Rooftop Cocktail Bars in the City of Sydney
These are the Best Rooftop Bars for Photogenic Views, with Examples
By Author and Professional Photographer Orlando Sydney Post Modified April 22, 2024 @ 6:57 pm
Bars with Best Photo Vista for Tourists, Travellers & Sydneysiders that We’ve Visited
Rooftop bars are enjoyable to visit all year round. Even better now that the perfect season is upon us, with fresh air filled with unbridled expectations, we won’t be surprised if 100% of the population find an excuse to head to one of these rooftop bars with million-dollar views and snap some photos.
And why not? Food seems to taste better under the moonlit sky, and cocktails taste better with breathtaking views.
Speaking of views, rooftop bars in Sydney also happen to offer some of the most stunning skyline and harbour views in the city. For most people, the prospect of enjoying a bite or drink with friends, with the outdoor breeze and sun gently caressing your skin while your eyes roam around the captivating view, is a mouth-watering prospect. We cannot recommend it enough.
So, head over to any of Sydney’s spectacular rooftop bars for an unforgettable outdoor experience, and don’t forget to take a camera along with you too. If you’re unsure where to go, we’ve compiled a list of the best rooftop photography locations in Sydney to help make the decision easier.
Find great City of Sydney photography locations on this page
List of City of Sydney Best Pubs & Bars with Outdoor Seating and Great Views
There are loads of bars in Sydney that offer the heady experience of drinking at altitude along with gorgeous views of the city’s skyline, and here are 17 of the very best of these bars for drinks and Instagram photos. In alphabetical order, they are:
- CIRQ, Crown Sydney
- Café del Mar, Sydney
- East Village Sydney, Darlinghurst
- Old Mate’s Place
- Primus Hotel Sydney
- Slims Rooftop
- Smoke Bar
- Sweethearts Rooftop
- The Glenmore Hotel
- The Old Clare Hotel
- The Rook
- The Royal Hotel, Paddington
- Untied
- Zephyr
- Zeta Bar
Sydney City Map with rooftop locations that have photogenic views
Rooftop locations that have Photogenic Views
Our Favourite Rooftop Bars In Sydney With Amazing Elevated Views for Instagram Photos
First Up is CIRQ, Crown Rooftop Bar in Barangaroo
Views & Photo Opportunities
Described by Mark Holmes COO of Crown as having “Sydney harbour’s million-dollar views.” These views come at a price as one would expect but they also provide wrap around photo opportunities of both Sydney and Darling Harbour. We suggest taking minimal camera equipment, and a tripod would be frowned upon we guess. Located on level 26 there will be lots of selfie opportunities and one of the best bars Barangaroo.
Ambience and Location
Being an outdoor bar with no sheltered spaces you will only want to visit when the weather is favourable.
CIRQ Crown is located on the western side of Sydney Harbour and is one of the newest luxurious terrace bars on the waterfront.
Bookings are essential, for bookings of 11 guests or more. CIRQ is an 18 and over venue only and has a $75 minimum spend per person for all bookings.
Address and Directions
Rooftop Lounge in Crown Towers Sydney
Address: Crown Sydney, Level 26/1 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Crown Towers Sydney, Night with Moon Rising
Crown Towers Sydney, Composite Photo, Night Simulation with Moon Rising
East Village Sydney – Darlinghurst
Views & Photo Opportunities
If you’re considering visiting this location, the best time to go is during midday, when the sun provides fantastic natural light for your photos if it’s not too bright or hot. The Bar starts to fill up around early evening, and you may find all the best spots occupied if you go any later.
Photo views are great to the West and East.
Don’t forget to go along with your camera because the topmost deck of this rooftop bar is a great place to take shots of Darlinghurst’s terrace rooftops all the way to CenterPoint tower.
Ambience and Location
The East Village Hotel is popular among Sydney’s hordes of sports fans, and on nights of major sports matches, the bar’s “Athletic Club” practically bounces with excitement. Fortunately for non-sports fans, East Village also offers great drinks and truly breathtaking views.
When we visited we enjoyed a vegan shroom burger and wines with nice table service.
The bar is easy enough to locate, and if you’re heading there for the first time, there won’t be a shortage of locals ready to direct you to the place, either just down from Oxford Street or up from William Street.
Address and Directions
Address: 234 Palmer St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Our Photos of East Village Rooftop Bar
Photos from our Visit to Slims Rooftop Bar
Slims Rooftop
Views & Photo Opportunities
If the aesthetic of this rooftop bar fails to impress you, be prepared to be absolutely blown away by the views it offers. Slims Rooftop treats visitors to enchanting views over the Hyde park below, as well as captivating vistas of the CBD skyline. Put simply, these views are the stuff of dreams to every photographer.
Ambience and Location
One of Sydney’s most colourful rooftop bars, Slims Rooftop boasts an impressive reputation as one of the city’s premier relaxation spots. Slims Rooftop is perched at the topmost level of the Hyde Park House, from where it looks down on the city like a very distinguished oasis.
We were there on a warm afternoon and it was very warm so perhaps find a shady spot on a hot day or later in the afternoon.
Less crowded than most other locations, Slims Rooftop is good for a visit every single day, and the combination of great food and spectacular views should be enough to keep you coming back for more.
Address and Directions
Address: 47-49 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
The Old Clare Hotel Rooftop Bar
Views & Photo Opportunities
The hotel’s rooftop bar scores a lot of merit points for several reasons, including the excellent views of the Sydney skyline it offers. Whether you just want a scenic spot to spend time with your family and friends, or you’re looking to boost your burgeoning Instagram reputation with a few well-trained shots, the rooftop bar at The Old Clare Hotel is a place you should seriously consider visiting.
Ambience and Location
The Old Clare Hotel sports a youngish outlook these days, with a 14-meter pool one of the most notable results of its numerous reconstructions. But, unless you’re booked into the hotel, the pool is off-limits.
Address and Directions
Address: 1 Kensington St, Chippendale NSW 2008
Our Photos of Old Clare Hotel Rooftop Bar
Great Views from Burdekin Hotel New Rooftop Bar
Burdekin Hotel Rooftop
Views & Photo Opportunities
We’ve been going to the Burdekin for 20 years but this was the first time to their new Rooftop Bar.
The Bar has great views to the West and to the East of Sydney up and down Oxford Street with some views of Hyde Park. There are also good views over the rooftops to the north and East Sydney.
This would make for great photos of you and your friends enjoying the tunes on a busy afternoon when the DJ is in the House.
Ambience and Location
Perched up on this corner iconic building it feels fresh, or fresher than the other warm rooftops we visited that day, and hip. Casual vibe in the afternoons and no doubt be more lively at night with music and local groovy crowd.
Address and Directions
Address: 2 Oxford St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Café del Mar Sydney
Views & Photo Opportunities
From this vantage point, you can capture fantastic daytime pictures of the city. When viewed from up here, sunset in the city is as majestic as you’ve imagined, perhaps even more so. However, you’ll need a tripod to capture the best sunset shots here, and unfortunately, the cafe’s tripod policy is still a bit sketchy at this point. In any case, spaces between tables are on the small side, and you’ll struggle to fit in a tripod there comfortably.
Ambience and Location
Having said all of that, the Café del Mar Sydney is a wonderful place to enjoy great food and wine and stunning views, and the beach club aesthetic of this rooftop bar is another of its strong suits.
The Café del Mar Sydney, located in the heart of the city, is not much of a café at all. However, what it is is an excellent mid-level restaurant and rooftop terrace with a beautiful view of the waters of Darling Harbour and the Sydney skyline.
Address and Directions
Cockle Bay Wharf
Address: 35 Wheat Rd, Sydney NSW 2000
Metropolitan Hotel Sydney (Closed)
Views & Photo Opportunities
The rooftop bar, located on the upper level, and is a popular drinking place in the city for both locals and tourists. The bar’s placement right in the heart of Sydney serves to ensure that it practically overlooks the City, making it a great place to watch the city as it cycles through daytime and night time. Of course, it also makes this rooftop bar an excellent spot to capture tourist images of Sydney’s skyline.
Ambience and Location
This is another traditional hotel with a long and storied past is the Metropolitan Hotel in Sydney, opened its doors for the first time in 1834. Since then, it’s been remodelled many times and is currently closed while undergoing renovations.
Address and Directions
Address: 1 Bridge St, Sydney NSW 2000. Also listed as 244 George Street Sydney on some websites.
metropolitanhotelsydney.com.au (currently redirects to unusual site)
Old Mates Place
Views & Photo Opportunities
Old Mate’s Place is in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. This gives photographers a strategic advantage, perfectly positioning you to take several Instagrammable photos of the city’s gorgeous skyline. The best part is, there are no photo restrictions, either for tourists or locals, leaving you free to take as many shots as you want till you find the perfect ones.
Ambience and Location
Along with several excellent creative cocktails served at this bar, Old Mate’s Place’s old-school library allure is a huge part of its draw. The vibes are pretty authentic, given that this bar is situated in an old, run-down office right in the middle of Sydney. However, this unusual location might make it difficult for people (especially tourists) to locate the place.
When you find the place, be sure to check out the bar’s cosy upper floor open-air rooftop and drink in hand. This spot offers several perfect opportunities to take spectacular photos of the city’s landscape during daytime and night-time when the city lights up like a million stars.
Address and Directions
Address: level 4/199 Clarence St, Sydney NSW 2000
Read More
Corporate Event Photographers Sydney – Conference, Meetings, Galas & Trade Shows
Orlando Sydney2024-04-08T16:31:43+10:00
How Many Photos Do I Get for Event Photography?
Orlando Sydney2024-03-02T18:46:19+11:00
Your Executive Image: Photography for Leaders in Sydney
Orlando Sydney2024-03-22T19:10:13+11:00
Price List for Headshots – What’s it Cost – Package Rate Options
Orlando Sydney2024-03-08T10:53:02+11:00
Standard Photo Size Guide for Event Photography & Video
Orlando Sydney2024-01-16T11:33:01+11:00
Personal Branding Photography – Headshots for Entrepreneurs in Sydney
Orlando Sydney2024-01-11T14:32:31+11:00
Primus Hotel Sydney
Views & Photo Opportunities
Whether you’re looking to enjoy the sweeping views of the city’s skyline or take photos to splash your Instagram with later, this seventh-floor alcove offers a more than good vantage point. With views of some of Sydney’s most significant landmarks, including the Queen Victoria Building, St Mary’s Cathedral, and Hyde Park, there are many attractions to capture.
Ambience and Location
Primus Hotel is located right in the middle of the city, so it won’t be difficult for tourists to find at their first time of asking. Tucked cosily into the seventh floor of the Primus Hotel, the aptly named Level 7 rooftop bar and its extravagant views were only accessible to guests staying at the hotel.
It seemed like a travesty for something so grand to be restricted to an exclusive group of people, and thankfully, the rooftop bar is now open to everyone.
We suggest you call ahead for opening hours.
Address and Directions
Address: 339 Pitt St, Sydney NSW 2000
Smoke Bar
Views & Photo Opportunities
Smoke Bar serves tasty food and great drinks, but the main reason why this joint maintains its immense popularity is its picturesque views. There is practically no better place to watch (and take photos of) the golden sun as it makes its glorious descent over the water, and the bar’s wooden decked terrace is a prime spot for taking amazing pictures of the harbor.
After sunset, when the city’s lights all come alive, Sydney’s sweeping skyline practically compels you to take several photos of it, and the Smoke Bar’s rooftop spot is a great place to do so.
Ambience and Location
Located very conspicuously atop the remarkable Barangaroo House, Smoke Bar is much easier to locate than some others. Barangaroo House itself is situated near the Harbour right by the heart of City of Sydney. For tourists that may still have trouble finding this bar, just ask around for directions and the locals will point you in the right direction. The bar boasts a pretty solid reputation.
This bar is hard to miss from the boardwalk with its rounded birds nest style façade and one of the best looking bars at Barangaroo.
We’ve been here many times in the afternoon late spring and early summer and sitting outside can get very hot and a little bit sunburnt. So our recommendation is get a table inside and head out for the views and photos every second drink.
Address and Directions
Address: Level 2/35 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Sweethearts Rooftop
Views & Photo Opportunities
Located close to the Kings Cross Station, Sweethearts Rooftop offers more than decent views of Sydney’s skyline, which is music to the ears of photographers looking to enrich their Instagram stories with details of their summer activities.
Ambience and Location
Sweethearts Rooftop’s proximity to the King’s Cross Station means that tourists and visitors will have no trouble locating it. Getting in, however, is another matter entirely. If you’re planning to take a few photos of the city’s skyline from this location, be sure to make an appointment first, so you don’t have to climb a few flights of stairs only to get turned back at the entrance.
The rooftop bar is also popular among locals looking to unwind after putting in a week’s worth of work.
Address and Directions
Located upstairs in Potts Point Hotel.
Address: Level 3/33-35 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point NSW 2011
The Glenmore Hotel
Views & Photo Opportunities
If you’re looking to take instantly Instagrammable photos of the Sydney skyline, the distinguished Sydney Opera House, and the stunning Sydney Harbour. You won’t find a better vantage point than the one offered by this rooftop bar.
Ambience and Location
The food and drinks are nice, but they do not even come close to rivalling the spellbinding views offered by the Glenmore Hotel’s rooftop bar.
One of Sydney’s most famous and beloved relaxation spots, this rooftop bar boasts an old-school ambiance that sits well with all types of patrons, while a retractable provides an ultramodern touch.
The Glenmore is open all year round, and it’s always a good time to head over there. Weekends are particularly rowdy at the joint, so you’ll have to go early or on a weekday to snag that perfect spot for your photos.
Address and Directions
Address: 96 Cumberland St, The Rocks NSW 2000
The Rook
Views & Photo Opportunities
When you step through the doors, the scenery is quite different from the outside of the building. You most likely be filled with the urge to take as many photos of the city’s skyline as possible, whether you visit during the day or night.
Ambience and Location
If you enjoy drinking cocktails and eating dinner in elevated, open-air settings, then The Rook should be among your list of places to check out this summer. And this rooftop bar tops off its fairly substantial offerings by providing an unfettered view of Sydney’s skyline.
From the outside, the high-rise that houses this rooftop bar doesn’t look like much (or rather, it looks exactly like other buildings around it).
By the way, visitors and tourists are welcome to this rooftop bar every day of the week, between 8 am and 11 pm.
Address and Directions
Address: level 7/56-58 York St, Sydney NSW 2000
The Royal Hotel, Paddington
Views & Photo Opportunities
The Royal does provide pretty majestic skyline views of the surrounding city. From this vantage point, you can easily capture Instagram-able photos with decent skill.
Ambience and Location
The Royal Hotel has been around for ages. As you can imagine, it boasts a certain rustic charm, even though we’re sure that a few patrons may prefer the relatively modern comfort of elevators to the stress of having to climb several flights of stairs to reach the rooftop bar.
Yet, the Royal also boasts an ultramodern touch, and it’s a big one. The rooftop bar has been fitted with retractable roofs. For boozers and diners, this amounts to non-stop revelry. At the same time, for other patrons, visitors, and tourists, this means that poor weather does not have to derail their plans to capture the views offered by the rooftop bar, although there’s space for only 40 people at a time.
Address and Directions
Address: 237 Glenmore Rd, Paddington NSW 2021
Untied – Rooftop Sydney
Views & Photo Opportunities
For photographers looking to capture pictures of the nearby Darling Harbour from a vantage point, Untied Rooftop bar is a prime location.
Everything about Untied Rooftop, from its internal décor (which channels the North Queensland rainforests) to its menu, is authentically Australian. The only thing that could have completed the ensemble for this Barangaroo-based rooftop bar is access to views of Sydney, and thankfully, Untied offers this as well.
Ambience and Location
Perched on level four of 400 Barangaroo Avenue, Untied makes a welcome departure from ground-level bars and restaurants that previously dotted the landscape. And that’s sweet music to the ears of most Sydney locals, who enjoy nothing more than meals with views.
Untied is pretty easy to find, open throughout the week, and offers a whole host of engaging programs that mark it as truly a reflection of Modern Australia.
Easiest transport is from Wynyard station to Untied in Barangaroo.
Address and Directions
Address: Lvl 4/400 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo NSW 2000
Zephyr Bar
Views & Photo Opportunities
It’s hard to imagine any other location offering more perfect waterfront views across the Darling Harbor in Sydney. For photographers, this view is easily Instagrammable and is quite easily the main photo attraction in the area.
Photographers hoping to bag a few shots of this view from Zephyr’s vantage point can do so on weekdays (apart from Mondays and Tuesdays) and weekends.
Ambience and Location
Hyatt Regency is pretty tough to miss, so there’s no danger of getting lost or confused, even for tourists just checking the place out for the first time. Once inside the rooftop bar, you’ll come to realize what the whole fuss is about.
So if you’re in the mood to try out something luxurious (and expensive), make a beeline for the Zephyr rooftop bar, which sits loftily on level 12 of the five-star Hyatt Regency. Here, you can sit back and enjoy the fine dining, appealing aesthetics, and captivating views that are the hallmarks of this prestigious location.
Address and Directions
Located upstairs in Hyatt Regency Sydney
Address: Level 12/161 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000
Zeta Bar
Views & Photo Opportunities
No matter when you decide to visit, Zeta Bar offers enough majestic sights to fill your camera reels with stunning photos and your brain with beautiful memories. And as a bonus, you can even fill your stomach with exotic food and drinks.
Titillate all your senses with a visit to Zeta Bar, located at the impressive Sydney Hilton. A sophisticated and chic rooftop bar, this joint is one of the pricier locations on our list. Yet, Zeta bar’s superb combination of great food, world-class cocktails, and spectacular views makes your considerable outlay completely worth it.
Ambience and Location
The Sydney Hilton stands opposite the Queen Victoria building and overlooks downtown Sydney. And from the Zeta Bar, you can get a thoroughly stunning view of these locations, no matter when you visit. As a special treat, you’ll get to witness (and capture, if you like) Sydney’s iconic monuments come alive with lights if you visit at dusk.
Address and Directions
Located inside: Hilton Sydney
Address: level 4/488 George St, Sydney NSW 2000
Final Words
It’s the summer season, and like any self-respecting Sydney local, your thoughts must have already started churning, looking for the best joint to spend the season in.
As a photographer, we encourage you to make the most out of the holidays by having fun and honing your craft while at it. If you’re planning to visit any of the numerous rooftop bars in Sydney, consider choosing one with a great view and challenge yourself to take stunning pictures of it.
Remember, though, that the bottom line is for you to have fun and do not put pressure on yourself.
