Melbourne Cup’s over, summer’s on the way, which can only mean one thing: it’s time to start looking for Melbourne’s best rooftop bars.
Summer in the Garden State is glorious. When the clouds clear and the sun is high in the sky, it’s time to find a place you can unwind, relax, and enjoy a beverage or three taking in the city’s skyline in all its beauty.
We’ve put together a list that takes you from north to south – from Brunswick to St Kilda via Collingwood, and Melbourne’s CBD.
And the best part of all? Our friends at DiDi will give you a $25 ride credit if you spent $5 on your first ride on your adventure to find Melbourne’s best rooftop bars.
1. Cornish Arms – Brunswick
If you’ve spent any time on Sydney Rd, you’re probably aware of The Cornish Arms: the classic Australiana-looking pub with a mouth-watering vegan-friendly menu so good you wouldn’t know you’re not eating meat.
But what’s new about the vegan Mecca is the addition of a new rooftop bar which boasts incredible views of the Melbourne CBD to the south, and serves classic cocktails, eight dedicated craft beer taps, and a list of award-winning local and imported vinos.
When it comes to food, it has a separate Asian-inspired snack menu with vegan options available, but the full menu is available downstairs.
It doesn’t get much better on Sydney Road.
The Cornish Arms Hotel
163A Sydney Rd
Brunswick VIC 3056
2. Easey’s – Collingwood
What’s more Melbourne than a rooftop bar? How about a rooftop burger joint that’s also a bar, complete with two rooftop trams? Peak Melbourne.
Can it get more Melbourne? Well, have you ever had a burger with a potato cake (potato scallop for you New South Welshmen) and a dim sum from the world-famous South Melbourne Markets? Order the now secret off-the-menu Melbourne Madness burger – thank us later.
If that’s a bit too much for you, there’s a whole range of burgers from chicken, to a quadruple beef patty burger, to a vegan-friendly barbecued pulled jackfruit burger.
Top it off with a cocktail, beer, or wine, and enjoy an awesome Melbourne afternoon on a rooftop bar in hipster Collingwood.
Easey’s
3/48 Easey St
Collingwood VIC 3066
3. Madame Brussels – CBD
Imagine a High Tea, but boozy.
Don’t let the dilapidated lift to Madame Brussels fool you; when you step out of the elevator, you walk into a garden party decked out with pink furniture, synthetic grass, white picket fences, swings, and bar staff that just stepped off the court at Wimbledon.
The bar itself is named after the Madame herself – a 19th century Melbourne brothel owner renowned for being really, really extra.
Enjoy an afternoon in the sunshine drinking the fruits of the Madame’s labour, and enjoy the amount of cocktails named after saucy double entendres.
Madame Brussels
59 Bourke St
Melbourne VIC 3000
4. Good Heavens – CBD
If you’re into American barbecue, you’ve probably heard of Fancy Hank’s. Well, Good Heavens is Hank’s rooftop bar sister that continues the mouth-watering theme.
The bar menu has a snack menu inspired by the restaurant downstairs including delicious burgers, tasty nachos, and so much more.
There are also ten beer taps, a long list of bottled beers from around the world. But the biggest drawcard? The cocktails and the spritzes.
There’s a list of classic cocktails, with each given their own tasty American barbecue-inspired twist.
Good Heavens Rooftop Bar
2/79 Bourke St
Melbourne VIC 3000
5. Captain Baxter – St Kilda
Grab a DiDi and head south as our tour of Melbourne’s best rooftop bars wraps up overlooking Port Phillip Bay in St Kilda.
If you were to describe this place to a Sydneysider, you’d say it’s Melbourne’s answer to the Coogee Pavilion.
Imagine a beachy, relaxed, rooftop lounge with beers, wines, and one litre cocktail carafes!
Enjoy the St Kilda sunshine this summer and bring your tour of Melbourne’s best rooftop bars to an end enjoying the sun set over the beach.
Captain Baxter
10/18 Jacka Blvd
St Kilda VIC 3182
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