9 rooftop bars that are basically front-row seats to Vivid

Beat the crowds and watch the city light up at one of these sky-high venues.

Vivid Sydney is once again illuminating the city, and this year’s lineup promises dazzling displays. But if you prefer to view the action away from the crowds, your best bet is to head to one of Sydney’s fabulous rooftop bars. You can be as sky-high and lit as you like when you’re sipping a Negroni and surveying the neon night. Here are 10 of the best rooftop bars to view Vivid 2025.

1. Aster, InterContinental Sydney

a couple watching the lights of Vivid Sydney at Aster, InterContinental Sydney — Watch the dancing lights of Vivid Sydney atop the InterContinental Sydney.

Aster is on level 32 of the InterContinental Sydney hotel and is one of the best rooftop bars in Australia for winter drinks. The view from Aster is giving ‘Ken Done limited edition’ with views over the twinkly Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens. The Dreamscapes at Aster experience invites guests to watch the lights of Vivid Sydney dancing from on high. For just $169 per person, kick off with a themed cocktail and canapé on arrival then settle in for a share-style starter and main complemented by two perfectly paired glasses of wine. Up the ante with a Vivid Sydney Staycation offer of $469 per room, per night which includes overnight accommodation, a themed Vivid cocktail bar at Treasury Bar and a curated goodie bag and breakfast for two.

2. Blu Bar on 36

views of Vivid Sydney as seen from Blu Bar on 36 — Soak up the city lights from the 36th floor of the Shangri-la Sydney.

The Vivid theme for 2025 is ‘Dream’. And the Shangri-la Sydney has taken that concept and run with it with a dreamy bespoke menu dedicated to this night of nights and lights. Ask the waiters to shake you up a Lucid Projection cocktail ($26) that will see your night get off to an impeccable start while surveying the horizon and views over Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sip on the cocktail, which is a mix of gin, peach liqueur and blue curaçao syrup, while surveying the horizon from the 36th floor of the hotel. Order the Vivid Platter ($99) which includes East 33 Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, tuna sashimi with pickled ginger and shoyu, WA Shark Bay scampi caviar and meltingly tender Wagyu MB8+.

3. Paramount House

Paramount House is prone to fits of fancy and what better excuse to loosen the necktie than at Vivid Sydney 2025. The Surry Hills hotel is one of many inspired spots along the Hollywood Dreaming Gig Trail. You’ll do well to head to Paramount House to watch Wall Life with Sonny Day interactive art, design and music experience. The celebrated artist is known for his large scale murals and posters and is inviting punters aged between 10 and 18 to a workshop to design their very own alternative tour poster. It’s all about art, pizza and prizes at the Paramount House, one of the best venues to enjoy the festival.

4. Bar 83 at Sydney Tower

red velvet chairs and white Tulip tables at Bar 83, Sydney Tower — Bar 83 is all red velvet chairs and white Tulip tables.

Change out of your footie mum uniform and frock up for a night spent well at Sydney’s highest bar. The climax will build as you climb 83 floors (245 metres) above street level in the capsule lift that will shoot you to the top of the iconic Sydney Tower. The vibe at Bar 83 is all red velvet chairs and white Tulip tables, brushed gold and white curving archways. It’s like something out of a science fiction movie. While Infinity restaurant and the more low-key Skyfeast below both revolve, Bar 83 does not. It’s your head that will be doing the swivelling while enjoying panoramic views of the city lit up below over cocktails and bar bites from sister venue Infinity.

5. Smoke Bar, Barangaroo House

Enjoy watching the quivering rivers of light from above at Smoke at Barangaroo House , which has one of the best vantage points overlooking Vivid. The Level 2 rooftop bar looks out over the Vivid lightwalk, one of the highlights of the 2025 program. The whimsical building is right on brand for this year’s Dream theme. The bright sparks in the kitchen have curated a zero-waste menu which includes cocktails such as the Sunset ($23) and Hummingbird ($23) and snacks of the highest order – Pacific oysters ($7.50 each) and duck spring rolls ($16).

6. Hacienda

the dining at Hacienda with harbour views — Revel in incredible harbour views at Hacienda. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Most Sydneysiders don’t have access to harbour views. So embrace the occasion and head to Hacienda . You’ll find yourself at an enviable vantage point as the city lights up with Dream Hour designed to run throughout Vivid Sydney 2025 from 4-6pm. It’s the perfect prelude to a night spent enjoying Sydney in the limelight. Drinking margaritas is fun. And the mixologists at Hacienda have dreamt up a Dream Hour that includes a Margarita your Way for $15. There are also vibrant dishes that are on-brand for Vivid Sydney such as oysters with blood plum, lobster and prawn empanadas with a hit of Fancy Hank’s hot sauce.

7. The Rook

the cocktail selection at The Rook, Sydney — Kick off with next-level cocktails at The Rook.

Start your Vivid Sydney 2025 adventure at Vivid Liftoff at The Rook, a hidden rooftop nook in the heart of the CBD because you’re cultured dang it. The Rook takes Vivid views to the next level with its Rooftop Cocktails, Bites & City Lights, where it offers an enviable selection of iridescent cocktails such as the Lunar Lagoon, Starlight Spritz and Firefly Glow. The Rook does not have Vivid views, per se, it’s in perfect proximity to the action. And it’s akin to sitting in your own Vivid installation with twinkling strings of lights. The drinks are also next-level. Dial it back by inhaling a few southern-style buffalo chicken wings with blue-cheese mayo ($15 each) while the resident DJ is spinning tracks.

8. Untied

hands holding cocktail glasses on pink background — Get together with the girls for a shimmering night out. (Image: One Cut Studios)

You don’t need to be tethered to roaming the streets every night during Vivid Sydney 2025 . Some of us are just as happy to get our glow on at a rooftop bar such as Untied, which shifts the needle during the annual Light, Music, Ideas & Food festival with its whimsical twist on Champagne. Choose your flavour: Blue Raspberry, Green Sour Apple, Pink Watermelon or Purple Berry Crunch and watch your drink shimmer against the neon night. Sip, sparkle and shine at Vivid Sydney for the Bubbles & Fairy Floss fun available May 23 to June 14.

9. Bungalow 8

a DJ sets the party mood at Bungalow 8, Sydney — Get the party started with pumping disco music at Bungalow 8.

There are new bars popping up all over the city but this sprawling venue is one of the best as it transitions from having some of the most fabulous sunset views in Sydney into a beacon for the party hearty as the night falls.  Bungalow 8 has a balcony boasting views of Darling Harbour and is one of the best places to party before or after Vivid during its Neon Nights & Pop-Up Bites at Bungalow 8 every Saturday. Expect an explosion of colour at the bar every Saturday night with its roster of DJs, glow-in-the-dark cocktails, trippy neon tunnels, free face painting and all the main-character energy you can handle. Dress as your favourite avatar and hold court making shapes with your glow stick. It’s your time to shine!

Discover the magic of a Sydney staycation in summer at The Fullerton Hotel Sydney.

Sydney City is magical in summer. Warm summer evenings beg to be spent sipping cool cocktails at one of many al fresco and rooftop bars. Ferries and buses are ready to transport travellers to the best nearby beaches for salty days on the sand. National parks and rainforests are waiting to be explored. And the city’s events calendar is packed, from live music to cultural attractions. All elements that call for a Sydney staycation.

Discover where to eat, stay and play for the perfect local getaway.

Where to stay

The Fullerton Hotel Sydney

Amid the bustle of the perfect Sydney staycation, one needs a place to escape to and recharge. Enter, The Fullerton Hotel Sydney . The hotel is an icon in its own right – nestled inside the 151-year-old building that was originally Sydney’s General Post Office, its heritage-listed sandstone walls and Victorian renaissance grandeur have been carefully preserved – providing a rare chance to sleep within Sydney’s history.

Despite its fascinating history, the hotel isn’t short on modern, luxurious comforts. Rooms and suites are available in both the modern high-rise with gorgeous views over the clock tower and lively city below, or inside the historical post office building itself.

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney Heritage Long Suite bathroom — Heritage rooms maintain their old-world style.

Either way, guests can enjoy sophisticated touches, including a deluxe bed and pillow menu, Harman Kardon Bluetooth speakers, a digital concierge, a Vittoria coffee machine and amenities from the Balmain bathroom collection.

The team at this five-star hotel provides excellence and a quality experience for all their guests, while amenities like a gym help with a well-rounded stay. For a peaceful moment with sweeping city views, enter The Fullerton Club Lounge on level 28. This private haven for dining and relaxation is available to any guests staying on the hotel’s club floors and suites.

Add to this a central location in the CBD’s Martin Place, with easy access to Sydney’s top attractions, and convenience meets style.

Where to drink & dine

1. The Bar

the Fullerton Hotel afternoon tea at the bar — Indulge in the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea.

Inside The Fullerton Hotel Sydney’s lobby, The Bar does more than sling a few delicious cocktails (although it certainly does that well). Its brown leather chairs and glass ceiling create the perfect, almost al fresco, setting for the Fullerton Signature Afternoon Tea .

Served daily from 12 to 4 pm, the afternoon tea is a nod to the cherished social occasion it once was during the Victorian Renaissance era. People like to dress up for this afternoon tea, and if you’re lucky, a pianist often sits down at the on-site grand piano, just adding to the elegance.

The afternoon tea is served high tea style, offering reimagined British flavours of the Victorian Renaissance era with a unique blend of Australia’s culinary heritage. A sweet layer offers delights like a Malted Milk Envelope (a milk mousse layered between two biscuits), Bakewell Pudding (a super tasty egg-based pudding), and Apple Charlotte.

On the savoury layer, expect finger sandwiches with fillings like cucumber, egg and smoked salmon. While classic pinwheels and stuffed eggs almost make the menu. And, of course, all finished off with traditional scones served with cream and mixed berry jam.

Can’t fit in a whole afternoon tea? Be sure to at least order a slice of the 32-layered chocolate cake, a decadent mix of dark chocolate crémeux, fresh whipped cream, and Valrhona Azélia chocolate sauce. ⁣

2. The Place

the Fullerton Hotel the place dining — Dine in the stunning GPO atrium.

On level one of The Fullerton Hotel Sydney lives The Place – the hotel’s restaurant, in an atrium overlooking the former GPO. Here, dine on Modern Australian cuisine – think fresh, local seafood and a Riverina steak sandwich – along with a touch of Singaporean signature dishes, like Thai-style green curry or chicken satay. All in the shadow of the GPO clock tower, enjoying the GPO atrium’s natural light.

3. Local gelato

Couple enjoying ice-creams at First Fleet Park, The Rocks — Enjoy ice cream in the sunshine. (Image: Destination NSW)

What is summer without ice cream and/or gelato? Luckily, there are plenty of options just a short walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, whether you’re craving a midday pick-me-up or an after-sun treat.

What to do/see

1. GPO Heritage Tour

the Fullerton Hotel Sydney lobby — Be awed by the building’s history.

Want to know more about the building you’re staying in? The Fullerton Hotel Sydney offers a complimentary 90-minute GPO Heritage Tour. Follow a knowledgeable tour guide to discover the stories, tales and legends of the former Sydney General Post Office building.

From the iconic clock tower (completed in 1891) to the black-and-white tiled staircase at 1 Martin Place, which was once the main entrance to the GPO and today serves as a prominent feature of the building to the 24 stone faces (mascarons) on the Martin Place side of the building. Part of the 1880s-era facade (designed by architect James Barnet), each represents different states, countries and continents.

2. Circular Quay

aerial of circular quay sydney — Catch a ferry from Circular Quay. (Image: Destination NSW)

An easy walk or light rail ride away from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, lies the bustling Circular Quay. Here, you can sit for a drink and nibbles at the Opera Bar, or head into the iconic house itself for a show. It’s also a major ferry port, becoming your gateway to Sydney’s beaches, Luna Park and even Sydney Zoo.

3. Royal Botanic Gardens

view of circular quay from Sydney's Royal Botanic Garden — Wander through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. (Image: Destination NSW)

Just beyond Circular Quay, discover Sydney’s Royal Botanic Garden. Wander through this 30-hectare, heritage-listed, botanical garden – exploring its differing sections, from Australian native botanicals to garden beds of vibrant flowers to towering groves of international trees.

It’s also the perfect place for a picnic, so pick up supplies before you come and enjoy a spot on the grassy meadow looking out into the harbour.

4. Theatre Royal

Just a one-minute walk from The Fullerton Hotel Sydney, take in a show at Theatre Royal. Built in 1976, the theatre has been offering a broad range of entertainment since the 1990s. Expect a show roster that ranges from the classics (like Cats) to the modern) like Pretty Woman: The Musical).

Start planning a summer stay in Sydney worth remembering at fullertonhotels.com/fullerton-hotel-sydney.

10 rooftop bars that are basically front-row seats to Vivid