Short answer: yes, but not in a magic-bullet way. Furniture can help reduce noise from rooftop bars near apartments, especially the clatter and scrape of chairs, the clink of glasses, and some conversational roar. It won't erase bass from a DJ or a crowd cheering at 1 a.m. For that, you need a layered plan.
The best outdoor furniture pieces are the ones that absorb sound rather than reflect it. Think high-back upholstered sofas, booths, and lounge chairs with marine-grade foam and weather-resistant fabrics. Acoustic screens or partitions made with outdoor-rated felt, recycled PET, or perforated metal over absorptive backing can sit between seating clusters or along the roof edge. Modular planters filled with dense evergreens or tall grasses work as living barriers; they don't absorb much low-frequency sound, but they break sightlines and scatter mid- and high-frequency noise.
Floor treatments matter too. Rubber chair glides and felt pads stop the sharp scrape of chairs on tile or concrete. Outdoor rugs, rubber mats, and composite decking under seating areas reduce footfall noise and vibration. Heavy tables and built-in benches move less, so they don't bang around. If you have a pergola, adding outdoor-rated acoustic baffles or panels overhead can catch some sound before it reaches neighboring buildings.
Acoustic umbrellas and canopies are another option. Some manufacturers now make outdoor umbrellas with sound-absorbing liners or double layers. They're not cheap, and they need wind testing, but they can make a patio feel calmer. Water features can mask conversation, though they can also create their own noise and maintenance issues.
The catch is that most furniture-based solutions are mid- and high-frequency absorbers. They help with chatter, dishes, and chair noise. They do very little for deep bass. So pair them with directional speakers pointed into the bar, subwoofer limits, sound limiters, and a hard curfew for outdoor music. A buffer zone of planters, glass screens, or an enclosed lounge at the roof edge can also protect residents.
Before you buy, check weight loads, wind uplift, drainage, fire ratings, and local noise rules. Rooftop furniture must be commercial-grade and weatherproof. An acoustician can measure where the noise actually escapes and recommend a mix of absorptive furniture, barriers, and operational changes. In practice, the most effective rooftop bars near homes use furniture as one part of a system, not as a standalone fix. It won't make a loud bar silent, but it can take the edge off and show neighbors you're trying.