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Sydney's Best Rooftop Bars


If, like me, you think that the outdoors is the province of footballers, dangerous insects and crusty people who go to festivals to hear John Butler moan, you might not have succumbed to the lure of the rooftop bar. But, a drink is, after all, a drink and these are increasingly poured on top of urban buildings.

We’d get used to cocktails at altitude. We’d better learn to love ‘em.

Actually, there’s a bit to love. As our cities shoot sensibly upwards to contain the menace of sprawl, we can view the rooftop bar as a more sustainable drinking experience. A maximum use of space and a minimum use of building resources are to be applauded; particularly in a trade where fashion comes and goes as quickly as renovations.

At places like the Ivy or at Woolloomooloo’s Manta Bar, fashion is seen chiefly on the backs of patrons. These flashy al fresco haunts shine with all the dangerous promise of the southern sun both day and night.

For a far less glitzy but just-as-expensive turn in the outdoors, Moncur Terrace in Woollahra is the ticket. It’s not, strictly speaking, a roof but, most particularly on weeknights, it offers enough eastern suburbs gentility to make you feel several storeys off-the-ground.

If you’re tickled by the Tasman and Tanqueray in equal parts, ascend to Cream Tangerine in Bondi.

SM King, Citysearch

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Sydney Rooftop Bars

Darlo Bar, A.K.A. Royal Sovereign Hotel

Cnr Darlinghurst Rd. & Liverpool St, Darlinghurst
-33.8780584051646 151.220541000366

When urban mammals tire of their inner city cages, they come to prowl this open-range salon

Category: Bars & Clubs, Restaurants // Venue Type: Bar // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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Moncur Terrace, Woollahra Hotel

Level 1, 116 Queen St, Woollahra
-33.888295 151.236872

With a sheltered courtyard and sophisticated modern Australian cuisine, Mocur Terrace restaurant in Woollahra is the cool, casual sibling of Damien Pignolet’s hatted Bistro Moncur.

Category: Restaurants // Mains from: $17.50 // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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East Sydney Hotel

Crown St (Cnr Cathedral St), Woolloomooloo
-33.87193 151.215484

The pulse of this Sydney survivor beats slow but strong

Category: Bars & Clubs, Restaurants // Venue Type: Pub // Mains from: $15.50 // Cuisine: English

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Aurora Hotel

324 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills
-33.884052845632 151.208342313766

The Aurora'a almost always open, and the rooftop bar gives good views.

Category: Restaurants // Mains from: $11.00 // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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The Eastern Hotel

500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction
-33.891894 151.250989

Smooth stylish lines combine with effortless drinks mixing to create an experience like none ever thought of by a copywriter before at this most satisfying of bars.

Category: Bars & Clubs // Venue Type: Bar

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Manta Restaurant & Bar

6 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo
-33.8681238974775 151.220972836018

New ownership and direction has taken this restaurant to new heights. The short menu features quality Australian seafood, excellent meat, Woolloomooloo views and matching prices.

Category: Restaurants // Mains from: $39.00 // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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East Village

234 Palmer St, East Sydney
-33.877688 151.216684

A bit of glamour in design studio territory, East Village still has what it takes, and one of the best rooftop terraces in town.

Category: Bars & Clubs // Venue Type: Pub

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Astral Bar

Star City Casino, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont
-33.868241 151.194222

The city is laid out at your feet, quite literally, at the Astral Bar.

Category: Bars & Clubs // Venue Type: Bar

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The Glenmore Hotel

96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks
-33.8582015976897 151.207194328308

The Glenmore Hotel has been an aussie icon since 1921. With its colonial old English charm and character, the Glenmore has been a popular watering hole which has survived depressions, wars, plagues to name but a few and this unique slice of history is located next to one of the world's most beautiful habours.

Category: Bars & Clubs, Restaurants // Venue Type: Pub // Mains from: $10.00 // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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Zeta Bar

Hilton Hotel Sydney, Lvl 4, 488 George St, Sydney
-33.871816 151.207647

An elegant playground for the rich and famous, or a special evening out for those who just enjoy the finer things in life.

Category: Bars & Clubs // Venue Type: Bar

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Zanzibar

323 King St, Newtown
-33.896969 151.179054

The name Zanzibar conjures images of a far off land where pleasure is king and men where Indiana Jones-inspired leather jackets, carry bull whips and laugh in the face of danger.

Category: Bars & Clubs, Restaurants // Venue Type: Bar // Mains from: $10.00 // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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Ching-a-Lings

133 Oxford St, Darlinghurst
-33.879822 151.215502

Ching-a-Lings may be a little hard to find, but the atmosphere and attitude will have you back in no time. The low-maintenance approach to drinking options means you only need to worry about your conversation topics.

Category: Bars & Clubs // Venue Type: Bar

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Pyrmont Bridge Hotel

96 Union St, Pyrmont
-33.869783 151.197681

A pearler menu of pub grub, plus a host of tap beers make this pub a decent starting point for any night out.

Category: Bars & Clubs, Restaurants // Venue Type: Bar // Mains from: $7.00 // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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Ivy Bar

320-330 George St, Sydney
-33.875881 151.207887

Be prepared to queue, and if nothing else, make sure you're dressed to the nines!

Category: Bars & Clubs // Venue Type: Bar

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The Red Rattler

6 Faversham St, Marrickville
-33.909943 151.163659

This artist-run, community based, eco-friendly theatre, bar and studio complex is just what Sydney's been missing.

Category: Music

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Kings Cross Hotel

248 William St, Kings Cross
-33.874962 151.221998

The grand old lady of Kings Cross is still going strong and is more modern and classy than ever. The Kings Cross Hotel is your big night out on the town, or an intimate dinner for two, whatever you’re looking for you’re sure to find it here.

Category: Bars & Clubs // Venue Type: Bar

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Cream Tangerine

Campbell Pde (Cnr Curlewis St), Bondi Beach
-33.886064 151.276535

Cream Tangerine makes a fine challenge for cocktail bar of the year, with more mixed delights than you can name.

Category: Bars & Clubs // Venue Type: Bar

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Golden Sheaf Hotel

429 New South Head Rd, Double Bay
-33.87747 151.24353

The Golden Sheaf brings a little reality back to Double Bay, with a great public bar, sprawling beer garden and roof top terrace.

Category: Restaurants // Mains from: $16.00 // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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Zanzibar

323 King St, Newtown
-33.896969 151.179054

The name Zanzibar conjures images of a far off land where pleasure is king and men where Indiana Jones-inspired leather jackets, carry bull whips and laugh in the face of danger.

Category: Bars & Clubs, Restaurants // Venue Type: Bar // Mains from: $10.00 // Cuisine: Modern Australian

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