Raise a glass to our list of Brisbane’s best rooftop bars
With spring in full swing and summer just around the corner, there’s no better time to enjoy Brisbane from above. We love flocking to our closest rooftop bar, getting sky high and soaking up the rays while taking in a killer view. With The City’s skyline steadily evolving, we’ve curated a selection of the very best rooftop bars for you to explore.
Brisbane City
Fiume Bar at Crystalbrook Vincent, Brisbane City: The Howard Smith Wharves precinct is great for those looking to dine with some river views, but Fiume Bar at the top of Crystalbrook Vincent is perfect if you’re seeking a little bit more elevation. This chic-yet-relaxed watering hole offers glimpses down the riverwalk in both directions and the underside of the towering Story Bridge above, which makes a perfect backdrop to sip spritz and sample Italian finger food all night long.
Cicada Blu, Brisbane City: Sitting 100 metres above Brisbane at the precipice of The Star Brisbane, Sky Deck is surely one of Brisbane’s hottest rooftops. Upon this awe-inspiring observation deck, a small bevy of dining and drinking options are available, including Cicada Blu. This open-air bar is slinging exotic elixirs and bold botanical infusions, perfect for pre-dinner aperitifs, post-dinner cocktails or simply a toast to the high life. Equipped with a sophisticated light installation, once the sun goes down Cicada Blu pulsates with vivid light displays inspired by Brisbane’s electrifying summer storms.
Sixteen Antlers, Brisbane City: The Pullman Hotel has set the standard for the best rooftop bars in Brisbane, with its sky-high bar Sixteen Antlers rising above the asphalt to create a lofty and luxurious experience. This inner-city oasis has a fabulous menu of nibbles, from antipasti plates and spicy wings to artisan cheeses and pulled-beef croquettes. As for drinks, sippers can choose from a stellar selection of cocktails, top-notch wines and beers.
Fortitude Valley
MAYA Mexican, Fortitude Valley: Recently celebrating its 5th anniversary, MAYA is one of Brisbane’s most popular vantage points, sitting pretty above Ann Street with a breezy open-air decor inspired by Mexico’s gorgeous coastal regions. An all-white aesthetic is offset by desert cacti, stone, marble and timber, while furnishings in the form of oversized lounges and intimate booths score eye-catching views of The City and The Valley’s surrounds. Guests can kick back and take in the view with a margarita at their elbow while they dig in to the likes of kingfish ceviche, beer-battered fish tacos and chipotle fries.
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Soko, Fortitude Valley: This lush tropical sanctuary can be found 14 floors above St Pauls Terrace at the pinnacle of Jubilee Place. Owned and operated by hospitality powerhouse, Potentia Solutions Leisure, Soko’s tropical rainforest-inspired aesthetic takes cues from the Amazon, with deep emerald-green tiles and marble, timber and stone accented by gold trim and decorative artefacts, slender-stemmed Bird of Paradise plants and creeping vines on the walls. The Soko kitchen marries Peruvian and Japanese fare and cooking techniques for a menu that includes Latin-style grilled street corn with huancaina sauce, a selection of ceviche, bao buns, yakitori and maki sushi rolls. Soko’s beverage list is led by 40 kinds of pisco sour, available alongside signature cocktails, shooters, wines and beers.
Iris Rooftop, Fortitude Valley: Found at the top of luxury accommodation spot Hotel X is Iris, an impressive addition to Brisbane’s rooftop bar scene. Channelling summery vibes year round, Iris by the Ghanem Group houses a rooftop bar, a 200-seat restaurant area, a boutique 14-seat private dining space, a cluster of poolside bungalows and even room for a dance floor. Uninterrupted views of the city skyline and Brisbane River can be enjoyed with Iris’ alluring range of ambrosial cocktails and share-style menu imbued with the flavours of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Cielo Rooftop Bar, Fortitude Valley: Located six levels above La Costa on Brunswick Street, Cielo is a sunny rooftop bar that’s a go-to destination for those seeking a sun-soaked locale to enjoy some top-tier cocktails. Cushy yellow booths are offset by peach, blue and white tones as well as pops of greenery, evoking the feeling of salubrious happy hours enjoyed on the iconic terraces of the Cinque Terre. Speaking of which, Cielo’s exceptional cocktail list draws influence from other coastal locales like Portofino and Amalfi, while the food offering boasts a cadre of easy-to-share snacks, pizzas and burgers.
Valley Hops Brewing, Fortitude Valley: Perched atop Cloudland in Fortitude Valley, craft-beer brewery Valley Hops Brewing has uninterrupted views of The City and surrounds. Up the elevator and out onto the roof, folks are surrounded by a glam aesthetic that softens Valley Hops Brewing’s material palette of stone, brick and metal. A metalwork arbour is coated in lush vines, while wooden picnic tables, booths and high-bar seats (plus built-in benches ringing a large fire pit) offer plenty of opportunities to sink a cold one and take in the scenic views. A core range of six beers are available, including a light-bodied lager, tropical ale, fruity sour, pale ale, an IPA and a Hazy IPA (small batches of seasonal brews also feature on a rotating basis). Non-beer drinkers are able to order from a list of premium wines and signature cocktails, while woodfired pizzas and charcoal-grilled snacks are aplenty.
South Brisbane and South Bank
Lina Rooftop, South Brisbane: The Potentia team went to great heights for its first rooftop venture, ascending several floors above ground to create high-rise bar and restaurant Lina. This stunning spot sits atop the only commercial office tower in Australia equipped with an infinity rooftop pool, channelling Mediterranean beach club vibes across its 1500-sqm footprint. The 30-m infinity pool comes complete with cabanas and daybeds (the latter of which can be rented all day), affording incredible views across the Brisbane River to the city skyline. Lina’s restaurant serves a summer menu inspired by the flavours of the French Riviera with kingfish tartare, Byron Bay burrata, San Danielle proscuitto with mandarin oil pressed rockmelon and Parisian-style gnocchi. The drink menu is similarly stacked – think slushy cocktails, spritzes, loads of wine, beers, bottle-service spirits and low- or no-alcohol options.
The Terrace at Emporium Hotel, South Bank: Panoramic views and subtropical-luxe splendour are what one can expect when you step out onto The Terrace at the top of Emporium South Bank, one of the best rooftop bars in Brisbane. Sitting 21 floors above terra firma, The Terrace matches boutique cocktails and Asian-inspired eats with poolside vibes and vistas that will have you feeling on top of the world.
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Soleil Pool Bar, South Bank: Ascend up to the podium level of Rydges South Bank and you’ll come across the stunning Soleil Pool Bar. This is the perfect spot to soak up the sun or sashay the night away from the pool deck to the main bar. The cocktail menu boasts a bevy of colourful concoctions including sizeable share cocktails, backed up by nibbles such as pan-fried haloumi, Korean fried chicken wings, cheeseburger spring rolls and Greek fries.
Kangaroo Point
Eagles Nest, Kangaroo Point: From Thursday to Sunday, Eagles Nest attracts loads of patrons keen to roost comfortably 12 floors above the world. We don’t blame them – the views at Eagles Nest are pretty spectacular. With vistas including the Brisbane City skyline, the Story Bridge and beyond, this elevated hub is near unbeatable in terms of atmosphere and altitude. The food and drink are exclamation worthy too – Queensland Tiger prawns, house-made Turkish bread with hummus and tzatziki, Moreton Bay bug rolls and crispy pork jowl with fennel and burnt orange make for a perfect pairing with Eagles Nest list of libations.
Sunsets Rooftop, Kangaroo Point: Sunsets in Kangaroo Point is a desert-inspired oasis in the sky operated by the Tuivaiti, Mead and Hartley families. Located at the summit of Linton Apartments, Sunsets pairs north-facing views of The City’s skyline (and a cheeky glimpse inside The Gabba) with a menu of Mediterranean-inspired tapas-style bites and shareable mains, plus a clutch of fruit-forward, tropical cocktails. As for the space itself, Sunsets is tastefully accoutred with sand-toned tiling, low-set couches, woven lamp shades, sun-bleached timber furnishings and bar top, cacti gardens and gold accents.
Other suburbs
Ooh La La, Woolloongabba: Uber-chic cocktail and snack spot, Ooh La La not only boasts exemplary views of Woolloongabba’s surroundings, but also a designated bar and space for 45 patrons cocktail style. Those participating in a sky-high soiree will be able to indulge in Angel Bay oysters, duck parfait tarts, fermented potato bread and wagyu tartare while sipping on one of Ooh La La’s signature cocktails or a glass of French champagne.
Melrose, Bulimba: The Venzin Group transformed the space above Darvella on Oxford Street in May 2021 into an oasis inspired by Bali and Thailand. Now owned and operated by Anna and Paul Adams, Melrose specialises in contemporary pan-Asian cuisine, with guests flocking to dine under panoramic blue skies by day and twinkling stars at night. The share-style menu includes the likes of yellowfin tuna aburi with chilli lime dressing and avruga caviar, Harvey Bay spanner crab tartlet drizzled with spicy sambal mayo, crispy duck baos, barramundi yellow curry and pork knuckle with master stock caramel, pickle mustard greens and nahm jim. To drink, Melrose’s fetching bar dispenses an extensive wine list featuring a curated selection of Australian and international wines, as well as an impressive collection of hand-crafted cocktails and local beers.
Tetto Rooftop Bar, Everton Park: Taking inspiration from the coastal vistas, pastel-coloured seaside towns, phenomenal beaches of the Amalfi Coast, visiting Tetto Rooftop Bar is the next best thing to getting on a plane to Italy. Though not as elevated (literally) as some of the other venues on this list, Tetto is still a sublime piece of escapism – white concrete, pastel coral and sherbet orange colour scheme is contoured by orange-and-white striped umbrellas, slender olive tree saplings and bougainvillea swaying in the breeze. The kitchen dispenses a range of iconic Italian-inspired dishes, while the bar pumps out everything from spritzes to wines. Cin cin to the sweet life!
Special mention to Raise Rooftop, who are currently taking event bookings from October onwards and are in the process of obtaining its liquor licence.
Want to check out more of Brisbane’s best dining options? Be sure to check out The Directory.