not to pause here. Not just to take it in, but to recalibrate. 

Originally opened in 2017 as part of the historic Broadview Hotel’s restoration, the rooftop became an instant favorite. But in a city with so many new openings, it’s easy to forget the places that have been around for a minute. This one is worth revisiting. With its pyramidal skylight, lush atrium, and open-air terrace, the Broadview Rooftop delivers a perspective of the city that feels fresh. 

Golden Hour on the East End

On a beautifully sunny Toronto day, the patio can fill up quickly, but one of the rooftop’s best features is its atrium seating: cozy, low-set couches set next to the floor to ceiling windows, tucked under a dramatic pyramidal skylight. The 360-degree glass walls blur the line between inside and out, offering unobstructed views while still providing shelter and shade. It’s a space designed for ease: easy conversation, easy lounging, easy lingering.

Sit down and your body immediately relaxes. There’s something about the combination of plush cushions, natural light, and a birds-eye view of the city that invites you to slow down. It’s cozy without feeling confined, elevated without being exclusive. The design manages to feel considered and lived-in at the same time, which is a tricky balance that not many spaces get right.

As the light shifts through the atrium, the tones of the room change. Sunlight pours through in the early evening, casting a warm glow across the floors and leafy potted plants. By dusk, the space grows moodier, more intimate. You can still see the city, but now it twinkles back at you.

The rooftop also serves as a flexible venue for events, performances, and casual meetups. But even on a regular Saturday, it feels like an occasion. The kind you don’t need a reservation or a reason for. You just show up, and the atmosphere does the rest.

Eat, Sip, Stay Awhile

We arrived on a Saturday around 5pm, and while the patio was full, we knew the atrium offered some of  the best seats in the house. We tucked into a corner couch near the window, ordered a beer and the whimsically named A Midsummer Night’s Dream cocktail, and settled in.

The food menu leans toward sharable plates, which suits the space perfectly. We opted for the burrata, scallop ceviche, and popcorn bites. All three delivered. The burrata was creamy and light, the popcorn bites addictive, but the scallop ceviche was the standout: bright, fresh, and delicately plated. The flavors matched the mood: refined, but unfussy.

Drinks ranged from creative cocktails to classic pours. The A Midsummer Night’s Dream cocktail was a playful blend that felt seasonal and light, pairing well with the relaxed rhythm of the early evening.

Service was laid back but attentive, another reflection of the space itself. You’re never rushed, but you never feel forgotten.

A Rooftop for Locals, Not Just Tourists

Hotels often get framed as places for travelers, but the Broadview Rooftop is designed for anyone who wants to see the city differently. It’s a spot that works for many moods: a casual date night, a solo sunset, a quiet hang with friends. The service is relaxed and unfussy. The crowd skews local. And the views? Always stunning.

Whether you’re meeting a friend for a low-key cocktail, looking for a romantic date night spot, or want to watch the city shift from golden hour to dusk with a solo drink in hand, the Broadview Rooftop delivers. It offers an experience that feels elevated without being out of reach.

It’s also one of the few places in the east end that gives you such a full skyline view. While the west end might have a monopoly on buzzy rooftops, the Broadview reminds you that the east offers something different: perspective.

Maybe you’ve been before. Maybe it’s been a while. But this rooftop is a reminder that the east end holds its own. Sometimes the best view of the city isn’t the most obvious one.

Learn more about The Broadview Hotel went from a historic landmark to east end icon here.