Ion Rooftop Pool Bar

Not your traditional, LA rooftop bar, but very nice. Come to ion if you are looking for a relaxing day. Not a party scene. This pool/​bar is also located in LA live, connected to the Ritz Carlton/​JW Marriot so there is always something happening here.

First of all the hotel was beautiful. But if you’re coming here expecting a real rooftop bar, then you’d be wasting your time. Instead expect a normal small hotel bar for only their guests. I don’t think they should be marking this place with their own name «Ion» as if it’s a legit bar. They should’ve just called it Marriott Hotel Bar…
We came here on the weekends during the day and it was empty with barely any bar service. I don’t think I would have enjoyed this location even if it was full. Anyways, I’d pass on this spot as this isn’t open to the public and doesn’t even function as a full bar.

Nice pool, always rooms to sit, but remember its not like a Vegas rooftop party, its more like a pool that has a bar and server walking around bringing drinks which worked well for me, especially when the drinks are super strong and 2 will do the trick ! Also the servers are SOOO NICE and kind I loved them

Unilocaled this place out on the 4^th of July for some cool refreshments to enjoy. Maybe it was because it was a holiday that the place wasn’t how I had anticipated it to be. $ 5 underground parking for the first 2 hours. Enter the JW Marriott/​Ritz don’t get confused as to which elevators to take to the 4^th floor (okay, you might get confused — we did; there were so many… not to mention the Animé Expo was going on at the Convention Center so you can say we were kind of distracted as well). There is a sign in the main lobby where it says, «Ion» haha.
The Ion Rooftop Pool Bar is RIGHT next to the pool (which made me want to go swimming, but I didn’t have a swimsuit on me). The bar was pretty empty which was disappointing for me, but it was relaxing I suppose since my friends and I were one of the only ones there. We lounged on the outdoor furniture while sipping on some ice cold drinks. I ordered the Watermelon Margarita… or was it a Mojito? Either way, it was pink and delicious.
It was fairly windy up there, so wearing a flowy skirt like I did was not the best choice… also, there are outlets for you to charge your phone :] (yes, I carried my charger with me — you never know when you might need to re-​charge!). Though there wasn’t any people-​watching going on, it was like we were in our own large private rooftop deck. I wouldn’t mind coming back on a different day/​night when there’s more of a crowd.

Do over!
This is definitely NOT a rooftop pool bar. Yes, there’s a pool and you’re on top of the 4^th floor — but not a real rooftop pool bar. We had to go to three bars in the hotel before coming here. The other three bars in the JW Marriot Hotel FAILED on service. It was a SUNDAY and no attention to service. Then we came across a sign for this place. $ 15 for a Martini! Wow that is killer LA prices for a drink in a plastic cup (I get it, no glass near the pool area). The wife had the martini, she said it was so-​so. What does that mean? Bad. Not much of view here either. So what are we paying for? To people watch. Not that many people here on a Sunday and the one’s here (well, let’s leave it at that). If you’re looking a place to hang out, I would take a PASS on this place.

4^th floor of the Marriot Hotel at LA Live. Our bartender was awesome but I didn’t like the view and for the lack of view, I thought the price of the beer ($ 8 for Stella) was way too much.
We came on a random weekday afternoon around 3pm so it was completely empty. Maybe it’s better on the weekend or I read some of the other reviewers mention taco tuesdays during the summer. But for me, I’m not in any hurry to head back.

Top knotch!

If you’re looking for a little summer fun tonight then head downtown for Taco Tuesdays at the Ion Rooftop Bar & Lounge!
If you’re not familiar, The Ion Rooftop Bar is a fabulous new spot on the fourth floor of the JW Marriott Hotel Downtown and every Tuesday between 5 and 8 it’s Fiesta Time!
The tacos are $ 3 dollars and the views are free! Plus the drinks are specially priced and change weekly.
The only downside of Taco Tuesday’s is that it’s only through July so… Apúrate!
JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE, 900 W. Olympic Blvd., downtown, 213.765.8600.

Finally got around to this place. During the summer on Sundays, they have some food service and live music going on. It gets breezy cold up here, worse if the Ritz shadow blocks out the sun.
Drinks are pricey. I think it worked out to $ 30ish for 2 mimosas during the afternoon.
I was a bit disappointed in the venue and view. Much happier at Perch.

I love this place! The ambiance is great and the bartenders are very friendly!

The buzz is that ION is an alternative to The Standard but it’s probably a replacement. I’ve been a longtime fan and patron of The Standard but ION has me torn. Unfortunately, there are no pods or waterbeds but the sofas are just as cozy and comfortable. Oh, and less people smoking. Definite plus! The atmosphere was relaxing and fit for both business and casual talk. In fact, I was pleasantly surprised by the eclectic mix of people. I personally walked in with a white dress and leather jacket. But, feel free to go with a sexier look. :)
I came here with a group of 12 friends, which is usually not the best idea, but it was more than accommodating. Definite plus! Drinks were $ 12 and what you would expect from a typical downtown la bar. As far as food is concerned, the menu was scant but the service was prompt. The bottom line is that this is an ideal venue for great conversation. It’s low key and quiet when compared to a bar, lounge or nightclub but more accommodating than a tea house.

I got to admit, I do love this place! On the 4^th floor of JW Marriott downtown LA. Another great find in the hidden LA. In my humble opinion, it’s better then the Standard. For me, The Standard gave me a kind of pretentious feel, but here at ION, the feel is more settled, and they play better music. It’s great to bring business chats up here or just hang out with your friends! Cheers! !
It’s cozy and I love those sofa loveseats kind of. em, sofas. I can just fall asleep in them. :-P. The beautiful view over the lighting, I was invited here to check out there hotel here for an event planning venue location. Also included was free drinks and food! Can’t get better then that! They also comp our parking. Usually it’s $ 10 much cheaper then parking in the LA Live parking structures.
This is a great place for happy hour too if you are in the area. Lots of eye candy in suits… ahem!

In a world of drinking on top of hotel roofbars next to a pool, ION definitely ranks number one in my book. So far, I’ve been here 3 times for Chemistry’s parties. The first time we came here we had no idea what to expect. Didn’t even know it was a party. Sundays, people, are a party.
Sunday in early July: because I was with a guy, we had to pay. They tried to charge $ 20 each and we were like, nah. And then they were like, okay okay, $ 20 for you both. So he paid and we went in. Trance music, a huge pool with a few cabanas, a hot tub, and a drinking/​dancing section with a DJ bumpin’ trance music. There was a lot of people dancing and I love dancing and drinking in the middle of the day. Especially next to a pool. Especially on a roof. Drinks: $ 8 beers and $ 12 mixed drinks. Not long after, some guy was dancing with me and he was nice enough to buy drinks for me AND my guy friend! Generosity knows no bounds! How could you go wrong? Afterwards someone spread the word that there was cocaine in room ###. We don’t do drugs but it sounded really exciting nonetheless and being swept up in the dizzying mass hysteria in the elevator, we marched with a troop of people to room ### and were turned away! hahaha. Party’s over. The dude said, barely opening the door. So the lesson? Get to the after party in the hotel room EARLY!
Sunday in late July: walked here from my house because I live less than a mile away and my goddamn platforms BROKE on the way over. It sucked beyond belief and was really hard to look normal and sexy while limping like I just got shot in the kneecap. Even so, was ushered in with NO COVER. That’s right BITCHES. But because of the shoe situation, I couldn’t really dance and was forced to lie in a cabana and occasionally dip into the pool or hot tub. Made tons of friends in the hot tub and a couple gave me a ride home.
Sunday in mid August: learned my lesson with the shoes and wore a more sensible pair this time. Got there around 4pm and they were like, it’s only free before 3pm and now you have to pay $ 10. I was like, um… no. And turned to leave, and the dude was like, okay fine, it’s free. Thank you! Am really glad I went, even though this time, they closed off the pool to the party crowd. The fancy ass Ritz people were probably not happy to have alcohol spilled all over their towels and cabanas time and again. The DJ was awesome and the crowd was pretty hot. Hotter than before. Everyone was wearing white though. It was apparently a white party and I missed the memo and rocked a bright pink dress. Oh well. I danced my ass off next to this really cute guy who didn’t talk to me but there was a vibe. You know what I mean? Ran into people I knew. Made a ton of new friends. Drank with more. Stared at hot trannies with slim slim waists, huge tatas, and heels so pointy they could have doubled as stigmata tools, they wobble about calling each other bitches and flipping their perfectly curled hair with manicured hands that are just a little too large and a little too veiny. Truly fascinating, it’s like a trip to the zoo and observing exotic animals frolicking in a controlled habitat. Finally, my patience was rewarded when the really cute guy started talking to me, and then I met all his friends and we had a blast just dancing and bantering until the party ended.
Sadly, I don’t think Chemistry is throwing anymore Sunday ION pool parties. But if they do, you can definitely catch me at another one later this season.

I wasn’t a huge fan of LA; but I was a huge fan of the JW Marriott and this fine rooftop bar. What a great spot to relax and feel upper class!
Though I didn’t see much of LA beyond the «New Downtown» (I’m unclear of what «Old Downtown» included or looked like); but anyone can have a great time here.
Whether you just want a drink and relax — You can do it. If you want to PARTY to some live music and dance to a DJ — there are days where they have that too. The design is very sexy and very modern — like I said, even this «Pittsburgh Peasant» didn’t feel to out of place. The bartenders are sociable when it’s slow, and quick enough when it’s busy.
Though I won’t be choosing to go back to LA soon, if business ever takes me back, I will make it a point to spend a day here.

This is a gorgeous hidden gem in the new DTLA that no one knows about. I love it.
It’s beautiful, right on the roof of the new Marriott at Staples Center. You get there by going into the Marriott lobby, to a back elevator, floor 4, and past the guest pool to an awesome rooftop bar.
It makes the dtla standard look… old. and sad. and not swank. and I love the standard rooftop.
Ion’s bar is lit up orange, and has these awesome cones that light up at night, giving the entire roof a very hip feel. Cuz no one knows about it yet, and cuz it closes at 10pm, it doesn’t draw the crazy crowds that other equally-​stacked places do. AND therefore, even with the sleek décor, outdoor couches and lounge furniture, and lights galore, it does not feel pretentious ever. Everyone I take here LOVES it.
We sit for hrs sipping on very well-​made cocktails and just chatting. No one rushes us out for space for others. It’s the perfect way to spend all those perfect LA evenings. Great for pre-​game drinks and chilling, sunday late afternoon cocktails, or just a nice view over the new LA Live plaza.

The name is WP24 which stands for Wolfgang Puck on the 24^th floor. I wanted to create a category just for the bar. Hopefully those that live/​work Downtown will share their opinions. Mine is of a Saturday night.
Was really looking forward to a visual treat. I just wanted to sit w/​my girlfriend and enjoy a cocktail, a nice view, maybe some lush or lux seating. The exterior is impressive so I was expecting the same. The décor is very disappointing. There are lofts in the Toy District that BLOW this place away in regards to design, lighting, creativity, comfort. Varnished concrete floors, metal chairs. Dark, boring. The crowd was not local and just weird in vibe. I use the word «crowd» liberally. All 20 peo in there were not interesting. My gf’s had gone up there at 9pm and there were 3 peo. it was now 10:30pm on a Saturday.
We were both dressed nicely. We sat at a table by the window and waited at least 15 min before anyone asked if we wanted a drink. My gf ordered a beer $ 12 and I ordered a cocktail $ 14. Neither of which ever arrived. There was a view but not really impressive. We sat and talked for at least a half-​hour and never saw our waitress again. So we left. I remember talking over some noise. I guess that was music.
Rooftop bar, Ritz-​Carlton … just seemed like a great place (destination-​bar) to meet up w/​co-​wrkrs and friends after work. But FAIL imo. Elevate has a nice view but you have to put up w/​cig smoke. And the Standard (gag) is just too wannabe Hollywd (guest-​list, cover-​chg, $ 20 cocktail) for me.
I wished we ckd out the restaurant but 45 min of nothing and we were over it!

Though a nice atmosphere and and chic location, I would steer clear of Ion for one thing alone: service.
I’m all about LA Posh, but all establishments, be they trendy or not, should follow the same rules:
— Getting a drink should not take an hour.
— Getting food should not take 2 hours.
I will give Ion a few thumbs up: the Manager was on her game, the servers were nice and when the drinks/​food finally came, they were great but I honestly do not appreciate paying for something first and getting it 2+ hours later and having my credit card held hostage during that time.
Long story short; the hotel itself was awesome but Ion was for the birds.

Party all the time! Party all the time! Partyyyy all the timeeeee…
This joint is pretty nice, i mean, what place isnt nice when a big pool is in the middle of it? Its an open roof top bar with some seating on the perimeters. It’s not incredibly high since its only on the 4^th floor, but high enough to see the commoners down below.
To my surprise, in the middle of June in LA — it was around 55 – 60 degrees on this bar so it was a bit nipply. Very hard to dress sexay when its so darn chilly.
Party on Wayne!

New hot spot. The lights around LA Live feel like Vegas, yet somehow there is peace of separation from the world as you look down like a bird. Just a few steps away from the pool, yet feeling entirely exclusive. Dirty Martini Please!

Add another place on your list for downtown people watching and socializing. The Ritz Carlton has a special little spot unknown to many for it’s rooftop bar and lounge. It’s called ION and it’s on the 4^th floor where you can see «the stars» and be in close proximity to all the other attractions Nokia Live has to offer.
Just be aware of the closing time as it has been known to shut down early or have private events. Just give them a call and ask before going.
Parking is $ 10 all night. Just leave by 4:30am