Day For It: The 25 Best Rooftop Bars In Sydney Right Now

Few activities are as quintessentially Sydney as lounging in a rooftop oasis and enjoying a bevvy under the afternoon sun — “day for it” proclamations flying in every direction.

The harbour city offers plenty of spots for this semi-seasonal bliss. But to ensure you’re not wasting time with dud locations, here is our round-up of the best rooftop bars in Sydney.

From two-storey cocktail dens hidden away in heritage buildings to classic harbour-view watering holes, these rooftop bars will absolutely do your summer justice.

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Where To Find Sydney’s Best Rooftop Bars

JŌJI, CBD

Perched above the Cartier flagship on the corner of George and King Street, JŌJI is without a doubt Sydney’s hottest rooftop bar. And for good reason.

Aside from its enviable location which oozes sex appeal — and seamlessly shifts from tranquil afternoons to lively evenings — ESCA Group’s latest venture boasts a concept driven cocktail menu that reflects the Japanese principles of simplicity (Shibui), imperfection (Wabi Sabi), and creativity (Datsuzoku). 

This pairs delightfully with an entire selection of mouth-watering and playful riffs on reimagined Japanese-inspired dishes crafted by executive chef Paul Farag, divided into Raw, Not Raw, and Robata. Be sure to sample the scallop and bug sando, the quail and pork jowl tsukune, and after 10 PM, the signature Joji Burger made with Japanese Wagyu bolognese.

The late-night venue also caters for practically any kind of evening you’re after: an intimate cocktail lounge for dates, a sweeping dining space for celebrations, and a panoramic terrace offering breathtaking views of Sydney’s CBD for all occasions.

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Zephyr, CBD

The best thing about Hyatt Regency isn’t necessarily the rooms. Zephyr is another compelling reason why every Sydneysider has been through those doors, pitched as an upscale rooftop lounge with delicious harbour views and an equally delicious drinks selection.

This summer, it’s hosting a glamorous collaboration with Moet & Chandon that’s essentially a world-class marriage between inventive champagne-based cocktails, delectable gourmet canapes (e.g. Baked Scallops with gruyere cream, Tempura Soft Shell Crab with daikon & chili jam), as well as that to-die-for view.

To complete the vibe, you can also expect champagne-coloured décor inspired by Moet & Chandon’s iconic bottle, lively DJ sets and a saxophonist every weekend, plus an exclusive “Moet & Chandon Sky Lounge” that all you ballers out there can now book — complete with a private section of the bar, dedicated waiter, and an upgraded Champagne Tower featuring (you guessed it) Moet & Chandon.

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Aster Bar At The InterContinental Sydney, Circular Quay

It’s been a while since Sydney has enjoyed a fancy hotel bar on par with some of the world’s greatest open-air spots. Thanks to a 2022 refurbishment, InterContinental Sydney stepped up to the plate with Aster Bar — a 32nd-floor rooftop lounge that is now open to the public as part of a $110 million property-wide makeover.

The reliable team at Woods Bagot have worked to maximise the all-encompassing view of Sydney’s harbour with an appropriately lush interior built from plush lounges in blue and green scattered around a beautiful marble centre bar.

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Old Mate’s Place, CBD

In the top two floors of a heritage-listed five-storey building on Clarence Street, Old Mate’s Place is steered by some of the industry’s finest. You can expect a decent cocktail list as well as a solid selection of tinnies and wines.

Be warned: there isn’t much space on this rooftop, so it’s worth rocking up early and staking your claim.

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Marrickville Springs, Marrickville

Marrickville Springs, located above local favourite Philter Brewing, delivers a cosy vibe borrowing heavily from Palm Springs circa 1980. It feels like you’ve been ripped away from Marrickville’s usual grit while keeping the suburb’s definitive hipster aesthetic going.

The team at nearby Enmore tiki bar Jacoby’s has been tapped to handle the cocktails here, which are just as worthy as the beers and pair up fine with some upscale cheese platters. Marrickville Springs features a retractable roof, so shelter is there if required.

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Sky Bar at Shell House, CBD

The Sydney mega-venue is really four sophisticated venues in one, all distinct from one another and among the pinnacle of the city’s swanky hospitality scene right now.

From the Mad Men-esque Clocktower Bar, built under the guts of the building’s restored clockface, to the frenetic Dining Room & Terrace, there’s plenty to love at Shell House. Although it’s the glass-encased Sky Bar that’ll have rooftop bar aficionados all weak at the knees.

Put down the Carlton, you’re drinking Perrier-Jouët and upscale signature cocktails at Sky Bar. It’s an expensive night out, but if ruthlessly wealthy bars are your thing, there is no better.

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The Strand Hotel Rooftop, Darlinghurst

The 99-year-old Strand Hotel went through a significant refresh in 2022, with the final step of its massive refurbishment being this glistening rooftop bar. While you’ve got a reliable French bistro on the ground floor, upstairs is where you’d want to be for cocktails at sunset.

With East Village and Slims Rooftop Bar close by, The Strand Hotel steps up with a bit of a party-minded atmosphere as well. As such, you’ll find some live entertainment and rotating DJs up on the rooftop on weekends.

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Keg & Brew, Surry Hills

Head along to Surry Hills’ favourite Keg & Brew and go straight up to the fourth floor. The legendary heritage hotel has undergone an incredibly comprehensive refurb to include a new restaurant, a function room and an open-plan rooftop bar.

The latter is the best choice for a post-up with your mates, especially since the K&B team has had the good sense to fire up a pizza oven in one corner of the space, as well as wall-fix a large TV for game nights.

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The Glenmore Hotel, The Rocks

A clear view of the Sydney Opera House and Circular Quay power the vibe at The Glenmore Hotel, long considered one of the best rooftop bars in Sydney.

The demand has never waned throughout the years, so you’re best placed to plan ahead with a few mates before stomping up those stairs and bathing in the absolute spectacle that is a simple, unpretentious, and unparalleled (angled) rooftop.

That goes double if you’re rocking up on the first Sunday of each month, which is when the rooftop stages a delicious bottomless lunch for $85 a head with hearty lamb shoulder and roast chicken. 

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Smoke Bar, Barangaroo

Smoke Bar at Barangaroo House might demand something a bit more premium than your go-to jug of Coopers, but the pricey day out is well worth your time.

This is one of the best and most beautifully appointed rooftop bars in Barangaroo, and while a booking here is probably timed, a sesh on this rooftop terrace is never going to feel like a waste.

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Henry Deane, Millers Point

Sleek, sophisticated, and splashed with salmon pink lounges, Henry Deane’s is a dreamboat as far as rooftop bars in the city go.

Walled by massive, constantly polished glass windows, the top floor of Hotel Palisade aggressively pulls in the best views of Sydney and complements them with fresh seafood platters, session-able cocktails, and a respectable list of craft beers, spirits and wines.

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The Light Brigade, Woollahra

As good as the rest of The Light Brigade Hotel is, the Woollahra pub simply wouldn’t be as much of a powerhouse without its massive rooftop bar.

The top floor was the best decision the Bayfield family made when they took the reigns of the legendary venue circa 2015, making full use of the location with an incredible view boosted by a supreme list of Aussie crafts and premium wines. 

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The Butler, Potts Point

If you’re heading through this Potts Point hotspot, then be sure to bypass the inside dining spread for a hard-earned spot on the outside garden terrace. The Butler may not be strictly defined as a rooftop bar, but this small part of the venue is pure open-air bliss on a summer day.

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The Library Bar, CBD

Perhaps the most unique bar location in all of Sydney, you’ll find The Library Bar on the coveted rooftop of the State Library (atop the historic Mitchell Building). Though make no mistake: this is more than just a gimmick.

The simple-yet-effective bar menu is as worthy of your attention as the panorama of the harbour and across the Domain. But we’ll be the first to admit the old world charm — down to the baby grand piano — and the spacious courtyard certainly doesn’t hurt.

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Slims Rooftop, Darlinghurst

Climb the stairs at Hyde Park House and you’ll be rewarded with the most vibrant and colourful rooftop bar in Sydney. The Palm Springs vibes are strong here, although that’s far from the only reason for this rooftop bar’s undying popularity.

The kitchen pumps out some of the best snacks this side of Sydney, from fresh raw tuna tacos to obligatory nachos.

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The Glasshouse, Manly

Hotel Steyne’s sordid past is well-hidden by its fresh, squeaky-clean rooftop bar, with views scanning Manly Beach and the Corso below.

Fans of a good G&T will have fun trying to work their way through the sizable list of botanicals, best paired with some grazing plates and enjoyed outdoors.

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Untied, Barangaroo

Barangaroo’s slightly irreverent, playful rooftop bar is as popular as ever. Since opening a few years ago, Untied has become a mecca for Barangaroo’s after-work crowd, surrounded by towering office buildings but maintaining a safe enough distance to truly feel like a refuge from the typical office crowd.

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East Village Hotel, Darlinghurst

Fancy one of the best pub steaks in Sydney? You’ll find the peppery beast up on the rooftop of Darlinghurst’s East Village Hotel, made even better by the eternally festive atmosphere that’s most ideal when you’ve come with the boys for some sundowners and general frivolity. This sunny rooftop bar is surely one of Sydney’s best.

East Village Sydney is another place that gets packed out quickly, so you might have to plan ahead if you want to make the most of it. Note that there are a few East Village Hotels across Sydney. You want the Darlinghurst one, where the rooftop is decorated so proudly with fairy lights, the steak is almost always on-point and the classic cocktails go down a treat when the sun’s out.

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Rooftop Bar at InterContinental Sydney Double Bay

If it was any bigger, this Double Bay rooftop bar would have served as some fierce competition for ivy Pool Club. While the pool here is nowhere near as big, InterContinental Double Bay has done well to offer a swim, beer, and snack up on the exclusive rooftop, which offers one of the best views in the area.

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Rooftop At The Old Clare Hotel, Chippendale

Backed by the hanging gardens of ritzy fresh-faced apartment blocks, the Rooftop of the luxurious Old Clare Hotel in Chippendale is an absolute vision. An immaculately clean pool, a rich list of quality cocktails, and some decent food to boot.

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SoCal, Neutral Bay

Coming from AppleJack, SoCal Neutral Bay has remained one of the best bars this side of the Sydney Harbour Bridge and will always get over well with its locally-minded themed nights and Mexican eats. The rooftop bar gets to soak up plenty of Sydney’s sunniest days, so this is a good choice if you’re in the area and want an alternative to The Oaks.

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The Royal Hotel, Paddington

A favourite for the after-work crowd, The Royal Hotel sports one of the best rooftop terrace areas in Paddington, crowning the heritage pub with an open-air spread that affords brilliant city views stretched across the bay and Sydney Harbour.

Take in one sunset up here and you’ll easily be coming back for more, drinking down the vibes as fast as those frothies. The heritage pub has some of the best drinks in the area, so have fun pairing up some top tipples with upscale pub food. Just get in early; bookings are hard to come by in summer.

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Taylor’s Rooftop, CBD

The ground floor of the Republic Hotel may look like a classic Aussie pub, but make your way up to the fourth if you really want to party in style.

You’ll walk out into the neatly trimmed Taylor’s Rooftop, another favourite for the Sydney CBD after-work crowd, shaped with a palpable party vibe and a diverse drinks list favouring some of Australia’s preferred craft beers.

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Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, Watsons Bay

The Sydney skyline and Sydney Harbour Bridge may be a distant blip, but the wide-angle view of looking back at the city from Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel is like no other perspective in the city.

The food can be hit or miss but as long as you’re going for the fresh seafood platters you’ll be fine. And while the grog can be a bit overpriced, the cost is worth it if you’re hanging out in the open-air spaces, stand-up paddleboarders wading in the background while you’re downing your drink of choice.

Most of the other hotel bars on this list could be repeated just about anywhere in the world. Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel, on the other hand. is as Sydney as they come.

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Webster’s Bar, Newtown

Websters Bar is the best rooftop in the inner west, serving up a nice beer list and some classic cocktails in a typical no-fuss Newtown atmosphere. Always reliably busy, the former Zanzibar is the place you want to be if you’re looking to pair up some whisky and wings in a space that looks like it could be your rich hipster mate’s private courtyard.

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Enjoyed this Sydney rooftop bars guide? Be sure to check out some of our other rooftop bar round-ups:

• Best Rooftop Bars In New York
• Best Rooftop Bars In Melbourne
• Best Rooftop Bars In Brisbane

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