Brisbane's Best Rooftop Bars with Great Views

The Brisbane River coils its way through the city, the sun reflecting on its surface, as river cats and kayaks, jet-skis and picnic boats work their way from end-to-end. And the best place to watch it all is from one of the great rooftop bars of Brisbane.

From up high, you can see the bridges that link the city, from historic spans to cutting-edge connectors, lit up to glimmer prettily at night.

It’s a city with 300 days of sunshine, so it's a no-brainer to spend an afternoon on a rooftop with icy drink in hand, admiring the view. It also means that, most likely, today’s the perfect day for you to spend in one of the best rooftop bars in Brisbane.

Is it a Mexican beach club? It could be, if the views weren’t of Brisbane city. That’s ok, just tuck into the menu of Mexican street food classics using the best Australian produce; think local scallops in chimichuirri butter or tacos with Rangers Valley steak.

Sounds so good you can’t choose? Go the Fiesta shared set menu for groups of four or more and sink into the day beds in this super-stylish space, 11 floors high in the Valley.

The drinks sing along the Latin American theme, with a healthy margarita list and a tequila and mezcal list so long it’ll have you singing. The adventurous will clock the sotol, a distilled spirit from the Chihuahuan desert.

Address: 757 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

A pool and bar; what else do you need? If your budget won’t get you to the south of France, here’s the next best thing.

Twelve stories above the city, it’s all striped umbrellas, cheeky cocktails and a 30-metre infinity pool, with a menu channelling the French Riviera. Lobster rolls, lemon-spritzed calamari, Mediterranean salads and pizzas loaded with san Marzano tomatoes – snack away or get serious and book into its stylish restaurant for dining with one of the best views in town.

On the weekends, flop into a lounge for prosecco and an eye-popping seafood tower, with views of the Brisbane River.

Address: 74/80 Tribune St, South Brisbane

If margs and Aperols are your love language, Cielo is your heartthrob. For big city views and Italian Riviera vibes, head to this Valley staple for all the best ‘c words’ – champagne, cocktails and cheese platters.

Sundays are celebrated with seafood brunches that roll into afternoon aperitivo hours as the sun sinks down over the city skyline. If big views, big platters and big gin cocktails are your bag, make Cielo your first stop in the Valley.

Address: 209 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

Named for the rooftop struts that splay, like a deer's antlers, Sixteen Antlers promises "you’ll fawn over our cocktail menus and selection of craft beers". Oh deer!

Puns aside, the bar is found atop the centrally located Pullman Brisbane King George Square and Mercure Brisbane King George Square. It's a favourite with the after-work crowd, celebrating the end of the day or end of the week with a cocktail jug of spritzers shared amongst friends.

Peckish? Order a charcuterie board and the Mooloolaba king prawn rolls or ramp it up with a range of stone-based pizzas and enjoy the live music and DJs from Thursday to Saturday. The bar is on the same level as the hotel pool; if you're staying inhouse, combine a dip, drink, snack and views for the perfect afternoon in Brisbane.

Address: Cnr Ann & Roma St, Brisbane City

You thought you’d hit the heights at Cloudland Garden restaurant, but continue up another floor to reach beer heaven at this rooftop brewery. The independently brewed craft beer is born and brewed in the Valley, or explore the seasonal range that changes with the seasons; you can even take a tour of the brewery.

Celebrate summer with an icy-cold beer, celebrate winter with a hearty stout by the fire pit. Valley Hops likes to boast you won’t get any cutlery with its meals – just wrestle your wagyu burger to the ground, eat all the chips, get both hands around the wood-fired pizza; it’s all good.

Address: 641 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

Ok so it’s technically not a rooftop bar, but with some of the best views in Brisbane, Joey's slips into the list. Set at the top of the Kangaroo Point cliffs, drink in the 180-degree views of the city while you drink in the panorama.

The menu runs a smooth Italian line, with antipasti, fresh pasta and wood-fired pizzas, with a solid showing of quality steaks and fish. With views down to Storey Bridge, this one packs out for quintessential Brissy events such as the annual Riverfire fireworks extravaganza.

Address: 29 River Tce, Kangaroo Point

Take the lift four floors up for views of Story Bridge and a chic, clubby bar that’ll have your socials singing. Nibble on sophisticated bar bites such as pate and oysters, or go big on a wagyu burger. Cocktails, mocktails, sparkling, Mexican mezcal and a rack of central American rums keep the party rolling.

To continue the night, book a table at moody Bos restaurant on the same level, dedicated to premium beef, or watch for their cocktail classes and pasta-making classes for a friends night out with a difference.

Address: 480 Queen St, Brisbane City

This Brisbane rooftop bar does what it says on the tin: it gives great sunset views. That’s enough reason to visit. From high up on its perch on top of Linton Apartments in Kangaroo Point, you can look down into the Gabba – making it a great post-match stop - and further out to Queens Wharf and the Valley.

With Mediterranean vibes and styling that takes its cues from the most chic desert scenes (think landscaped cacti), the menu ranges far and wide, from Spencer Gulf ceviche to Greek salad and Portuguese tarts, complemented by an Aussie-led wine list - chilled reds, thank you! Sundays are for bottomless drinks with oysters, blistered burrata and delicious snacky meatballs to celebrate the weekend.

Address: 5 Linton St, Kangaroo Point

City views are great, but sea views are even better, and Sunny's at Margate Beach obliges, with panoramic views over the pines and the beach out to Moreton Bay.

There’s a casual vibe at Sunny’s, which is set in The Sebel Brisbane Margate Beach. Drop into the café and restaurant below, or head upstairs to the open rooftop, which pings with comedy nights, margarita evenings and live tunes every Friday and Sunday afternoons. It even hosts sunrise stretch and yoga sessions; keep an eye on its socials. The rooftop is open Fridays to Sundays.

Address: 1 McCulloch Avenue, Margate

There's room for all at this sprawling bar on top of the Jubilee Place building in the Brisbane playground of Fortitude Valley. The theme is Amazonia, with a jungle restaurant and cocktails that rate as high as Soko's elevation, 14 floors up.

Switch it up with Peruvian-Japanese snacks to see the sun go down over the city; aficionados rate the sushi. Perch on the terrace or go undercover in the restaurant for an evening spent high above the twinkling city lights.

Address: Level 14/7 Symes St, Fortitude Valley

Brisbane is riddled with fantastic rooftop bars, from rooftop brewers Valley Hops Brewing in Fortitude Valley to the pool bar at Lina Rooftop, in South Brisbane. For after-work drinks with a view, the covered Sixteen Antlers keeps its cool in summer, with live DJs on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sixteen Antlers is right in the heart of the city on top of the Pullman Brisbane King George Square and Mercure Brisbane King George Square, with a fun after-work scene, while the Aviary Terrace Bar wins fans for its long list of tequilas and central American rums.

Fortitude Valley is a hotbed of great rooftop bars with views; try the Mexican-inspired Maya, Cielo Rooftop for margs and Aperols, or for a change of pace, hit Valley Hops brewpub above Cloudland for icy beers with a view.

For a stylish scene and views of the Story Bridge, check into Aviary Terrace Bar in Brisbane City, or Sunsets in Kangaroo Point, which lives up to its name. Lina Rooftop combines the best of both worlds, with a bar and a pool, for sky-high swims with views to match. For big city views, Sixteen Antlers is right in the heart of the city on top of the Pullman Brisbane King George Square and Mercure Brisbane King George Square.