Best Rooftop Bars Melbourne
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By Ben Oliver || Last Updated: December 19, 2023
More than any other Australian capital city, Melbourne has taken to maximising its space – and views – by adding bars on top of buildings.
The first attempt to marry views with drinks was back in 1970, when the ‘Top Of The Town” opened to much fanfare on Collins Street. Now, Melbourne boasts many, many rooftop bars. Here are our favourites.
Explore on your own, or why not join us for a brilliant hidden bar and history tour of Melbourne!
Loop Roof||@looproof
Why come here?
A garden oasis down one of Melbourne’s most iconic laneways.
You’ll need to lug it up several flights of stairs to reach the sun-drenched top level, but it’s worth it for the shady, comfortable confines and well-priced drinks list. Not a bad wine list either.
Ohh, and those open-air views of the city this rooftop bar offers are brilliant.
What’s the food situation?
Made for sharing. Uber snackable and very reasonably priced. Try the cauliflower bites.
The last word
The Garden of Eden awaits.
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Wed-Thurs 4 pm – 11 pm | Fri-2 pm- 1 am | Sat 12 pm- 1 am | Sun – 12:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Union Electric || @unionelectricbar
Why come here?
Full disclosure: Union Electric holds a sentimental place in my heart. My wife and I stumbled across this bar just after it first opened, and had a lovely chat with the owner, Huw. We then went back there a second time just after its new rooftop gin garden opened. On both occasions, we consumed large amounts of gin.
There may be larger bars in Melbourne, but Union Electric’s smaller size is part of what makes it so appealing. It’s got quirk in spades, but underrated, subtle quirk. For some reason, Bill Murray’s picture keeps a silent vigil over the bar below.
What’s the food situation?
Like having a beer at your mate’s place, the food is order in. Just keep it clean. Order dumplings from New Kum Den next door would be our advice.
The final word
Bill Murray approves.
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mon-thu: 5pm-1am | fri-sat: 12pm-1am | sun: 4pm-1am
Rooftop Bar Melbourne || @rooftopbar
Why come here?
The grand poobah of Melbourne’s sky high bar scene, Rooftop Bar Melbourne could rest on its laurels by virtue of its name alone. Thankfully, it doesn’t.
One of the highest bars in the City – with accompanying views and a large rooftop beer garden – Rooftop Bar is like an Aussie BBQ at seven levels above sea level: astro turf, plastic furniture, and tasty, inexpensive snacks. And every summer, Rooftop Bar doubles as a rooftop cinema: see their microsite for timings.
The only downside is the seven flights of stairs you will inevitably take instead of waiting for the ancient elevator.
What’s the food situation?
Limited, but tasty. It’s classic, wash-this-down type food, with chips, fried chicken and poutine heading up the menu.
The last word
A bar which lives up to its name.
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Mon-Sun: 11am-1am
Siglo || @siglobar
Why come here?
Like your cocktail bar with a French cognac and a Cohiba cigar? Welcome to Siglo.
Spanish for century, Siglo oozes Parisian charm. From the rooftop you’ll see a century-old mural on the side of the 19th century Princess Theatre, while enjoying Instagrammable views over State Parliament.
Keep in mind Siglo is a classy venue, with beverages and bar snacks priced accordingly. Also, be forewarned if you’re not going to partake from their famed humidor, the smell of cigar smoke will be present most evenings.
Trip Advisor reviews often complain about the smoke, but great places should polarise. Siglo is a gem, and if you haven’t paired an XO Cognac with a Partagas Cuban, you haven’t truly lived.
What’s the food situation?
Order a range of snacks from your table from olives to nuts. Or for something more substantial, head downstairs to sister restaurant the Melbourne Supper Club.
If you’re keen to try a cigar, budget for between $30 to $97 a pop.
The final word
Class all the way. Class. Class. Class.
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Tuesday - Saturday, 5pm - 3am
Naked In The Sky || @nakedforsatan_
Why come here?
Naked In the Sky isn’t technically in the City, but at just a few clicks north in Fitzroy, this rooftop marvel is too good to miss.
Downstairs, Naked For Satan takes its name from Polish migrant Leo Satanavich, who in the 1930s started making bootleg vodka in a homemade still in the same building. Punters could pay him in money or labour for his tasty moonshine. The heat from the still in the summer time forced Leo to strip naked while working, giving rise to the saying “getting naked for Satan”. You’ll see pieces of his old still in the window.
Upstairs, Naked In the Sky (opened 2018) offers some of the best panoramas of Melbourne CBD and the Dandenongs. Naked in the Sky has more than 20 house-infused vodkas, including opium & rose, chilli and cherry ripe, plus a great beer and wine list. Get a litre of sangria on Saturdays from 4-7pm, and return Sunday for an $8 Aperol from 12-3pm.
What’s the food situation?
The upstairs restaurant has deeply Spanish roots, tasty and relatively affordable. Check out their $11 lunches Monday through Friday.
The bar menu features favourites like baked Camembert, popcorn chicken and prawn skewers.
The final word
The devil’s playground has never been so good.
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Sun-Thurs: 12pm-12am | Fri-Sat: 12pm-1am
Her Rooftop || @her_melbourne
Why come here?
Simple name, simple premise: single syllable
Her is a relatively new entry to the Melbourne rooftop bar scene (2022), but has already found a niche in our hearts.
Climb five stories and be met with city skyline views that stretch for days, sitting on top of heritage-listed Pacific House, a Romanesque building dating back to the early 20th century with beautiful window arches.
A drinks menu big on classic cocktails, beers big on craft and an al natural wine list compliment the beautiful mosaic tiled floors. And teetotallers will have some options also.
What’s the food situation?
A shared, Thai situation from the BKK kids downstairs.
The final word
A bar for you, no matter your pronouns.
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Every Day: 11.30am till late
State Of Grace || @stateofgracemelbourne
Why come here?
The original State Of Grace – and hidden underground speakeasy Fall From Grace – reopened at its new King Street address in late 2018 after serving last drinks on Collins Street a year prior. The reborn SOG was greeted by Melbourne’s drinking population with a collective sigh of relief.
Thoroughly European in style, State Of Grace is not just back, it’s better than ever. Level one is old-world class. Downstairs, the cellar bar Fall From Grace is rocking gothic vibes (hidden behind the bookcase). And the addition of a rooftop bar upstairs only cements its place as an icon of Melbourne’s bar scene
What’s the food situation?
The restaurant has an Aussie-French hybrid vibe, with a menu featuring dishes like crispy pork belly and confit duck leg. Fall From Grace has a grazing menu, while the rooftop serves more pub style, casual food.
The final word
Three bars in one.
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Mon-Tues: 12pm-12am | Wed-Fri: 12pm-1am | Sat: 12pm-12am
As far as rooftop bars in Melbourne go, you could spend every night on a different rooftop if you wanted.