Heading up to an Aussie rooftop you can find both spectacular city views and beautiful ocean views. And while skyscraper vistas are cool, our favorite rooftop bars are the ones located by the sea.
Easy to tell, there is a great variety of different rooftops in AU. Here’s The Rooftop Guide's hot-list of the top 12 roof bars you should definitely check out in 2026. Enjoy!
Our complete and up-to date guide to the Best Rooftop Bars in Australia feature all info you need about each rooftop, all at the same place, so you don’t have to scroll around on several different sources finding it.
For each rooftop, this guide presents:
We are full-time rooftop reviewers and content creators. Since launching The Rooftop Guide in 2015, we’ve visited over 1 200 rooftop venues worldwide.
Except from our own experiences and insights, we also work closely with thousands of rooftops and local reviewers, so we can secure correct and updated content for all our guides & articles.
With our vast experience and exclusive focus, we can present you with the most complete and up-to date guides about rooftop venues. And with our insider tips and knowledge, we can guide you to the best and most suitable rooftops for your own needs.
Whether you’re looking for an upscale rooftop dinner, a laid-back rooftop brunch, a vibrant rooftop party or a luxurious hotel rooftop pool, we’ve got you covered.
Descending from Amazonian influence, Soko Rooftop offers an elevated and lavish experience hard to find anywhere else in Brisbane.
Perched on top of the new and impressive Jubilee Place in Fortitude Valley, the 14th floor rooftop is equally impressive in both design and space, covering almost 1500 square metres.
The venue is divided into a deep green, cosy and sleek interior dining room, and a much more bright outdoor bar and lounge, where you get some truly amazing views over Brisbane.
Up here you can enjoy a sophisticated and exotic dining experience, where Peruvian & Japanese style cooking techniques and flavours are combined, creating innovative dishes perfect to share.
There is a selection of wine and saké, especially curated to compliment the unique flavours of each dish, as well as a beverage menu including crafted signature cocktails, and over 40 flavours of Pisco Sours.
Open for both weekday business lunches and high-energy evenings with a view, Soko Rooftop is the Amazonian rainforest escape we all deserve.
Found at the northern end of Cairns iconic waterfront Esplanade, on the 12th floor of the five-star luxury resort Crystalbrook Riley, Rocco is Cairns highest bar & restaurant. The striking rooftop feels both stylish and inviting, blending earthy tones, lush greenery and modern elegance, as well as plenty of comfy seating both indoors and outside.
Through the panoramic windows, and especially on the outdoor terrace, you are surrounded with amazing 270° views stretching over Cairns and the Coral Sea.
Inspired by influences from afar, the Rocco menu features bold Middle Eastern and Mediterranean flavors in both sips and eats. From the bar, you can order creative, well-crafted and herb-infused signature cocktails, and enjoy one of Cairns’ best Champagne lists.
The share-style food selection includes snacks, skewers and plates, as well as a lovely 'Rocco Grazing Mezze'.
Buzzing yet warm and inviting, and cool yet relaxed, Rocco by Crystalbrook really offers a 'one-of-a-kind' setting in Cairns. From golden glow sunset sips, to a full evening filled with great food, drinks and atmosphere, this is the place to go for a special occasion with a panoramic view.
Perched on top of the five-star Hyatt Regency Sydney, Zephyr is one of Sydney's most impressive rooftop bars. Set to make a lasting impression to anyone who visits, Zephyr offers unrivalled views of Darling Harbour against a backdrop of stunning sunsets night after night.
The open-air rooftop bar serves a wide range of fantastic cocktails, from classics to exclusive signatures crafted by Zephyr's mixologists, along with a seasonal menu of sharing plates. Enjoy everything from charcuterie platters, artisan cheese, Wagyu beef sliders, and lobster popcorn, to decadent desserts.
Awarded Hotel Bar of the Year several years in a row, Zephyr provides an elevated experience that marries breathtaking rooftop views with exceptional food and an extensive drinks list.
Whether it's an after work social drink, an evening with friends or celebrating a special occasion, enjoy a taste of sky-high luxury and sophistication at Zephyr.
Found above bustling Murray Street in Perth, Lil’s Rooftop & Bar is an inviting and colorful destination for anyone seeking a blend of classic pub vibes and modern rooftop energy. This dual-level venue features both a downstairs main bar and a retro-chic and an open-air garden rooftop, dotted with fairy lights, high and low seating, and a roof cover, creating a warm, festive ambiance year-round.
Here you can enjoy an Italian-inspired menu designed for sharing, featuring Nonna's Meatballs, pasta, pizza, as well as classic pub favorites. The sparkling drinks menu includes citrus-packed sips, signature cocktails, fresh spritz and classics, along with Lil’s Limoncello, a fine array of wine and local brews.
Lil’s Rooftop & Bar strikes a winning balance between casual comfort and vibrant energy, and from day to night it's a prime escape for refreshing food, drinks and a bit of fun.
Grab your friends and head up for long and sunny lunches, social after work drinks, or vibrant weekend sessions continuing well into the night.
Covering the top floor of one of the most treasured heritage buildings in Toowoomba, George Banks Rooftop rises above the CBD, offering an elevated dining and drinking experience.
The modern and classy rooftop features an interior bistro, an indoor/outdoor space with retractable roof, as well as a breezy alfresco terrace, creating a flexibile venue available whatever the weather.
While not sky-high, the rooftop still offers stunning panoramic views across the charming Toowoomba skyline, continuing out over the surrounding greenery.
The vibrant rooftop menu shines with contemporary Australian cuisine perfect to share, paired with a wide selection of crafted premium cocktails, a great array of both Australian and global wines, as well as crafted beers on tap.
Combining inviting ambiance and great views with refined food and drinks, George Banks Rooftop really excels as Toowoomba’s elevated social spot.
Elevated above the Melbourne CBD, The Stolen Gem Rooftop Bar & Terrace is a fresh, elegant and stylish venue to socialise with a new perspective on the city.
The spacious and impressive 8th floor terrace comes with a luxurious design and fantastic 270° degree city views, including close-ups of the iconic Bourke Street Mall. The retractable roof also makes the terrace weather-safe.
Aiming to provide a truly impressive food and beverage menu, The Stolen Gem serves crafted cocktails made from only the finest of Victorian and Australian spirits, along with beers on tap and a fine selection of premium wine and champagne. The drinks are complemented with decadent canape-style share plates.
Sophisticated yet comfy, with a professional and friendly service, The Stolen Gem rooftop is a prime spot for afternoons/nights with fine cocktails and fine views. Get cosy by the fireplace with a date, or gather a group of friends and enjoy the New York-style settings and the weekend DJs.
Tucked above the Esplanade in Cairns, Whiskey & Wine is a contemporary rooftop oasis, where laid-back charm meets sophisticated flair. Part of the fabulous Crystalbrook Flynn, the rooftop blends a stylish interior with brass and gold accents, and a breezy outdoor terrace with the palm trees as neighbor.
Outside, the panoramic and idyllic views across the Coral Sea and toward the mountains create a truly scenic backdrop, especially as the sun sets and the sky bursts into vibrant color.
Given the name, it should come as no surprice that the Whiskey & Wine menu features an impressive selection of local and imported whiskeys and wines. But the curated, elegant and crafted cocktails, created by the award-winning bartenders, might be even more impressive. The drinks are paired with a set of elevated small plates, ranging from 'Wagyu Tongue Skewer' to 'Prawn & Crab Roll'.
With an intimate and exclusive feel, Whiskey & Wine is a prime destination for both visitors and locals looking for a special evening, where world-class drinks meets stunning views. Come for sunset sips, or wind down in style after dinner.
Perched on top of the fantastic Emporium Hotel South Bank, The Terrace Rooftop Bar is not only South Bank's first rooftop bar, but probably also the most luxurious rooftop destination Brisbane has to offer.
This open-air sanctuary comes equipped with a retractable ceiling and operable glass roof, so you can enjoy the amazing panoramic views across South Bank Parklands and the Brisbane River all year round. And also pretty much all day round, as the rooftop is available from sunrise until late night.
21 floor above the buzz, here you can indulge in expertly crafted signature and classic cocktails, an extensive selection of boutique wines, as well as Asian-inspired bar bites and more filling dishes, like the 'Korean BBQ Pork Ribs' and the 'Terrace Sashimi'.
Settle down in the comfy lounge stools and enjoy some fine and social cocktails with a view, or reserve one of the dining tables and savour a special night dinner. All served in an elegant subtropical atmosphere.
Located on Perth's vibrant waterfront Esplanade, the stylish Quay Perth houses a spirited and sophisticated rooftop destination, offering some of the very best views in the city.
Called HQ Bar + Kitchen, and perched on the 10th floor of the hotel, the rooftop blends a distinct interior lounge inspired by the local landscape with a spacious outdoor terrace, all surrounded by stunning vistas of Elizabeth Quay and Swan River.
To go with the views, the bar and kitchen serves a great selection of innovative and handcrafted cocktails, local craft beers and premium Western Australia wine and cider selections, as well as a wide variety of modern and bold Asian fusion shared plates.
Chic yet friendly, and filled with a lovely ambience and attentive service, HQ Bar + Kitchen is a prime Perth destination for drinking and dining with a view. Pick and choose your favourite sips and bites, or go for a feasting-style menu to share among friends.
Offering 1500sqm of luxe, elevated landscape, Lina Rooftop in South Brisbane is a new addition on the Australia rooftop heaven, serving a sky-high experience out of the ordinary.
The Mediterranean-inspired restaurant & rooftop comes with a Parisian style and lush indoor restaurant and lounge, but most impressive is the open-air terrace. Equipped with daybeds and sunken lounge spots, the centre of attention is the 30-meter-long rooftop infinity pool, on eye level with the Brisbane skyline.
To get the full rooftop pool experience you should reserve one of the poolside daybeds, but Lina works just as well for long lunches and balmy nights. Enjoy something form the raw bar, grill dishes or some shareables, along with fruity signature cocktails, a wide selection of wine and bottle-service spirits.
Come weekends, Lina Rooftop offers both breakfast for the early-birds, Long Lunches, dinners that roll into the night with DJ sessions for the fun seeking crowd. During the 'Pasion Sundays', the vibes start already at 12pm.
For Mediterranean vibes with a side of Sydney views, Café del Mar is the place to go.
Found in the heart of Darling Harbour, this designer restaurant and rooftop bar comes surrounded with beautiful water views of Cockle Bay and the city skyline.
At the interior rooftop restaurant you can indulge in menus inspired by the cuisines of the Mediterranean Coast, with fresh, clean and flavourful dishes prepared by the highly skilled chefs in the open kitchen.
The outside rooftop terrace also serves food as small plates and tapas, along with a seasonal selection of crafted signature cocktails, champagne and fine wines.
Visit Café del Mar for a shared lunch or dinner with friends, an intimate dining experience, sunset cocktails on the terrace, or vibrant weekend nights with the resident DJs.
Relaxed sophistication, glamour, and premium casual Mediterranean lifestyle is promised whenever you go.
Located atop the opulent Oakwood Premier Melbourne hotel in Southbank, Strato Melbourne sets hospitality standards high, offering 360° views of the city, delectable dining and cocktails in the clouds.
Elevated 139 metres above ground, the 40th floor rooftop boasts glamorous furnishings, a decadent restaurant, and elegant lounges to enjoy classic wines and cocktails. All surrounded with extraordinary views reaching far over Port Phillip Bay, across the Yarra River, CBD skyline and beyond.
Towering above both spaces on Level 41 is a secluded, VIP dining and event area designed for intimate celebrations, exclusive functions, and clients who value privacy without compromising the view.
Enjoy an ever-evolving seasonal cocktail collection, elevated old favourites, wines and locally crafted beers, as well as contemporary modern Australian cuisine, spotlighting seasonal produce and locally sourced ingredients.
Truly a bucket list venue, Strato Melbourne offers an all-encompassed, quintessential Melbournian experience.
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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