ALLENTOWN, Pa. – A new spot for signature cocktails, stellar skyline views and socializing with friends is now open in Lehigh County.
Palo Santo Rooftop Bar + Lounge, a rooftop venue offering specialty drinks, live music and more, opened about a month ago at the Americus Hotel, at 555 Hamilton St. in downtown Allentown.
The Americus Hotel is located at Sixth and Hamilton streets in downtown Allentown.
Ryan Kneller
The new outdoor venue, open Tuesday through Sunday (weather permitting), occupies a rooftop terrace above the hotel’s ballroom and overlooking North Sixth Street and the ArtsWalk.
“We feel like it’s a really great addition to Allentown,” said Ryan Abdouche, managing director of Americus Hotel Allentown, Unscripted by Hilton
“People always seem to be holed up inside. So, this gives them a fun and unique space to enjoy the weather. We’re very excited about it.”
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Palo Santo guests are able to soak in cityscape and sunset views while hanging out with friends and family in a relaxing, tropical atmosphere – complete with palm trees and thatch roof accents.
The rooftop venue features a variety of seating options, including high-top tables and VIP lounge areas with cushioned furniture.
“Hidden above the city, you’ll find the essence of Tulum with a hint of the Dominican Republic,” an online description reads. “Escape to your new oasis, where live music, curated shisha, and signature drinks come together to create an unforgettable rooftop experience.”
Palo Santo offers a variety of signature drinks, including the “La Coshita” lychee martini (premium rum, lychee liqueur, fresh lime and simple syrup), “La Pina” (white rum, pineapple juice, coconut cream and fresh pineapple, served in a pineapple glass), “La Vuelta de Mexico” (reposado tequila, fresh lime and Jarritos grapefruit soda, served with Tajín rim in a traditional clay mug), “Santo Libre” (Brugal 1888 rum, fresh lime, premium cola and Palo Santo smoke) and “Palo de Coco” (refreshing coconut mojito with coconut rum, coconut water, fresh lime, mint and fresh coconut).
“Crafted with premium spirits, fresh ingredients, and bold flavors, each signature drink is designed to turn every visit into an unforgettable experience,” reads a message on Palo Santo’s website.
Guests also can enjoy a wide array of classic cocktails such as mojitos, margaritas and sangria, along with a wide array of domestic and imported beer and wine.
Additionally, Palo Santo offers bottle service, with champagne, agave, aged spirits and rare labels served to your table with mixers, ice and a full presentation under the lights of the rooftop.
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A curated selection of hookah and shisha selections, including traditional flavors like mint and exotic flavors such as melon and raspberry, also is available.
Reservations are highly recommended but not required to secure a VIP area or high-top table. Walk-ins are welcome.
To reach Palo Santo, guests should enter through the lobby, go past the reception desk, enter the glass doors and take the elevator in the back to the “SD Floor.”
The rooftop bar and lounge features a dress code, with certain attire such as excessively baggy clothing, pants below the waist and vulgar or offensive graphic T-shirts not permitted (see Palo Santo’s Instagram page for full dress code or send a direct message via the Instagram page with specific inquiries).
“We wanted to create a welcoming space for people to hang out and have conversations over drinks while enjoying the weather,” Abdouche said. “So far, everyone’s really loving it.”
The Americus Hotel, which opened in 1927 and temporarily shuttered in 2002 due to deteriorating conditions, reopened for overnight stays in 2021 following a decade of restoration and updates by the Americus Hotel team, led by hotel owner Abdouche’s father, Albert Abdouche.
The ornate Jazz Age hotel showcases architecture paying homage to Old World Spain with elements of Art-Deco.
Featuring arched windows, elegant ballrooms and French marble floors, the hotel is named after Amerigo Vespucci, the Italian-born navigator who sailed for Spain.
Today, the 13-story hotel maintains its historic elements while featuring contemporary amenities like free wifi, a fitness center and the Windows on 6th restaurant.
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A lower-level Americus Nights venue, which opened as a nightclub in March 2025, is now mostly utilized for private events, Ryan said.
“We tried to open it every weekend, but it’s a lot to take on,” Ryan said of the Americus Nights space.
“So, we’re now renting it out from time to time for private events. We do a lot of wedding after-parties and events like that.”
Palo Santo, which also can be rented for private events, has regular hours of 4-10 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1-10 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, weather permitting.
For the latest updates, follow Palo Santo on Instagram. Info: palosantorooftopmenu.online.