The Best Suburban Melbourne Rooftop Bars
For when you're wanting to mix it up from the usual CBD crowd, these rooftops in Melbourne's outer suburbs do it just as well.
While many Melburnians regularly make the commute into the CBD for their nine to fives, we know there are a sizeable handful of us who are continuing to work from home or their offices in the ‘burbs.
Just because you don’t mingle with the corporate world in the city doesn’t mean you too don’t deserve a well-earned knock-off drink in the sunshine and/or rain, right?
From unexpected escapes above shopping centres to unassuming pubs with a top-floor oases, here are the best rooftop bars in Melbourne’s outer suburbs for you to uncover and unwind in.
Cornish Arms Hotel
With a vegan-friendly, vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, the Cornish Arms Hotel in Brunswick is one of the best rooftop bars in Melbourne's suburbs. With an extensive vegan menu, meat options, snacks and daily specials, there's something for everyone to enjoy!
Sit under the beachy umbrellas and look out across the streets of Brunswick as you catch up with friends over a wine or beer and soak up the sun. It's a little paradise in the heart of Brunswick!
163A Sydney Road, Brunswick
Olympia
Olympia is a stunning rooftop bar in Oakleigh that brings the atmosphere of a relaxed beach rooftop on a Greek island to the suburbs. Here, you'll find share plates including cured meats, dolmades, focaccia, and more, with an impressive drinks list to go along with it. Indulge in seasonal cocktails or kick back with yhour wine of choice and soak up the surrounding views of this Instagrammer's paradise.
19 Portman St, Oakleigh
Rombe
The eastern suburb's favourite rooftop cafe has officially launched 'Rombe by Night,' meaning it's open on Fridays and Saturdays for dinner! And that means that Rombe's modern Australian fare is brought to the night scene, too!
Except incredible meat and seafood dishes featuring seasonal produce from local growers, plus small plates to share that are bound to impress. You must also experience the oyster trolley, wherein you'll be guided through choosing an oyster to your liking and have it freshly shucked on the spot.
T38-39/70 Middleborough Road, Burwood East
Amatrice
Amatrice Rooftop may offer the best views you could possibly ask for from a rooftop.
With panoramic vistas from the CBD to the Dandenongs, cocktails bursting with flavour, and mouthwatering pasta made from the finest ingredients, it’s the place to be. It's the ideal date spot; with the sun going down and vibrant hues of orange and pink lighting up the city skyline, followed by dim lights and an intimate atmosphere.
Level 10/16 Stephenson Street, Cremorne
Johnny's Green Room
Take in views of the city skyline from the comfort of the suburbs at Johnny's Green Room. Sip on imported Italian beers, wine and Aperol spritzes on tap, and snack on delights including salumi, arancini and even choc tops from Pidapipo next door.
It’s one of Melbourne's best suburban rooftop bars—and our favourite spot for Sunday sessions and after-work drinks. Plus, they're fully prepared for the winter months, with heaters galore around the rooftop and blankets at the ready in case you get cold. It doesn't get much cosier than that!
Level 2/293-297 Lygon Street, Carlton
Lulu Bar
The newest addition to Melbourne's best rooftop bar in the suburbs comes in the sleek and stylish form of Lulu Bar, sitting pretty at the back of Preston Hotel.
The Euro-inspired bar has ample space for you to soak up the sunshine outside. Or, when the inevitable rain makes its appearance in the cooler seasons, duck inside to the cosy and chic cocktail lounge.
With a curated cocktail menu, tasty share plates and breathtaking city skyline views, this is fast becoming a summer hotspot with locals.
635 High Street, Preston
The Skinny Dog Hotel
The Skinny Dog Hotel is one of Melbourne's most untapped gems - and boasting a fantastic rooftop bar to boot!
Newly transformed to include a skyward space, upstairs is bold, bougie and breezy; an effortlessly cool rooftop bar in Melbourne’s suburbs that's been inspired by the mid-century modern charm of Palm Springs.
Snack on fresh oysters while enjoying your pick of the 44 beers on tap, or partaking in a delightful Negroni sour and embracing the spacious feel of the 400-person atrium bar.
155 High Street, Kew
Cityfields
Head to Cityfields, the classic brasserie-style dining destination housed within Chadstone Shopping Centre, and make a beeline for their gorgeous rooftop bar. The Terrace Bar has an attached alfresco garden and is a sophisticated-yet-casual space offering views across the south-east towards the city.
Reminiscent of a European rooftop, this is a refined, intimate, and inviting location to enjoy a languid long lunch or elegant dinner. Coffee to cocktails, brunch to bubbles; a Cityfields party purrs all day, every day. There's no doubt this is one of Melbourne's best rooftop bars in the outer suburbs.
1341 Dandenong Road, Chadstone
Suburban Dining & Rooftop
Looking for a place to enjoy a delicious meal, a refreshing drink or a memorable event? One of the only rooftop beer gardens east of the city, look no further than Suburban Rooftop, found in Eastland Town Square.
Set over three floors, you'll climb past a restaurant, a public bar, and a courtyard with private dining spaces to get to this lush rooftop bar.
During summer weekends, the Suburban rooftop also offers a fantastic bottomless brunch. Spritz o'clock ahead in 3, 2, 1...
Eastland Shopping Centre, Shop R10/171-173 Maroondah Highway, Ringwood
Harvie
Harvie is a sleek rooftop bar in Armadale and one of our top picks for the summer.
With delicious seasonal cocktails, a thoughtful wine list and well-crafted snacks and share plates, it's a charming spot with equally charming views over Malvern and Armadale.
Perfect for your next date night and for elevated sunset sipping, this is one of Melbourne's rooftop bars you need to add to your list.
109 Wattletree Road, Armadale
Hobsons Bay Hotel
It’s been around for 100 years and hopefully, it will be around 100 more. The Hobsons Bay Hotel has undergone a serious refurb thanks to Rustica founder, Brenton Lang, and his partners, Drew Gibbs & Matt Cook.
Spread over three levels, the neighbourhood pub in Williamstown comes complete with a cosy rooftop deck and views of the Melbourne skyline across the water. It's a magical spot for sundowner spritzes with friends.
28 Ferguson Street, Williamstown
Full Moon Fever
Did you know that the ever-popular Lulie Tavern now comes with a rooftop bar? It's absolutely perfect, all-year-round!
Set above the bustle of Abbotsford's Johnston Street, Full Moon Fever is designed to be an extension of the rock ’n’ roll, saloon-style atmosphere Lulie Tavern is known for.
Think Old Fashioned's, Margaritas, ice cold tins, and peach iced teas served with a smile, all in desert-style surrounds; an Australian outback nod to the ‘Old West’ style bars in California. They really do make some of the best margaritas in town.
All together unique, warm and fun, the rooftop also embraces the quintessential ‘every person’s bar’ that Melbourne truly celebrates. It's one of our favourite outer suburb rooftop bar in Melbourne.
225 Johnston Street, Abbotsford
If you've loved our guide to the outer suburb rooftops in Melbourne and are now itching for your next post-work bevvies sesh, these happy hours and beloved cocktail bars will also have you in good stead. Cheers!
