Sydney comes with plenty of bars and pubs that offer panoramas over the city and its dazzling harbour. Here are the standout venues for enjoying a cold one with the bonus of perspective of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
Apr 2025 -
7
min readThe Light Brigade
Location: Woollahra
Great for: Open-air drinks and great value food.
Standing four storeys high above Oxford Street, The Light Brigade is more than just a beautiful Art Deco pub. There’s a ground-floor sports bar, an airy bistro on level one and roaring twenties-inspired lounge on level two, but the views of the city skyline from the rooftop bar are the showstopper. Mint green and apricot hues decorate the sunny outdoor space where you can sit in the shade of a broad umbrella and sample a menu that celebrates Sydney’s culinary diversity and unbeatable fresh produce. Order a pint with birria beef tacos or an Italian sausage pizza, sip a crisp white wine with snapper ceviche tostadas, or while away the sunny afternoon sampling the signature cocktails.
The Light Brigade, Woollahra
The Glenmore Hotel
Location: The Rocks
Great for: Postcard-worthy views of the Sydney Opera House and classic pub vibes.
When it comes to sparkling harbour views, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better vantage than this. With one of the most photographed outlooks in Sydney, The Glenmore Hotel offers dreamy water views all the way to the Sydney Opera House, ideally enjoyed with a beer in one hand and a burger in the other. Unlike its equally wonderful, but more buttoned-up cousin Opera Bar across Circular Quay, The Glenmore is all about laid-back pub vibes. Yes, you can go a little bit fancy with oysters and burrata with spiced pumpkin and dukkah. But most visitors – whether in a business suit or board shorts – come here for a chicken schnitty and chips and a jug or two of whatever’s on tap to quench a thirst after a long day exploring The Rocks.
The Glenmore Hotel, The Rocks - Credit: W Short Hotel Group
Nick & Nora's
Location: Parramatta
Great for: Prohibition-era perspective.
Think all of Sydney's best rooftop bars call the CBD home? Think again. Nick & Nora's towers above most other rooftop bars in Sydney, resting on the 26th floor of the V by Crown in Parramatta – those with vertigo might want to look away. It's not just the physical heights that make this rooftop bar so dreamy, the experience is of the highest quality, as well. Taking inspiration from the 1934 detective novel The Thin Man, this isn't your average bar. A celebration of the lively party culture during Prohibition, the opulent decor, polished service and fancy cocktails and champagne list will transport you back to the days of flappers and dapper gents. Expect champagne cocktails and crisp Sichuan prawns to accompany your sparkling backdrop.
Nick and Nora's, Parramatta
Quarryman's Hotel
Location: Pyrmont
Great for: Palm Springs-styled cocktails with a heritage outlook.
Despite being over a century old, Quarryman's Hotel is an of-the-moment spot for drinks and dining. Along with the downstairs bar and courtyard, and upstairs restaurant, you’ll find the Palm Springs-inspired rooftop bar – the spot to try some of the excellent cocktails. The pub specialises in craft beer, and you can sample a rotating selection of 34 beers on tap, sourced from mainly independent breweries throughout Australia. The food menu features dishes with international inspiration, from tikka masala grilled salmon to Korean fried chicken, plus plenty of pub classics and pizza.
Quarryman’s Hotel Rooftop, Pyrmont
Taylor's Rooftop
Location: Sydney CBD
Great for: Refreshing cocktails enjoyed at a lofty vantage.
Sitting pretty atop The Republic Hotel, Taylor’s Rooftop provides open-air escapism in the heart of the city. This place is less about the views – yes, you’re high up – and more about the experience, with the focus on stellar cocktails, great wines and woodfired pizza frshe om the rooftop oven. With a retractable roof, Taylor’s can even accommodate a bit of bad weather. But for the most part, you’ll have complete exposure to mother nature, your setting all ensconced in vertical green walls. Come here on Saturdays for tunes from some of the city’s best DJs.
Taylor's Rooftop at The Republic Hotel, Sydney City
The Taphouse
Location: Darlinghurst
Great for: Craft beers before or after the footy.
Sydney's craft beer scene is as dynamic as it is delicious. But Taphouse got in on the ground floor and has been celebrating Aussie brewers for years. Step in from the street to find the moody, rustic pub character, before heading upstairs to the rooftop, which had a refresh in 2023. Find your spot among the festoon lights and striped umbrellas. The menu also got an update, shifting the focus to Cantonese cooking with pub flair. Think beautifully steamed dim sims, special fried rice or delicious wok fried lobster with egg noodles. Whether you’re here to slurp noodles or sip beer, the welcoming rooftop offers the best seats in the house.
Taphouse, Darlinghurst - Credit: Applejack Hospitality
Old Mate’s Place
Location: Sydney CBD
Great for: Surrounding skyscrapers in a cosy nook.
Hidden away in a run-down Clarence Street office building, Old Mate’s Place may be hard to find, but it is well worth the effort. The bar’s lower floor could be mistaken for an old library, decorated with bookshelves, dark timbers, quirky family heirlooms and overgrowing potted plants, while the secluded rooftop space – open from Tuesday to Saturday until 10pm – gives you views of the surrounding skyscraper peaks. Nab a spot at the bar or one of the few tables and order the signature Philly cheesesteak as a side while you make your way through the ever-changing cocktail list. Think concentrated pina coladas (served inside an old tome) or tall glasses of refreshing sake, gin, watermelon, sherry and lemon in the summertime.
Old Mate’s Place, Sydney CBD
Jacksons on George
Location: Sydney CBD
Great for: An urban oasis is the middle of Sydney Place.
George Street stalwart Jacksons on George has had a makeover, with a fresh new look and an ex-Icebergs chef now at the helm. While the multi-level venue houses a casual bar on level one and a bistro on level two, the glam rooftop is where the fun is at. Open from 12pm until midnight – with live beats from the resident DJs from 5pm – the urban oasis features a simple European-Australian-style menu, alongside classic cocktails.
Jacksons on George, Sydney - Credit: Jason Lucas/DTL Entertainment Group PTY LTD
The Library Bar
Location: The Domain
Great for: Harbour views just a hop, skip and a jump from the bustling city.
Sitting atop the beautiful Mitchell Building at the State Library of NSW – a previously unused (and underutilised) space – the aptly named Library Bar might be one of the best places in Sydney to sip on a sunset cocktail while enjoying harbour views. Taking inspiration from other tucked-away CBD drinking dens, like those that populate the cobblestone alleyways around YCK Laneways, guests access the venue from a secret entry on Hospital Road. From there, walk down the grungy corridor and jump on the old goods lift to the observation deck. Keep an eye on social media for Fresh Takes, a seasonal line-up of live poetry and storytelling nights featuring Australia’s best established and emerging writers.
The Library Bar, rooftop of the State Library of NSW
Green Moustache
Location: North Sydney
Great for: Seasonal bites in a hidden oasis.
Filled with plants and greenery, Green Moustache feels miles away from the high rises of North Sydney. The rooftop garden bar and restaurant features a botanically inspired cocktail menu along with a 375-strong wine list. Seasonally sourced ingredients make up the food menu, with options for lunch, dinner, bar snacks and a weekend bottomless brunch. Dessert options are a real highlight and include pineapple coconut panna cotta and salted pistachio rocky road Belgian chocolate ganache.
Green Moustache, North Sydney - Credit:1oh1 Media
Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade
Location: Millers Point
Great for: Fancy cocktails in a historic part of town.
This contemporary cocktail lounge has floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Sydney Harbour, Barangaroo, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the historic Millers Point area of the city. Spread across two floors, the bar offers delicious tasting plates and bottomless brunch on Saturdays. The extensive cocktail menu features unique signatures such as the Smooth Criminal made with mezcal and Old Salty Girl with Woodford bourbon, macadamia and salted caramel pearls.
Henry Deane rooftop at Hotel Palisade, Millers Point
Babylon Rooftop
Location: Sydney CBD
Great for: Middle Eastern cuisine and inner-city vibes.
Hidden away above Westfield Sydney, Babylon Rooftop is a sprawling restaurant and bar. The Middle Eastern-inspired spot has skyscraper views from both the roof terrace and indoor restaurant and bar, with styling modelled on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The food menu features flavours and textures of Levantine cuisine which stretches modern Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria and Turkey. And the drinks menu includes signature cocktails with Middle Eastern influence along with a substantial wine list and beers on tap.
Babylon Rooftop, Sydney CBD
Aster Bar at InterContinental Sydney
Location: Circular Quay
Great for: Celestial astronomy-inspired cocktails and vistas of the city's icons.
Previously only accessible to hotel guests, Aster is the newly reopened bar on the 32nd floor of the InterContinental Sydney. The creative cocktail list features drinks made with thoughtfully selected ingredients, inspired by the proximity to the sweeping Sydney skies. Think bright triple-juniper gin fizz cocktails or creative drinks made tableside, designed to sip while admiring the 270-degree views of Sydney Harbour, the Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The Aster Bar at The Intercontinental, Sydney
Zephyr
Location: Darling Harbour
Great for: Sundowners and rare spirits.
West-facing Zephyr is a luxury sky bar overlooking Darling Harbour, that is blessed with epic sunset views. The award-winning bar is known for its extensive spirit and liquor menu that features rare and exclusive gin, rum and whisky among others. There are also classic and signature cocktails, including premium creations, soft serve ice-cream cocktails and drinks to share. Pair with oysters, share plates and delicious desserts.
Zephyr bar in the Hyatt Regency Sydney - Credit: Hyatt Regency Sydney
Keg & Brew
Location: Surry Hills
Great for: Craft beer and pizza fresh from the oven.
Beer enthusiasts will love Keg & Brew. The pub has a spacious open-air terrace with a pizza oven, serving up a selection of treats along with more than 50 beers on. Try local craft ales from 4 Pines, Young Henrys and Willie the Boatman along with old favourites. Or go for the cocktails, wine by the glass or one of the many bourbons on offer while you enjoy the city views. If you don’t fancy pizza, the food menu features pub classics like fish and chips, bangers and mash, plus contemporary favourites like pulled pork nachos and cheeseburger spring rolls.
Keg and Brew, Surry Hills - Credit: Isaac Entry
Coogee Pavilion
Location: Coogee
Great for: Ocean views and Middle Eastern fare.
Set overlooking the beautiful sandy shore of Coogee, the Coogee Pavilion is an ideal post-beach hangout. With a family-friendly ground floor serving pizza, a selection of dining options on the middle floor and an adult-only rooftop terrace, you’re covered for all eventualities. The rooftop features four indoor and outdoor bars, filled with greenery and boasting some of the best views in the city
Coogee Pavilion - Credit: Isaac Brown Photography
Untied
Location: Barangaroo
Great for: Vegan bites and tropical cocktails.
This Australian-styled bar is a rooftop oasis in Sydney’s Barangaroo waterfront precinct. Take your pick from hyper-coloured and classic cocktails along with an eclectic food menu that includes seafood, a variety of fusion-style plates and excellent veggie and vegan options. Every day, Untied’s rooftop offers breathtaking water views but, on Saturdays, there’s something extra: brunch with two hours of bottomless cocktails, live entertainment and Southern-style food.
Untied, Barangaroo - Credit: Australian Venue Co.
The Rook
Location: Sydney CBD
Great for: After-work drinks and lobster rolls.
In the bustling CBD on York Street, The Rook takes up the seventh floor of an office building and is the perfect spot to indulge in a few post-work drinks and tasty bar food. Order the scallops with nduja butter or a braised-beef taco while you wind down in the chic bar. On the drinks menu, try one of the innovative and fruity cocktails like the Suzie Sunshine – made with tequila, suze, agave and lemon – or the chilli-laced Jalapeno Business, a mixture of blue agave tequila, St Germain elderflower liqueur, lime, apple and jalapeno.
The Rook, Sydney CBD - Credit: The Rook
The Butler
Location: Potts Point
Great for: Views of the city and Mexican seafood dishes.
Take in panoramic views of the Sydney skyline at The Butler, a hidden gem full of vintage charm. This terrace restaurant and bar celebrates the marriage of Australia’s seafood with Mexican ingredients and techniques, offering dishes such as pink snapper divorciados, scallop tostadas, lobster scrambled eggs, and more. In addition to the city views, the terrace dining area is infused with luscious greenery that provides an exotic twist on traditional colonial architecture. Here, you can indulge in an extensive selection of beer, wine and fruity cocktails — from classic margaritas to signature concoctions like the citrusy Pineapple Express. Visit daily for Golden Hour, with $14 cocktails, $8 beer and wine and tostada specials.
The Butler, Potts Point
