The 45 best rooftop bars in Sydney

Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is packed on weekends as Sydneysiders come to enjoy Sunday Sessions with buckets of tiger prawns and an Aperol spritz or two as the sun is setting. The rooftop offers stunning views of sparkling blue water and live music often plays late into the night.

Old Mate’s Place is a chimera, combining the best of moody candle lit drinking with the surprise element of a sunny rooftop bar into the bargain. Clock off early to score a seat up amongst the potted plants and down Negronis and Jamaican beers in the late-evening light.

There are few views in Sydney that can rival the majesty of the harbour panorama from rooftop of the Glenmore Hotel down in the Rocks. It's always a good bet for when you have visitors from out of town and weekends get crowded, but we're just as keen on heading here on a Monday for a $19.90 steak and a quiet drink with mates.

Found on top of the Strand Hotel in Darlinghurst, Moroccan and Mediterranean-inspired rooftop bar Kasbah offers sweeping views of the city skyline coupled with dreamy decor that takes cues from the colours and life of Marrakesh – think pastel lounges, vibrant tiles, Persian rugs and lush greenery. If that’s not saying sunset drinks, we don’t know what will.

Slims Rooftop is named after American socialite photographer Slim Aarons, though it could equally refer to the narrow stairs leading to rooftop — there’s a good amount of side-sashaying and waiting-on-the-landing as staff and patrons patiently wait to climb up or down the stairs. But don’t despair, because it’s a stairway to heaven. Slim’s is an open-air oasis with succulent plants and low walls, allowing for stunning views of the art-deco buildings on William Street and the glittery skyscrapers of the not-too-distant CBD. 

This perennial Eastern Suburbs favourite got a major facelift from top to bottom in 2019. The ground floor remains largely the same, the crown jewel, though – quite literally – is the venue’s rooftop, which somehow remains one of the best kept secrets in town. There’s a retractable roof and rosé on tap, which means you can soak in those unparalleled city views with a glass of something nice in hand, rain or shine, all year long.

Got plans this weekend? You do now. Bring your mate and come check out Harper Rooftop Bar. And guess what? Your dog is invited to come, too. Found on level seven of swish hotel Kimpton Margot Sydney, Harper Rooftop Bar reckons they are Sydney’s largest open-air rooftop bar, complete with fun and fruity cocktails and crowd-pleasing food by star chef Luke Mangan.

The second of four box-fresh establishments to open at restaurateur Brett Robinson's CBD hospo hub Shell House, the Sky Bar is an Art Deco dream in earthy hues. The menu of cocktails and bar snacks is a streamlined affair, but with a surprising level of sophistication. While there are a couple of more substantial plates on offer, the majority of the eats are essentially bougie finger food. 

The Butler's al fresco garden terrace has sweeping views of the entire city, providing the perfect backdrop to a night making your way through the extensive cocktail menu.

If the Tocky wasn’t already a treasured Glebe local for pub grub on a sunny Sunday, their new rooftop terrace might have just sealed the deal. The pub underwent renovations in September 2023 to create a nook upstairs that is cosy, light-filled and offers prime views of Glebe’s lush greenery and the city’s skyline. 

Up on top of the newly renovated Hotel Palisade is a modern bar called Henry Deane, which is taking your after work drinks in the Rocks to great new heights, and we're guessing will be a hotly contested space for the New Year's fireworks displays.

The Coogee Pavilion and its spectacular rooftop are making a serious play for our number one summertime haunt. Go here for cold-pressed juice highballs, tasty meats cooked over coals and the uninterrupted glory of the Sydney coastline.

George Street stalwart Jacksons on George has finally reopened with a fresh look and ex Icebergs chef at the helm. The multi-level venue houses a casual bar down below, and a charming bistro on level one. But when the sun is shining we're heading straight to the airy rooftop and taking a seat underneath the building’s architecturally striking veil (we reckon it looks like a wave.) One Negroni, please.

Sydney can't get enough of rooftop bars. And we can't get enough of breweries. So it was only a matter of time before one of Marrickville's most beloved craft beer purveyors bit the bullet and brought this love affair full circle. Enter: Marrickville Springs, the '80s tropicana resort-style bar atop Philter Brewing in Sydney's Inner West. The airy sky-high bar is pretty in pink, with warm wooden bench seating and tropical plants galore.

Head up to level 32 of the InterContinental for a nightcap, where flash rooftop bar Aster is located. The Classic Negroni goes down a treat, though we aren’t here for the drinks. Not really. We’re here for the views. From the charcoal suede seats, or standing outside on the wrap-around bar, you can see the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Opera House, glittering city skyline and Royal Botanic Gardens all rolling below. These have got to be some of – if not the best – views in Sydney.

They guys behind the Greens and Acre Eatery have brought their green thumbs and cocktail shaking hands to a Mosman rooftop. The Fernery has views out over the harbour all the way to North Head, and they've brought urban farmer Adrian Baiada on board to build them an outdoor kitchen garden. 

It’s only once you’re sitting on the beautiful deck of this third-floor cocktail lounge that you realise that it was the missing piece of Sydney’s bar puzzle all along. The Solotel group went and made Opera Bar a suave sister in the form of Smoke – the crowning glory of Barangaroo House. Up here, things are strictly professional. You are greeted at the entranceway, shown to a seat, started a tab and possibly given a time limit until the next booking arrives (they do not follow the finders keepers rules here). 

Zanzibar has changed their name and changed up their offering. Don't worry, you can still get beers on the roof and late night party vibes are still strong on weekends, but in between they've revamped the drinks offerings, hosting wine and whisky dinners and given this multi-storey Newtown pub a bit of a spruce up.

The Cauliflower on Botany Road is a Sydney institution. They've jazzed up the interiors and opened up a rooftop rum bar upstairs. On the food front, all your classic pub grub is there for the taking, from your schnittys to your steaks and beer-battered barramundi. But they’re also pumping out more novel bites, nailing Asian, Caribbean and vegetarian briefs. Best of all, you can still get a cheap counter feed here thanks to daily food specials that won't break the bank – hello $6 tacos.

This former bank is one of Oxford Street’s more revered and historic gay bars. The upstairs bar of this popular queer haunt is lounge-inspired, where designer lamps and mood lighting set a retro-inspired tone, all pretty swish. Further up, there's an awesome rooftop cocktail bar where you can watch the sun go down over the city. Rotating DJs, top-shelf drag shows, a standard selection of beers on tap and a creative cocktail list makes the Colombian a great spot to chill with friends (or take a walk on the wild side).

On the top level of the recently refurbished Shelbourne Hotel on Sussex Street you'll find the Rooftop, a Hamptons inspired watering hole, with some of the best views of Darling Harbour in town. Think palms, hanging chairs and rattan lounges with a backdrop of blush and bashful sunsets, or dazzling blue skies through a retractable roof. Pizzas, bar snacks and salads will keep you fueled for another flute of bubbles.

The Burdekin is a skinny corner pub that has been guarding the entrance to Oxford Street since 1847, and it has recently added a rooftop bar to the mix. Standing five storeys up, this casual-chic watering hole is the only one of its kind on Oxford Street. Take in sweeping views of Sydney’s main drag for queer partying, stretching out to Hyde Park and to the Domain as you sip on original cocktails by the likes of the Back Ally, the Slutty Mermaid and the Pink Flamingo. 

We don’t need to tell you by now how much Sydney loves a rooftop bar, and the top floor addition to the East Village Hotel (previously the Darlo Village) is an A-grade, lofty drinking perch. Sure, if cardio isn’t your friend you may even find you have to take a breather at the second floor, but that’s not going to be a problem because that’s where they added the Athletic Club, a vintage sports-themed bar that has a very toffy, “I went to Eton during the Downton Abbey years” vibe about it. 

Making the most of its beachside location, the alfresco tmerrace is pitched at a younger, casual clientele, who can kick back with friends, vodka soda in hand, as evening moves in over the Coogee sands just across the street. This leafy courtyard has its own dedicated bar, housed in a gleaming stainless steel Airstream-style trailer, and laidback, Coachella vibes that effortlessly transition to an after-dark party atmosphere with live music, DJ sets, a projector screening beachy flicks and twinkling bistro lights strung overhead.

Like Narcissus staring adoringly at his own reflection, Sydney’s a city enamoured with its own good looks, hence our obsession with rooftop bars. The open-air, top floor bar is definitely the jewel in the Light Brigade’s rejuvenated crown. The old pub underwent extensive changes since the Bayfield family took ownership a few years back, and adding the top floor bar was a power move that makes the most of the pub’s prime Oxford Street location, with views stretching from Paddington clear across to the Coathanger. 

Applejack Hospitality, the crew behind Rafi, Taphouse and Bopp and Tone, and also behind this Southern Californian-style restaurant and bar. The sunny rooftop is the ideal place for the consumption of quesadillas, ceviche, Margaritas and tacos.

It's everything you know and love about the Imperial – camp, glitz, glamour, disco, pop art and Queerdom in all its fabulousness – just one level up, with a more Italian-leaning menu and a glittery golden pizza oven. We vote yas. 

Nick and Nora's is all about the numbers: it's 26 levels up in the air, has room for 300 punters, boasts a list of spirits 900-strong and 270-degree views that stretch from the Blue Mountains on one side to a teeny tiny Harbour Bridge on the other horizon.

So what if it's on top of a Westfield? You're smack bang in the centre of the city, which makes this massive Middle Eastern rooftop bar, lounge and restaurant a handy option to keep in your back pocket after a long day of shopping or if you're in need an al fresco hangout for after-work drinks. Cocktails have clever Levantine twists (cumin seeds, Turkish coffee, baklava caramel) and there's a solid menu of modern meze to keep your stomach lined, including a wicked duck gozleme.

This legendary boozer at Five Ways has been a Paddo locals' favourite for many a decade, but the roof still remains something of secret. If the climb to the top doesn't take your breath away, the skyline views certainly will – and a 2019 refresh saw the installation of a retractable roof and wine taps, which means that you can rosé all day even when the stormy weather hits.

We’re of the opinion that any high-rise in Sydney that could have a cracking cocktail bar on its roof, but doesn’t is a tragic waste of lofty boozing opportunities. Lucky this one that does lobster and burgers is definitely making it onto the Christmas card list. There’s just something so much better about drinking at altitude and dinner on high.

The forces behind Salt Meats Cheese have turned their attention to the bar side of things, and Ombré is the result. There's somewhat of a shortage of rooftop drinking stops in and around Circular Quay, surprisingly, which makes this Italian-ish option all the more tempting... and so does aperitivo hour from 4-6pm all through the working week. 

It turns out there's even more to the Streets of Barangaroo than what you see at ground level. Head up to this leafy open-air spot for tropical cocktails named after birds (yes, there's a Flamin' Galah) and direct views over Darling Harbour.

There’s something about being elevated and exposed to the elements that enhances a night on the tiles, so it's good news all round that the Republic Hotel has opened a rooftop bar called Taylors. If you head here around knock-off the place is packed with people who know what good tailoring looks like. This is the place to order up chilled glass tankards of Asahi, frosty Peronis or a crisp rosé.

Hotel bars don't get quite the hype in Sydney that they should. You'll get an exceptional cocktail here – the crew behind the bar make pretty much everything from scratch. The list can get a bit la-di-da with all kinds of vanilla-infused hooey, but stand out on the deck overlooking the QVB with a Moscow Mule and be happy.

Getting to the roof of this bar is like an Olympic event, but it's worth it when you get there. Make your way to the top of this tower and be rewarded with tooth-freezingly cold Peronis and great views over the big city canopy.

Our favourite part of the Steyne is up on the top floor, with spectacular views out over the breakers from the balcony and a stage at one end for live bands. 

Everyone has an opinion about the Pool Club. But when you get down to it, the fact that you can get your gills wet up high in the heart of the city, cold drink in hand, is undeniably awesome. And there's usually a hot bod or two to gawp at.

A friendly Newtown local haunt that is not much wider than its moniker suggests; they do long necks, local wines, a few craft beers, simple cocktails and a few snacks. Prized real estate is the chilled-out open rooftop overlooking the backstreets.

The Cross began reimagining itself in 2021, but Sweethearts is a reliable classic. Get the squad together, head up the seven flights of stairs and spend the afternoon necking Pimm's on tap and jugs of sangria. It's not only wines on tap here, but beers as well – come for the drinks, stay for the quasi beach-club-style atmosphere. 

Once a wizened watering hole for elderly gents and gig-goers spilling over from the nearby Gaelic Club, the Strawberry Hills is now more of as a hipster hideaway following a snazzy refurbishment and a late-night license that’s as rare as hen’s teeth. All the action is to be found upstairs out on the rooftop terrace that is open to the night sky.

A house of low and slow barbecue and bourbon has arrived in Sydney's north west, smoking up the Hillside Hotel’s rooftop. Pitmaster Brad Shorten is behind Fire and Brimstone, a barbecue spot inspired by America's deep south. Fire and Brimstone is open five nights a week, and it's a first in, first served the brisket kind of affair, so get in nice and early because they shut up shop once they've sold out of meat.

Behind a somewhat austere stone facade, the Woollahra Hotel is all about abundance. It’s a pub, sure – but it’s a pub in Woollahra, a little pocket just off the tail end of Paddington and home to pretty terraces, tree-lined streets and one of the city’s highest median incomes. Walking upstairs from the main entrance leads you to a picture-perfect semi-outdoor terrace complete with a vertical living garden – fern fronds will gently brush you during dinner, like it or not – and an expansive, glass-walled dining space.

A Rocks landmark, the Orient Hotel has an outdoor courtyard perfect for summer drinking and serves bar food. It also has a restaurant situated on the first floor serving modern Australian cuisine in elegant surroundings.