Rooftop bars Sydney
Sydney's best seat for sunset is usually a few floors up. These rooftop bars have the harbour views, the cocktails and the golden hour light.
The best rooftop bars in Sydney with harbour views are Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade, Aster on level 32 of the InterContinental, CIRQ at Crown Sydney and The Glenmore in The Rocks. For sunsets over Darling Harbour, go to Zephyr; for a hidden CBD rooftop, Old Mate's Place.
| # | Pick | Why it's here | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade | Best harbour-view rooftop | Millers Point |
| 02 | Aster | Highest harbour panorama | Sydney CBD |
| 03 | The Glenmore | Best pub rooftop | The Rocks |
| 04 | CIRQ | Most glamorous terrace | Barangaroo |
| 05 | Smoke at Barangaroo House | Best Barangaroo sunset | Barangaroo |
| 06 | Zephyr Bar | Best Darling Harbour sunset | Sydney CBD |
| 07 | Old Mate's Place | Best hidden rooftop | Sydney CBD |
| 08 | Jacksons on George | Best rooftop for a big group | Sydney CBD |
| 09 | The Rooftop at Quarryman's Hotel | Best laid-back rooftop | Pyrmont |
| 10 | The Royal Hotel Paddington | Best eastern suburbs rooftop | Paddington |
Photo: Hotel PalisadeTwo-level rooftop cocktail lounge
The top two floors of the heritage Hotel Palisade in Millers Point, with open-air balconies and harbour views in every direction, taking in Barangaroo Reserve and the Harbour Bridge. Closed on Mondays; open from noon on Fridays and weekends.
Photo: InterContinental SydneyLevel 32, InterContinental Sydney
On the 32nd floor, the top of the InterContinental, Aster looks straight out over the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. It opens daily from 4pm and is adults only (18+), with a smart-casual dress code: no activewear or beachwear.
Photo: The GlenmorePub rooftop in The Rocks
A Rocks pub since 1921, with a rooftop that looks across to the Opera House and harbour. It's more relaxed (and cheaper) than the hotel bars, and open from 11am every day.
Photo: Crown SydneyLevel 26, Crown Sydney
Crown Sydney's rooftop bar is 26 floors above Barangaroo, with lounges spread over lower and upper outdoor terraces looking across the harbour to Circular Quay. It's mostly outdoors (weather can affect bookings), 18+, and open Wednesday to Sunday from 4pm.
Photo: Barangaroo HouseRooftop cocktail bar on the waterfront
Barangaroo House's rooftop bar (on Level 2), on the harbour's edge, with skyline views at golden hour, a signature cocktail list and share plates such as oysters and kingfish tacos. Open daily from 5pm Monday and Tuesday and from 3pm the rest of the week.
Photo: Zephyr BarLevel 12, Hyatt Regency Sydney
A sky bar on level 12 of the Hyatt Regency on Sussex Street, facing west over Darling Harbour, so it's made for sunset. Open from 3pm on weekdays and 2pm on weekends.
Photo: Old Mate's PlaceHidden rooftop bar on Clarence Street
Take the lift to level 4 of 199 Clarence Street for a leafy, hidden bar that feels miles from the CBD. Open late (until 2am) Tuesday to Sunday; walk-ins welcome, with bookings for up to 8.
Photo: Jacksons on GeorgeMulti-level pub with an open-air rooftop
A multi-level venue near Circular Quay with a sun-drenched, open-air rooftop bar looking over the city. Resident DJs play from sunset on Thursday to Saturday, and happy hour runs from 4pm to 6pm daily.
Photo: Quarryman's HotelPyrmont pub rooftop
A sunny, adults-only rooftop above Quarryman's Hotel on Harris Street, Pyrmont, with skyline glimpses between sandstone warehouses. Open Wednesday to Sunday from noon until late.
Photo: The Royal Hotel PaddingtonHeritage pub with a rooftop balcony
A heritage pub right above Five Ways in Paddington, with a rooftop bar and balcony looking out over the city. Also good for a long Sunday session.
Planning a big night? Pair a rooftop with dinner at one of our waterfront restaurants or see our date night ideas.
Opening hours, menus and offers change, so check the venue's own site before you go. Listings were fact-checked against official sources in October 2026.
For harbour views, our pick is Henry Deane at Hotel Palisade in Millers Point. Aster on level 32 of the InterContinental and CIRQ at Crown Sydney are the most glamorous alternatives.
Rooftop bars with harbour views include Henry Deane (Hotel Palisade), Aster (InterContinental Sydney), CIRQ (Crown Sydney), The Glenmore in The Rocks and Zephyr Bar, which looks over Darling Harbour.
Some do. Aster asks for smart casual and doesn't allow activewear or beachwear, and both Aster and CIRQ are 18+. Pub rooftops like The Glenmore are casual.
Most of the hotel rooftop bars take bookings online, and it's worth booking for sunset on weekends. Old Mate's Place takes walk-ins, with bookings for up to 8 people.
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