The best rooftop lounges and bars around the world are found from the sunny shores of Cagliari, Sardinia to the vibrant nightlife of Tokyo to the neon lights of New York City.
They all have one thing in common, killer views! Here are some of the very best top rooftop bars around the world.
16 TOP ROOFTOP BARS AND LOUNGES WITH KILLER VIEWS IN EUROPE
Atlanta Star Hotel – Rome, Italy
When in Rome, you need to see all the beautiful and ancient places – like the Colosseum or the Trevi Fountain. But you also have to enjoy a beautiful view of the city. And, when visiting the rooftop bar of Atlanta Star Hotel you have a view of two countries.
Enjoy lovely views of Vatican City and Rome when having an espresso or a glass of wine. There are not many options to end a day better than here!
Arzo blogs at Arzo Travels.
Jatzhütte Davos – Davos, Switzerland
Jatzhütte Davos is a mountaintop bar/restaurant in the famous Davos area of Switzerland. You’ll have to head up to Jakobshorn to find this gem.
You can either head up here just to enjoy the views with a drink or head here in between snowboarding or skiing sessions.
It’s truly a place where you can eat drink and be merry and look over the beautiful Alps. There’s even hot tub while looking over the mountains! There are a ton of daybeds to eat at.
While the views are sweet, be for-warned that it’s a very expensive place to eat (even for Switzerland). An hour in the lounge chair will run you 5 CHF. While a plate of french fries will cost 10 CHF.
Natasha and Cameron blog at The World Pursuit.
Le Cube Bar – Galeries Lafayette – Paris, France
Galeries Lafayette, in Paris 9, is one of the most visited sights in Paris, and not just for shopping!
These famous “Grands Magasins” have a very cool rooftop bar, Le Cube Bar, which is one of the best rooftop lounges in Paris. Le Cube Bar is not only a great place to relax with your favorite drink, but people also go there for its great views!
What can you see from this rooftop bar? The Eiffel Tower, the Opera Garnier, Le Grand Palais and the quintessential rooftops of Paris.
Le Cube Bar is open from 11 am to 8 pm, and we recommend to visit it at night to fully appreciate the City of Lights in one of its most beautiful rooftop lounges.
Elisa blogs at World in Paris.
Aria Hotel High Note Sky Bar – Budapest, Hungary
Aria Hotel High Note Sky bar in Budapest offers a great 360-degree view of Buda and Pest. It is located at the heart of Pest, just a stone’s throw away from St. Stephen’s Basilica.
This glamorous stylish bar has a very relaxing vibe, and it’s a perfect way to enjoy Budapest with your family and friends.
Ryazan Tristram blogs at Everything Zany.
The Gong Bar – London, England
The Shard in London offers some of the most spectacular views of the city, which is not surprising given that it is Western Europe’s tallest building!
What better way to enjoy a view of London than by enjoying a view of London with a drink in hand, which is where the Gong Bar can help you out.
This is on the 52nd floor of the building, making it the highest hotel bar in Western Europe. And as you would imagine, the views from up here are pretty impressive.
It is possible to just turn up, although it’s recommended to make a booking to avoid disappointment. For more ideas on what to do in London, check out our 2 day London itinerary.
Rooftop bars in London are a a great city attraction.
Laurence Norah blogs at Finding the Universe.
Sky Bar at the Hilton Podgorica – Podgorica, Montenegro
Podgorica, Montenegro is not usually high on travellers’ lists, but if you do find yourself in town, make your way to the Sky Bar on the rooftop of Hilton Podgorica.
Sip a cocktail while enjoying some stunning sunset views over the city as the sun goes down behind the surrounding hills.
You will be greeted with a decent drinks and nibbles list, and contemporary music to add to the relaxed atmosphere.
Josie Kelsch blogs at Josie Wanders.
T-Anker – Prague, Czech Republic
Prague has no shortage of good views of the Old Town but the one from T-Anker rooftop restaurant is exceptionally pretty.
You’ll get not only a direct view of the towers of the Thein Church, but you can choose to have your photos lined with blossoming flowers, which abound in the restaurant.
Come to T-Anker on top of the department store Kotva any time of day, but I suggest late afternoon due to limited shade options on top.
Veronika Primm blogs at Travel Geekery.
Atelier Bar in Bohemia Suites & Spa Restaurant – Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
Like any person who loves to travel, I do enjoy finding those amazing rooftop bars with scenic views that instantly take your breath away. Better yet, when they are kept a secret!
One such bar that’s equipped with killer beach views is the Atelier Bar in Bohemia Suites & Spa Hotel in Gran Canaria.
The Atelier Bar is known for its cool modern beach lounge décor, talented bar staff and the delicious cocktails that look like artwork!
It’s a truly enjoyable moment, sipping on a tasty cooled drink while you watch the sun go down on the beach on one side of the terrace while experiencing city views on the other side.
The overall vibe is urban, upbeat and sophisticated, with the bar hosting live music on special occasions.
It is, – the best rooftop bar in Gran Canaria with killer views that are worth seeing! Don’t miss out on this experience.
Michelle Minnaar blogs at Greedy Gourmet.
Neboticnik – Ljublijana, Slovenia
Neboticnik is a skyscraper and a popular landmark in the city of Ljubljana. The last three floors of the 13-floor Neboticnik are occupied by a cafe and bar with an observation terrace on the 11th floor.
The open cafe offers wonderful panoramic views of the Ljubljana city rooftops and the magnificent castle on the hill. The top floors can be accessible by a lift and are open to the public.
Rashmi and Chalukya blog at GoBeyondBounds.
Sky Bar Terrace Paseo de Gracia – Barcelona, Spain
The Sky Bar Terrace is located on the top of the Iberostar Hotel on Paseo de Gracia. It is located in the heart of Barcelona, overlooking Plaza Catalunya, one of Barcelona’s most famous squares.
The terrace has been completely renovated and features a beautiful pool, lounge beds, plush couches, several seating areas, and two bars.
Opened just recently, it is within walking distance to several of Barcelona’s most important monuments and tourist attractions.
The location makes it an ideal place to go relax with a drink or have something to eat and enjoy the stunning almost 360º views of the city.
Sally Pederson blogs at Luxurious Lifestyles.
Oxo Tower – London, England
London has several rooftop lounges with killer views, and one of the best we’ve visited is the Oxo Tower Bar on the South Bank.
The Oxo Tower is an Art Deco landmark once owned by the stock cube manufacturers Oxo and sits on top of a converted former power station.
Its restaurant, brasserie and bar are run by Harvey Nichols, and you can stop by for anything from a drink to a full three-course dinner.
The view is outstanding, looking out across the Thames to Blackfriar’s Bridge, with St. Paul’s Cathedral standing proud and the skyscrapers of the city of London off in the distance.
Any time of day is great, but twilight with the city lights twinkling is the most magical.
David blogs at Delve into Europe.
Lounge24 – Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn Estonia is known for its picture-perfect medieval old town. But, ironically, one of the best views of old town is from Tallinn’s newer neighborhood. Lounge24 is located on the rooftop of the Radisson Blu.
It has 180-degree views of the old town and harbor district.
Access to the lounge is free, although the drinks are pricey– so in that respect, you are paying for the view. But man, what a view.
Carol Guttery blogs at Wayfaring Views.
Pura Vida Sky Bar – Bucharest, Romania
Bucharest is quickly becoming a new favourite city break destination in Eastern Europe. Side by side with its historic landmarks, you will also find some of Europe’s most vibrant nightlife.
Every evening, the old town comes to life. You’ll be astounded to find a big number of restaurants and bars, cafes with live music, and why not join some locals dancing in the streets on the weekends.
If you are looking for cool rooftop lounges, and are prepared to climb some stairs, then Pura Vida Sky Bar (Strada Smardan 7) is the place to be.
Not only will you find some of the best views in town, but they make really good cocktails too. Don’t miss when in Bucharest!
Jurga blogs at Full Suitcase.
Eitch Borromini Terrace Bar – Rome, Italy
Most visitors to Rome don’t know about this new bar that has one of the best views of the city.
The Eitch Borromini is a luxury hotel overlooking Piazza Navona and the rooftop bar features sofas with stunning 360º views of the city including famous sights like St Peter’s Basilica, the Pantheon, and Piazza Venezia.
It is especially spectacular at sunset.
Expect to pay at least €15 for a drink, typical for top rooftop lounges, but it’s worth it for the views of this special city.
The bar is open every day from 6:30 PM—advance reservations by phone are essential.
Erin blogs at Never Ending Voyage.
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Hotel Grande Bretagne – Athens, Greece
The Grande Bretagne is located in the heart of Athens right on Syntagma Square and opposite Constitution Square where you can watch the changing of the guard twice a day.
It’s within walking distance of exclusive shopping areas and museums and has every facility you would expect of a hotel of this caliber including its famous rooftop bar.
The eight-story 19th-century building exudes wealth and refinement from the moment you arrive and has been favored for decades by celebrities such as Frank Sinatra, Sophia Loren and numerous Kings, Queens and statesmen.
The rooftop offers elegant fine dining or casual pre- and post-dinner drinks as well as a cigar lounge.
Whilst not the cheapest of rooftop lounges in town, it does have a certain wow factor that others lack and a visit to Athens would not be right without a drink here.
The views are expansive and take in the Acropolis, Constitution Square, Parliament, Lycabettus Hill and the original Olympic stadium.
Libarium – Cagliari, Italy
Libarium, in Cagliari, the capital of Sardinia (Italy), may not be your typical rooftop bar, as there is no actual roof there. It’s located in the Castello area of the city, on a terrace from where there are killer sunset views and from where it is possible to take some of the nicest pictures of Sardinia.
TOP 18 ROOFTOP VENUES AND BARS OUTSIDE EUROPE
The bar itself is very popular among both locals and tourists and prepares some of the best cocktails in town. There’s also an adjoining restaurant. Bookings may be necessary during the weekend.
Want to know what the top 17 rooftop venues and bars with amazing views are? Check out this outstanding collection – outside of Europe – that will dazzle you with their views and tempt you with their cocktails.
Vertigo Rooftop Restaurant – Bangkok, Thailand
To find our favourite rooftop bar and restaurant in Bangkok, we based our decision on the overall experience by following three deciding factors: value for money, the stuffiness of clientele, and, of course, the views from above, as each can make or break the rooftop experience.
And for us, the Vertigo Rooftop Restaurant and Moonbar at Banyan Tree Hotel came out easily on top. It offers set menus to ensure the wallet doesn’t take a hammering.
The clientele and atmosphere are surprisingly relaxed, and the views from above are just phenomenal. This is much to do with the layout of the rooftop bar, where tiered levels allow even diners in the middle table to have views out over the city.
So, while we weren’t actually the closest table to the building edge, it felt like we were because the table next to us was also on a level beneath.
Allan Wilson blogs at Live Less Ordinary.
Level 23 Wine Bar – Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
The Level 23 Wine Bar is located within the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
It offers a 180-degree view of downtown, including views over the old colonial area as well as the modern skyscrapers such as the Bitexco Financial Tower.
Popular with locals after work, it is one of the city’s highest rooftop venues and is a great place for a cocktail or glass of wine.
We went in the evening and really enjoyed the sunset and evening views from here and being able to see the buildings lit up at night. If you are looking for more great bars in the city, check out our guide to the top rooftop bars in Ho Chi Minh City which covers 10 of the city’s best locations.
Jessica Norah blogs at Independent Travel Cats.
Café France – Marrakech, Morocco
There’s no doubt that the main attraction to visit in Marrakech is the Djemma el Fna Square, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The intense life and the magical atmosphere of this square amaze all travelers, and the best way to enjoy this “cultural spectacle” is from a roof terrace at sunset.
Our favorite place to do so is the terrace in Café France, which provides you with a fascinating view of the square. The café has also a restaurant section if you plan to have dinner.
If you sit down in the roof terrace with a cup of tea around sunset, you will see how the ambiance changes when the daily vendors leave and the square becomes illuminated by the lights of many small local restaurants.
Gábor Kovács blogs at Surfing the Planet.
Coco Cabana Bar & Bistro – Penang, Malaysia
The Coco Cabana Bar & Bistro is a rooftop bar on top of the Komtar Building in Penang, Malaysia.
The sunset views of the ocean, city and mountains are absolutely spectacular. It’s one of the most beautiful and relaxing rooftop venues in Georgetown.
If you dare, you can even walk out onto the Rainbow Skywalk, a transparent glass walkway that lets you look down at the city lights and traffic far beneath your feet.
Maire Bonheim blogs at Temples and Treehouses.
Flair Rooftop Restaurant – Shanghai, China
Grab a drink at Flair Rooftop Restaurant and Bar on the top floor of the Ritz Carlton Shanghai, or as I prefer to call it “the touch the pearl bar.”
This bar is as close as you can get to the top orb of Shanghai’s Oriental Pearl Tower.
The drinks are good and come served with a complimentary plate of dried savories, including masterfully crunchy and light whole, dried okra pieces.
But the real pièce de résistance is the view, and as such a table here is just to hold your glass whilst you spend most of your time out on the balcony vying for the best shot of the space-age looking TV tower in all its multi-coloured neon-lit splendor.
The Refinery Hotel – New York City, United States
The Refinery Hotel in New York’s garment district is an old hat factory converted into a luxury boutique hotel. One of the hidden gems of the hotel is the year-round rooftop bar, the Refinery Rooftop.
The bar’s outdoor patio has a view of the Empire State building, which is stunning most days but at night, it has the wow factor!
The outdoor patio has stringed lights and fun summer patio furniture to enjoy with friends. The feeling is far from the chaos of New York. It’s a relaxing escape with an iconic view just steps away from Bryant Park.
If you want a drink with a view of NYC that is low key and cool, then the Refinery Rooftop is for you. Truly one of the classic rooftop venues.
Suzanna Wolko blogs at PhilaTravelGirl.
Departure Restaurant – Portland, Oregon, United States
Departure Restaurant and Lounge in Portland Oregon has one of the best views in town. It has both indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the Willamette River and Portland’s living room among many other landmarks.
It’s a great spot for date night or happy hour with friends. Besides the view being amazing, even on a rainy afternoon, the food and drink are just as good.
Melissa Jones blogs at Roux Roamer.
Paradise Bar – Labuan Bajo, Indonesia
For most visitors, the tiny fishing town of Labuan Bajo is the main base for exploring Komodo National Park. We started our diving trip with the Dive Komodo Liveaboard Program in Labuan Bajo and stayed in the town for a few days.
On a nearby hillside, Paradise Bar offers the best view of the area. It’s the perfect place to enjoy the sunset, have an early dinner and sip on a Bir Bintang with your closest friends – all while watching as the sun slips down beyond the many islands in the distance.
After the sun disappears, the party continues in a nice, laid-back atmosphere in one of the coolest rooftop venues around.
Halef and Michael blog at The Round the World Guys.
The Charlee Rooftop – Medellin, Colombia
The Charlee Rooftop boasts the absolute best views of Medellin, Colombia without question. Being on top of the most chic hotel in the entire city, you know you are in for a treat as you enter the hotel lobby.
Once you enter the bar, you are greeted with views towering over the city of hills and a pool right in the middle of the bar.
During the day, you can see far past Medellin’s mountains and during the night the lights of the city show you how alive Medellin really is.
The Charlee Rooftop is not to be missed on a trip to Colombia and South America!
Rachel Shulman blogs at From East to West at RMS.
Birreria – New York City, United States
Birreria, one of New York City’s best rooftop venues, is on 23rd Street in the Flatiron District of New York City, and has a lot of things going for it.
First of all, it is on the rooftop of Eataly, one of the coolest food markets/restaurants in town where you can sample tasty Italian creations at various stands. The food market itself is a destination; the rooftop is a bonus.
Second, the food is delicious with a specialty in seasonal selections. Lastly, the view of the historic and iconic Flatiron Building is as close as you can get other than being in the building itself.
Historical note: When the Flatiron Building was constructed in 1902 at the intersection of Broadway and 5th Avenue, it was the tallest structure in the city with 23 floors.
New York City residents were convinced the building would topple over due to its height and avoided walking in its vicinity.
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Talek Nantes blogs at Travels with Talek.
Atlas Rooftop Bar & Lounge – Yangon, Myanmar
Atlas Rooftop Bar & Lounge is the best rooftop bar to visit in Yangon because unlike some other bars in the city, this one is less touristy. And, you don’t have to pay an entrance fee.
It’s a great place to visit if you want to watch the sunset, even though it might not be that spectacular because of the pollution in the air. However, the best time comes after the sunset when you can see The Shwedagon Pagoda lit up at night.
The cocktails at the bar are great, and they are served with free snacks.
Gabriela Muller blogs at Gabriela Here and There.
Heli Lounge Bar – Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
There are numerous rooftop venues in Kuala Lumpur – usually fancy lounges packed with tourists and the local in-crowd.
However, the Heli Lounge Bar is very different as it is located on a platform that serves as a fully-functional helipad by day.
At 6 PM, the helipad is converted into a hip bar with plastic chairs and tables, just in time for a drink while watching the sunset over Malaysia’s capital.
Once it’s dark, you can enjoy amazing 360° views of the illuminated skyline, including the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the Petronas Twin Towers.
The Heli Lounge Bar complex is located on the 34th floor of Menara KH next to the Monorail stop Raja Chulan and is made up of two levels – the aeronautically-themed nightclub on the top floor and the helipad bar on the roof.
Admission to this unique bar is free. However, you’re required to purchase a bottle of wine or other fancy drink while there.
Lena blogs at Lena on the Move.
Skylark – New York City, United States
Skylark is 30 floors up, has beautiful panoramic views of New York, and is only a 6-minute walk from Times Square.
What we found special was the food, drinks, and at our table, we had a completely unobstructed view of the Empire State Building.
The food is served on small plates, which is perfect for a night out. They are very creative, and we loved the crispy coconut shrimp with passion fruit glace and Thai basil.
For something more substantial, the beef sliders with onion jam and gruyere cheese were very outstanding!
Our favourite cocktail had to be their signature, The Skylark: Beefeater gin, Ketel One vodka, St. Germain liquor, blue curacao, fresh lemon, and brandied cherry!
If you a looking for a treat, this is the place to go.
Sion and Ben blog at the Globetrotter Guys.
Saigon Saigon – Ho Chih Minh City, Vietnam
Saigon Saigon rooftop bar overlooks the heart of Ho Chi Minh City from the 10th floor of the Caravelle Hotel.
The bar is an HCMC tradition where people have taken in stunning sunset views of the city over Notre Dame Cathedral and Lam Son Square since 1959.
The iconic bar has a history too as it was a retreat for journalists covering the Vietnam war in the 1960s.
I’ve enjoyed a gin and tonic or two during happy hour on its open-air veranda, watched the sun go down over Vietnam’s capital city and partied to live music until the early hours.
Saigon Saigon is one of the best rooftop venues in Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate New Year’s Eve.
Suzanne Jones blogs at The Travel Bunny.
Movich Hotel – Cartagena, Colombia
Cartagena is arguably Colombia’s most beautiful historical town – with an old colonial wall and some of the most colorful streets in the world.
For a city with so many amazing view spots, you’d be surprised how few rooftop bars there are for the public to enjoy.
There are plenty of hotels with rooftop pools, but most of them charge a hefty fee to access them for the day, even if you just want one drink.
Movich, however, is a luxurious hotel with a rooftop bar that is open to the public. Just buy a drink, and you can stay as long as you like. They don’t just have one rooftop pool – they have two.
And if that’s not enough, there are private pods; sun loungers; a hot tub; and views of the harbor, cathedral, and city below.
Harriet Simonis blogs at Hats off World.
Sky Bar at Secrets Huatulco Resort and Spa – Huatulco, Mexico
The aptly named Sky Bar at Secrets Huatulco offers one of the best views on Mexico’s Pacific coast.
Not only does it offers panoramic views of the perfect crescent of beach of Conejos Bay but it’s also possible to see migrating whales in the winter.
While the resort is an all-inclusive luxury resort, it’s actually possible to visit the Sky Bar and enjoy cocktails (try a mezcal margarita!) with a Secrets Huatulco Day Pass, a one-day resort pass that offers unlimited access to the swimming pools, bars and restaurants without the added expense of an overnight room.
Michele Peterson blogs at A Taste for Travel.
Blu Bar at the Shangri-La – Sydney, Australia
Sydney is an incredibly beautiful city at ground level, but it gets even prettier when seen from above.
The swanky Blu Bar at the Shangri-La gives you a birds-eye view of Sydney Harbor, taking in both the Harbor Bridge and Opera House. You could spend hours watching all the little ferries speeding back and forth.
The perfect time to visit is just before sunset, you get the chance to see the harbor in daylight and during the beautiful sunset colors, before watching all the twinkling lights turn on and bring the harbor to life again.
A drink at the Blu Bar isn’t cheap, but you get a million-dollar view, and a great drink for less than the price of a trip to the Sydney Tower viewing platform. It’s definitely worth every cent.
Cat Smith blogs at Walk My World.
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar – New York City, United States
230 Fifth Rooftop bar in New York has one of the most iconic views in the world. It’s definitely something to write down on your list of things to do in New York. This is one of the nicest of the NYC rooftop lounges.
From the rooftop bar, you have a spectacular view of the Empire State Building in front of you. At night when the building is lit up, just put the glaze on the experience.
The prices aren’t too expensive either, and the drinks are actually good.
You can easily get a beer or drink for 8-15 USD, which isn’t too bad considering the epic view of one the most iconic buildings in the world in one of the coolest rooftop venues.
Alex Waltner blogs at Swedish Nomad.
If you like this post, then check out our favorite rooftop bars with amazing views in Europe.
Do you have a favorite rooftop venue you keep returning to again and again? We’d like to know.
The world is full of beautiful vistas. Seeing them from rooftop lounges in a beautiful city, with a cool libation in hand, is a very special treat. Do you have a favorite rooftop bar? Please share it with us.
