12 of the Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne's CBD

Melburnians can't get enough of the views over art-filled laneways, the Yarra River, Chinatown, and amongst the skyscrapers, no matter the weather, on sultry summer's afternoons or the depths of winter; that’s why retractable roofs, toasty heaters, cosy blankets, and warming digestives were invented, right?

Each bar dances to the beat of its own drum, from swish to sports, indie to late-closing party central; whichever you choose, Melbourne’s skyline takes centre stage. Discover 12 of the best rooftop bars in Melbourne.

After-work drinks and a bird's-eye view over Melbourne’s nine-by-nine grid are the order of the day at Blossom rooftop bar. Located on the 14^th floor of the Pullman Melbourne City Centre, it’s one of the highest rooftop bars in Melbourne. The spritzes come out with the sun – make yours a limoncello spritz - otherwise, there are wines by the glass and bottle, 20 types of gin and beers on tap and a solid, non-alc cocktail menu.

Feeling peckish? The woodfired pizzas are a no-brainer; mix the classic kipfler potato pizza up with vegan cheese; coeliacs are also catered for on the menu that includes tasty hot sopressa or prawn and chilli toppings. Otherwise, chow down on the house charcuterie plate, go light on smoked trout bruschetta or hit the striploin.x

265 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

Keep your cool in Melbourne’s sultry summers with a spicy watermelon margarita in the old Melbourne Steamship Co. building. Here, in one of Melbourne’s favourite rooftops, you’ll find all the repeat offenders on this drinks menu, with Long Island Iced Tea and Negronis alongside plenty of bubbles and Victorian reds, ideal if the fickle weather gods turn against you.

Feeling peckish? The casual rooftop snack menu includes sourdough pizzas, cheeseboards, and snacky flavour bombs such as croquettes and oysters. Otherwise, try the three-tiered State of Grace’s sneaky basement bar, Fall from Grace, and its European restaurant.

27 King St, Melbourne

The vibe: Palm Springs party. The venue: Melbourne’s largest rooftop bar, right in the centre of the city. Open seven days from lunchtime, there’s always a reason to visit, from all-day happy hours to summer spritzer specials.

Hit the Sky High Sangria or kick off with a Pickled Margarita, the cocktails come fast and furious. Beer lovers come for the Mountain Goat lager and IPA, ask about Fancy Hank’s latest collab with craft brewers, or get the beer flight to end all decision making.

Feeling peckish? Snacks and bites from Good Heavens’ barbeque-lovin’ little sister, Fancy Hanks, seals Good Heavens’ inclusion in the best rooftop bars in Melbourne. Don’t be shy; try the pitmasters’ barbecue corn ribs with pickled jalapenos, binge on mac ‘n’ cheese toasties or hit the buffalo wings.

Level 2, 79 Bourke St, Melbourne

Climb sweeping staircases to the most stylish long-stayer on Melbourne’s rooftop scene, up in ‘the Paris end of town’. Siglo faces the floodlit state Parliament House, for views of Melbourne’s best Victorian architecture.

Cigar lovers come for the humidor’s Havanas, wine lovers for the expert list and service, and everyone for the fine spirits. No groups, no reservations, no time limits (until 3am for the long-stayers amongst us).

Feeling peckish? A light bar menu offers olives and chips; for more substantial fare, head downstairs to the City Wine Shop on the ground floor, or Kafeneion, in the Melbourne Supper Club one level below, serving up Greek taverna classics.

161 Spring St, Melbourne

This perennially popular establishment on Fed Square regularly takes home accolades as one of Melbourne’s best rooftop bars, with a friendly crowd and reliably good drinks, opposite Flinders Street Station.

Did we mention and views across the Yarra River? They're best admired in the late afternoon, with a Solemn Soju fizz or a salted caramel espresso martini. Transit has a solid selection of Australian wines by the glass and whiskys for late-night wind-downs; it takes walk-ins, but groups are best to book to snag a good table.

Feeling peckish? The bar menu punches well above its weight, with scallops in Café de Paris butter and raclette & chardonnay fondue, a wagyu cheeseburger and slow-cooked lamb jaffles from the well-regarded kitchen that serves Taxi Restaurant, on the floor below. Save space for the hot jam doughnuts.

Federation Square, Melbourne

Reliably loud and up for the party, it’s all going on at the four levels of this 100-year-old building; there’s comedy in the basement, a dining room and live music space in between and hello, rooftop!

The cocktail list is all about agave, from the Iced Vovo Margaritas (that’s coconut tequila, raspberry, and coconut) to the Anejo Old Fashioned (with Herradura Anejo tequila, agave, bitters, and orange). There’s also a shots list – don’t say you weren’t warned. Kick on with the DJ on Friday and Saturday nights; book for the weekends. Groups, did you see the magnum of rose on offer?

Feeling peckish? Hearty pub meals are the order of the day. Serving the same menu as the restaurant downstairs, start with delicious little beef carpaccio and fried haloumi, take it up a notch with robust harissa pumpkin salads and spanner crab spaghettis, right up to aged porterhouses from the grill.
 

120 Exhibition St, Melbourne

New York-style rooftop bar The Stolen Gem sits pretty eight stories up and with views over Bourke St Mall. The list of Australian spirits on offer is almost as long as the shadows cast at sunset. The brace of summer spritzes are balanced by the House Selects; this rooftop know it’s not always sunshine (that’s when you order the Sub Zero, featuring Grey Goose). Otherwise, take a spin around the state with a Vic-heavy wine list with a few surprises.

Peckish? The light, Aussie-Japanese fusion menu has cauliflower bites, karaage chicken and a melt-in-your-mouth beef katsu toast.

8/388 Bourke St, Melbourne

The 120-year-old Pacific House had serious glow-up when HER came to town. HER surprises on every level, from the music room on level one to the Thai street-food restaurant on Level 3. Up top, HER Rooftop reminds you of your favourite European garden terrace (and if you didn’t have one before, you’re all set now). Find your place and slip in for golden hour; the cocktail-tastic vibe is edgy, chic, and a little cheeky.

Feeling peckish? BKK restaurant sends up barbecued Thai deliciousness to share on a small, snacky menu.

270 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

It does what it says on the tin; one of Melbourne’s original, long-running rooftop bars almost needs no introduction. Running strong for two decades, the seventh floor of historic Curtin House is an open-air house party, with DJs, happy hours, and even a dog-friendly policy.

Feeling peckish? Get your mitts around a mushroom burger, the hefty all-day burger, and add poutine or popcorn chicken on the side. The tiny menu keeps even hungry vegans happy. Prefer utensils? Head back downstairs to Cookie for some cracking Thai food or slip into the banquette in Mesa Verde for Mexican nosh and agave-based spirits.

Curtin House, 252 Swanston St, Melbourne

It’s spicy margaritas all round at Hotel Nacional, a Mexican restaurant on the city’s bustling Hardware Lane. The open-air rooftop puts a little Latino love in the glass, with a healthy selection of margs and mocktails, as well as beers and wines by the glass. The bottomless brunch is a good excuse to head up the stairs from Friday to Sunday, for 90 minutes of tacos, guacamole, and cocktails.

Feeling peckish? Go light with corn ribs or tortillas, or ramp it up with a grilled barramundi or glazed pork: the fabulous food is also suitable for coeliacs with all food menu items gluten-free.

23-25 Hardware Ln, Melbourne

This little charmer has all the hallmarks of a great Melbourne bar - petite and sweet, hidden up a laneway, somewhere in Chinatown; find it and you'll feel like you're in the Melbourne club.

Their fruit-forward, seasonal cocktails make for great reading and better drinking - try the Daytime TV with peach, habanero and whisky, or maybe the Heffernan Lane Hurricane, with two rums and passionfruit. Love it hard? They even do private gin tastings and masterclasses.

Feeling peckish? Union Electric has a simple snack menu on board, but it's surrounded by some of the city's greatest dining tables, and will let you order in from outside, so why not take your stomach on an adventure?

13 Heffernan Ln, Melbourne

Melbourne’s third-oldest hotel’s still got what it takes, drawing the crowd to its sporty rooftop bar. Looking out to Parliament House, drop in to catch the big game on the big screen, or catch some live music. Alongside the classic cocktails, Victorian beers, wines, gin and seltzers have a strong showing on the menu, with pints and jugs ideal for a Sunday session.

Feeling peckish? Steak sandwiches, wagyu burgers, pizzas and salads – the rooftop shares the menu served in the dining room below.

2-8 Bourke St, Melbourne