Breathtaking views, awesome settings and refreshing cocktails or culinary treats – that’s what you could get from a lot of incredible rooftop bars nowadays, the ideal places to celebrate summer’s end with your friends or significant other.
A lot of rooftops have been transformed into hip lounges in these past couple of years and today we’ll take a look at the world’s most amazing rooftop bars, which impressed us either with their spectacular views, exquisite design or flawless service.
10. Condesa DF Rooftop Bar in Mexico City
Located on top of a stunning bohemian building from Mexico City that was turned into a hotel, this stunning bar takes its name from the Condesa neighborhood. With couches, ottomans, cocktail tables and lounge beds that allow you to sip cocktails from a horizontal position, this bar has a calming, almost monastic vibe. Aside from the wide selection of drinks, you could also have a tasty snack here, a place where they even serve sushi. To add one extra degree of relaxation, there’s even a Jacuzzi from where you can enjoy your drinks.
9. Hudson Sky Terrace in New York
Located on top of the luxurious Hudson Hotel in NYC, this place aims to attract young hearts through its stylish and cool ambiance. The Hudson Sky Terrace is only opened seasonally on the 15th floor of the building and you’ll have to be a guest at the hotel to be able to get there. Designed by the famed Philippe Starck, this rooftop bar seems like the perfect relaxation spot in New York, offering great views of the Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty.
8. Captain Bar in Shanghai
The Captain Bar will impress you with a wonderful view of the Pudong and the beautiful Bund rooftops nearby. Sitting on top of the Captain Hostel, this bar offers anything, from burgers and pizzas to a large variety of cocktails. There is no fee to get in and you don’t have to be a hostel guest either, so it is usually quite packed with both tourists admiring the view and locals that just love to enjoy a good drink here.
7. Moon in Las Vegas
Located on top of the Palms Fantasy Tower, this awesome bar (actually a penthouse nightclub) is entitled Moon due to its eccentric architecture with surreal features that make you feel as if stepping into another world. From the 53rd floor of the tower, Moon offers a dazzling view of Las Vegas which is enhanced even further with the retractable rooftop that connects you to the starry sky during the nighttime. The lounge offers a large selection of cocktails and you can enjoy a game of billiards, shuffleboard or even some old-school board games here. It has a capacity of over 450 seats, but it’s still quite difficult to get in sometimes since it is usually packed.
6. The Gherkin Top Floor Bar in London
Designed by Lord Foster’s renowned architecture firm, The Gherkin is one of London’s most iconic skyscrapers and also home to the highest private member club of the city, which features an exclusive lounge, restaurant and bar. The Gherkin bar offers a 360 degree view of the city from a glass dome and can be even booked for large events such as weddings or business meetings but only if you are a member of the select club.
5. Gravity Bar in Dublin
The Gravity Bar stands atop the Guinness Storehouse, offering a panoramic view of Dublin and the beautiful mountains nearby the city. Apart from the great sight, the highest bar in Ireland will also impress its guests with a free pint of Guinness that will make you feel Gravity even more. The bar has a capacity of up to 270 for a reception or 84 if you want a sit-down dinner and you can even book the whole place.
4. Rooftop Bar in Melbourne
The top of the Curtin House offers a great view of the city and it’s one of the best places to get a drink when the weather is appropriate. Aside from the great cocktails, you could also have a snack here, from the All Day Burger shack or from Mesa Verde. Curtin House, the building where this Rooftop bar is located, also hosts a Cookie Thai restaurant, a live music venue, books and rare records store and even a Kung Fu academy. The Rooftop Bar becomes the Rooftop Cinema from December to March and screens indie or cult films.
3. Luna Bar in Kuala Lumpur
Located in the heart of the vibrant Kuala Lumpur, the Luna Bar spreads over two floors on the 34th level of the Pacific Regency Suites, offering a terrific panoramic view of the skyline. You can even see the Petronas Twin Towers from here, with the space divided between an al fresco lounge with a swimming pool and a long bar on the lower level. The cocktails are the main thing on the menu but you can also choose from a variety of beers, wines or spirits and they serve food as well, from appetizers, salads or soups to a la carte dishes.
2. The Penthouse in Madrid
This rooftop bar is owned by Rande Gerber and it stands atop the Hotel ME Madrid Reina Victoria, in Plaza Santa Ana, offering a great view of the center of the city. The Penthouse bar is built into a broken stone wall and if you visit it during daytime you can even get your tan here while enjoying the view, good music and a great drink. A favorite among celebrities in Spain, this place is usually open until 3 am, so you can have a proper party here as well.
1. Sirocco in Bangkok
Probably the most amazing rooftop bar in the world is Sirocco, located atop The Dome of the State Tower, on the 64th floor of the building. With a lovely Mediterranean vibe, this incredible bar offers a 360 degree view of Bangkok that could literally drop your jaw to the floor. The music is ensured by a jazz band, while the alfresco dining experience is supervised by Chef de Cuisine Gonzalo Ruiz to ensure the perfect interaction between food, wine, ambiance and service for a night that you won’t easily forget. If you have the opportunity to visit Bangkok it would be a true pity to miss Sirocco.
