Nothing beats drinking in the view from Melbourne rooftop bar hotels. The pours in Australia’s second-largest city are arguably the best in the nation, and while its Insta-worthy laneways offer one kind drinking experience, the sipping upstairs is nothing short of the seventh heaven, not least at the trendy open-air spaces that dot neighborhoods like Fitzroy and CBD.
With over 400 million annual visitors to Hotels Combined, we’ve gathered our top Melbourne Rooftop bar hotels and boozy perches for watching the sun set and the city sparkle. From leafy sky gardens to retro cocktail lounges, these teetering terraces are where Melbourne looks its best through the bottom of a glass. As an added twist, we’ve paired each of these bars with some fantastic places to stay, so you won’t have to stumble far after the last call. Cheers to that!
1. The Rooftop at QT
A favorite of Melbourne’s tie-loosening afterworkers, the rooftop terrace at QT is the place to be to catch the last few glorious rays after 5 p.m. For precisely that reason, it’ll take a stroke of luck to nab one of the tables out on the main deck. If you can get a group going, though, you can book a space for A$85 per person for 12-50 people.
Victorians flock to QT for more than the view though. The hip atmosphere at this Melbourne rooftop bar hotel is reason enough to get a little tipsy, with hanging botanicals and London-Underground-inspired tile accents. Thirsty patrons can get loaded on creative cocktails like the Smoking Guns, a mezcal base, Yellow Chartreuse, lemon, and mint. Feel at liberty to let your hair down a little, but don’t kick off your lace-ups—QT has a snappy dress code, which you can check out here.
Stay At: QT Melbourne
Unabashedly fashion-forward, this Melbourne rooftop bar hotel is one of the best-dressed kids in the East End. We’re talking 188 rooms with raw concrete and wood finishes and just a pop of well-coordinated color. When you’re done mingling with the glitterati upstairs, ditch the crowd and head down to your Executive King Suite and sink into your standalone bath. Outlandish decor and upscale menus await at the four on-site restaurants. But if you’d rather hole up in your hideaway, there’s also round the clock room service a phone call away.
Attractions Nearby:
- Gin Palace, classic cocktail bar (500 meters)
- Emporium Melbourne, upscale shopping mall (600 meters)
- Union Lane Graffiti, cultural landmark (800 meters)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 147 – USD 402
Guest Rating: 9.2
Address: 133 Russell Street, Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
2. Good Heavens
Only a little less debaucherous than its name might suggest, Good Heavens is round after round of retro summer fun dressed up in Palm Springs decor. The 80s-inspired drinks menu is all about taking novel twists on period favorites, including fun names like Poco Loco (Piña Colada) and Big Pharma (a spiced rum espresso martini).
If you’re hungry, Good Heavens serves great pub grub, including pulled pork sandwiches, chicken wings, and tater tots with melty cheese and gravy. More substantial fare is served street-level at barbecue joint Fancy Hanks, which is under the same management. Think carefully before you give up your spot on the roof though. Good Heavens has a limited capacity of 200 people and it fills up—fast.
Stay At: Stamford Plaza Melbourne
If you haven’t had your fill of heavenly pleasures by closing time, you’ll be glad you booked a room at this swanky CBD hotel. Located at the “Paris end” of Collins Street, Stamford Plaza houses 308 chic rooms and suites. Many of these feature beautiful walk-in showers and memorable views of the city. The covered rooftop pool is a place to lounge idly by even when elsewhere the Melbourne rooftop bar hotels are feeling the chill. Meanwhile, health-conscious guests will love both the well-equipped gym and the nutritious bowls that are available on-site at Harry’s Restaurant.
Attractions Nearby:
- Chinatown Melbourne (350 meters)
- Rice Paper Scissors, rustic Southeast Asian eatery (400 meters)
- Princess Theatre, grand 1854-built playhouse (550 meters)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 122 – USD 902
Guest Rating: 8.6
Address: 111 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
3. Madame Brussels
While Good Heavens might not have you clutching at you pearls, Madame Brussels is intent on making you blush. There’s plenty of punny fun on the menu of this naughty tavern in the East End. Ask one of the tennis-gear-wearing ball boys nicely and they might bring you The Madame’s D.D. Cups, a zesty mix of vermouth, Bombay gin, lemon, and ginger. Ms. Brussels’s sangria, boozed up with 23rd St Brandy, is a recipe for a red-faced afternoon. If you need to soak up the alcohol, she also serves a tasty selection of fancy foods and desserts. Hungry boys will love her signature charcuterie (aka Madame’s “MEAT TRAY”) and the “smooth gay Chocolate Fondue”—because the lady of the house swings her racket on both sides of the court.
Mantra 100 Exhibition Melbourne
While the Madame might keep you up until the wee hours, she doesn’t take overnight guests. Thankfully, Mantra 100’s convenient East End location means you won’t have to stumble far. Featuring a variety of sharply furnished apartment suites it’s also the perfect base for any wild weekend in the city. Each pad comes equipped with a kitchenette, refrigerator, and bar. Meanwhile, the availability of 2 bedroom apartments and optional interconnecting rooms makes Mantra 100 a functional choice for larger parties.
Attractions Nearby:
- Eau de Vie, classic cocktail bar (300 meters)
- AC/DC Lane Graffiti, Instagrammable laneway (300 meters)
- Manchuria, Asian-inspired cocktail bar (600 meters)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 101 – USD 228
Guest Rating: 8.4
Address: 100 Exhibition Street, Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
4. Rooftop Bar at Curtin House
This open-air institution is more than deserving of its uninterrupted views of Bourke Place and CBD. Rooftop Bar is located on the 7th floor of Curtin House, a heritage building that has gone through various rebirths over the past century. Founded as a gentleman’s club, it later became the headquarters of the Australian Communist Party before switching hands to Melbourne’s artist intelligentsia. Toda, you can still revel in this colorful history while you explore the boutique eateries, bookstores, and archival fashion pieces on Curtin House’s lower floors.
On those clear-skied evenings, though, Rooftop Bar is the place to be. Abundant AstroTurf and patio furniture give the seating area a backyard barbecue vibe, which pairs perfectly with the selection of draft beers. The bar, meanwhile, has a cinematic 50s feel to it, which is fitting because in summer space is also shared by Melbourne’s one and only rooftop cinema.
Stay At: Mercure Welcome Melbourne
Set in the center of CBD, Mercure Welcome Melbourne offers easy comfort on the doorstep of many of the city’s most charismatic districts. The East End’s 19th-century theatres and colonial government offices are just up the road. A little further up is Chinatown’s warren of alleyways and arcades.
Mercure’s 330 rooms and suites offer flexible accommodation for groups of varying sizes. In particular, guests will appreciate the superior room’s walk-in showers and sweeping views. Although you’ll want to try the tables at downtown Melbourne’s many award-winning restaurants, Mercure has various dining options on-site.
Attractions Nearby:
- Chinatown Melbourne Market (260 meters)
- Stalactites, whimsical Greek restaurant (450 meters)
- Madame Brussels Lane (750 meters)
Star Rating: 3.5*
Price: USD 68 – USD 138
Guest Rating: 7.5
Address: 265 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
5. Coppersmith Bar
A few years ago, Coppersmith Bar (then “The Cricketer’s Arms”) wouldn’t have garnered a second glance from passers-by. But recent efforts to dress this old Victorian boozer in new clothes have cleaned up more than just the paintwork. The updated French bistro downstairs merits a visit in its own right. When the weather’s fair, though, skip dinner and make a bee-line straight for the wood-paneled rooftop bar. It offers an uninterrupted view of the city, not to mention a selection of 18 local and international craft beers on tap.
Stay At: The Coppersmith Hotel
Bar, bistro, bed—The Coppersmith is a real triple threat among the Melbourne rooftop bar hotels. Like the Victorian building that houses it, this boutique hotel has been given a post-industrial facelift. Think whitewashed brick with black steel accents and bare wood floors. The improvements aren’t only cosmetic either. Each room offers premium bedding, a Nespresso machine, flat-screen TV, and bath care products by Appellees Black Label. If you don’t feel like socializing at the upstairs bar, there’s also a customizable minibar.
Attractions Nearby:
- Melbourne Sports Centers (270 meters)
- South Melbourne Market (1.2 kilometers)
- Port Melbourne Beach (2.1 kilometers)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 130 – USD 157
Guest Rating: 9.4
Address: 435 Clarendon St, South Melbourne, South Melbourne, Melbourne
6. Terrace Bar at The Sheraton
Terrace Bar might be located in “Paris End,” but it’s dressed like a Newyorker. Surrounded by red-brick rises and art-deco architecture, this openair lounge is decorated with warm greys and contemporary furniture. Strings of fairy lights overhead and some well-placed greenery reassure you that it’s OK to undo the top button on your dress shirt. Though this is more the place for a quiet glass of white than a freeflow margaritas—date night, not pregame. Terrace Bar is open from 4 p.m. but get there at 5 p.m. if you want to enjoy an hour of A$5 drink specials.
Stay At: Sheraton Melbourne Hotel
Much more than a Melbourne rooftop bar hotel, this local incarnation of the Sheraton has all the right ingredients for a truly sweet escape. A gorgeous indoor lap pool, day spa and beauty center, and contemporary French dining at Little Collins Street Kitchen are all reasons to stay in and treat yourself. If you do decide to venture out, though, iconic local landmarks like Princess Theatre and Melbourne Cricket Ground are right around the corner.
The Sheratons’ variety of rooms and suites provide trademark luxury, with amenities like soundproof windows, walk-in showers, and tubs all available. For a city view, upgrade to a Deluxe, Superior, or Terrace room.
Attractions Nearby:
- Cherry, laneway bar with live music (110 meters)
- The Old Treasury Building, historic site (200 meters)
- Cook’s Cottage, historical monument (800 meters)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 165 – USD 603
Guest Rating: 9.1
Address: 27 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
7. Palmz Rooftop Bar
With its taxidermied animals and brightly colored plastic furniture, Palmz Rooftop Bar is an oasis of silliness in the heart of hectic CBD. Grab a signature cocktail at the faux-Hawaiian tiki beach bar, and linger by one of the bamboo tables while you completely forget where you are in the world. A micro-escape for all seasons, Palmz also features retractable awnings and winter heaters so you can live your summer fantasy even in the heart of a Melbourne downpour. If you’re feeling peckish, ditch the bar snacks and have a peruse of their dining menu, offering a variety of upscale pub grub.
Stay At: The Victoria
This elegant downtown hotel is the perfect antidote to those who’ve had their fill of campy excess. Housed in a beautiful art-deco building, it puts guests right around the corner from many of Melbourne’s principal sights, including Federation Square, Bourke Street Mall, and Collins Street. Its simple yet spacious rooms come in a range of formats to suit groups of different sizes. Meanwhile, you can also sweat out or swim off last night’s debauchery at the on-site plunge pool, sauna, and fitness center.
Attractions Nearby:
- Chin Chin, Asian-Inspired Restaurant (450 meters)
- Brother Baba Budan, Speciality Coffee Shop (600 meters)
- Australian Center for the Moving Image, Museum (600 meters)
Star Rating: 3.5*
Price: USD 54 – USD 118
Guest Rating: 8.0
Address: 215 Little Collins Street, Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
8. Loop Roof and Loop Top, Melbourne
You won’t need your prescription lenses to spot Loop Roof from street level (hint: it’s that building with the vertical jungle climbing up it). Set across two stories—that’s double the seating space—this elevated garden space is a party of primary colors and fun campy finishes. Get all the juiciest gossip over signature cocktails like Spill The Tea, Sis, a pot-stirring blend of Sevilla orange gin, Cocchi Americano, honeydew green tea. Or get your fingers sticky with a round of chicken wings and a cold crafty one by Kaiju beer.
Stay At: The Hotel Windsor
Facing Parliament House, The Hotel Windsor promises Victorian grandeur and colonial comforts in a historic building. Built in 1883, this lavish bygone building predates The Savoy in London and the Waldorf Astoria in New York. It took on its royal title in 1923, after it hosted a luncheon for the then Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII). While forgoing the views of Melbourne rooftop bar hotels, guests at The Hotel Windsor can enjoy an exquisite afternoon tea experience as well as a variety of fine heritage rooms and suites. The Wizard Suite offers an added touch of whimsy as well as a few extra special extras. Our lips are sealed on what those are. We don’t want them to send us a Howler.
Attractions Nearby:
- Strangers Corridor, elegant eatery for high tea and dinner (240 meters)
- Park Club Health & Day Spa (280 meters)
- Treasury Gardens, park (300 meters)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 105 – USD 468
Guest Rating: 9.0
Address: 111 Spring Street, East Melbourne, Melbourne
9. Goldilocks
Skyscraper views, no animal products in the drinks, and a hip vibe that skips on the pretense? Goldilocks knows how to do things “just right.” Hidden away four floors above a Chinese diner, this rooftop bar is a great place to wave goodbye to the working week with a frosty craft beer in hand. There’s no porridge on the menu, but what Goldilocks lacks in oats she more than makes up for with sweet-leaning cocktails and an ever evolving list of craft beers. If you feel like stealing a bite, there’s truffle toasties and comforting potato wedges on the menu.
Pullman Melbourne on Swanston
A stay at the Pullman Melbourne on Swanston is synonymous with convenience, luxury, and glamor. But we needn’t tell you—the hotel lobby’s abstract decor, glossy black tile, and gold trim speak for themselves. Located steps away from Melbourne Central, its central CBD location puts you on the doorstep of many of the cities most memorable sights. Meanwhile, the numerous rooms and suites offer varying degrees of bedtime opulence. In all of them you’ll find rainfall showers, Bose speakers, and edgy contemporary design.
The onsite eatery, Eva’s Restaurant and Bar, is actually a tribute to the Pullman Melbourne on Swanston’s original leading couple. Eva and Les Erdi opened the hotel in its original form during the 1950s, shortly after they immigrated to Australia from Hungary. The Erdis’s legacy lives on in the classic yet creative offerings provided by their retro-leaning restaurant, which favors homestyle cooking and seasonal ingredients.
Attractions Nearby:
- Cookie, eclectic cocktails and trendy Thai food (62 meters)
- Trunk Diner, trendy restaurant in a restored 1850s synagogue (700 meters)
- Old Melbourne Gaol (750 meters)
Star Rating: 4.5*
Price: USD 138 – USD 190
Guest Rating: 8.1
Address: 195 Swanston Street, Melbourne CBD, Melbourne
Hotel Location
It’s High Time You Hit These Melbourne Rooftop Bar Hotels
This great city knows how to mix a drink, but why grunge out an evening at street level when you can lord it over the laneways? These Melbourne Rooftop Bar Hotels are just a select few of our favorite aerial lookouts. However, in a city brimming to the suds with craft beer culture and creative mixology, there’s far more on offer for anyone willing to climb a couple of stairwells. After all, the best always rise to the top.
Which is your favourite rooftop bar hotels and sky lounges? Let us know in the comments below.
