NOW EXPERIENCING:Where to drink with a view in Melbourne and Sydney
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Where to drink with a view in Melbourne and Sydney

Read time 2 Mins

Posted 20 Oct 2022

By
Hilary Simmons

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a skyscraping bar with great cocktails and wine, tap beers and more.

The Melbourne and Sydney rivalry is so last season. Both are stunning waterfront cities with bars that compete with the finest in the world – what’s not to love? And no matter which town you’re in, there’s a plethora of sky-high bars to take in a bird’s eye view (and enjoy a perfectly prepared beverage). From ritzy rooftop terraces with white-clothed tables to open-air hipster haunts slinging wallet-friendly wines and cocktails, the options for sinking a delicious drink while the city shows off in the background have never been so good. 

Far from being a summer-only affair, some of Australia’s best rooftop and highrise bars come alive in the colder months with winter warmers on the cocktail front and crowd-pleasing seasonal menus. There are also a couple of special Sydney spots that may not be elevated, but they sure do make the most of their postcard-worthy vistas. Enjoy those rollicking good times, no matter the weather.

Where to drink with a view in Melbourne
Melbourne
Lui Bar
After a recent revamp, the bar at fine-diner Vue de Monde has reopened with a cool new aesthetic that highlights the view, and a drinks list that continues to favour local producers and ingredients.
Melbourne
Her Bar
The ground-level bistro-bar of the multilevel eating and drinking fun park called Her does sophisticated and fun in equal measure with one eye firmly on quality.
Melbourne
Bomba Bar
A worthy favourite with the post-work drinks crowd, this rooftop bar has dazzling views and a sunny Spanish vibe, with great snacks to go with them.
Melbourne
Dom’s Social Club
Typically Melbourne, an anonymous staircase leads to a rocking pizza restaurant, a cosy bar and a palm-lined rooftop with skyscraper views, adding up to three floors of fun in the CBD.
Melbourne
Runner Up
This sunny Mediterranean-ish rooftop bar has $99 magnums of natty wine, plenty of natural sparkling by the glass, and tunes courtesy of PBS radio DJs and a vintage sound system.
Melbourne
Fable
Commanding a rooftop in Melbourne’s CBD with city views to burn, this Euro-glam hangout serves knockout Greek-accented drinks and food to suit the upmarket mood.
Melbourne
Strato Bar & Lounge
Strato is a bar that rises to the special occasion, the fantastic views from the 49th floor setting the scene for crackingly good cocktails and fancy snacking with a bright-lights, big-city vibe.
Where to drink with a view in Sydney
Sydney
Shell House
With spectacular service and food and drinks that kick goals across all three bars and the restaurant, Shell House in Sydney’s CBD has been designed with grown-ups in mind.
Sydney
Old Mate’s Place
Come to nab a spot on the rooftop, stay for cocktails made with equal parts fun and finesse, and for sandwiches to write home about.
Sydney
Dean & Nancy on 22
This swanky throwback to the glamorous glory days of the Rat Pack sets a new standard for Sydney’s hotel bars with inspired cocktails delivered in debonair style.
Sydney
Kiln
It’s a hotel restaurant, but not as you know it. Two Sydney hospitality gurus have come up with the food and drinks for good times, and the views from this rooftop space aren’t bad either.
Sydney
The Butler
Lush foliage, palm prints and glorious views over the hazy-blue Sydney city skyline provide the setting for feisty Latin-flavoured eats and drinks at this Potts Point oasis.
Sydney
Ploós
Harbourside Ploós brings the opportunity to take a deep-dive into the world of Greek wines matched with share-friendly Aegean eats by a legendary Sydney chef.
Sydney
Whalebridge
This al fresco restaurant in Sydney’s Circular Quay is set to lure locals back to tourist central with French-accented bistro fare and wines that won’t break the bank.
Authour image
Hilary Simmons Hilary Simmons is a Melbourne-based writer, copywriter and editor whose work has appeared in Time Out, Urban List and Buzzfeed.
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Drinks DirectorySydneyDate nightRooftopBarFancy occasionOutdoor areaGood for groupsMeal and a bevMelbourneTop notch wine listRoundupKiller cocktails
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