Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney
Sydney does rooftops better than almost anywhere: harbour views from The Rocks, sunset terraces above Kings Cross and salt-air decks out at the beaches. Here are seven worth planning a night around, and how to string them together.
Seven rooftops to know
- 1
Blu Bar on 36
The Rocks
On the 36th floor of the Shangri-La, with floor-to-ceiling windows facing the Harbour Bridge and Opera House.
Best for: The classic postcard harbour view
- 2
Zephyr Sky Bar
Darling Harbour
Open-air terrace on top of the Hyatt Regency looking back over Darling Harbour and the city skyline.
Best for: Golden hour cocktails before dinner
- 3
Jimmy's Rooftop Bar
Kings Cross
A relaxed rooftop above Jimmy Lik's, popular for warm evenings and a late start to the night.
Best for: Starting a Kings Cross bar crawl
- 4
The Glenmore Hotel
The Rocks
A pub rooftop rather than a polished sky bar — casual, busy on weekends, and one of the closest rooftops to the Opera House.
Best for: Pub feel with a big view
- 5
Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade
Millers Point
A small top-floor bar in a heritage hotel with wraparound windows over Walsh Bay and the bridge.
Best for: A quieter, intimate rooftop
- 6
Ivy Pool Club
Sydney CBD
A rooftop pool terrace tucked above George Street, with a day-club atmosphere in summer.
Best for: Long Sunday afternoons
- 7
Coogee Pavilion Rooftop
Coogee
A beachside rooftop looking straight out over Coogee Beach, with plants, long tables and ocean air.
Best for: Beach views instead of skyline
A rooftop route that works
The CBD and The Rocks sit close enough to walk between: start at Zephyr Sky Bar for sunset over Darling Harbour, walk north to Blu Bar on 36 for the bridge view, then drop down to The Glenmore for a louder finish. If the night is warm, swap the last stop for Kings Cross and keep going late.
Rovr can build that walking route for you — pick your stops in Plan my night and it maps the streets between them.
Rooftop tips
- Sunset is the peak hour — arrive 45 minutes before if you want a rail seat.
- Hotel rooftops often take bookings; pub rooftops usually do not.
- Check opening hours on the day: some terraces close early in winter.
- Wind on the higher terraces makes it feel cooler than street level.
Questions people ask
What is the best rooftop bar in Sydney for harbour views?
For the postcard view of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, Blu Bar on 36 in The Rocks sits highest, while Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade gives a similar outlook from a smaller, quieter room. The Glenmore's rooftop is the most casual way to get a bridge view.
When is the best time to visit a Sydney rooftop bar?
Late afternoon into sunset, especially between October and April. Most rooftops fill quickly on Friday and Saturday from around 5pm, so arrive early or check whether the venue takes bookings.
Do Sydney rooftop bars have a dress code?
Hotel sky bars in the CBD usually ask for smart casual and no activewear or thongs. Beachside and pub rooftops are more relaxed, but it is worth checking the venue before you go.
Are Sydney rooftop bars free to enter?
Most are walk-in with no cover charge, though some run ticketed events or a minimum spend for reserved tables and daybeds. Rooftop pool clubs are the most likely to charge for a booked space.
Which Sydney rooftop bars take bookings?
Hotel rooftops such as Blu Bar on 36 and Zephyr Sky Bar generally accept reservations for tables, while pub rooftops like The Glenmore usually run first-in, first-served. Booking is worth it for a group of more than four.
Are rooftop bars in Sydney good for groups?
Yes, but big groups do better at the larger terraces — Coogee Pavilion and Ivy Pool Club have the most room and long tables. Smaller rooms like Henry Deane suit two to four people.
Which rooftop bars are open in winter?
Most stay open year round, though terraces can close early or move drinkers indoors. The covered and partly enclosed rooms handle winter best; check the venue's hours on the day.
What happens if it rains?
Many rooftops are partly covered or have an indoor bar on the same level, but some close their terraces in bad weather. Check the venue's live status in Rovr before heading out.
Can you do a rooftop bar crawl in one night?
Yes — The Rocks and Millers Point put several rooftops within a ten-minute walk of each other, so a three or four stop route is easy on foot. Rovr's Plan my night builds the walking route between them.
Which rooftop bars are near Circular Quay?
Blu Bar on 36, The Glenmore and Henry Deane are all a short walk from Circular Quay station, which makes that corner of the city the simplest starting point without a taxi.