Food & Drink

The Best Sunshine Coast Rooftop Bars To Sip Cocktails In The Sun

By Isabel Croker

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 to wine and dine in the great outdoors. After all, it’s called the Sunshine State for a reason.

Alfresco is our signature style, so the Urban List team has rounded up the best rooftop spots in our sweet slice of paradise to eat, drink, breathe in the fresh air and bask in the sunshine. Scroll on for the top rooftop bars on the Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi country in 2024, where you can wine and dine in the sun.

The Rooftop Bar

8 Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore QLD 4558


Image Credit: The Rooftop Bar | Supplied

Incredible views, a stunning fit-out with a retractable roof, cocktails that’ll have you ordering another on first sip, and a global menu that is packed with fresh flavours—welcome to the Sunshine Coast's OG open-air rooftop bars. The Rooftop Bar is a grand, seven-storey high lavish bar and garden, located across the road from Ocean Street and wouldn’t be out of place in Brisbane, Sydney or even Melbourne.

Perch on a stool at the wraparound bar and vistas unfold in every direction—to the hinterland, across the cityscape and to the sea, with a little glimpse of Old Woman Island in the distance. And while you might come to The Rooftop Bar for one of the best views on the Sunshine Coast, you’ll be staying for the tastes, tipples and an ultra-luxurious interior. 

Circa Rooftop

55 Plaza Parade, Kon Tiki Building, Maroochydore QLD 4558

pink rooftop bar with sweeping curtains
Image Credit: Circa Rooftop | Instagram

Perched high at the top of The Kontiki building in the heart of Maroochydore, Circa Rooftop is a relaxed mix of rooftop bar meets cocktail lounge meets restaurant. Offering panoramic views of the ocean and hinterland, Circa’s extensive drinks and cocktail menu is inspired by the decadence of the 1920s and is certainly not to be scoffed at.

The pink-hued rooftop is prime for every occasion, from casual dining to cocktail soirées and the sunset views are absolutely unmatched. If you can’t decide between all of Circa’s exquisite dining options, dive into their six-course lunch and bottomless spritzers for just $70 per person, and thank us later. Hands down, one of the best rooftop bars on the Sunshine Coast.

26° Bar & Venue

10 Leeding Terrace, Caloundra QLD 4551

Well it isn’t technically a rooftop bar, this elevated poolside bar boasts stunning views and we love it enough that you have to visit. Once reserved exclusively for guests, 26° Bar & Venue is the signature bar at Caloundra’s Rumba Beach Resort and has undergone a stunning transformation. The result?

A stylish new bar and event space that slings up show-stopping cocktails, fine wine and nibbles to boot. If that hasn’t already convinced you, 26° Bar & Venue hosts regular weekend bar events, with some of the Coast’s best live music, and daily happy hours. We’ll drink to that. 

Looking for more? Check out:

Main image credit: Circa Rooftop | 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.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.

Get our top stories direct to your inbox.