The World's Best Rooftop Bars

Wanna go get high?

BarChick has been hopping between rooftops to bring you the ultimate guide to where's hot up in the clouds, worldwide, all year round. Better start adding to that travel vision board.

THE AMERICAS 

Rio: Hotel Fasano Pool Bar

It's hard to miss the elegant Hotel Fasano on the shore of Ipanema Beach, filled with the swankiest of Rio visitors, but you're gonna need to own it here because this place is guests only. Hit it up in your finest and walk past the girl on the door like you belong. The ground floor, Bar Londra, is your best bet if you're deemed not worthy for the roof. Avenida Vieira Souto, 80 – Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

São Paulo: Skye Bar

The bar nestling above the infamous arch-shaped Hotel Unique is the perfect place to drape yourself poolside and soak up the sights. If you're feeling confident/had one too many, strip to your bikini and hit it hard by the pool to the underwater sound system. Hotel Unique, Av. Brg. Luis Antonio, 4700, Jd Paulista, Sao Paulo  

New York: Standard

Forget the views from the overpriced tourist traps, get yourself sky high and gaze down across the classic NYC skyline. One side shows off uptown and midtown's finest; the Empire State, Met Life, etc and the other side gives a lookout to Wall Street and One World Trade Centre, so park yourself in the middle and get the best of both worlds. Check the loos before you leave too. 848 Washington St, New York, New York 10014

New York: Bar Hugo

With floor-to-ceiling windows, a wood decked terrace looking over the Hudson, cool art, great tunes, and cocktails by Brit Ben Scorah of Bill's Food and Drink, this duplex bar is ticking a lot of boxes. Toast the town with a Light and Breezy cocktail of Elyx Absolut Vodka, lime and ginger beer, or hit up the top floor for the boozy brunch on weekends. 525 Greenwich Street, New York, NY  

Las Vegas: Inspire Theater

If the bright lights of Sin City is getting a bit much, this rooftop bar downtown will take you above and beyond the neon. With a banging view and impressive cocktails, this bar is a great spot to escape from the dizzying madness of the Vegas strip. 107 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

Los Angeles: Ace Hotel

The new ACE Hotel in LA's Downtown took up residence in the 1920s golden oldie formerly known at the United Artists Theatre. It's perfect for laidback Moroccan garden style, great vibes and sky high sun worshiping. Arrive early to beat the queues and stay until close for the cocktails and DJs. 929 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015 

 

Miami: Area31

Get yourself up to The Terrace Lounge and take a look at their adventurous menu of fresh and seasonal cocktails. Order up, take in the views of the Miami River and get your feet shuffling because this place buzzes come sunset. 270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, Florida 33131  

ASIA

Bangkok: Sky Bar

If you're gonna get high, you might as well do it properly. Sky Bar is the world's highest open-air bar and with 63 storeys below you, the views are mega. It's also home to Thailand's new signature drink, Hangover-tinis - inspired by the movie, natch. The Dome at Lebua, 63rd Floor, 1055/42 Silom Rd, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand  

Bangkok: Vertigo Grill and Moon Bar at Banyan Tree

Whether you're packing plastic or just splashing the cash, get yourself to Banyan Tree Hotel and head up to the 61st floor. The large, multi-tiered bar, bang in the centre of the room, gives you the perfect spot for people watching, but if no one tickles your fancy, there's always the panoramic views to fall back on. 21/100 South Sathon Road, Sathon, Bangkok

Tokyo: Two Rooms

High above Tokyo's fashion district, the elegant and stylish Two Rooms has a seriously impressive booze collection and is famed for its sublime brunch offerings. This one's great for an all-day look out. 5F AO Building, 3-11-7, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 107-0061 

Singapore: Ce La Vie

Ce La VIe is the party home of some of Singapore's famous faces, all heading skywards for some mile-high bottles and hedonism. Once the daytime tourist gangs have been ushered out, this is the place you wanna be, so leave the pocket map and binoculars at home and get involved. SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands, Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971

Hong Kong: Sugar

This moody little hideaway tucked up above East Hotel, is sexy, sophisticated and will sort you out with cocktails, tapas and some world class DJs. Sugar has it all, in just the right amounts. 32/F East, 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Island East, Hong Kong   

MIDDLE EAST

Beirut: Sky Bar

Sky Bar is Beirut's original rooftop bar. Sure, its slick and chic clientele can be a little pretentious and uber-trendy, but it's the views you're here for and the party. Anyway, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Minet Al Hosn, Beirut, Lebanon

Dubai: Pure Sky Lounge

Dubai hotels know how to do roof bars. Leave your vertigo at the door and rock up to the 35th floor of the Hilton Dubai The Walk for sunset. This classic white and chic rooftop bar has insane views over the Palm Jumeirah and the Arabian Gulf, and it gets extra magical when the sun sinks into the ocean. Hilton Dubai The Walk, Al Bahar, Jumeirah Beach Residence, Dubai

AUSTRALIA

Perth: Hadiqa

This Middle Eastern-inspired oasis nestled in Perth's CBD is one helluva colourful escape from the concrete jungle beneath it. If you're seeking sancturary with a side of cocktails and plenty of rosé, this rooftop is it. Top Floor, Hibernian Place, 40 Irwin St, Perth 6000

Melbourne: Naked For Satan - In The Sky

Despite its name, the only topless harlot here is the bar itself, so you're not gonna be faced with any dis-robed bods when you reach this sky-high joint. This place is the rooftop extension of Fitzroy’s Naked for Satan and keeps the vibe and booze flowing up the elevator shaft. Consider the party started. 285 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Melbourne

Adelaide: 2KW

Time to join the high societies of Adelaide. Popular, pretty and with insane views over the lively Adelaide Oval precinct; just a few reasons you should glam up and vie for a front-row seat in one of 2KW’s cabanas. This place is v. popular so arriving fashionably late will see you at a loss for a seat, so rock up early. 2 King William St, Adelaide

Sydney: Ivy Pool Club

Have you just arrived in Palm Springs in the 60's, or are you at one of the hottest pool bars in the central Sydney? This place is LA glamour meets the Italian Riviera. By day, chill poolside with one of their badass cocktails in hand, by night dial up the sophistication (by that, we mean wear clothes) and at the weekend, get ready to let the party vibes roll. 320 George Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

EUROPE

Lisbon: NH Liberdade Rooftop Bar 

Big dog mixologist Diego Cabrera has opened a poolside terrace bar at the top of the NH hotel. It's bit of a local secret for now which adds to the charm, plus the cocktail menu is killer. Avenida da Liberdade, 180 B. 1250-146, Lisbon, Portugal

Istanbul: 360 

This spot is hard to find but well worth the adventure, and once the run down, stuttering lift hits the top floor, you'll see why. Like a pimped out warehouse with floor-to-ceiling windows, this seriously cool bar offers great cocktails shaken by award-winning mixologists. Istiklal Caddesi 311, Misir Apartman floor 8, Beyoglu, Istanbul  

Venice: Skyline Rooftop Bar

You’re already in Venice so you’re half way to the romantic dream, now just ditch the gondola and head up to the rooftop of Guidecca Island’s Hilton for a Spritz and the hottest sunset views in town. Guidecca 810, 30133, Venice, Italy

Madrid: Azotea del Circulo de Bellas Artes

Hanging above an Art Deco gallery, you can get your culture fix first before heading up for 360-degree views, sunbeds, cocktails and food. This one's open all year round too so you can get your Madrid skyline fix anytime. Calle de Alcala, 42, 28014 Madrid  

Berlin: The Monkey Bar 

On top of the trendy 25Hours Hotel Bikini, this tiki hangout will have you drinking out of coconuts and swinging in hammocks for some sky high monkey business. If all else fails, the monkeys in the zoo below will keep you entertained. 25Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, Budapest Straße 40, 10787 Berlin

Lisbon: Park Rooftop Bar

Not your swanky kind of rooftop, this one’s atop a carpark but it’s become the coolest hangout in Lisbon. Think wooden benches, simple drinks and a calendar of everything from cinema nights to live shows but the view across the city, river and bell towers of Santa Catarina Church is entertainment enough for us. Calcada Do Combro, 58, Lisbon, Portugal 

London: Aqua

Sneak high above the shops of Regent Street, where the young, beautiful and absolutely loaded come to catch the view. Head straight to the two epic terraces for Asian inspired cocktails like Green Tea Coladas and view across the West End. 5th Floor, 240 Regent St, London W1B 3BR

Manchester: Manchester House

From the ground it looks like yet another office block, however once you get whisked up to the 12th floor, you’ll discover 360 degree views with some of the best cocktails in town. Work your way through their epic drinks list and party well into the night. Tower 12, 18-22 Bridge St, Manchester M3 3BZ

 

Glasgow: Ubiquitous Chip

Expect the unexpected: there’s everything from an inside lake to a tropical paradise but the rooftop is where you want to bag a seat. Surrounded by views of the Glaswegian architecture, keep warm by the fire-pit and up your whisky game with their Whiskey Club or grab some food from their blindingly good kitchen. 12 Ashton Ln, Glasgow, Lanarkshire G12 8SJ

Paris: Le Perchoir

Fancy a killer view but don’t want to deal with the hordes of tourists at the Eiffel Tower? Head out to the 11th where this unmarked 7th story roof terrace has 360-degree views of Paris and drinks to boot. With tent style bars and fire pits in massive oil drums, this is the cool kids response to a Soho House. No worries if it's cold and dark - heat lamps, blankets and coloured fairy lights are to hand. 14 Rue Crespin du Gast, 75011 Paris, France 

Prague: Hotel U Prince

Everyone comes to Prague to navigate the streets of the Old Town and see Prague Castle, and up at this NYC style cocktail bar you can take in the best view in the city with an Old Fashioned in hand.  Atop of the Hotel U Prince it’s where the posh sleep and the in-the-know party. Staroměstské nám. 460/29, 110 00 Praha 1, Czech Republic

Moscow: City Space

140 meters above Moscow's pavements and views from Kremlin to Moscow City, the sights from up here are to die for. But you’re not just here for the view; named one of the world's best bars in 2011, get acquainted with the killer cocktail menu as you’ll be staying 'til close. Kosmodamianskaya nab., 52, стр. 6, Moskva, Russia, 115054 

Austria: Top Mountain Star

High above the Gurgler Tal, Top Mountain Star shines a thousand times brighter than any other. Seeing is believing with this architectural phenomenon; anchored 3082m up along an incredibly narrow, rocky ridge, it’s the ultimate place to breathe in the mountains. Hochgurgler Liftgesellschaft, Hochgurgl, Obergurgl A 6456, Austria

Athens: A for Athens

This place is well known for their banging brekkies and as a popular night-time haunt, but it's all about the minimal bar above the hotel boasting seriously impressive views across Acropolis, Plaka and Monastiraki Square. 2-4, Miaouli St, Monastiraki, Athens, Greece 

Rome: Raphael Hotel Roof Terrace

The very best way to see the ruins of Rome is on the terrace roof garden of the Raphael Hotel. Position yourself on one of the multi levels, order up the Champagne and look out over the old, authentic roofs of the 'eternal city', across the Pantheon to the Piazza Venezia. It's what the locals would do, and when in Rome… Largo Febo, 2, 00186 Roma, Italy

Barcelona: Hotel Miramar

This renovated 1920s palace is tranquil and super luxe. It's just minutes from Barcelona's buzzing city centre, but when you're overlooking the rooftops sipping on cocktails and Champagne, you'll feel a million miles away. Pl. Carlos Ibañez, 3, 08038, Barcelona 

Amsterdam: The Twenty Third Bar

This city has its fair share of hipster and downright dirty bars but when it comes to views you’ve got to look for the finer things Amsterdam has to offer.  This is the highest and swankiest open air bar and the views are ridiculous.  Take them in with oysters and Champagne or move next door for Michelin cuisine. Fancy. Twenty Third Bar at Hotel Okura, Ferdinand Bolstraat 333, Amsterdam