The Very Best Rooftop Bars In Melbourne

If Melbourne was to be judged on its rooftop bar scene, it would score 10s across the board. Somewhere along the line, Melburnians recognised some very important facts:

1. Drinking outside is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

2. Rooftop bars and skyline boozing is the magnum opus of modern architecture.

3. This city has more bar-ready rooftop spaces than you could throw an avocado latte at.

Therefore, we thought we’d look at some of Melbourne’s best rooftop bars.

Rooftop at QT

Not that we’re biased, but one of our favourite rooftop bar in Melbourne is the sharp and sexy Rooftop at QT. Dress to impress, find a couch and lock in for the long haul – it’s going to be a big night of oysters and cocktails.

Definitely drink – QT G&T, a long-glassed fiesta of West Winds gin and house-made elderflower syrup with cucumber soda and a frond of rosemary submerged in a heap of crushed ice.

Good Heavens

From the makers of Fancy Hanks and Mr Burger comes Good Heavens, a blue pastel Palm Springs-looking rooftop bar on Bourke Street serving up colourful cocktails inspired by the 80s. They’ll also gladly pour you craft beers and vino from an all-Australian wine list.

Definitely drink – the White Sangria topped with fresh mint.

Fonda

Inspired by Mexican homes open up as a restaurant to the local community, Fonda takes the “mi casa es su casa” vibe and adds a long list of outstanding margaritas and crazy-good Mexican grub.

Definitely drink – The Fonda Classic margarita, a delicious mix of herradura plata tequila, triple sec and fresh lime juice.

Bomba

This intimate rooftop bar (where the old Aylesbury once was) is built around a love for all things Spanish, more specifically tapas, vermouth and Catalonian wine.

Awash with natural light and boasting sturdy wooden tables, Bomba is inspired by modern Spanish workers’ bars but still oozes a very Melbourne vibe. With dishes like leek and manchego croquettas complementing the exotic and delicious booze list, it’s no surprise this is a favourite with locals.

Definitely drink – Anything from the lengthy menu of elaborate spritzers and dressed-up G&Ts.

These are only a few of the rooftop bars Melbourne has to offer. We could rattle off plenty of others, like  Feast of Merit, Whitehart, Corner Hotel, Easey’s, Union Electric Bar, Goldilocks Bar, Upside Rooftop Bar, The Imperial Hotel and Emerald Peacock, but even then the list wouldn’t scratch the surface.

words by cat spanti