The second most populous city in Australia, Melbourne is a blend of modern and historical architecture, mixed with festivals, opera and great street culture, and coloured by green parks and gardens. Situated on a natural harbour, the city centre is positioned on the Yarra River estuary. A vibrant multicultural city, it is energetic and thriving, and much loved by local inhabitants as well as the many visitors.
By day, the city bustles with industry, everyday living and entertainment, perfect for exploring on foot or utilising the tram network. By evening, unforgettable sunsets and a starlit sky entice visitors heavenwards to rooftop bars to experience the impressive panorama of Melbourne at night.
Rooftop bars are the trendiest way to enjoy a quiet afternoon drink before the scene livens up and the party atmosphere comes to life. With many catering for long lunches, functions and events, and family meals, they have fast become a Melbourne favourite. Scott from the Travelistic blog has recently moved to the city and walks us through some of the ‘must visit’ bars in the area.
Described as a ‘spot of paradise,’ Palmz adorns the rooftop of the Carlton Hotel. Palm trees, tropical gardens, and a thatched hut bar make this one of the most popular rooftop bars in Melbourne, perfect for sipping cocktails and soaking up the sun.
The Rooftop Bar on Swanston Street offers fine views and a friendly environment as well as an eclectic mix of menus. From December to March, the Rooftop Cinema takes over, restricting access to ticket holders only.
Madame Brussels in Bourke Street has a laid-back atmosphere, offering parasols and big pitchers of refreshing drinks and a garden party ambiance.
Naked In The Sky hovers over Fitzroy, offering views of the city via an open terrace bar and restaurant. With a menu containing traditional peasant comfort food, influenced by Basque country cuisine, this newly built bar is becoming increasingly popular.
Damask Cocktail and Mezze Bar can be found above the iconic Fitz in Brunswick Street. Offering Mediterranean tapas and extensive cocktail list, this bar is both elegant yet unassuming.
Captain Baxter’s Kitchen and Bar in St Kilda offers views of the bay along with cocktails and a cosmopolitan menu. A great venue for functions, Captain Baxter’s has an extensive wine and beer menu as well as delicious cocktails.
The Corner Bar in vibrant Richmond also doubles up as a live music venue, ideal for catching the up and coming indie bands that make their way into town. Where it really shines, however is the spacious rooftop bar and dining area,which is a sun trap during the warmer months.
With all of these great rooftop options to hand, the only thing to do is to sit back and enjoy the sunshine whilst experiencing some of the best bars Melbourne has to offer.
By Olivia GrilHey Folks! I'm Olivia from California, United States. I'm a blogger, travel lover, I can travel anywhere, whether it's a new place or already visited. I love meeting new people, clicking photos of every movement, and documenting my adventure. I also, write about travel, travel movies, the best places to visit, etc. Read my stories.
