The World’s 10 Best Rooftop Bars

04/29/08  Print This Post Print This Post    121 Comments   Popular   Written by Ross Borden
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Below you’ll find descriptions, contact info and photos from the world’s coolest rooftop nightlife.

photo by simonparisphotograph y

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1. Sirocco

Bangkok, Thailand

No night out in Bangkok is complete without a couple cocktails at Sirocco. Perched on top of The Dome at State Tower, 64th floors above the hectic streets of Bangkok, this sexy rooftop bar boasts 360 degree views of the city with city lights in every direction, as far as the eye can see. If you’re looking for a picturesque place to dine, they also serve dinner.

The Dome at Sate Tower 1055 Silom Road, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500

photo by www.anotacionesviajeras.com

2. The Penthouse

Madrid, Spain

The Penthouse is an ultra-chic rooftop bar owned by Rande Gerber, celeb nightlife entrepreneur and husband of Cindy Crwford. It’s located on the roof of Hotel ME Madrid Reina Victoria, in Plaza Santa Ana, and has a great view of central Madrid. The crowd is dressed to kill, the waitresses are smoking hot the drinks are pricey and the place is often frequented by Spanish celebrities. Best to get here for happy hour, because although it’s open till 3am, the line to get in is insane after midnight.

Hotel ME Madrid Reina Victoria / Plaza Santa Ana / Princesa, 27 / Madrid Spain 28008 / Tel: (34) 91 5418200

photo by grantthai

3. Luna Bar

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

This super sexy rooftop and poolside bar is a hang out for the twenties and thirties nightlife scene in Kuala Lumpur. It’s got a long indoor bar with a chic design leading you out onto the breezy rooftop for the best views of the lights of KL. For a romantic night out, be sure to get there early to snag a private little enclave up against the glass.

Menara PanGlobal 34th Floor / Jalan Punchak (off Jl P. Ramlee) / Kuala Lumpur / Tel: +60-3-20262211

photo by spin spin

4. Rooftop Bar

Melbourne, Australia

An ultra cool venue for music, cinema, or just sunny boozing, this bar sits atop the Thai bar and restaurant, Cookie, on a six story 1920’s building in central Melbourne.

Rooftop Bar / Curtin House, Level 3, 252 Swanston Street / Melbourne, Australia

photo by OneDanShow

5. Gravity

Dublin, Ireland

Although not an open air bar, Gravity boasts an unobstructed 360 degree view of Dublin. It’s got a swanky style and comfortable seating right up against the glass to sit in while you enjoy the view from the highest bar in Ireland.

Top of The Guinness Storehouse / St James’s Gate / Dublin 8, Ireland / Tel: + 353 1 408 4800

photo by FoolishVanity

6. Top Floor Bar

London, United Kingdom

Looking for the perfect place to throw a swank party in London? The Top Floor Bar, the final floor of the Gherkin, London’s newest architectural darling, is available for private parties. The ultra modern venue sits under the spectacular glass cone roof and has stunning views of the city.

Top of the Gherkin / 30 St. Mary Axe / London, United Kingdom

photo by silentway

7. Moon

Las Vegas, Nevada

The Palms teamed up with the Playboy Club giving revelers in Vegas a sexy place to blow their money on the 53rd floor of the palms Hotel. The sound system here is rockin’ and although it can be tough to get in, it’s a great place to check out on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

The Palms Hotel 53rd Floor / 4321 W Flamingo Rd / Las Vegas, NV Tel (702) 940-7246

photo by jennywong

8. Captain Bar

Shanghai, China

This cool rooftop bar has a wide variety of cocktails and a great view of The Bund and surrounding city lights. It’s usually a cool mix of locals and travelers which makes for a diverse and thirsty crowd.

6/F, 37 Fuzhou Lu / People’s Square / Bund,Metro Line 2 Nanjing Dong Lu Station / Shanghai, China

photo by Martin Callum

9. Hudson Sky Terrace

New York, New York

This super chill rooftop bar has great service, amazing sangria and everything else you could want on a hot New York afternoon. From an air conditioned game room to a hammock with a view of the river, the Hudson has you covered, but like many of NY rooftop hot spots, you must be a guest in the hotel to enjoy it.

The Hudson Hotel / 356 W. 58th St between Eighth and Ninth Aves / Tel 212-554-6317

10. Condesa DF Rooftop Bar

Mexico City, Mexico

This is an awesome bar in an all-around cool hotel. The Condesa DF is decked out in extraordinary design, from the table cloths to the couches. This super-chic hotel only has 40 rooms so make sure to get a reservation, and make sure to hit its rooftop paradise for some cocktails as the sun goes down over Mexico City.

Condesa DF / Avenida Veracruz 102 / Mexico City DF 06700 Mexico

Do you know any rooftop bars that should have made the list? Share in the comments!


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About the Author

Ross Borden

Ross Borden is one of the founding members of Matador. He has lived in Spain, Kenya and Argentina and currently resides in his native San Francisco.

121 Comments... join the discussion!

  • Cesar replied on August 12, 2009

    Vertigo is not in the list. It is located on the 61st. floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok.

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  • Cat replied on August 24, 2009

    Another very classy rooftop bar to check out would be the Sky Bar, on the top of Hotel Unique in São Paulo, Brazil. The hotel itself is very contemporary and has a really cool design- it looks like a boat (or a watermelon depending on who you are talking to)` and the rooftop bar serves killer martinis with some unusual flavors – my drink of choice is the cucumber martini. By the pool outside beautiful views can be had of the city of São Paulo and the multicolored ‘Eiffel tower’-like radio towers that line Paulista Avenue.

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  • craig zabransky replied on August 31, 2009

    Great to see Condesa DF on the list. I spent many of nights there when I lived in the city and can vouch for its scene. One night I was even interviewed on the roof top bar for a TV show (Discovery Latin America). The show was about the top ten hottest places / best scenes in Latin America.

    Mexico City is clearly one of those places, and Condesa DF is one of the best in the city.

    stay adventurous,
    Craig
    @stayAdventurous

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  • montreal florist replied on September 5, 2009

    Wonderful! Really beautiful ~~~

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  • MrsB replied on September 7, 2009

    Hi, there is another roof top bar in Kuala Lumpur which has the excellent view of the Petronas Twin Towers (was the tallest building in the world). It is at the 33rd Floor of Traders Hotel (part of Shangri-la hotel chain) … It has the amazing seats by the window, romantic but definitely need to be careful after few drinks cause it is just too near to the swimming pool!!
    After few visits I still find it my favourite bar in Kuala Lumpur.. My hubby (then boyfriend!) and I even flew all the way from Australia to celebrate his 30th at Skybar! Google up the photos really amazing view and cosy place :)

    Regards,
    E

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  • Leila Moussa replied on September 9, 2009

    Skybar Beirut!

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  • Costa replied on September 10, 2009

    Skybar beirut by far is one of the best bars in the world.

    White in beirut should probably be on the list as well.

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  • Ms Lala replied on September 22, 2009

    Hey Ross,

    You missed one: the bar in Bolivia at the Adventure Brew Hostel and Brew. It looks out at Illimani which is somehow lit up past sunset. Tons of travelers, good beer, and a great view. If you ever make it down there to Bolivia…

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  • shag replied on October 11, 2009

    I’m with Leila and Costa…Skybar Beirut is epic. It needs to be on the list!

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  • Daniela replied on October 17, 2009

    I help run promotions and marketing for the four clubs at the Palms Hotel in Vegas, including Moon, which is one of my favourite places in the city. Everyone there is wonderful.

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    • Steve Melling replied to Daniela on November 1, 2009

      Hi Daniela,

      Moon sounds special, especially if “Everyone there is wonderful” we arrive in Vegas for the first time on wed 4th Nov from the UK, Would like to visit Moon at the weekend, whats the door policy & age range of the customers? Is it tough to get in? whens the best time to go?

      Would appreciate your advice

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  • Jerome Cox replied on November 2, 2009

    Paramount @ the top of Centrepoint, Tottenham Court Rd, W1, London.

    Its a private members club 33 floors up. Not a roof top but amzing views of london. Every month there are Superfreq parties there. Superfreq being an amazing london based house and techno party run by Mr C of then End club and the Shamen band.

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  • Brett replied on November 7, 2009

    Definitely Sirocco on the 64th floor of the State Bldg in Silom, Bangkok (#1 on this list) is the most sophisticated rooftop bar I have ever been to – absolutely stunning and dripping with classy chic. Drinks are extremely expensive, as is the food. Plus you can’t sit at the Moon bar. Have your first drink there, then a short taxi ride to Vertigo on 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel where the vibe is more casual than opulent but views are equally as good, the drinks a little cheaper, and there are tables and couches surrounding the bar. One of the things that sets the Bangkok bars apart from others in the world is that they are extremely high and absolute rooftop – no winidows, only low glass walls and rails. A Bangkok must do!

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  • Tyson replied on November 15, 2009

    I’m surprised that there’s not a Chicago bar on the list considering it is one of the best skylines in the world. The Roof at the Wit Hotel is a beautiful new space and although it’s not an open rooftop bar the Signature Room in the John Hancock provides spectacular, surreal views at 96 floors up.

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  • Hana Marley replied on November 17, 2009

    Re Bangkok —

    Sirocco (restaurant section) and the attached Sky Bar are on the rooftop of the State Tower / Lebua Hotel. It’s the Sky Bar here that you CAN’T sit at.

    Vertigo (restaurant section) and the attached Moon Bar are on the rooftop of the Banyan Tree Hotel. You CAN sit at the Moon Bar here.

    Two more fabulous places (not on the roof but very high up with incredible, sweeping city views) —

    City Space, Moscow (at the Swissotel)
    Aqua Spirit, Hong Kong (One Peking Road, Tsim Sha Tsui)

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  • Maribel replied on November 19, 2009

    Hotel Doña Maria in Seville, Spain offers a beautiful view of the cathedral…especially at night!

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