The Best Rooftop Bars in Sydney

Perched on King St wharf, The Loft offers Sydneysiders an elegant cocktail lounge and bar with luscious design features and even more impressive views. Part of Bungalow 8, the venue is a buzzing nightspot, with comfortable sofas and a chic atmosphere.

The fully covered balcony offers guests uninterrupted views of the iconic Darling Harbour, perfect for warm days and balmy nights. Be sure to be here Thursdays, Friday’s and Saturday’s from 4pm til late for their devilish cocktail sessions.

With waterfront views of the harbour, mouth-watering cocktails and live music, The Loft is one of Sydney’s most refined waterside experiences. The Loft is the perfect venue for a sophisticated VIP style event, with sections of the venue available for exclusive hire.

The Cargo Lounge is the perfect place to go for some amazing views and even better drinks. You can, of course, spend your time downstairs in the club that truly levels up as the night progresses, or literally level up to the fully covered balcony that provides uninterrupted views over Darling Harbour.

The balcony spans the entire first floor with its own cocktail bar and is perfectly heated throughout the winter, with DJs on the decks setting the vibe for your afternoon or evening. You can watch sports, listen to live music, or zone out to the DJs that spin old school hip hop and RnB.

The cocktails can be served in jugs, and we recommend trying the Dickie Rum Punch with white rum, spiced rum, apricot, lime, pineapple, grenadine, and bitters for something refreshing yet flavoursome. Soak in the beauty of the harbour and all-around good times at Cargo.

Kingsleys Woolloomooloo is the spot to enjoy classic Australian dining with stunning views of Sydney’s iconic Woolloomooloo Finger Wharf. Specialising in premium, local steak and seafood, this relaxed dining experience is a popular spot for well-crafted flavours taking paired with harbour and city views.

Kingsleys make a big deal about various special occasions with a range of events adding to the lively harbour atmosphere while being one of the main suppliers of fresh seafood and local beef. The steak features dry-aged ribeye on the bone, and seafood lovers can enjoy Southern Rock Lobster or Moreton Bay Bugs.

Kingsley’s signature cocktail list is also worth a peruse, with a standout being the Tommy Hawk, which is made of Don Julio Reposado Tequila, Chambord, lime and hibiscus salt around the rim. So if you are looking for a quiet rooftop location with a great view that can take you on an authentic culinary voyage, Kingsleys is the place to go.

We need to include a cool local secret rooftop on our list, and that’s The Rook. There are tasty eats and drinks a-plenty at Sydney’s hidden rooftop bar, elevated in the heart of Sydney. The Rook is one of the most searched-for rooftops, and it offers an inventive cocktail list to compliment a relaxed hang with your friends. Sip something magical and soak in the views of the skyline through the atrium-style retractable rooftop all day and night.

From Monday-Thursday during winter, at 5pm and 7pm you can take part in Starry Nights. Dine under the stars for a romantic event perfect for that someone special. You’ll enter through a floral tunnel and dine in the glow of the fairy lights with a four-course shared dinner and complementing cocktails.

And the perfect cocktail for this romantic occasion? The Queen Of Hearts, which has vodka, orange liqueur, rose, lemon and egg whites. The Rook is one of the best-kept rooftop secrets in Sydney, and now you know all about it.

Untied is Barangaroo’s first rooftop venue offering a direct view over Darling Harbour, bringing some hefty rainforest vibes via an indoor-outdoor bar where you can dine on everything from bar snacks to a delicious selection of burgers, salads and big plates.

Every Saturday, you can enjoy Brunch with Soul, a southern-style brunch with a two-hour bottomless cocktail package and live entertainment at 11am and 2pm. On Sundays, the Vegan Bottomless Brunch features a three-course brunch menu and a special cocktail and wine list.

If you are a big fan of “bottomless” events, the daily Sweet As Candy offer includes two hours of bottomless winter cocktails plus access to the Sweet Treats Cart, which includes fairy floss, chocolate fountains, popcorn and lollies. Diet starts the day after you attend this.