In a city celebrated for its relaxed demeaner and rich cultural tapestry, rooftop bars have become an integral part of Melbourne’s allure. Melbourne’s rooftop scene is more than just a rendezvous for sipping cocktails; it’s an opportunity to savour the city’s personality from an elevated vantage point. Given Melbourne’s penchant for unpredictable weather, many of these bars have ingeniously embraced retractable roofs. We can enjoy regardless of rain or the need for shade from the sun. Whether you’re a local in search of a hidden gem or a visitor eager to immerse yourself in Melbourne’s laid-back rustic rooftop scene. This guide is your passport to the best 20 rooftop bars in Melbourne.
Loop Roof Top
Best for: 🍹🍸🦜🧉
Location: In the theatre district – in it’s own building
View: The city!
Vibe: Unpretentious
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No – just the floor below
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023 (2025 info updated)
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: ‘Loop Roof’ is the name of the whole venue, with ‘Loop Top’ being the rooftop! Met by friendly bouncer on the door downstairs this is a walk in rooftop – you can book the floor below which also has great view but it’s not the rooftop! 😉 So be sure to get here early if this is where you hope to spend the day. We struck lucky on a scorching Saturday afternoon. We entered an unpretentious garden oasis with carefully crafted cocktails. The ‘Parrots Beak’ is a must especially if you need something different for the gram! As, yes it comes in a parrot glass. I naturally ordered that and the table next to me had fomo, so all did too! (2025 update… the Parrot is MIA!)
Website: Click here
Fable Rooftop Bar
Best for: GF 🍽️ 🥂🍸
Location: CBD
View: The whole city
Vibe: Boozy brunches, DJ’s at dinner
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes! GF
Booking available? Yes and advisable
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023 (2025 Information updated)
Warm/dry weather only? No – they have a retractable roof!
Rooftop review roundup: This might just be my favourite rooftop bar in Melbourne. It also holds the title of being highest! Up on the 13th floor this rooftop bar will certainly elevate your dining and drinking experience in Melbourne. Sensational sweeping views of the whole city – I was sold. Sunset dinner was spectacular – sadly they had to have the retractable roof over as rain was due. But I was so impressed with the food I went back with some other friends for lunch. Which, when time is limited on a trip, I don’t usually do. So many rooftop bars so little time! First world problems! The evening vibe was fun on a Friday with a DJ but not so loud much you can’t chat. But as the next day brought clear blue skies and I was able to experience this rooftop it in all its glory, along with a different clientele! Boozy girls rooftop brunching and drunken dancing but all good sprits. Aside the vibe and height of this rooftop – what stole my heart unusually for me, was the food. And I am not a foodie! The secret was the entire menu was gluten free. No modifications, no faffing and no dish was compromised – you wouldn’t even know. AMAZING! I have only come across one other rooftop bar doing this, Near and Far in London. This is a MUST in Melbourne and more boujee than most!
Website: Click here
Stolen Gem Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍸🍺🍷🥂
Location: CBD
View: Bourke Street Mall and the Post Office clock
Vibe: After work/ date night
Prosecco price: 🍾
Food available? Yes – light bites
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes – it has a retractable roof
Rooftop review roundup: ‘Love on top’ is their motto and it rings true. Its a small space, affordable drinks – perfect for after work or and afternoon delight that wont break the bank. With great views of Melbourne this is a gem of a rooftop bar.
Website: Click here
Siglo Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🥂🇫🇷 ☕️
Location: Theatre District
View: St Patricks Cathedral Spire & Parliament House
Vibe: Ooo la la!
Prosecco price: Champagne🍾 🍾🍾
Food available? Snacks
Booking available? No and there is no time limit to your stay so get there early to guarantee a spot
Smoking allowed? Yes – It’s pretend Paris! Cigars are sold.
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No, it’s part covered
Rooftop review roundup: Considering the name derives from Spain and means century, this rooftop is all about transporting you to Paris. White table cloths, Parisian wicker chairs in a café style lay out matched with a laid back attitude and copious amount of champagne. And there is no time limit to your table so could be dangerous! It is advisable to get there early, especially if you want a spot at the front by the view as they also don’t take reservations. Despite being in Australia to experience Aussie rooftop bars – I adored this little French fancy even though it didn’t have the best views it was a different experience.
Website: Click here
Terrace Baru
Best for: 🍷🥂🍸🥃
Location: The Sheraton Hotel in Little Collins Street. .
View: Buildings
Vibe: After work drinks
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Just groups
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Just open Friday and Saturday afternoon and evenings (2024 update) which is a shame as it was the perfect hideaway after the working day. A small terrace with deck chairs and stunning views. This is a secret oasis in Melbourne city.
Website: Click here
Transit Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍻🍷🥂🧉
Location: Federation square, opposite Flinders Station on top of the Transport Hotel venue
View: The city and the Yarra river
Vibe: After work drinks
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Perfect for commuters – this rooftop bar is just opposite Finders Station. It may only be on level 2 but it has sweeping views, perfect perching stops and some fabulous cocktails. I arrived just as they had opened and they were super informative and helpful despite busy setting up. What I loved most was the views of the Yarra River – a rare gem among the rooftop bars of Melbourne. Oh and the Transport Hotel is not actually hotel if you were thinking of staying here! It is a venue of restaurants, live music and all the fun!
Website: Click here
Rooftop at QT
Best for: 🍸🍹🍷🥂
Location: On top of the QT Melbourne Hotel
View: The Skyline peeps through
Vibe: Cool and classy
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023 (2025 information updated)
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: This ravishing little rooftop had a London rooftop bar vibe and oozed an air of exclusivity. The actual terrace is quite small and shaded from the extreme sun. Inside is a boujee bar and some great booths and seating should you need to hide from the heat. Despite the slight intimidating feel when you walk into the hotel lobby, the rooftop was incredibly inviting with some of the most friendly barmen, ready to conjure up a classic or quirky cocktail!
Website: Click here
State of Grace
Best for: 🍸🍻🍷🍹🍷
Location: CBD but a bit out of the way
View: The city
Vibe: Sunny sessions
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No – there’s retractable roof
Rooftop review roundup: A floral get away for those perfect fizz afternoons. Situated slightly apart from the usual rooftop hotspots, this bar vicinity has mixed reviews. Although quieter than the bustling CBD, it’s conveniently close to Flinders Station. Do be mindful and safe if leaving late. But it’s not one to skip. Laid back and gorgeously decorated with awesome city sights to see. Oh and they offer Saturday Sun sessions. Or fun sessions as I would call them!
Website: Click here
Captain Baxter Rooftop
Best for: GF 🥟 🥂🍸☕️
Location: St Kilda
View: The ocean
Vibe: Coffee and catch up’s into processo and partying!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes and so much GF
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: This was worth the trip to St Kilda when it was 40 degrees. In recent times, St Kilda has become less popular with locals. Overly touristy and full of partying is to blame but I still love this spot not least a rooftop restaurant by the ocean is my favourite way to rooftop! Super easy to jump on a tram from the CBD (note the trams are only free inside the CBD). I had just gone for drinks but when I discovered the menu was packed with GF options – I was staying for food. Since being GF I had so missed dumplings and this was the first time I had found GF ones – it was worth the wait! I had to order them twice! This was one of my favourite rooftop bars in Melbourne – ticking a lot of boxes!
Website: Click here
Abory Afloat
Best for: 🍽️🍸🥂🍷
Location: On the Yarra River, just behind Finders Station
Vibe: Busy, bustling a touch boujee
View: The city and river
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes – essential
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Not to be confused with the Arbory Bar on land, as I nearly booked the wrong one! This is a summer pop up that should be here all year round as it is so fabulous. Though sadly Melbourne does have cold winters so make sure you come in the summer. Arbory Afloat is akin to a private members club, beach bar and rooftop restaurant all rolled into one! Technically it only scrapes through on the rooftop criteria with a little rooftop terrace on the float. But it does! The rest of the float is equally as fabulous, it even has a pool! Bookings are a must as this place was buzzing.
Website: Click here
Palmz Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍷🥂🍸
Location: The Carlton Club, next door to QT Melbourne in the CBD
View: N/A
Vibe: Party and palm trees!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: The Carlton is best known as a nightclub and less for rooftop cocktails. But this a little jungle treat in the CBD with $14 cocktails and $5 wine happy hours. When we went it was super quiet and they did have some strange rules around food in certain areas but it was perfect for prosecco and catch ups somewhere so central in Melbourne.
Website: Click here
Goldilocks Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🥂🍹🍷
Location: Above the House of Correction, next to the Denyers Building in the CBD
View: The city
Vibe: Chilled fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes mainly vegan
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023 (2025 information updated)
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: ‘Just as Goldilocks tried all the chairs until she found the most comfortable, you can try many rooftop bars but Goldilocks Rooftop Bar is; “Just Right!” Is the motto of this rooftop bar. Famed for fairy tales and fables but most importantly for it’s cocktails! Fancy a ‘Mamma Bear’ or maybe a ‘Little Bear’ shot! Or even a selfie with Goldilocks Bear – yes they have one of those too. There is also plenty of shade – we can’t have bears that get burnt!
Website: Click here
Her Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🥂🍷🍸
Location: CBD
View: The City
Vibe: Super Chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes for lunch
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Loved this city haven. Unpretentious, cute and unusually for Melbourne, open from 11.30am everyday! It’s a little more expensive than some rooftop bars but makes for the perfect girly lunch or afternoon catch up!
Website: Click here
Bomba Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍷🍺
Location: CBD
View: The City
Vibe: After work drinks
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – Tapas
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No – there’s a retractable roof
Rooftop review roundup: A perfect place for those after work drinks. The Naranja area is the original rooftop area with a retractable roof whether that is to protect you from the rain or the beating sun! No reservations on this rooftop so ensure you are early for a spot!
Website: Click here
Good Heaven Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍷🍹🍸
Location: CBD
View: The City
Vibe: Chill and catch ups
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Self claimed as the largest rooftop terrace in Melbourne I actually didn’t feel it was that big but then most rooftop bars here are quite small due to size of the buildings, so I trust them. Plus having been to the largest rooftop bar in Europe it was still quite small. That said all good things come in small packages. Including a cocktail called the ‘Hanky Panky’ as a nod to their restaurant Fancy Hanks!
Website: Click here
Imperial Rooftop
Best for: 🍹🍷🥂🍸🍺
Location: On the Imperial Hotel
View: The city
Vibe: Sporty and vibrant catch ups
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: This is one of the more well known and popular rooftop bars in Melbourne. It isn’t set that high but does boast views of parliament square and it is a must for sports fans. There are screens for your televised sports and plenty of space to chill away from them too! It’s thoughtful with how they have used the space and loved some retro throwback pieces. I came in the week – I can see a sunny Saturday this rooftop would be buzzing!
Website: Click here
Naked for Satan
Best for: 🍷🥂🍻🍸🙊
Location: Fitzroy
View: All of Melbourne
Vibe: Cheeky!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: I love when a rooftop bar develops a proper personality and they one certainly has! Naked for Satan could be construed in many ways but actually it lies in the hard work of a Russian refuge so was affectionately named, Satan. He secretly distilled Vodka, often not wearing many if any clothes, due to the heat. This moonshine secret and all those involved would use the code ‘Lets get Naked for Satan’ when involved. Thus this rooftop bar has kept this legend alive with some cheeky menu’s and drinks in a colourful rustic setting. You can even get a Naked Vodka! And you can keep your clothes on though at 40 degrees I was tempted not to though I didn’t fancy being arrested! This rooftop bar isn’t in the CBD so requires a special trip which as you can’t book is a gamble. But fear not there’s a great indoor while you wait for a table.
Website: Click here
Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍷🥂🍹
Location: Level & of Curtin House
View: The city
Vibe: Young and chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – fast food at the Burger Shack
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: I love the straightforward name—a rooftop bar, no pretence, just what it claims to be. Yet, surprise! It’s not just a bar; they also host rooftop cinema and DJ events, making it a lively blend of parties and movies under the open sky. It really reminds me of Roof East – also simply named, in east London. Come for the views and laid back vibes and stay for the fun!
Website: Click here
Easey’s
Best for: 🍔 🍷
Location: A half hour walk from the CBD
View: Not much
Vibe: Casual
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available?
Smoking allowed? Yes
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: The most unusual rooftop goes to… ‘Burgers & Beers served five stories up in a rooftop train carriage overlooking Melbourne City. Beat that.’ Set a good walk from the CBD I was not missing this experience. Despite a menu very heavy in burgers, chips and basically bad for GF it absolutely caters for vegan and GF! The rooftop is a tiny little space outside that was more like a smoking area that a rooftop bar so I am bending the rooftop rules and to sit in an old train carriage balanced on a building roof is not an every day occurrence! The trains are from Hitachi carriage which ran from 1972 to 2014 when air conditioned trains replaced them because, according to Easye’s ‘apparently the good old-fashioned window down was not enough’. Well they are good enough to now be a diner on a rooftop with a homage to the graffiti heritage of the trains too!
Website: Click here
Lancemore Crossley St
Best for: Guests
Location: Theatre District
View: Melbourne
Vibe: Super quiet
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? No
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: This is for hotel guests or to hire for a rooftop event. I am including it should you be looking for a hotel with a great rooftop for some rest bite. (Though double check they have no private events during your stay – as with any rooftop). I was there in February and it was super hot and super quiet. Perfect after a day exploring the city to just chill before going out for dinner or to take your morning coffee on. They will bring drinks up to you from the bar or you could bring your own up. It did miss a bit of atmosphere which could be fixed by some music but otherwise I loved hanging here and even made a new friend!
Website: Click here
