In Brisbane, it’s pretty easy to escape the hustle and bustle of the city; you can jump in the car and head out to one of these fabulously breathtaking walks or magical swimming holes for a bit of rest and relaxation. However, if you know where to look, you don’t have to leave the city to escape the city. All you’ve got to do is head up to one of Brisbane’s rooftop bars, which just so happen to be, in our opinion, some of the best in the country. And our sub-tropical climate and 300 days of sun every year certainly help the rooftop bar vibes we crave.
It’s time to live the high life and feel like you’re on top of the world—even if you’re only at one of Brisbane’s scenic rooftop bars.
1. Sunsets, Kangaroo Point
One of the newest rooftop bars to hit Brisbane is this stunning oasis inspired by the desert. With views of both the city skyline and the Gabba, Sunsets is the perfect spot for, well… sunsets!
The chic space is fitted out with gold, white and cream hues, as well as a cactus garden and olive trees to complete the desert look.
When it comes to food, think Mediterranean-inspired eats such as grilled tiger prawns, lamb shoulder, baked brie, fried cauliflower, Portuguese custard tarts and more, all designed to share.
Wash it down with refreshing tequila-based cocktails like coconut margaritas and patron palomas.
Find Sunsets at 95 Linton Street, Kangaroo Point.
2. Soko, Fortitude Valley
Dine inside with the lush green interiors, or soak up the sunlight on the balcony under the striped umbrellas at Soko. Fourteen storeys high means glorious cityscape views. But that’s not the only thing Soko is serving up.
Treat your taste buds to a delicious range of Peruvian Japanese cuisine, including nigiri, ceviche, bao buns, and wagyu.
On the drinks menu, you’ll find plenty of sake, signature cocktails, as well as a whopping 40 pisco sours to choose from.
Find Soko at Level 14/7 Symes St, Fortitude Valley.
3. Sixteen Antlers, Brisbane City
When it comes to Brisbane city rooftop bars, Sixteen Antlers is a given on any list of sky-high drinking holes. As the city skyline is lit up with sunset hues, you can sink into one of the many booths with views of the cityscape and beyond and order cocktail jugs to share with your favourite people.
The wine and beer list is succinct but serves up enough variety to satiate everyone’s tastebuds and the food menu offers a range of grazing plates to share, more substantial offerings to tuck into and plenty of tapas to nibble at. Expect to hear live music and DJ sets from Thursday to Saturday from 5pm.
Find Sixteen Antlers on level 16 of the Pullman & Mercure Hotel on the Corner of Ann and Roma Street.
4. Eagle’s Nest, Kangaroo Point
When it comes to the weekend, we think that you should slay it in style. And, there are few more stylish weekend hangouts than Eagle’s Nest rooftop bar, perched way up on the twelfth floor of The Point Hotel. Home to some of the city’s best cocktails as well as a tapas-style menu for tasty bites to see you through the night.
Eagle’s Nest throws open its doors at 3pm on a Thursday afternoon until 9pm each night till Sunday, perfect timing to catch some of Brisbane’s spectacular sunsets.
Find Eagle’s Nest on level 12 of The Point Brisbane at 21 Lambert Street
5. Iris, Fortitude Valley
Fortitude Valley packs a selection of Brisbane’s best rooftop bars but if you’re looking for one with class, style and more than a touch of luxury, then you’ve got to make a beeline for Iris. Found on top of the equally glamorous Hotel X on Brunswick Street, Iris Rooftop is by the same group behind other stellar Brisbane venues like Bisou Bisou, Black Bird and the Boom Boom Room. So, you can expect quality amongst the clouds.
The menu takes inspiration from the Mediterranean with intrepid explorers who’ve traveled from Beirut to Barcelona feeling like they’ve never come home if not for the sensational 360º skyline and Story Bridge views.
Find Iris atop Hotel X at 458 Brunswick Street
6. Maya, Fortitude Valley
Mexican tastes different when you are high up in the sky and one of Brisbane’s best Mexican joints just so happens to be a rooftop bar in Fortitude Valley. Step out of the elevator and you’ll find a space decorated with cacti contrasted with a white and stone palette reminiscent of beachside Mexican towns.
From the rooftop bar to the rooftop lounge, guests at Maya can tuck into the flavours of Mexico across both the rooftop dining and drinks menus. You know what that means—tequila with panoramic views of Brisbane.
Find Maya on level 11 at 757 Ann Street
7. Cielo, Fortitude Valley
Down below you will find La Costa Restaurant but look up to the Brisbane rooftops and you’ll see Cielo Rooftop. This Brisbane rooftop bar has quickly become one of the city’s favourites and for good reason, too, as it comes from the crew behind Australiasia’s best bar Maybe Sammy.
Up on level six, it’s the Italian Riviera where eats range from cheese and charcuterie boards to pastas, sliders, and pizza. For drinks, think Italian-inspired cocktails and spritz plus a superb selection of beers and wines. Pop yourself down in one of the comfy u-shaped booths or take up space on the terrace and let the wind blow through your hair.
Find Cielo Rooftop at 209 Brunswick Street.
8. The Terrace, South Bank
Perched up on the 21st storey of The Emporium, the Terrace is one of Brisbane’s most spectacular rooftop bars and the first South Bank rooftop bar. Boasting 180-degree views of the city and views all the way out to Moreton Island as well as a stunning thirteen-metre white onyx bar, the Terrace is seventh heaven in Brisbane.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, The Terrace is walk-ins only (unless you’re a hotel guest) so you won’t be able to ensure a spot up in the clouds. However, it’s not the only time South Bank’s first rooftop bar is open. The Terrace is open for all-inclusive breakfasts for early birds (it opens at 7am) as well as casual rooftop lunches all week long.
Note: The Terrace will be closed for enhancements from May 28 to June 21, 2024.
Find the Terrace on level 21 of Emporium at 267 Grey Street.
9. Valley Hops, Fortitude Valley
Perched high up on the rooftop of Cloudland, Valley Hops Brewery is serving up local beer brewed in the heart of Fortitude Valley. The sun-soaked yet leafy rooftop bar boasts sensational cityscape views that pair well with their selection of beers including their wildly popular tropical ale, crisp lager, IPA, and mango and passionfruit sour.
Rooftop drinks just wouldn’t be the same without a mouthwatering menu of wood-fired pizzas, share-plates and antipasti favourites like cheese and meat boards.
Find Valley Hops on level six at Cloudland at 641 Ann Street
See Also: 23 Brisbane Breweries That Are Raising The Bar When It Comes To Beer
10. Ooh La La, Woolloongabba
Woolloongabba is absolutely an underrated spot when it comes to cocktail bars and even speakeasies. In 2021, Ooh La La joined the scene with its delectable cocktails, wine, and tapas.
Located upstairs from the popular C’est Bon Restaurant & Bar, this rooftop vantage point gives you a much different view of the city than say the Valley or Brisbane City. The French-inspired menu is also filled with delights designed to share, such as Appellation oysters, duck parfait tarts, charcuterie, and more.
As for drinks, you can sip on signature cocktails as well as a curated wine list from both Australian and French producers.
Find Ooh La La at 609/611 Stanley St, Woolloongabba
11. Tetto, Everton Park
It’s summer all year round at Tetto, the Italian-inspired rooftop bar in Everton park. Its cheerful bright colour scheme and fizzy drinks will soon have you in a festive mood. They’re serving up classics with their own twist, like the Tetto Margarita (which incorporates limoncello for that zesty flavour) and Popcorn Espresso, giving the already distinctive cocktail an even more unique personality.
Their tasty food offerings are also of Mediterranean influence, with homemade focaccia, mushroom arancini and mouth-watering bolognese on the menu, you’ll have something delicious to munch and sip on during their live DJ sets every Saturday night and glitzy drag bingo hosted by Abril LaTrene every Thursday evening.
Find Tetto at 807 Stafford Rd, Everton Park
12. Cicada Blu, Brisbane City
Recently-opened Cicada Blu is Sky Deck’s open-air bar 100 metres above Brisbane, making it the tallest one in the city. Its jaw-dropping views offer captivating sunsets, and its beautiful décor and lighting installation take inspiration from Brisbane’s majestic summer storms.
With a focus on botanical-infused cocktails, an array of bar snacks, and a live entertainment calendar, the Cicada Blu is on its way to becoming a must-visit for anyone who wants to feel like the city’s their oyster.
Find Cicada Blu on Sky Deck, Level 23, 33 William St, Brisbane CBD
13. Fiume, Brisbane City
Last but certainly not least, we have this picture-perfect spot positioned right under Story Bridge. Fiume Rooftop Bar’s greenery-filled balcony is the perfect spot to start the night off with your posse, where waterfront views and delicious are aplenty. Hot tip: a sunset cocktail session never goes astray here.
Aside from their vibrant drinks list, you can also tuck into tapas of choice. We’re talking wagyu croquettes, lamb fillet skewers, crispy calamari, and oysters.
Find Fiume at Level 3/5 Boundary St, Brisbane City.
Editorial contribution by: MJ Gayón