Sydney is a city with stunning views from almost every angle, making it the perfect spot for a solid smattering of gorgeous rooftop bars.
From a Palm Springs-inspired rooftop spot at one of Urban List's favourite Inner West breweries to a famous rooftop pool club, a secret rooftop in the heart of the city, and a swanky hotel rooftop bar with second-to-none views of the harbour, Sydney/Eora's rooftop bar game is strong.
Here are Urban List's picks for the best rooftop bars in Sydney right now.
Aster Bar At The InterContinental Sydney
117 Macquarie Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Aster | Supplied
There's always something special about sipping cocktails at a fancy hotel bar. Even more so when the bar features spectacular views of one of the prettiest harbours in the world. Aster Bar is a part of The InterContinental Sydney's $110 million renovation, and was designed by the team at Woods Bagot with plush lounges in the hotel's signature blue and green and an opulent marble centre bar. Expect breathtaking scenery 32 floors up, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and beyond.
Jacksons On George
76 George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Jacksons on George | Supplied
Jacksons on George has entered a shiny new era as a three-storey dining and drinking precinct—complete with a Euro-style bistro, casual public bar, and beaming rooftop bar—all under the guidance of legendary Sydney restaurateur Maurice Terzini and Michael Broom's DTL Entertainment Group (DTLE).
Up on the rooftop there's an elevated menu with slow-cooked duck sausage rolls, Moreton Bay bug buns, spatchcock cotoletta, and burgers served on Martin’s rolls, alongside cocktails created by bar manager Sam Kirk and Re's Matt Whiley.
Four Hundred
36 Blue Street, North Sydney
Image credit: Four Hundred | Chad Konik
An ode to agave spirits, Four Hundred is a North Sydney rooftop bar and kitchen packing plenty of spice, with a modern Mexican menu with sharing and snacking options and cocktails crafted from tequila in a space filled with raw materials, terracotta, natural oak timbers, and hues of blue to evoke the Mexican coastline.
Those branching out from the classic and spicy margarita can explore sips like the Mayahuel with Sesión Blanco tequila, mezcal, Aperol, passionfruit, lemon, agave and egg white, or the Cafe de Olla blending Sesión mocha, espresso, pineapple, citrus before being clarified.
Weekends kick off with DJs every Friday from 4pm, while Saturdays see an $89pp bottomless lunch take to the open-air space, offering flowing margaritas, mimosas, wines, and beers.
Kiln At Ace Hotel Sydney
47-53 Wentworth Avenue, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Kiln | Supplied
Sitting 18 storeys up with a spectacular and rare view across Surry Hills, Central Station, and the city, Kiln is Ace Hotel Sydney's rooftop dining destination. It's the hotel's crown jewel, complete with retractable ceilings, glass walls, and chef Mitch Orr at the helm. Enter via a back laneway, where hotel lobby elevators will teleport you to two spacious terraces, with the kitchen and glowing woodfired hearth as the centrepiece.
Here, Orr is flexing his genre-bending skills with fiery native ironbark and assorted fruitwoods to flame and smoke a neat list of fun but inventive dishes. On the menu are snacks like Jatz with smoked butter and anchovy and larger plates like grilled Abrolhos Island scallops with preserved lemon butter, and marron with desert lime and long pepper.
Casa Rosa At The Abercrombie
100 Broadway, Chippendale
Image credit: Casa Rosa | Supplied
Known exclusively as an epic late-night haunt in its past life, The Abercrombie had a facelift in late 2022 that included a major overhaul of its beer garden and club space, the addition of a wine shop and bar next door and, lucky for us, a fresh rooftop terrace. Casa Rosa is an Italian-inspired space with luxe pink, green and lobster-red finishes, a Mediterranean-inspired cocktail and aperitivo menu (with food available till midnight), and DJs spinning Italo-disco tunes under the mirror ball.
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Cirq At Crown Sydney
1 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Image credit: CIRQ | Website
Suspended above the sparkly waters of Barangaroo with spectacular views to the west and east of the city, Cirq is Crown Sydney's stunning rooftop spot. At 26 floors up, this is the highest rooftop bar in Sydney. Indulge in fancy signature cocktails like a Pavlova Brulee Fizz while you snack on cheese or seafood towers, a caviar platter, or duck and mushroom truffle empanadas.
This is a special spot to take in the sights and sunsets, like the Harbour Bridge as the sun dips beneath the Blue Mountains. On Wednesdays and Thursdays, drop in for the sunset cocktail hour, where signatures are $12 and oysters are just $2 a pop.
Marrickville Springs At Philter Brewery
92-98 Sydenham Road, Marrickville
Image credit: Philter Brewing | Website
While most rooftop haunts seem to centre around the CBD where the buildings are a little taller and the views a bit more glam, the Inner West has its own rooftop spot (and it's on top of a warehouse brewery, naturally).
Following the opening of their taproom in 2020, Philter Brewing launched Marrickville Springs—a sunny rooftop bar that channels '80s Palm Springs resort vibes. Here, you can sip frozen cocktails crafted by the team at Jacoby's, as well as Philter's top-notch ales and lagers. To eat, the '80s theme runs strong with prawn cocktails and fancy Aussie cheese platters. As well as potted palm trees and a cute mural by local artist Mielo, there's also a retractable roof so this Sydney rooftop bar can be enjoyed all year round.
Zephyr At Hyatt Regency Sydney
161 Sussex Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Hyatt Regency | Supplied
Love a beautiful sunset and a G&T? Zephyr, the stunning bar set atop the Hyatt Regency in the heart of the city, is the spot to experience the best of both here in Sydney. With a second-to-none 180-degree view of Darling Harbour, the bar faces west, making this the perfect place to be as the sun sinks beneath the horizon.
This Sydney rooftop barbar has an impressive list of signature cocktails to sip, including six signature gin spritz's (our favourite is the Mediterranean), premium concoctions made with top-shelf spirits like Hibiki Harmony and Laphroaig 10YO Spray, and soft serve ice cream cocktails, which are perfect on a hot afternoon.
Kasbah At The Strand
99 William Street, Darlinghurst
Image credit: The Strand Hotel | Supplied
The rooftop bar at The Strand Hotel is the final piece of the puzzle of the 100-year-old pub's recent renovation. Reimagined as a multi-storey dining precinct, the ground floor is home to a Paris-inspired bistro, but the rooftop bar, Kasbah, is where you want to head for a French/Moroccan experience and CBD skyline views.
The menu of grazing plates has dishes like duck, pistachio and burnt honey pastilla, yellowfin tuna crudo in lemon and saffron vinaigrette, and spiced tiger prawns, and cocktails by the team from sibling venue Maybe Sammy include the Ficus (gin, fig, ginger, dry vermouth, white peach and jasmine soda) or The Silk Road (vodka, coffee liqueur, tahini, cardamom and rose water).
Sky Bar At Shell House
37 Margaret Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Shell House | Instagram
Perched on top of a stunning heritage building at Wynyard, Sky Bar is one element of the three-part dining experience on the top floor at Shell House. Floor-to-ceiling glass doors surround the sprawling rooftop bar and open-air terrace, giving it a very inside-outside feeling. A stunning polished timber bar is the centrepiece, encircled by plush lounges in sleek caramel hues and rattan lounges.
To drink, choose from tongue-in-cheek investment banker-inspired cocktails like the Negative Gearing, made with clarified ice cream bourbon, amaro, hazelnut, and smoked coconut. There are also champagnes, progressive and classic wines, or a breezy list of spritzes.
Harper Rooftop Bar At Kimpton Margot
Kimpton Margot Sydney, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Harper | Dexter Kim
A poolside rooftop bar for cocktails, Mediterranean-inspired snacks and urban views atop the Kimpton Margot Sydney, Harper is the largest open-air rooftop bar in Sydney’s CBD.
Decked out with a beach club atmosphere with colourful pod seating, communal long dining tables and lush greenery by the hotel’s sparkling pool, Harper is a sanctuary among the CBD skyline. The drinks list is a selection of playful and premium summer favourites, with slushie cocktails including friesling (frozen riesling), a build-your-own martini station, and award-winning wines, and a seafood-heavy Mediterranean menu.
The Glenmore Hotel Rooftop Bar
96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
Image credit: The Glenmore | Instagram
A gorgeous heritage pub that's been pouring cold ones for over 100 years, The Glenmore also happens to have a rooftop bar with pretty epic Opera House views and great vibes on weekends—she gets busy.
Head up to the rooftop bar to enjoy your drink or pub schnitty in the sunshine (or under the retractable roof if there isn't any). This spot's a great option to impress visitors to Sydney in a casual setting.
Old Mate's Place
199 Clarence Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Old Mate's Place | Instagram
Half the fun of this CBD bar is actually finding it (cue a couple of flights of stairs and an unmarked door). Old Mate's Place bears shelves upon shelves of old-school books and lush plants and is brought to you by the same crew that gave us Kittyhawk and Lobo Plantation, so yeah, the drinks menu is actually off the tap.
You’ll be in for some pretty stellar views of the city from the rooftop space plus a rotating menu offering up one hell of a Philly cheesesteak, or you can settle into the dim and moody downstairs once the sun sets.
Lady Banks Rooftop Bar
25 Restwell Street, Bankstown
This rooftop bar is Sydney’s largest and it takes up some serious skyline—10 floors high to be exact—right in the heart of Bankstown. Inspired by the Lady Banks rose, every knick-knack and crevice oozes romance—like festoon lights, plush lounges, a freestanding fireplace and views of the Blue Mountains.
The cocktail menu is where you’re going to want to spend most of your time, with mega share concoctions made for four–seven people. The Usual Suspects has your and your mate’s names written all over it. It’s made with vodka, watermelon, and basil, and is served in a three-litre crystal dispenser, naturally.
29/30 At W Hotel Sydney
31 Wheat Road, Sydney
Now open after years of anticipation in Darling Harbour, W Sydney is topped off with a sleek two-level rooftop bar called 29/30. The Sydney rooftop bar atop the iconic curved building will serve a menu of Basque tapas alongside a luxe selection of cocktails, wine and vintage champagne in a yacht-inspired space looming over the hotel's 30-metre mosaic-inlaid infinity pool and harbour skyline. Read more about 29/30 here.
Smoke At Barangaroo House
35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
Designed to resemble a stack of bowls, Barangaroo House is one of a few seriously striking buildings perched by the harbour at Barangaroo. Its top floor is Smoke—a sophisticated rooftop bar that peers over to Sydney's west, making it one of the best places to catch a sunset in Sydney.
As the name suggests, food and drink are smoke-inspired. Executive Chef Tom Hayne's crab sambo, Wagyu slider, and fried smoked brisket doughnuts are both the stuff of legend, and the seasonal cocktails are meticulously crafted.
Pool Club At The Ivy
330 George Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Merivale | Website
If a rooftop pool party is what you're searching for, Pool Club at the ivy precinct is for you. Smack bang in the middle of the city, Pool Club is brought to you by the Merivale crew, who have a rep for creating some of Sydney's best hospitality experiences. The Pool Club features a Santorini aesthetic with chic striped loungers, and on the weekends you can expect to find drag brunch in the morning and DJs spinning house and disco beats for you to dance the night away.
To drink, our pick of the signature cocktails is the Frank Ocean-inspired Swim Good, which is a concoction of Absolut Elyx, Americano Bianco, fruit salad wine cordial, grapefruit, and soda. If you're hungry, there's Mediterranean-style antipasti and pizza and, yes, the cabanas come complete with table service.
Henry Deane At Hotel Palisade
35 Bettington Street, Millers Point
Image credit: Destination NSW
It's pretty hard to miss Hotel Palisade—the grand heritage-listed pub peers over Barangaroo Reserve, Millers Point, and Sydney Harbour and is an absolute gem if you want to soak up uninterrupted Sydney Harbour Bridge views.
Henry Deane is the pub's rooftop bar spread across two floors. It's tricky to score a spot on the pint-sized sun-drenched balcony, but when you do, there are few nicer spots in Sydney to be. Signature cocktails include the Agave Love, with Olmeca Altos tequila and Vida mezcal, and the Go Slow Man, with Appleton signature rum, JM Agricole, curacao, orgeat, lime, and honey, and there's a short but sweet menu of delicious bar snacks designed to be shared.
Taylor's Rooftop At The Republic Hotel
69-73 Pitt Street, Sydney CBD
The top floor of the Republic Hotel is Taylor's Rooftop—a casual Sydney CBD rooftop bar with a vertical garden and great vibes on a Saturday night, and the retractable roof means the party is on even when it's raining.
For the most part, this rooftop spot is an open-air bar and dancefloor charged up with house beats spun by local and international DJs. To eat, it's a pub food vibe with chicken schnitzel, beef brisket nachos, Chiko spring rolls, and sweet potato chips fueling your big night on the DF.
Nick & Nora’s
45 Macquarie Street, Parramatta
Champagne, cocktails, and canapes—nothing quite beats the glamorous and decadent post-prohibition atmosphere you’ll find at Nick & Nora’s. Located on the 26th floor of V By Crown, this Sydney rooftop bar was inspired by the fictional murder-solving duo Nick and Nora Charles from the 1930s detective story The Thin Man.
The cocktail menu reads like a novel with various cocktails taking inspiration from stock characters like The Femme Fatale and The Snitch. If champagne is your jam, there’s a bubbles bible with more than 50 different drops to choose from. If you want to channel your best Tony Montana, there’s also a cigar menu filled with Cuban cigars.
Slims Rooftop At Hyde Park House
47/49 William Street, Darlinghurst
This beauty is the cherry on top of Hyde Park House and overlooks Sydney’s Hyde Park with uninterrupted views of the CBD. The menu is Asian fusion served izakaya-style, so you’re in for a whole lot of share plates alongside a slew of glorious cocktails at this laid-back rooftop bar.
You can dig into dishes like veggie tacos pumped with green chilli and nori, crispy pork belly bao buns, and pork gyoza, and the cocktails here are pretty major, with all your staple espresso martinis, Aperol spritzes, margaritas, and Bloody Marys in the mix.
Imperial Rooftop
35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
Image credit: The Imperial | Website
If you're in need of a great night out The Imperial in Erskineville is always a great option, and the sprawling pub's rooftop bar, complete with a sparkling golden pizza oven helmed by The Pizza Bros has you covered from the cocktails to the tunes, entertainment and LGBTQIA+ friendly energy.
Imperial Rooftop does epic pizzas, and an extensive booze menu that offers an array of jugs and delish cocktails that’ll remind you of the good times and have you dancing well into the night.
East Village Hotel
234 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst
Image credit: East Village Hotel | Instagram
The rooftop bar at East Village changes with the seasons—dishing out bright, summery cocktails during the warmer months and a light, fresh menu to match the unbeatable views. Don't worry if you get too hot up there; East Village has installed cooling mist jets and big umbrellas for shade.
Come winter, East Village transforms the terrace into a cosy wonderland garden complete with a canopy of fairy lights, cosy faux fur throws and even a fireplace to keep you cosy.
Sweethearts Rooftop
Potts Point
Sweethearts Rooftop at the Potts Point Hotel is still killing it in every way. A world above the bustle of the inner city, this chilled-out joint has delicious cocktails, craft beers, and a tempting Mexican menu. Be sure to tuck into the torta, it’s a real slice (or slab) of Mexico City.
Babylon Rooftop And Garden Bar
188 Pitt Street, Sydney CBD
Image credit: Babylon | Instagram
One of the best additions to Westfield Pitt Street’s dining scene in recent years was Babylon. This enormous 800-seat CBD rooftop bar and restaurant is perfectly styled to feel like an ancient dining metropolis complete with views of the city skyline. Boasting a huge booze menu with over 250 whiskeys, 400 Aussie spirits, and 300 bottles of wine, you’re going to need a moment to take your pick.
Food-wise, Babylon’s head chef Rob Taylor is slinging out meze, gozleme, and pide that will have you salivating. Chicken wings with harissa marinade, Turkish tabbouleh, and mint yoghurt are a favourite among the crowd.
Green Moustache
100 Miller Street, North Sydney
This greenhouse-style rooftop restaurant and bar sits smack-bang in the middle of North Sydney providing patrons with drop-dead stunning views. Green Moustache is filled with lush palms, ceiling plants, wicker chairs and tiled tabletops. Head over for dinner and order up a plate of fresh blue-swimmer crab pasta with chilli, lemon, and parmesan.
Bar Ombré
Level 3, Alfred Street, Circular Quay
Image credit: Bar Ombre | Instagram
The folks from Salt Meats Cheese opened up a rooftop bar in the heart of the city and donned it Bar Ombré. Located on the top of The Gateway in Circular Quay, this rooftop bar with Sydney Harbour Bridge views does charcuterie boards with plates of fried calamari, saffron arancini and pizzas to pair with towering cocktail trees—exactly what you want when sipping on a rooftop bar.
Taphouse
Darlinghurst
Image credit: Taphouse | Supplied
Beloved Darlinghurst pub Taphouse had a major refresh in 2023, and its breezy rooftop is better than ever, and now has an epic menu of Cantonese cuisine. Sip on a brew from one of 20 taps or order up a fresh cocktail or wine in the space with a fully retractable roof and fresh blue-and-white palette with whitewashed furniture and linen umbrellas giving Euro summer vibes.
The Rooftop At Quarryman's Hotel
214-216 Harris Street, Pyrmont
Image credit: Quarryman's Hotel | Instagram
This open-air terrace is forging all the blush-pink vibes, cacti and views. This rooftop bar rocks an apple cider slushie (yes hello, new fave summer drink) packed with all the cracked ice and a special housemade syrup to give it another punch, and there are all your pub classics and a few cheeky cocktails on the cards.
Keg & Brew
26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
This heritage-listed Surry Hills hotel now features four levels spanning a ground floor, restaurant, function room floor, and—the pièce de résistance—an open-plan rooftop bar. The open-air rooftop offers sweeping views of the city and is complete with a bar, pizza oven, and one of Australia’s largest TV screens so you can round up the crew and watch all the big games.
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Main image credit: Jacksons on George | Tom Ferguson