With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year—a scorching summer, delightful autumn, mild winter and stunning spring—it’s no wonder we love rooftop bars on the Gold Coast/Kombumerri Country.
Sun-drenched and delicious. For me, a sip with friends is best enjoyed with a little twinkle of sunshine reflecting off my glass. When my husband worked as a Chef at two Gold Coast rooftop bars, my love affair with bites a floor or more up really kicked off. And I've been dining in the great outdoors ever since. Myself and the Urban List team are a bit obsessed with these top-decker delights, and I think you will be too.
Alfresco is our signature style, so we’ve rounded up the best spots on the Gold Coast to eat, drink, breathe in the fresh air and bask in the sunshine. In my opinion, here are 12 of the best rooftop bars on the Gold Coast in 2025.
The Gold Coast's Best Rooftop Bars At A Glance
North Gold Coast Rooftop Bars
Mr P.P’s Deli And Rooftop
43 Nerang St, Southport QLD 4215
Mr P.P.’s serves a collection of cocktails on their rooftop that scream summer. If you’re after something refreshing, opt for The Seaside—vodka, soho lychee and passionfruit. More of a fruity drinker? Then the Summer Lovin is for you—Bacardi Blanca, Malibu, lime, pineapple, agave and egg white.
This multi-level Italian pizzeria and rooftop bar venue is the perfect spot to watch the summer sun go down behind Southport’s impressive skyline and is a buzzing Gold Coast rooftop bar with regular live music. It's right on the tram line too, if that afternoon sipping turns into a starlit evening in Southport.
Aviary Rooftop Bar
5 Melia Ct, Southport QLD 4215
Image Credit: Aviary Rooftop Bar | Instagram
Another top choice for northerners among the best rooftop bars Gold Coast homes, The Aviary offers plenty of rotating weekly specials that are absolutely worth hitting up. Think half price pizzas every Wednesday from 3pm. Say less.
Cool winter's nights on the Gold Coast often boast clear skies, so a snuggle by the fire cuddled up under blankets with a glass of mulled wine is actually a super cute experience.
Live music every Friday and Saturday pairs perfectly with sweeping views of the skyline and inhaling a wood-fired pizza. If you’re trying to keep it clean(ish), opt for one of their healthier cocktails made with kombucha.
The Exhibitionist Bar
Level 5/135 Bundall Rd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
The Exhibitionist Bar is located on Level Five of The Gallery at HOTA, across 233 sqm of indoor and outdoor terrace spaces. This spacious rooftop bar boasts breathtaking panoramic views of the vibrant arts precinct, the Surfers Paradise skyline, the stunning Gold Coast waterways and a western outlook across the hinterland. What can't she do, people.
If that's not enough to get you excited, The Exhibitionist Bar also features a luscious tapas style bar menu with specialty cocktails, an extensive wine list, house-made sodas and local craft beer.
While it feels super fancy, and can be, you're also welcome to order a bowl of chips, a plate of olives and a soda. I've wandered up here after a visit to the gallery to be delightfully surprised to overhear the soundcheck of Missy Higgins prepping for her show at HOTA's ampitheatre. Maybe you'll raise your glass to an artist below. But then again, the view alone is already a star.
The Island Rooftop
3128 Surfers Paradise Blvd, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
Plonked in the middle of Surfers Paradise atop a boutique hotel, The Island Rooftop is a drop of nectar amidst the glitter strip. It’s a rooftop bar setting that resembles Hawaiian luxe and New York sophistication with an extensive—and killer—cocktail list.
I love this place so much that I had my wedding eve catchup here and our reception on the Level 12 Penthouse (which actually also features a rooftop bar available for events), located even higher than The Island Rooftop.
This might just be your new island haven that you’ll never want to leave. I think it's actually a perfect locale to book a room at The Island and make it a staycation for endless sunsets in Surfers.
Surfers Paradise Beer Garden
Cnr Cavill & Orchid Ave, Surfers Paradise QLD 4217
A few years back Surfers Paradise Beer Garden got a multi-million dollar facelift. And what used to be a sticky-floored haunt has transformed into a seriously cool and beautiful spot. Seriously, if you've written off the Beer Garden as a rooftop bar for uni students on cheap drink nights, think again. This place is actually supreme.
The Beery looks slicker than ever and takes full advantage of its prime location. From the retractable roof inviting the gorgeous sunshine and salty breezes to come flooding inside, to the on-trend white and wood paneling, nautical accents, festoon lights and picnic tables donning umbrellas, I'm not sure how many times I have to say this—but one more for good measure—you’ll love this Gold Coast rooftop bar.
The expansive bar lives on via a wraparound deck, with sinkable couches and tables overlooking the palm trees and Cavill Avenue—the perfect position for people-watching.
Central Gold Coast Rooftop Bars
Nineteen At The Star
Level 19, The Darling at The Star Gold Coast, 1 Casino Dr, Broadbeach QLD 4218
Image Credit: Nineteen at the Star | Instagram
Ladies, slip on your heels and gents, dig out that collared shirt, ready for some freshly-shucked oysters. Nineteen at the Star is here to remind us of the Gold Coast’s glitzy heritage.
Complete with floating VIP booths, day beds and a seemingly endless infinity pool, you’ll feel both literally and figuratively sky-high sitting here on the 19th level. Nineteen At The Star is one of the longest-standing and most well-known rooftop bars on the Gold Coast for obvious reasons.
Southern Gold Coast Rooftop Bars
JUJU Mermaid Beach
2235 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach QLD 4218
Image Credit: JUJU | Two Birds Social
It's fine dining meets Euro-inspired party vibes and I'm a big fan of this sprawling Gold Coast rooftop bar. The upstairs retractable roof at JUJU makes way for sun-drenched sips with a birds eye view of the Nobby's strip.
Terracotta booths and a rooftop tree make this one of the most glorious rooftop bars with a unique feel. I honestly cannot get enough of the tequila carts (yes, they're a thing) and the vibe reminds me of some windswept locale in Mykonos.
The menu? It’s all about elevated modern Australian plates with a focus on tomahawks, sashimi and steak tartare. Take your pick from the regular full menu, bar menu, shared set menu, regular set menu, vegan set menu and kids menu—yes, you've got options. On the larger dishes front, the Wagyu flank (MB9+) with dauphinoise, brussel sprouts, jerusalem artichoke, pepper jus is seriously impressive and you would be remiss not to order the Glacier 51 Toothfish with soy and miso marinade and vichyssoise.
Justin Lane Rooftop
1708-1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
As if the truffle oil and chilli margaritas weren’t enough to drag me back time and time again, Justin Lane went ahead and graced us with a rooftop bar a few years back. And its one of the Gold Coast's most iconic joints for a sun-kissed bevvie.
Come for the open patio and warmed outdoor bar, people-watching and booths with views to Burleigh Beach; stay for Justin’s pina coladas and handmade sourdough pizzas. My pick is the prawn and calamari pizza with confit garlic and mozzarella ft. chilli, parsley and a squeeze of lemon. There's a reason this has been on the menu since circa 2011.
If you're looking for one of the very best rooftop bars on the Gold Coast, this vibey Italian restaurant and bar has got you sorted.
Burleigh Pavilion
3a/43 Goodwin Tce, Burleigh Heads QLD 4220
Image Credit: Burleigh Pavilion | Instagram
Undoubtedly one of the most iconic Gold Coast venues, Burleigh Pavilion boasts sweeping views of Burleigh Beach and Surfers Paradise’s iconic skyline, plus enough room for 600 people. Beachside cocktails just got a whole lot better. Design-wise, it’s an Instagram dream.
Think: terrazzo tables, fairy lights, exposed timber rafters, four-metre ceiling heights, splashes of pastel pink and lots of crisp white. For me, Burleigh Pavilion is a clear a standout among the coolest Gold Coast rooftop bars for drinks in the sunshine.
Book a table at The Tropic just next door if you're after a premium dining experience with Mediterranean influences. And surprisingly a modest price point for delightful dishes. I've always had good service here and standout food, and despite it potentially being seen as a showy spot that lacks depth, that's not the case. And the stunning ocean views are simply the icing on the cake.
The Collective Rooftop
1128 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
All hail The Collective Palm Beach and the genius idea to combine five different restaurants under one (retractable) roof. This rooftop bar Gold Coast locals rave about has been home to a swag of themes and pop-up events, and now settles as a signature spot to sip and nibble in the sun.
The best part for me is that no matter the group you're in and what everyone's craving, you can get food delivered from these different restaurants downstairs directly to you.
There's noodle dishes and tacos through to pasta and burgers so literally everyone will be happy; at least that's the consensus with my crew when we go. Open for lunch and dinner seven days, there is plenty of time to get cosy on their sunny rooftop and sip on colourful cocktails; because I'm of the belief that it’s always a good idea to extend that boozy brunch well into the afternoon. Hands down, one of the Gold Coast's best rooftop bars.
Frida Sol
Level 1, 1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD 4221
Inspired by Mexico and the legendary Frida Khalo, this Palm Beach outdoor bar is the perfect place to enjoy a taco and margarita in the sunshine. I've opted for a table here on my birthday the last few years and it never disappoints. I'm a big fan of the muchos nachos topped with habanero jam, coriander crema and guac.
With tiki-style umbrellas, ample outdoor seating and a delicious cocktail list with delights like the Mama Cass (vodka, passionfruit, pineapple juice, elderflower liqueur and mint) and the Troppo Locco (strawberries, vodka, citrus and lemonade) you can't go wrong at Frida Sol.
Main image credit: Burleigh Pavilion | Instagram
Urban List Best Of: has our highest stamp of approval—curated lists of the very best recommendations for you to eat, do, see, buy or book, carefully chosen by our Editors.