The Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney Right Now
The only way is up at these sky-bound bars, where crisp drinks and yummy snacks come with a generous pour of fun in the sun.
With its sunny skies, abundance of waterfront and awe-worthy vistas, Sydney is a city made for rooftop bars. Whether you're thirsty for a post-work sundowner or you're looking to while away a balmy weekend arvo, enjoying some cold ones with your nearest and dearest on a sun-dappled terrace is one of the ultimate Harbour City pastimes.
We've put together a collection of bars and pubs in Sydney that have put their rooftop real estate to good use. There are old faces, newcomers and places that you might have forgotten. From Mediterranean-coded decks to plant-filled seaside sun traps, these rooftops are pulling out all the stops.
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BarThe Light Brigade
2A Oxford St, Woollahra
Woodfired pizzas and cocktails, plus a rooftop that's 83 metres above sea level.
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RestaurantThe International
25 Martin Place, Sydney
A trio of stylish venues from one of Sydney's top restaurant groups have brought a new level of refinement to 25 Martin Place's hospitality precinct.
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BarWentworth Bar
101 Phillip Street, Sydney
This leafy rooftop retreat is an oasis of fun where you can kick back with friends as you sip oversized cocktails and bop to pumping DJ sets.
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Restaurant25 Martin Place
25 Martin Place, Sydney
From your morning coffee to your last-orders nightcap, this CBD hospitality hub has all bases covered.
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RestaurantWalker Street Precinct
168 Walker Street, North Sydney
North Sydney's new dining destination delivers four stellar venues that will keep you fed and watered, morning, noon and night.
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BarThe Rooftop at The Bristol
81 Sussex Street, Sydney
A little slice of the Med has landed in the CBD at this sunny bar with no less than three sun-drenched al fresco terraces.
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RestaurantMartinez Restaurant, Terrace and Bar
50 Bridge Street, Sydney
Martinez serves up a view-heavy rooftop bar and a luxe French dining room in Circular Quay.
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BarHarper Rooftop Bar
339 Pitt Street, Sydney
A colourful dog-friendly rooftop bar with impressive bar snacks to be found on top of the Kimpton Margot.
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PubJacksons on George
176 George Street, Sydney
This CBD stalwart is back under the guidance of Maurice Terzini with inventive pub feeds, a European bistro and an expansive rooftop bar.
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RestaurantBabylon Rooftop & Garden Bar
Level 7, Westfield, Pitt Street, Sydney
A luxe kingdom of meze, cocktails, slow-cooked meats and 300 wines atop Westfield Sydney.
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BarWatsons Bay Boutique Hotel
1 Military Road, Watsons Bay
Stripy umbrellas, schoolyard benches and tres cute Breton-striped waitstaff add to the beachside charm.
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BarThe Lansdowne Hotel
2-6 City Road, Chippendale
The resurrected Chippendale pub has an entire floor dedicated to gigs, plus a huge sun-drenched rooftop.
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BarThe Glenmore Hotel
96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
This pub in The Rocks has a rooftop with one of the best views over the harbour.
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BarThe Abercrombie Hotel
100 Broadway, Chippendale
Dance the night away at this massive Chippendale venue, which boasts multiple dance floors, a rooftop bar and a bottle shop.
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BarKasbah, The Strand Hotel Rooftop
99 William Street, Darlinghurst
This historic pub and hotel is home to a breezy rooftop cocktail garden with top-notch bar snacks.
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BarThe Royal Hotel
Five Ways, 237 Glenmore Road, Paddington
Rise to the top of this Five Ways pub for incredible views over the city.
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BarWoollahra Hotel
116 Queen Street, Woollahra
This eastern suburbs bar boasts a breezy outdoor area and food from an ex-Chin Chin chef.
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RestaurantShell House
37 Margaret Street, Sydney
Discover a cocktail bar in a clocktower, a ground-floor bistro and a sky-high drinking hole in this historic former hotel.
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BarLady Banks Rooftop
25 Restwell Street, Bankstown
This Bankstown rooftop bar boasts 360-degree panoramic views from the Sydney skyline to the Blue Mountains.
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BarMarrickville Springs
98 Sydenham Road, Marrickville
This sun-soaked rooftop is adorned with a neon bin chicken and serves Philter brews and frozen cocktails.
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Ivy
330 George Street, Sydney
A key player in Merivale's massive CBD precinct, this bar throws one helluva party.
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RestaurantHighfield Caringbah
22-24 MacKay Street, Caringbah
Head upstairs to The Botanical rooftop, which offers views of the city skyline, an extensive cocktail list and a seasonal menu.
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RestaurantThe Hellenic
Level 4, Westfield Hurstville, Hurstville
All of your Greek food favourites — haloumi fries, spanakopita and pitas — done well.
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BarWebsters Bar
323 King Street, Newtown
This underrated Newtown rooftop bar serves up wings and whisky aplenty.
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RestaurantGreen Moustache
100 Miller Street, North Sydney
A foliage-filled all-day restaurant and bar in North Sydney.
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BarThe Burwood Hotel
121-123 Burwood Road, Burwood
This longtime Burwood stalwart is now slinging alcoholic bubble teas.
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BarThe Old Clare Rooftop Bar
Rooftop, The Old Clare Hotel, 1 Kensington Street, Chippendale
This hotel pool bar is open to the public for cocktails and snacks.
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BarNick & Nora's Parramatta
45 Macquarie Street, Parramatta
Enjoy incredible views, a luxe 30s-inspired fit-out and a covetable Champagne collection.
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BarThe Rooftop Sydney
200 Sussex Street, Sydney
A Hamptons-inspired rooftop bar in the heart of the CBD.
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BarSlims Rooftop
47-49 William Street, Darlinghurst
A cactus-filled rooftop bar offering stunning city skyline views and tasty Japanese fare.
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BarManly Greenhouse
38 South Steyne, Manly
The three-level beachside destination will unveil its greenery-filled all-day diner and chic rooftop bar this weekend.
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BarImperial Up
35 Erskineville Road, Erskineville
An art deco-inspired rooftop space that combines Italian food and cocktail culture with the vibrancy of LBGTQI+ culture.
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BarThe Rooftop
214-216 Harris Street, Pyrmont
A Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar and lounge in Pyrmont.
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RestaurantFire and Brimstone
273 Old Northern Road, Castle Hill
The Hills has a new rooftop eatery serving up American-style barbecue.
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BarOld Mate's Place
Level 4, 199 Clarence Street, Sydney
Creative cocktails, Philly cheesesteaks and old-school library vibes tucked away in a Clarence Street office building.
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BarBarangaroo House
35 Barangaroo Avenue, Barangaroo
The jewel in Barangaroo's ever-growing crown, Barangaroo House is made up of three levels — we reviewed them all.
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BarThe Fernery
719 Military Road, Mosman
Mosman's greenhouse-inspired rooftop with a gin room and a rosé bar.
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BarEast Village Hotel
234 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst
The three-tiered Darlinghurst pub gets a new life with an upstairs sports bar and rooftop terrace.
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BarThe Toxteth Hotel
345 Glebe Point Road, Glebe
This Glebe pub straddles old and new with great pub grub and a mixed crowd.
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BarKings Cross Hotel
248 William Street, Potts Point
This pub hosts indie bands, jam sessions and DJs, plus there’s a sunny rooftop to boot.
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BarHenry Deane
Rooftop, 35 Bettington Street, Millers Point
The Palisade's luxe rooftop bar is the best place to take in Sydney.
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BarTaylor's Rooftop
13 Tank Stream Way, Sydney
A CBD rooftop bar with a vertical garden, tacos and live tunes.
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BarCoogee Pavilion Rooftop
169 Dolphin St, Coogee
Life's a beach at the imaginative Coogee Pavilion's beachfront rooftop bar.
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BarThe Butler
123 Victoria St, Potts Point
This expansive Potts Point terrace restaurant and bar boasts panoramic views of Sydney's skyline.
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BarKeg and Brew
26 Foveaux Street, Surry Hills
An old school pub filling your schooner with something a little bit different.
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BarStrawberry Hills Hotel
453 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
If you were a local here before, you won’t recognise it.
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BarSweethearts Rooftop
33-37 Darlinghurst Road, Potts Point
Consider this the Cross's openair diamond in the rough.
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BarChing-a-Lings
133 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst
Ching-a-Lings is the kind of chilled, unpretentious small bar where you can grab a couch with some good company and while away some very memorable hours.
Top image: Steven Woodburn