Best Rooftop Bars in Brisbane
Whenever I’m visiting a new city I often frequent a rooftop bar or two; there is just something about rooftop bars — maybe it's drinking at altitude, maybe it's the fresh air on your face or the sun beating down on your Vitamin-D-deficient skin — whatever it is, I’m always on the look out for them. Whilst Brisbane might not have as many impressive rooftop bars as other global cities, such as Singapore, Hong Kong, London, or New York City, as Brisbane continues to rapidly grow and develop, more and more rooftop bars are slowly beginning to pop-up, which is exciting.
For all the other must-try foodie spots in Brisbane beyond rooftop bars:
The Terrace | South Bank
Located on the 21st floor of the ultra-luxurious Emporium Hotel you’ll find The Terrace, South Bank’s only rooftop bar. Since opening (at the end of 2018) the bar has quickly become one of the city’s hottest new places to enjoy a drink sky high, and I can see why. The view from The Terrace is quite simply breathtaking and would say one of the best views of Brisbane you’ll find from any bar or restaurant. Therefore, the view alone makes this rooftop bar worth a visit, however, you must stay and enjoy the Korean fried chicken and pair with it your cocktail of choice.
For all the must-try foodie spots in South Bank view A Foodie’s Guide to South Bank
For overnight accommodation read about my stay at Emporium Hotel South Bank
View The Terrace’s breakfast menu, food menu and drinks menu.
267 Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
Open 7 Days 6.30am - Midnight (Friday & Saturday open till 2.00am)
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
THE ICED VOVO Beefeater Gin, Joseph Carton Creme de Framboise, coconut, lemon juice and whites.
IRIS | fortitude valley
Ride the elevator to the top of Hotel X and you’ll not only find the property’s pool, but Iris, a gorgeous rooftop bar and restaurant that offers breathtaking views of Brisbane’s skyline. Whereas the property’s signature restaurant downstairs, Bisou Bisou is all about France, Iris is Mediterranean-inspired - the coast from Beirut to Barcelona - with its food and drinks menu and decor reflective of this, with standout dishes including barbecue pork rib pinchos, red claw crayfish tails with smoked chorizo butter and spiced toothfish tacos.
For all the must-try foodie spots in Fortitude Valley view A Foodie’s Guide to Fortitude Valley
For overnight accommodation read about my stay at Hotel X Fortitude Valley
View Iris’ menu.
458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley
Open 7 Days 11.30am - Midnight (Friday & Saturday open till 3.00am)
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
CROQUETTES Serrano Jamon and manchego.
TOFFEE APPLE CHURROS TART with Fior di latte ice cream.
PINK PINA COLADA Coconut, Pineapple, Bacardi Carta Blanca, Aperol, Pink Grapefruit.
DIRTY SULTAN | FORTITUDE VALLEY
A splendid Turkish-inspired rooftop bar atop Tryp Hotel, featuring day beds, exotic cocktails, delicious Middle Eastern mezze, and a secret shisha lounge, Dirty Sultan is the latest rooftop bar to open in Brisbane. Having visited the space before (previously occupied by Up on Constance) and distinctively remembering leaving disappointed, my expectations were low, though was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the new offering. Whilst still quite a small area, the space has been completely transformed to make you feel as if you’ve just arrived in Turkey. The cocktail selection is vast and all feature Middle Eastern-inspired flavours and the Turkish street food menu has been designed for sharing.
For all the must-try foodie spots in Fortitude Valley view A Foodie’s Guide to Fortitude Valley
View Dirty Sultan’s food menu and cocktail menu.
18 Constance St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Open 7 Days 7.00am - 10.00am (Thursday - Sunday also open from 2.00pm- 1.00am)
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
SANA Bombay Sapphire, Joesph Cartron lychee, Luxardo Maraschino, Turkish cherry nectar, lemon and topped with Turkish soda.
THREE CHEESE CIGAR BOREK (Turkish Spring Roll) Mozzarella, feta and cheddar cheese, filo pastry and lemon aioli.
Sixteen Antlers | CBD
Sitting on level sixteen of Brisbane’s Pullman Hotel, in the heart of the city, is the intimate, leafy rooftop bar known as Sixteen Antlers. The rooftop bar boasts wraparound views of the city, and in particular, is a brilliant vantage point to take in Brisbane’s City Hall clock tower close-up. I have mixed feelings about Sixteen Antlers and would say I’d only drop in if convenient and in the area. As whilst I liked the fact it was all open-air and the unique view overlooking King George Square, it is quite a small area with limited seating, and found it to be generally outdated and lacking in sophistication in looks.
View Sixteen Antlers’ food menu and drinks menu.
Cnr Ann &, Roma St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 5 Days Tuesday - Saturday 3.00pm - 10.00pm
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
THAT’S A JEM Absolut vanilla vodka, Chambord, pineapple juice, lime juice, and vanilla syrup.
MAYA MEXICAN | Fortitude Valley
Taking its namesake and inspiration from the Maya region of Mexico, Maya is a sophisticated Mexican restaurant and rooftop bar which celebrates the best of Queensland. Following a significant makeover, the space which once occupied Eleven Rooftop Bar has been completely transformed, now possessing a striking, all-white palette blended with stone, marble and timber, fringed with lush greenery and desert cactus galore, designed to transport guests to the balmy coastal regions of Mexico.
With a greater focus on sit-down dining and a share-style menu which features contemporary renditions of traditional Mexican street fare using the freshest Australian produce, Maya is undoubtedly a dining destination in it’s own right. Though with a handpicked selection of highland tequilas, artisanal mezcals and innovative cocktails as well as live performances by musicians and DJ’s when the sunsets, Maya is still a place to drink and party too.
For all the must-try foodie spots in Fortitude Valley view A Foodie’s Guide to Fortitude Valley
View Maya’s food menu and drinks menu.
757 Ann St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Open 5 Days Wednesday - Sunday Midday - Late
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
ESQUITES Spiced corn croquettes, cotija cheese, chipotle and lime creme.
PORK BELLY Twice cooked, spiced arbol corn puree, pickled radish, apple, fennel.
CALAMARI Chargrilled squid, pickled kolhrabi, jalapeno and lime aioli.
AL PASTOR Braised pork shoulder, pineapple, pickled red onion, cilantro, crackling.
MAYA MARGARITA CAKE Tequila lime creme, candied almonds, chilli salt and vanilla ice cream.
NUEVA VIDA Beefeater gin, peach, lemon myrtle agave, mandarin, guava, lime and bitters.
LOST IN TRANSLATION Kaffiffir Lime Infused Vodka, Peach, White Vermouth, Lemon Myrtle, Agave, Soda
MAMACITA Beefeater Gin, Crème De Cassis, Morita, Juniper, Strawberry, Vanilla, Lemon, Whites.
Eagles Nest | Kangaroo Point
Despite the challenge of reaching it, if on foot, Eagles Nest, located on the 12th floor of The Point Hotel in Kangaroo Point is worth a visit for afternoon drinks. Notably, due to the smaller-scale of Eagles Nest and the fact it is only open to the public on Friday and Sundays from 3pm, the best seats, with the best view are rarely free for long. As a result, it’s wise to arrive at opening in order to secure a seat and to be able to soak up the magnificent panoramic views of Brisbane's skyline that Eagles Nest boasts.
View Eagles Nest’s menu.
21 Lambert St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169
Open 2 Days Friday & Sunday 3.00pm - 7.00pm (Friday open till 9.00pm)
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
PANKO COCNUT PRAWNS with lime and coriander aioli.
VANILLA SKY Vodka, liquor 43, strawberry liqueur, vanilla syrup, lime and strawberries.
Sazerac Bar | CBD
Dubbed as the highest rooftop bar in all of Brisbane, sitting pretty 30 floors above street level, you’ll find the Sazerac Bar atop the Four Points by Sheraton Hotel in the centre of town. Unlike the other rooftop bars listed, Sazerac Bar is fully enclosed and as a result gives off a different vibe to the rest – more of a chic, sophisticated airport lounge kind of vibe. The outlook from Sazerac is a little different from the rest also, as due to its CBD location you’re simply facing other buildings, adding to the feeling of being enclosed. For these reasons, personally, I would not be in a hurry to return, preferring outdoor space, and a different outlook. In saying this, if in the area, it may be worth the trip up in the lift to savour a cold beverage, especially if it’s a hot, humid day, as because it is enclosed does have air-conditioning, which is a godsend on such days.
View Sazerac Bar’s menu.
99 Mary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 7 Days 3.00pm - 11.00pm (Friday - Sunday opens at Midday)
FIUME BAR | HOWARD SMITH WHARVES
Located on level three of the Crystalbrook Vincent hotel at Howard Smith Wharves you will find the property's rooftop bar, Fiume Bar. When the bar first opened and we stayed at the hotel my first impressions of Fiume was that I was a little disappointed and thought I wouldn’t really return just because I believed venues such as Mr. Percival’s and Felons Brewery generally were superior and possessed a less obstructed view of the city and Brisbane River. However, whilst I still believe it doesn’t provide the best view, as Howard Smith Wharves generally get busier, escaping the crowds (to some extent) and opting for a drink and bite to eat at Fiume is definitely a nice alternative.
For all Howard Smith Wharves has to offer view A Guide to Howard Smith Wharves
For overnight accommodation read about my stay at The Fantauzzo (now Crystalbrook Vincent)
View Fiume Bar’s menu.
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 4 Days Thursday - Sunday 4.00pm - Late (Saturday & Sunday opens at Midday & 2:00pm respectively)
WHAT WAS ORDERED:
PINK KOALA Eucalyptus vodka, Cointreau, cranberry and lemon.
still on my list:
Tetto Rooftop Bar in Everton Park
Cielo Rooftop in Fortitude Valley
Elixir Rooftop Bar in Fortitude Valley
YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…
FOLLOW MY FODDIE INSTAGRAM
