Sydney has one of the world’s best rooftop bar scenes. Since the 2020 lockout-law repeal, the city has added dozens of new sky-high cocktail venues — joining heritage favourites like Smoke Bar at Crown Sydney, the Glenmore Hotel rooftop in The Rocks and the Aster Bar at Intercontinental Sydney. This complete guide to rooftop bars Sydney covers 25+ of the city’s best skyline and harbour-view drinking destinations, with 2026 cocktail prices, dress codes, signature drinks, opening hours, and the best rooftop venues for sunset, after-work and late-night drinking.
Rooftop bars Sydney at a glance
| Venue | Suburb | View | Cocktail price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke Bar (Crown Sydney level 26) | Barangaroo | Harbour Bridge & CBD | AU$24–32 |
| Aster Bar (Intercontinental Sydney L32) | CBD | 270° Harbour | AU$24–30 |
| Altitude Bar (Shangri-La Sydney L36) | The Rocks | Opera House + Harbour Bridge | AU$26–32 |
| The Glenmore Hotel Rooftop | The Rocks | Opera House | AU$20–28 |
| Zephyr (Hyatt Regency L13) | Darling Harbour | Darling Harbour + CBD | AU$22–28 |
| Coogee Pavilion Rooftop | Coogee | Coogee Beach + Pacific | AU$22–28 |
| Bondi Icebergs Bar | Bondi | Bondi Icebergs pool | AU$24–30 |
| The Lobo Plantation rooftop | CBD | Above the bar | AU$22–28 |
| Joji | CBD | City skyline | AU$24–30 |
| Taylor’s Rooftop | CBD | City skyline | AU$22–28 |
| Panorama Bar (The International) | Martin Place | CBD skyline | AU$24–32 |
| SKYE Bar (Crowne Plaza Burwood) | Burwood | 360° city + Blue Mountains | AU$22–28 |
| The Burdekin rooftop | Oxford Street | Inner-east skyline | AU$20–28 |
| Cafe del Mar (Cockle Bay Wharf) | Darling Harbour | Marina + skyline | AU$22–28 |
| Henrietta (Crown Sydney) | Barangaroo | Harbour | AU$24–32 |
| Hotel Palisade Rooftop | Millers Point | Harbour Bridge | AU$22–28 |
| Hickson House Distilling Rooftop | Walsh Bay | Harbour wharf | AU$20–28 |
| The Tilbury Hotel Rooftop | Woolloomooloo | Garden | AU$20–26 |
| Bondi Hotel Rooftop | Bondi | Bondi Beach | AU$20–26 |
| Pacific Bondi rooftop | Bondi | Pacific Ocean | AU$22–28 |
| Jacobys Tiki Bar (Newtown) | Newtown | Inner West rooftop | AU$22–28 |
About Sydney’s rooftop bar scene
Rooftop bars Sydney offers cluster around three main locations: the CBD high-rise hotels (Intercontinental, Hyatt Regency, Crowne Plaza), the harbour-edge venues (Crown Sydney, The Glenmore, Hotel Palisade), and the beach-suburb destinations (Bondi Icebergs, Coogee Pavilion). Average cocktail price: AU$22–32. Most rooftops require a smart-casual dress code; some at premium hotels enforce smart attire.
Best CBD rooftop bars Sydney
Smoke Bar (Crown Sydney level 26)
The city’s best skyline cocktail view. Smoke Bar at Crown Sydney’s level 26 has floor-to-ceiling windows looking north across the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Opera House and east over the CBD. The signature smoke-infused Old Fashioned (AU$28) is the cocktail to order. Open 5pm–late daily; smart casual.
Aster Bar (Intercontinental Sydney level 32)
270-degree harbour panorama from 32 floors up. Aster Bar sits in the Intercontinental Sydney’s heritage Treasury Building hotel with sweeping views from the Royal Botanic Garden to Bridge Street CBD. Signature drink: Golden Hour (Never Never Triple Juniper Gin, turmeric, citrus, AU$26).
Altitude Bar (Shangri-La Sydney level 36)
Sydney’s highest cocktail bar. Altitude Bar at Shangri-La Sydney has unobstructed Opera House and Harbour Bridge views from level 36. Cocktails AU$26–32; smart attire enforced.
Joji
Sydney’s newest rooftop opening. Joji is a Japanese-inspired CBD rooftop with a chic cocktail lounge, dining space and open-air terrace. Open until 2am most nights; cocktails AU$24–30.
Taylor’s Rooftop (The Republic Hotel)
Open-air CBD venue. Taylor’s Rooftop sits atop The Republic Hotel with city skyline views, stellar cocktails, great wines and wood-fired pizza from the rooftop oven. Cocktails AU$22–28.
Panorama Bar (The International)
Elevated above Martin Place. Panorama Bar is a glamorous-but-informal CBD rooftop with garden terraces and CBD skyline views. Seasonal cocktail menu. Cocktails AU$24–32.
Zephyr (Hyatt Regency Sydney)
Darling Harbour-side rooftop. Zephyr at the top of Hyatt Regency Sydney has Darling Harbour and CBD views with padded couches for sunset watching. Cocktails AU$22–28.
Best harbour-edge rooftop bars Sydney
The Glenmore Hotel Rooftop (The Rocks)
The most-photographed Rocks rooftop. The Glenmore Hotel rooftop has stunning Opera House and Harbour Bridge views from a heritage pub setting. Smaller than the hotel rooftops but with a more local, friendly atmosphere. Cocktails AU$20–28.
Hotel Palisade Rooftop (Millers Point)
Heritage pub rooftop with the original Henrietta-Holding-the-Bridge view. Hotel Palisade at Millers Point has Sydney Harbour Bridge views and an excellent gin list. Cocktails AU$22–28.
Hickson House Distilling Co. Rooftop (Walsh Bay)
Sydney’s only working spirits distillery with a rooftop bar. Hickson House serves cocktails using house-made gin and vodka, with harbour wharf views. Cocktails AU$20–28.
Cafe del Mar Sydney (Cockle Bay Wharf)
Beach-club vibe on the harbour. Cafe del Mar at Cockle Bay Wharf has marina and skyline views with day-beds, sunset DJ sets, and a small but high-quality cocktail menu. Cocktails AU$22–28.
Henrietta (Crown Sydney)
Sister to Smoke Bar at Crown. Henrietta is the lower-level cocktail bar at Crown Sydney with harbour views and a slightly more relaxed atmosphere than Smoke Bar one level up. Cocktails AU$24–32.
Best beach rooftop bars Sydney
Coogee Pavilion Rooftop
The Eastern Beaches’ best multi-level rooftop. Coogee Pavilion is housed in the heritage former Coogee Swimming Baths and has an open-air rooftop with city skyline views to the north and Pacific Ocean to the east. Cocktails AU$22–28; walk-in friendly midweek.
Bondi Icebergs Bar
The most-photographed Bondi rooftop. Bondi Icebergs Bar sits above the famous ocean pool with Pacific surf views. The cocktails are AU$24–30. Dinner reservations book out 4–8 weeks ahead.
Bondi Hotel Rooftop
Heritage Bondi pub. Bondi Hotel has a casual rooftop with Bondi Beach views. Cocktails AU$20–26.
Pacific Bondi Rooftop
Newer Bondi rooftop venue with Pacific Ocean views. Cocktails AU$22–28.
Pilu at Freshwater (rooftop deck)
Northern Beaches’ best rooftop deck. Pilu at Freshwater has a smaller rooftop deck overlooking Freshwater Beach. Cocktails AU$22–28.
Best Inner West rooftop bars Sydney
Jacobys Tiki Bar (Newtown)
Themed rooftop with Mai Tais. Jacobys Tiki Bar in Newtown has a small but bustling tropical rooftop, popular with the Newtown crowd. Cocktails AU$22–28.
The Bank Hotel Newtown Rooftop
Heritage pub rooftop. The Bank Hotel in Newtown has a multi-level pub with a rooftop deck overlooking King Street. Cocktails AU$18–24.
The Marlborough Hotel Newtown
Smaller heritage pub rooftop with live music. Cocktails AU$18–24.
Best Eastern Suburbs rooftop bars Sydney
The Burdekin Hotel Rooftop (Oxford Street)
Heritage Art Deco pub rooftop. The Burdekin has a small rooftop with Oxford Street and inner-east skyline views. Cocktails AU$20–28.
The Tilbury Hotel Rooftop (Woolloomooloo)
Garden rooftop bar. The Tilbury has a leafy rooftop garden with great cocktails and shareable plates. Cocktails AU$20–26.
The Imperial Hotel Erskineville (rooftop deck)
Queer-friendly Erskineville pub rooftop. Cocktails AU$18–24.
Sydney rooftop bars by occasion
Sunset cocktails
Smoke Bar (best skyline sunset), Cafe del Mar (Cockle Bay sunset), Coogee Pavilion Rooftop (Eastern Beaches sunset), Hotel Palisade (Harbour Bridge silhouette sunset).
Date night
Altitude Bar Shangri-La (highest views in town), Aster Bar Intercontinental (270° harbour), The Glenmore Hotel Rooftop (intimate heritage setting), Bondi Icebergs Bar (Pacific surf view).
After-work drinks
Joji, Taylor’s Rooftop, The Lobo Plantation rooftop, The Burdekin. All CBD-accessible and casual.
Special occasion
Smoke Bar at Crown Sydney, Altitude Bar Shangri-La, Aster Bar Intercontinental, Panorama Bar at The International. Premium prices but unbeatable views.
Late-night
Joji (until 2am), Smoke Bar (until late), The Lobo Plantation rooftop, Frankie’s Pizza by the Slice rooftop, Jacobys Tiki Bar.
Group party
Coogee Pavilion (multi-level for large groups), Cafe del Mar (sunset crowds), Bondi Pavilion, The Bank Hotel Newtown.
Sydney rooftop bars dress code
| Venue type | Dress code |
|---|---|
| Premium hotel rooftops (Smoke, Aster, Altitude) | Smart attire; collared shirts, closed shoes |
| Mid-range rooftops (Joji, Panorama, Zephyr) | Smart casual |
| Heritage pub rooftops (Glenmore, Palisade, Burdekin) | Casual; no beachwear |
| Beach rooftops (Coogee Pavilion, Bondi Icebergs) | Smart casual; beach attire OK in afternoon |
| Inner West rooftops (Jacobys, Bank Hotel) | Casual |
How to find Sydney rooftop bars
- Sydney.com rooftops — Destination NSW’s official rooftop bar listing
- Broadsheet Sydney — Best curated reviews and openings
- The Urban List Sydney — Lifestyle-focused rooftop roundups
- Time Out Sydney — Best-of-the-week guide
- RotopGuide Sydney — Specialist rooftop bar guide
- Concrete Playground Sydney — Locals’ favourites
- OpenTable — For rooftop restaurants that also have bars
Sydney rooftop bars timing
- 4–7pm: Happy hour windows at many heritage pub rooftops
- 5–8pm: Sunset peak — busiest at the harbour-view venues
- 8–11pm: Dinner crowd at hotel rooftops
- 11pm–2am: Late-night cocktail crowd; CBD venues stay open
- Weekend afternoons: Beach rooftops (Bondi Icebergs, Coogee Pavilion) peak
- Smoke Bar Crown Sydney: Best sunset views from 5pm onwards
- Outdoor rooftops typically close at the first sign of rain — check weather forecast
Sample Sydney rooftop bar crawl
The Sydney sunset crawl: 5pm Smoke Bar Crown Sydney for skyline sunset; 7pm dinner at the lower-level a’Mare; 9pm Altitude Bar Shangri-La for harbour-and-CBD city lights; 11pm Joji for late-night Japanese-inspired cocktails.
The harbour edge crawl: 5pm Hickson House Distilling rooftop for house gin cocktails; 7pm Hotel Palisade for Bridge views; 9pm The Glenmore Hotel Rooftop for Opera House nightscape.
The Eastern Beaches crawl: 4pm Coogee Pavilion Rooftop for afternoon swim + cocktail; 6pm Bondi Icebergs Bar for sunset; 8pm Pacific Bondi rooftop dinner.
Sydney rooftop bars must-try cocktails
- Golden Hour at Aster Bar (Never Never Triple Juniper Gin, turmeric, citrus) — AU$26
- Smoke-infused Old Fashioned at Smoke Bar — AU$28
- Bondi Icebergs Spritz at Bondi Icebergs Bar — AU$24
- Aviator Tropical at Cafe del Mar — AU$24
- The Palisade Negroni at Hotel Palisade — AU$22
- Glenmore Spritz at The Glenmore Hotel Rooftop — AU$22
- House Hickson Gin and Tonic at Hickson House Distilling — AU$22
- Coogee Sunset at Coogee Pavilion — AU$24
- Mai Tai at Jacobys Tiki Bar Newtown — AU$22
- Joji Wagyu Negroni at Joji — AU$30
Rooftop bars Sydney for events
Many Sydney rooftops host special events:
- Sydney New Year’s Eve fireworks — ticketed rooftop events AU$300–800/person
- Vivid Sydney (May–June) — special programming at most CBD rooftops
- Mardi Gras (late February) — Oxford Street rooftops (Burdekin, Imperial) at peak
- Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race departure (26 Dec) — harbour-edge rooftop spectator viewing
- NRL Grand Final (October) — sport-watching rooftops with big screens
- Mother’s Day / Father’s Day — booked-out at premium rooftops
Sydney rooftop bars budget tactics
- Happy hour 5–7pm: 30–40% off cocktails at many heritage pub rooftops
- Wine by the glass: Often AU$12–18 vs AU$22+ cocktails
- Avoid Friday/Saturday cover charges: Some Smoke Bar, Coogee Pavilion peak nights charge AU$15–25 cover
- Take the lift: No charge for getting to hotel rooftops; you only pay if you stay and order
- Free harbour views from public spaces: Mrs Macquarie’s Chair, Opera Bar (drinks AU$15–25)
- Beach rooftops generally don’t charge cover
Frequently asked questions
What’s the best rooftop bar in Sydney?
Smoke Bar at Crown Sydney level 26 is the consensus pick for the best skyline view, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking north across the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. Altitude Bar at Shangri-La Sydney level 36 has the highest views; Aster Bar at Intercontinental Sydney level 32 has 270° harbour panoramas.
How much do cocktails cost at Sydney rooftop bars?
2026 cocktail prices: premium hotel rooftops (Smoke, Aster, Altitude) AU$24–32; mid-range rooftops AU$22–28; heritage pub rooftops AU$20–26. Wine by the glass AU$12–18; beer AU$10–14.
Do Sydney rooftop bars have a dress code?
Yes, mostly smart casual. Premium hotel rooftops (Smoke Bar, Aster Bar, Altitude Bar) enforce smart attire — collared shirts, closed shoes, no beachwear. Heritage pub rooftops and beach rooftops are more flexible.
What’s the best Sydney rooftop bar for sunset?
Smoke Bar at Crown Sydney for the best skyline sunset. Cafe del Mar for the Cockle Bay marina sunset. Coogee Pavilion Rooftop for the Eastern Beaches sunset. Hotel Palisade for the Harbour Bridge silhouette sunset.
Are rooftop bars Sydney has weather-dependent?
Outdoor sections of most rooftops close at the first sign of rain. Indoor cocktail lounges (Smoke Bar, Aster, Altitude) operate year-round regardless of weather. Always check the venue’s forecast policy before heading out in unstable weather.
Where can I find a Sydney rooftop bar with views of the Opera House?
Altitude Bar (Shangri-La Sydney level 36), Smoke Bar (Crown Sydney level 26), The Glenmore Hotel Rooftop (The Rocks), Hickson House Distilling Rooftop (Walsh Bay) and the elevated Opera Bar at the Opera House itself all have Opera House views.
Can families visit Sydney rooftop bars?
Children under 18 are generally not permitted at premium hotel rooftop bars after 5pm. Family-friendly rooftop options earlier in the day include Coogee Pavilion (multi-level family venue), Cafe del Mar Cockle Bay, and The Boathouse Palm Beach rooftop. Always check the venue’s age policy in advance.
Plan more of your Sydney trip
For more on Sydney nightlife, see our deep dives on Sydney nightlife, the best restaurants in Sydney, waterfront restaurants Sydney, fine dining Sydney, and our overall top things to do in Sydney, where to stay in Sydney, luxury hotels in Sydney, and the Sydney transport guide.
Helpful resources for planning your Sydney trip
For the very latest information on opening hours, ticketing and transport, the following official resources are kept up to date:
- Smoke Bar Crown Sydney
- Sydney.com Rooftops
- Time Out Sydney Rooftops
- Broadsheet Sydney Bars
- Crown Sydney
- Liquor and Gaming NSW
Related Sydney guides
More on eating and drinking in Sydney:
