12 of the best rooftop bars in Brisbane to try now

Chase soaring good times at a stellar rooftop bar in Brisbane.

In our experience, the happiest of hours start with tipples atop towers. And when you’re visiting Brisbane – renowned for its all-year-round warm subtropical climate – open-aired rooftop revelry runs rife. Embrace expert mixology and delightful dining over smudgy fairy floss sunsets at one of Brisbane’s best rooftop bars. Here, we round up a few of our favourites.

1. SOKO Rooftop Bar & Restaurant

Best for: Inner-city lunch dates

Wander down a side street in the all-business part of Fortitude Valley to find SOKO Rooftop Bar & Restaurant. Blending authentic Japanese and Peruvian cuisines just in time for lunch hour, it’s a rooftop bar in Brisbane that’s full of delights.

Dine Peruvian and Japanese cuisine at SOKO Brisbane.

They do an exceptional, value-for-money three-course ‘business lunch’ from Monday to Friday, set inside their vibrant jungle-themed dining room on level 14, which opens directly to al fresco seating and views that stretch to the hinterland.

The menu at SOKO Brisbane is exceptional.

After-dark party goers are also treated to a masterful collection of cocktails, sake, beer and wine, plus there’s live music (including the bongos) on many evenings, visits from Manko the Macaw (yes, an actual bird), Latin dancers and house DJs.

SOKO Brisbane is a rooftop bar full of delights.

Address: Level 14, 7 Symes Street, Jubilee Place, Fortitude Valley

2. Fiume Rooftop Bar

Best for: River views

One of the city’s finest CBD stays is also home to a standout rooftop. Fiume Rooftop Bar, on level 3 of Crystalbrook Vincent, is perfectly positioned to take in up-close views of Story Bridge looming dramatically over the Brisbane River. Additionally, the scene is ultra-chic, complete with a rooftop pool to help dial up the glamour.

Take in views of Story Bridge at Fiume Rooftop Bar. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Open for sundowners from Wednesday to Friday as well as brunch on weekends, the rooftop bar in Brisbane pairs stellar concoctions and vino with a range of snacks and small or shareable plates which pair local ingredients with fine dining flair.

Pop by the Fiume Rooftop Bar for sundowners. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: Level 3, Crystalbrook Vincent, 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City

3. Sunsets Rooftop

Best for: Inspiring European vacays

No plans this weekend? Let the laidback holiday vibes of Sunsets Rooftop whisk you away for lunch and into the evening.

Sit down to a refreshing cocktail.

Open from Thursday to Sunday from lunch until 10pm, the Brisbane rooftop bar is dotted with olive trees, desert gardens and every shade of cream caramel to help you devour your favourite drinks in Instagram-perfect style.

The fried cauliflower dish at Sunsets Rooftop is a must-try.

It’s always packed so get there early to secure a table overlooking the city from beautiful Kangaroo Point and order small plates spanning seafood, refined Mexican and Greek classics and hearty meats.

Get whisked to the dreamy Sunsets Rooftop bar.

Address: Enter via Linton Apartments reception, 95 Linton Street, Kangaroo Point

4. The Aviary

Best for: A scenic Queen Street breather

Located four levels above Brisbane CBD’s main shopping strip, The Aviary is a rooftop bar in the thick of Queen Street. Travel there for open time at 12pm from Wednesday to Friday or visit for sunset drinks and great times on Saturday.

Enjoy Story Bridge and Brisbane River views while relaxing in the sleek, neon-lit fit-out. Feeling peckish? A menu of flavour-packed bites including wagyu beef croquettes and bolognese arancini provide perfect nibbles to split with your group. If you’re more than a little hungry, there are also a couple of mains to consider.

Take a seat on the couch overlooking Story Bridge and Brisbane River.

Address: Level 4, 480 Queen Street, Brisbane City

5. Lina Rooftop

Best for: Pool parties

Ready to party? Lina Rooftop at the southern end of South Bank brings Los Angeles glamour to Brisbane, with a glistening rooftop pool circled by 180-degree views of the skyline. The decor is restrained French-chic but the vibes are pumping. Graze poolside on a sun lounger or a comfy couch with a menu of Mediterranean-inspired snacks and a handful of heartier meals.

Once you’ve soaked in enough sun, wander inside to sit down for a European-infused a la carte menu featuring elegant homages to every corner of the continent. It’s open from Wednesday to Sunday.

Enjoy drinks amid 180-degree views of the skyline at Lina Rooftop. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: Top floor, 74-80 Tribune Street, South Brisbane

6. Iris Rooftop

Best for: Spanish-inspired fare

A trendy place to rest your head in the city’s go-all-night locale, Hotel X is a sleek hotel with an especially swish rooftop. Iris Rooftop is set across the entire top floor of the hotel, delivering 360-degree views of the city.

Dotted with olive trees, soft furnishings and splashes of marble and gold, it’s a Spanish-inspired sanctuary split into the Terraza, the Sunset Lounge and exclusive cabanas.

Sip the cocktail of your choice at Iris Rooftop. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Open Tuesday to Sunday, the rooftop bar in Brisbane pairs a beautiful selection of wines, spirits, beers and cocktails with Spanish classics including seafood paella and tapas including cider-glazed chorizo, patatas bravas and grilled baby octopus.

Address: Top floor, 458 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

7. MAYA Mexican

Best for: Classy margaritas

Open from Wednesday to Sunday, MAYA Mexican is a visually breathtaking rooftop bar in Brisbane – and that’s before you catch the views. Blending natural stone, timber, fresh greenery and cacti and hints of marble, the space is beautiful from any angle.

Soak up margarita-laced good times at MAYA Mexican. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Soft drapes create privacy if you’ve got a special occasion gathering planned, otherwise soak up margarita-laced good times anywhere else alongside their menu of Mexican-inspired bites. Think expertly dressed ceviche, stuffed jalapenos, tacos, Yucatan grilled chicken, a mouth-watering quesadilla, tortillas and more.

Try the menu of Mexican-inspired bites. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: Level 11, 757 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

8. Hibiscus Bar & Terrace

Best for: Inner-city high life

A CBD oasis that opens its doors from Wednesday to Sunday, Hibiscus Bar & Terrace is the place to escape the bustle of Queen Street Mall in style. There are views across the cityscape and towards its towering skyscrapers, but the heated infinity pool will steal your gaze.

Relax and dine by the infinity pool at Hibiscus Bar & Terrace.

Enjoy smooth drinks and a menu of small bites (cream cheese jalapenos, anyone?), sliders, pizza, share platters and a handful of substantials as you toe-tap to live music, poolside.

Order share platters for the table.

Address: Level 4, 72 Queen Street, Brisbane City

9. Sunny’s Rooftop

Best for: Day-trippers

Keen to expand your horizons? Drive just over 35 minutes from the CBD to find Sunny’s Rooftop on Margate Beach. The relaxed, pub-style rooftop destination overlooks the soothing surf and offers views right across Moreton Bay from Friday to Sunday. Live music rocks the house every Friday and Saturday, a snack menu of European-inspired bites including lamb and beef koftas, antipasto platters and grilled sandwiches provides great stomach lining every day, and sheltered seating means you can laze care-free even when the sun’s blaring.

Address: 1 McColloch Avenue, Margate

10. Valley Hops Brewing

Best for: Craft beers

A rooftop bar in Brisbane that doubles as a craft beer brewery, Valley Hops Brewing is the place to go for al fresco brewskis in the heart of the action. Open Wednesday to Sunday, the rowdy hot spot is spacious with views across the city providing a picture-perfect backdrop.

Dine on hearty pub classics at Valley Hops Brewing. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Savour their core range of beers and limited releases on tap as you dive into a menu of wood-fired pizzas, shared boards with cured meats and cheeses, hearty pub classics and small plates.

Grab a drink al fresco at Valley Hops Brewing. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Address: Top floor above Cloudland, 641 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

11. Dirty Sultan

Best for: A shisha session

Been too long between shishas? Travel up to the top floor of The Constance Hotel to uncover Dirty Sultan from Thursday to Sunday.

Enjoy a shisha session at Dirty Sultan.

The rooftop shisha lounge, the only one of its kind in Brisbane, must be booked in advance (it’s separated from the main bar) and stages 45-minute sessions. But if a flavourful smoke isn’t your thing, there’s plenty else to love at this place. Bask in authentic Turkish cuisine and delicious cocktails as views of Brisbane’s CBD dazzle from below.

Cosy up with a drink in hand at Dirty Sultan.

Address: Top floor, The Constance Hotel, 14-20 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley

12. Tetto

Best for: Bottomless brunch

Bringing light and breezy holiday vibes to northern Brisbane’s Everton Park, Tetto is also home to one of the city’s best bottomless brunch experiences. Climb to the rooftop for two-hour drink and food packages every Saturday and Sunday, but feel free to visit any day of the week to soak up the good life. An Italian-inspired menu features great picking food including halloumi chips, mushroom arancini and crispy calamari. Plus there are burgers and pasta to devour.

Address: 1/807 Stafford Road, Everton Park