The red waterbeds. If you know, you know. For over fifteen years, the rooftop at The Standard Downtown LA was more than just a hotel bar; it was the definitive heartbeat of a revitalizing neighborhood. It was the place where you’d see a famous indie film director sipping a martini two feet away from a group of USC students who definitely spent too much on their outfits.
But things change. Honestly, the story of this specific rooftop is a bit of a rollercoaster lately.
Located at 550 South Flower Street, the building itself is a Mid-Century Modern masterpiece, originally the headquarters for Superior Oil. When André Balazs opened The Standard here in 2002, he didn't just open a hotel. He basically invented the "cool" Los Angeles rooftop scene. Before this, Downtown LA was a place you left at 5:00 PM. The Standard gave people a reason to stay. You had the panoramic views, the vibrating waterbed pods, and that iconic topiary that looked like it belonged in a Kubrick film. It was effortless. It was chic. It was occasionally very, very loud.
What Made the Rooftop at The Standard Downtown LA a Legend
It wasn’t just the height. Plenty of buildings in LA are tall. It was the vibe. While other spots felt stuffy or tried too hard with velvet ropes, the rooftop at The Standard Downtown LA felt like a perpetual house party where everyone was invited, provided you could get past the door guy.
The design was genius. You had the bright red pool—which, let's be honest, was always a little bit too cold—surrounded by those famous oversized waterbeds. These weren't just seats; they were social experiments. You'd end up sharing a pod with three strangers, and by the time your second cocktail arrived, you were best friends. Or at least you were following each other on Instagram.
Then there was the Biergarten. It was a weird, delightful contrast. On one side of the roof, you had sleek, retro-futuristic lounging. On the other, you had wooden picnic tables, giant pretzels, and boots of German lager. It shouldn't have worked. It worked perfectly.
The Mid-Century Aesthetic
The building, designed by Claud Beelman in 1956, provided a brutalist-adjacent backdrop that made the playful furniture pop. That contrast between the serious, corporate marble of the lobby and the neon-soaked hedonism of the roof was the whole point. You’ve got these massive skyscrapers like the US Bank Tower looming over you, making you feel tiny while you’re dancing to a deep house set. It felt like living in Blade Runner, but with better drinks and less rain.
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The COVID-19 Era and the "Permanently Closed" Rumors
We have to talk about the elephant in the room. In early 2022, news broke that sent shockwaves through the LA nightlife community: The Standard Downtown LA was closing its doors for good. The pandemic was a brutal blow to the hospitality industry, and the lease negotiations apparently fell through.
For a while, the rooftop sat silent. The red waterbeds were empty. The projectors that used to blast classic movies onto the side of the neighboring building were dark. It felt like the end of an era. People started mourning it on TikTok, posting old blurry videos of sunset DJ sets.
But Downtown LA real estate is a shark tank. It doesn't stay quiet for long.
The Rebirth as The Westin
The building was eventually taken over, and as of 2026, the property operates under the Westin brand. This changed the DNA of the place. If you go there now expecting the exact same "Standard" experience, you might be a little surprised. It’s more polished. It’s a bit more "corporate-chic" and a little less "bohemian-art-party."
However, the physical bones of the rooftop at The Standard Downtown LA—the layout, the views, the pool—remain some of the best in the city. You can't just delete that kind of architecture. The new management has kept the spirit of the rooftop lounge alive, but they’ve pivoted toward a more upscale, refined atmosphere that mirrors the maturing of DTLA as a whole.
Navigating the New Downtown Rooftop Scene
If you’re heading to the rooftop today, the experience is a bit different than the wild nights of 2015.
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First off, the crowd has shifted. You'll see more business travelers and locals who prefer a curated cocktail over a shot of cheap tequila. The music is generally lower in volume during the day, making it an actual viable spot for a meeting or a long lunch.
- The View: Still 10/10. You get that "canyon of skyscrapers" feel that you simply can't find in West Hollywood or Santa Monica.
- The Pool: It’s still the centerpiece. It remains one of the few truly iconic rooftop pools in the United States.
- The Vibe: Sophisticated. Think less "EDM festival" and more "low-light jazz and high-end gin."
Honestly, some people miss the old grit. I get it. There was a certain magic to the slightly chaotic energy of the original Standard. But there's also something to be said for a rooftop that actually has enough staff and a cocktail menu that doesn't just consist of vodka sodas.
Why This Specific Spot Still Matters
Even with the name change and the shift in management, the rooftop at The Standard Downtown LA (as everyone still calls it) is a landmark. It paved the way for places like Perch, The Ace Hotel (now also rebranded), and Freehand’s Broken Shaker.
It proved that Downtown LA could be glamorous.
When you stand at the edge of the glass partition and look down Flower Street, you’re looking at the history of the city’s 21st-century resurgence. The building’s lobby—with its yellow marble and foot-tall "Stay" signs—is a protected piece of design history. You’re drinking in a museum that happens to have a great sound system.
Comparing the Competition
People often ask if they should go here or to the InterContinental’s Spire 73.
Spire 73 is higher. It’s the highest open-air bar in the Western Hemisphere. It’s windy. It’s very expensive. It’s a "check it off the list" kind of place.
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The rooftop at 550 Flower is more intimate. It’s about the atmosphere, not just the altitude. It’s for the person who wants to feel the city, not just look at it from a plane-wing perspective.
Practical Tips for Your Visit
Don't just show up at 10:00 PM on a Saturday and expect to walk right in without a plan. That’s a rookie move.
- Check the Calendar: Since the rebranding, the roof often hosts private corporate events. Always check the hotel’s current website or social media before you Uber down there.
- Dress the Part: The days of showing up in distressed streetwear and getting a pass are mostly over. Think "Smart Casual." It’s LA, so you don't need a suit, but maybe leave the flip-flops at home.
- Parking is a Nightmare: Just use a rideshare. Valet is pricey, and the parking garages nearby are confusing and often poorly lit.
- Golden Hour is Mandatory: The way the sun hits the surrounding glass towers between 5:00 PM and 7:00 PM is breathtaking. It’s the best time for photos, period.
The Future of 550 Flower Street
The evolution of the rooftop at The Standard Downtown LA is a mirror of Los Angeles itself. The city is constantly tearing itself down and rebuilding. It’s a place of reinvention. While some might be sad that the "Standard" era is technically over, the fact that the space is open and thriving under a new name is a win for the neighborhood.
It remains an architectural icon. Whether it's The Standard, The Westin, or whatever comes next in ten years, that rooftop will always be one of the most important square footages in Southern California.
Actionable Next Steps for Your DTLA Night Out
If you're planning to hit the rooftop, do it right. Start with dinner at 71Above for the 360-degree views, then walk the few blocks over to the 550 Flower rooftop for a nightcap. This gives you two completely different perspectives of the city skyline.
Alternatively, if you're looking for that old-school Standard energy, head over to The Hoxton or Proper Hotel in the South Park district. They’ve picked up the mantle of the "cool kid" rooftop vibe that The Standard pioneered.
If you want to experience the specific history of the rooftop at The Standard Downtown LA, go during a weekday afternoon. Grab a seat near the pool, order a classic cocktail, and just look up at the skyscrapers. It’s the best way to appreciate the architecture without the crowds, and you’ll truly understand why this place changed Downtown Los Angeles forever.