There’s something about a rooftop that’s more appealing than a ground-floor terrace. Perhaps it’s the views or the thin air. Whatever it is, rooftop bars are a hit regardless of the season. During summer, you can find rooftop bars filled with patrons basking in the sun, cooling off with an Aperol Spritz, and enjoying good conversation. Spring is no different, and even in winter, you will find Sydneysiders flocking to the roof, rugged up, awaiting a glass of white or mulled wine.
Step up your happy hour and after-work drinks with Sydney’s best rooftop bars. Views are included.
Dean and Nancy on 22
CBD
From the rat pack bartenders that brought us Maybe Sammy comes Dean and Nancy on 22, a swanky new enclosed rooftop bar sitting atop the A by Adina hotel. This bar pays homage to the classic hotel bars of golden eras past. Expect a black and gold colour palette, and windows, each two storeys high, overlooking the city.
The cocktails are bold and playful, with a touch of the theatrics you’d find at Maybe Sammy’s. The bubble guns are back, and there is a whole menu filled with new cocktails divided into categories from travel to music and games.
Jacksons on George
CBD
Once a late-night dive bar and pub, Jacksons on George has undergone a classy transformation, removing the stains from the carpet and adding a Parisian-style bistro, a casual but fancy pub downstairs and a rooftop bar with energy to burn. Open midday to midnight, you can stop by for a bite with colleagues or end your night with a cocktail and city views. The food is your classic pub fare but lifted. You can get the same famous gin rigatoni they serve in the bistro, a cheeseburger, share boards, or snacks like LP’s grilled sausage and fried chicken served with aioli.
Old Mate’s Place
CBD
This bar is certainly one-of-a-kind. Firstly, it’s set within a run-down office building. Secondly, it’s hard to find and, once you do, four flights of narrow stairs await. Although, once you get to the top, a drink is always waiting for you.
The menu is ever-changing, but right now, you can get signature canned cocktails and Philly cheesesteaks to soak up the day.
Smoke
Barangaroo
This cocktail bar overlooks the waterfront of Barangaroo and offers guests much more than just a bar. Here, you can find a dim-lit corner for a romantic night or join in on the fun when a DJ plays on weekends and Friday nights.
The wine list is well-travelled, but it’s the cocktails that are the showstoppers. The star of the show is smoke, so expect either a warmth, literal smoke, or smokey taste in some of the cocktails.
Kasbah
CBD
This dreamy rooftop bar channels Morrocan energy and sits atop the Strand Hotel in Darlinghurst. The pastel lounges, Persian rugs, lush greenery, and earthy colours will make you forget all about city life. As a bonus, the cocktails are designed by the Maybe Sammy team, so expect knockout libations, like Ficus, a blend of gin, fig and ginger; the Silk Road, a vodka with coffee liquor; and Sultan Sour, a rum, sultanas and cashew orgeat creation. The cocktails sit alongside a concise menu of natural wines, mostly sparkling, white and rosé.
For bites, think of small grazing plates designed to share. Highlights include Yellowfin Tuna Crudo with piquillo peppers and lemon vinaigrette, Spiced Tiger Prawns with ginger, turmeric and coriander and Duck, Pistachio and Burnt Honey Pastilla.
Harper Rooftop Bar
CBD
Kimpton Margot is known for its glamour but skip the lobby bar and head upstairs to Harper, the rooftop bar. It’s exclusively for hotel guests, so there’s that, but once you’ve scored your golden ticket, expect a private beach club atmosphere with a pink mosaic bar, yellow booths and a pool. The food menu is as exciting as the drinks menu, with the likes of summer lobster rolls, salt and pepper squid, chicken burgers, and a grazing platter to keep your stomach lined.
As for the drinks, there’s a handful of signature cocktails, like the Barbie Gurl Slushie, Strawberry Smash, and Manspritz. Wines by the glass and bottle are also popular choices. If you want something lighter, they also have a range of seltzers because we all know how popular they’ve become.
Aster Bar
CBD
Sitting 32 floors above Circular Quay is Aster Bar, Intercontinental Sydney’s elegant crowning jewel, with unbeatable views across the harbour to North Sydney. Despite being a hotel bar, the drinks list is as serious as a bar on the World’s 50 Best list. The cocktails are the star of the show with twists on classics like a white negroni infused with white truffles and a tropical old-fashioned.
The signature cocktails are inspired by space, like the red half-moon and orange sky waves, and are made with gin, fermented mandarin, and lemon thyme. For something more premium, there’s a $350 cocktail, Café de Paris, a nod to the rare survivor of the 1920s nightclub boom. Apart from that, expect the usual suspects: red and white wines, champagne, spirits and beers. Pull up a seat by the window and enjoy the view. We recommend ordering a few bar bites, like the lobster sliders and oysters.
The Glenmore Hotel
The Rocks
The Glenmore has been an Aussie icon since 1921, so it’s easy to imagine the parties and events here. It has long been considered the best rooftop bar in Sydney, thanks to its incredible views of Sydney Harbour. Come winter, summer, or autumn, The Glenmore is packed with patrons dining and drinking through the late night hours.
They serve a few classic cocktails, including an espresso martini, but also offer plenty of new-aged cocktails. The wine list includes tipples from Australia and France.
Bar 83 at Sydney Tower
CBD
Sitting 83 floors above street level is a futuristic retro bar clad in red and white circular lounges, striking mirrors, gold lights, and floor-to-ceiling windows with commanding city views. This bar looks like it was pulled from an episode of The Jetsons, and the cocktails are bolder than the interior.
Expect concoctions from award-winning bartender Jenna Hemsworth—a Hubert alum—and classic bar bites from fried buttermilk chicken ribs to ocean trout tartare.
Henry Deane
Millers Point
The crown of Hotel Palisade is Henry Deane, a cocktail bar spread over two levels, offering some of the best views of Sydney, including a vantage point of the Harbour Bridge. They serve lunch and dinner and, most importantly, drinks to go with it.
Expect unique cocktails, including a pompelmo spritz, sangria, and kombucha, to which you can add your favourite spirit for $6. They also have an impressive wine list and stock local bottled beers.
If you’re feeling peckish, head chef Cian Mullholand has a selection of shared plates, from a whole smoked spatchcock to curd and cucumber pieces.
Green Moustache
North Sydney
Green Moustache is North Sydney’s first rooftop garden and bar, and it makes a splashy statement. Layered in greenery, tropical patterns, and simple wood furnishings, Green Moustache will make you feel like you’re in a jungle. They do a bottomless brunch on Saturdays and Sundays which is always a hit. They also offer lunch, dinner, and bar snacks if you just come for a few drinks and a nibble.
The cocktails here focus on local and international styles, from Australian Amaro in Adelaide to chilli-infused tequila.
Related: I’m a Serial Bar Crawler—These Are My Favourite Bars In Sydney
Related: 13 of the Cosiest Wine Bars in Sydney to Duck into on a Chilly Night
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