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. 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 acoustic sounds on Fridays from 5pm and DJs on the ones and two from 6pm on Saturdays.
Find Sixteen Antlers on level 16 of the Pullman & Mercure Hotel on the Corner of Ann and Roma Street.
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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
5. 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 favorite 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 Mooloolaba Prawn Cocktails and Moreton Bay Bug rolls and drinks are 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.
Important to know: Cielo Rooftop does bottomless Sundays where you can dive into a five-course Italian banquet with two hours of bottomless wine, beer and soft drinks plus a welcome cocktail.
Find Cielo Rooftop at 209 Brunswick Street.
6. 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.
Find the Terrace on level 21 of Emporium at 267 Grey Street.
7. 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
8. Ivy Blu, Petrie Terrace
You won’t be among the clouds at Ivy Blu—it’s just not that high up. However, what Ivy Blu lacks in height, it makes up for it with a down-to-get-down atmosphere.
The trendy pastel colour scheme, comfy lounge sofas and a heap of entertainment options, which include Wednesday dine-in movie nights and Thursday acoustic performances, keep the vibe fun at this Petrie Terrace hotspot. And, that’s all before you get to bottomless brunch Sunday!
Food comes in the form of pizzas, pasta and a selection of other dishes perfect for sharing while the signature spritzes and cocktails will have you coming back for more.
Find Ivy Blue at 2 Caxton Street
9. Ooh La La, Woolloongabba
Woolloongabba is absolutely an underrated spot when it comes to cocktail bars and even speakeasies. Only last year, 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 Siberian and Oscietra caviar, Appellation oysters, and lobster eclairs just to name a few.
As for drinks, you can sip on signature cocktails including an Apple Pie Martini as well as a curated wine list from both Australian and French producers.
Find Ooh La La at 609/611 Stanley St, Woolloongabba
10. 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 scallop toast, preserved king oyster mushrooms, oysters, southern fried chicken wings, and more.
Find Fiume at Level 3/5 Boundary St, Brisbane City.
SEE MORE: This Popular Overwater Bar Has Reopened With Fresh Interiors And An Indulgent New Menu