32 Melbourne rooftop bars to try this summer

Melbourne mightn’t be known for its idyllic weather, but Australia’s capital of cool sure knows how to perfect the art of the rooftop bar, maximising various vistas of the city’s storied skyline with airy destinations well worth your time.

It’s not hard to land on a rooftop bar Melbourne locals and visitors alike would deem the “best" in town. They’re everywhere. And from Collingwood to Abbotsford, this famously hip concrete jungle hosts a spread of epic rooftop bars that are every bit as valuable to the city’s cultural identity as its famous collection of laneway bars.

While most Melbourne rooftop bars can be found scattered around the CBD, just about every major suburb has at least a few of these pushing towards the sky. Whether it’s looking over the picturesque Melbourne skyline, spritz in hand while you toast to the sunset, or bunkering down for an alfresco all-nighter, these rooftop bars will have you falling in love with the city each and every time.

1. Rooftop at QT, CBD

the open-air bar at Rooftop at QT with fairy lights and vibrant yellow umbrellas — The sky-high Rooftop at QT is perfect for a sundowner. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: A buzzing social scene and elevated bar snacks.

Head to the 11th floor at the swanky QT Melbourne and this fashionable rooftop bar opens you to the city’s most glamorous social scene. It can feel like an exclusive all-day club at times, yet the unpretentious atmosphere, bespoke art, friendly service, and wide-ranging drinks list keep things approachable and fun. Plus, we just can’t get enough of the stylish decor, perfectly preened to mirror Melbourne’s high-end fashion district.

Executive chef Nic Wood’s elevated bar snacks, like Abrolhos Island scallops with sea urchin butter and a prime rib burger on a potato bun, also mean this CBD rooftop bar works just as well for dinner as it does sundowners that bleed well into the night.

Address: 11/133 Russell St, Melbourne

2. The Stolen Gem, CBD

a couple enjoying drinks on top of The Stolen Gem, Melbourne CBD — Soak up skyline views with a drink in hand. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Day drinking in the heart of Melbourne CBD.

Carving out an 8th-floor terrace above Melbourne CBD, with 260-degree views of the city’s most impressive buildings, The Stolen Gem wears its New York City influence proud. It’s these humble balcony bars that really make Melbourne’s personality shine, getting its sense of place from views of the iconic Bourke Street Mall and the distant skyscrapers.

Most regulars would come here during the day when the transparent windows pull in plenty of natural light. We find the service can be relaxed but attentive, with staff more than willing to guide newcomers through a fine selection of Australian craft spirits, paired with canape-style share plates.

Address: 8/388 Bourke St, Melbourne

3. Cameo Melbourne, CBD

drinks on the table at Cameo Melbourne, CBD — sip refined cocktails at the refined Cameo. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Bird’s eye views of Melbourne in an elegant setting.

Climb to the 80th floor of The Ritz-Carlton Melbourne for a drink at the refined Cameo . Adjacent to Atria, the hotel’s excellent fine-dining restaurant, this elegant bar matches a jaw-dropping view over Melbourne with an upscale drinks list favouring hard-to-find wines, premium spirits, and a selection of simple yet flashy signature cocktails.

Service is clearly held to a high standard and the hotel’s location on Lonsdale Street, only a light walk from Southern Cross Station, means you can easily fit a few drinks at Cameo into a bigger night on the town. Just note that the party is over at 11pm each night and Cameo is closed on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays.

Address: 650 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

4. HER Rooftop, CBD

an al fresco seating area at Her Rooftop, CBD — Her Rooftop is the perfect spot for a drink or two. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Delicious Thai food and playful service atop a historic building.

HQ Group, the crew behind the famous Arbory Afloat, has crowned its ambitious five-level hospitality project with the aptly titled HER Rooftop . Art and light installations reminisce on the building’s importance to Melbourne’s achingly cool art scene, while a custom-lit stairwell means a grand entrance.

Thai BBQ comes from BKK Kitchen one floor below, while the lively bar offers mostly natural wines and cocktails led by fresh produce. Considering the building’s other drinking and dining spaces, including the vinyl-obsessed Music Room, this all-weather rooftop bar often follows a night snaking through HQ Group’s various drinking and dining concepts on a Friday or Saturday night into the early morning.

We love a multi-floor venue where you don’t have to step aside to go on a full-tilt drinking and dining adventure. Evidently, the rest of Australia does given in just a few short years HER Rooftop has slotted in as Melbourne’s favourite rooftop bar.

Address: 270 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

5. Lui Bar, CBD

a bartender mixing drinks at Lui Bar, Melbourne CBD — Spend big on the bar’s list of lavish signature cocktails. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: A decadent night out with breathtaking views from Rialto Towers.

Neighbouring the acclaimed Vue De Monde, Lui Bar sits on the 55th floor of Rialto Towers and is often referred to as one of the more luxurious Melbourne rooftop bars.

Dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows maximise the inspired views, complementing the sophisticated atmosphere. One should always observe the smart casual dress code, and prepare to spend big on lavish signature cocktails smartly paired with simple snacks like fried chicken and chocolate lamingtons.

But don’t expect stuffy service. Despite the high standards, Lui Bar’s affable staff are as attentive as they are relaxed, building the kind of playful, homely atmosphere Melbourne locals expect.

Address: 525 Collins St, Melbourne

6. Full Moon Fever, Abbotsford

the rooftop bar at Full Moon Fever, Abbotsford — Full Moon Fever boasts an industrial-chic aesthetic. (Image: Full Moon Fever)

Best for: Classic American cocktails and comfort food favourites.

Full Moon Fever , an extension of the popular Lulie Tavern, is the kind of hidden gem Abbotsford locals would rather keep quiet. But it’s hard not to rave about this Cali-style enclave, where bright op-shop fashion clashes with heritage details from the building’s history as a bank. Think large warehouse-style windows and exposed brick, elevated with timber booths and well-placed day beds.

Named after a Tom Petty album, the vibe up here is very much rock & roll, pitched as more of a rooftop saloon with American bar classics and a neat drinks dispenser shaped like a cactus. For food, expect big, over-the-top burgers and comfort classics like Southern fried buffalo wings.

Address: 225 Johnston St, Abbotsford

7. Siglo, CBD

al fresco dining at Siglo, Melbourne CBD — Unwind on this lush rooftop that channels Euro vibes. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Mixing with locals and soaking up classic Melbourne views.

You’ll find Siglo above Melbourne Supper Club , still as spritely and generous as it was when it first opened in 2008. Suits and hipsters alike call this sun-soaked drinking hole home on any given day, where caviar is served until late and ideally paired with premium choices from the extensive wine list.

The vista of old-world Melbourne takes in St Patrick’s Cathedral and Parliament House, giving Siglo a strong sense of place for when you want a Melbourne rooftop bar that feels like it couldn’t be repeated anywhere else in the world.

Address: 2/161 Spring St, Melbourne

8. Runner Up Rooftop Bar, Collingwood

al fresco dining at Runner Up, Collingwood — Enjoy sunny days at this open-air courtyard. (Image: Kevin McDowell)

Best for: An Italo-disco vibe on Sunday afternoons.

This is a top choice for anyone who has just gorged themselves on pasta at Hope St Radio. Runner Up Rooftop Bar is the creative crown of the Collingwood Yards precinct and wears its hipster reputation proudly. The cheap and cheerful wine list is the biggest lure for the former caretaker’s residence, best explored in the open-air courtyard which looks out over one of Melbourne’s trendiest suburbs.

A healthy spread of cumquat and fig trees was planted by the owners to introduce a Mediterranean feel, set against cloud-covered walls that bounce sound from vintage horn-shaped JBL speakers imported from Japan. Music plays a big role, with Sundays often bringing in some of the city’s top local DJs for heaving day parties that are every bit as fun as they sound.

Address: Level 2/35 Johnston St, Collingwood

9. Rooftop Bar, CBD

a hand holding up a cocktail glass at Rooftop Bar, Melbourne CBD — Raise a glass at the original Rooftop Bar.

Best for: Pre- or post-gig drinks after a show at The Toff.

Sitting atop the historic Curtin House, this slick spot created the appetite for Melbourne rooftop bars with its cool, airy interior looking over Central Melbourne. There weren’t many rooftop bars in Melbourne back when the bluntly named Rooftop Bar opened in 2006, so this spot is postured as a pioneer.

It certainly helps that the excellent Cookie is right below, so you can grab some banging modern Thai before capping the night up here. Local brews are the way to go, marched from a busy, well-tapped bar by mostly gig-goers who’ve come up from The Toff. It’s the one rooftop Melbourne locals will never tire of.

Address: 248–256 Swanston St, Melbourne

10. Fable, CBD

city views at night on top of Fable, Melbourne CBD — Admire nighttime views over Melbourne CBD at Fable rooftop bar. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: A premium dining experience and creative signature cocktails.

Slightly whimsical and beautifully designed 13 floors above Lonsdale Street, Fable closes the gap between bars and rooftop restaurants in Melbourne by offering the best of both. Dinner up here is just as viable as a round of cocktails, with the kitchen handling a menu that includes dishes like buttered prawns with saffron paprika, and slow-roasted lamb shoulder with labne, cucumbers, and black sesame.

Each signature cocktail is accompanied by an elaborate story with fan-favourites like the Fall of Icarus, which interprets the Greek fable with a build of VSOP brandy, Port Charlotte 10-year-old Scotch, maraschino, Pedro Ximenez sherry, sugar and fire.

Address: 13/168 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

11. Bombabar, CBD

the rooftop bar at Bombabar, Melbourne — Bond over sangria at Bombabar. (Image: Supplied)

Best for: Spanish food and wine in a small space.

Bombabar gets by on its personality, diminutive size and obsession with projecting old-school black-and-white films on the opposite building. Think of this all-season rooftop bar as the complete antithesis to expensive fit-outs and elaborate drinks lists, favouring minimalism and keeping the focus on good times, good tunes and moreish Spanish food.

A retractable roof helps push Bomba as a year-round destination, but it’s most valuable during summer when you’ve got various tapas and a paella of lamb shoulder, cavalo nero and labneh sitting in front of you while the sun rains down on the local crowd. Our best tip, however, is to get the freshly made sangria to help get you through the night.

Address: 103 Lonsdale St, Melbourne

12. Union Electric Bar, CBD

a couple entering Union Electric Bar, CBD — Find this hole-in-the-wall hangout – it’s worth getting lost for. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: A big sense of community and meeting locals.

Pick a Melbourne local, ask them to take you to their favourite rooftop, and you’ll likely find yourself posted up at Union Electric Bar & Gin Beer Garden in Chinatown. Shouting-grade music pumps through the speakers while speedy bartenders echo a preference for fresh, fruity flavours, simple bar snacks and eccentric builds like a signature martini using Never Never Oyster Shell Gin with Lillet Blanc and lime bitters.

You’ll find plenty of Tiki bars across Melbourne, but Union Electric holds a special place for all locals. It’s affordable, the focus is kept almost entirely on cocktails, and there’s a real sense of community amongst its regular clientele.

Address: 13 Heffernan Ln, Melbourne

13. The Provincial, Fitzroy

Best for: Weekend bottomless brunch in an industrial rooftop setting.

You might not see much of Melbourne’s skyline from The Provincial , but this bustling rooftop bar in Fitzroy offers a charming industrial vibe that bounces from the walls of all the surrounding redbrick buildings.

After-work drinks are most popular up here, but where this rooftop really shines is during the weekend when groups hang for bottomless brunch with a full menu by the team at 78 degrees, paired with cocktail jugs and premium drops of prosecco. Service is consistently hands-off, but staff are more than happy to guide you through the drinks list of rotating local brews.

Address: 299 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

14. Loop Roof, CBD

the cosy seating area at Loop Roof, Melbourne — The vibrant oasis provides a welcome respite from the bustling city. (Image: Loop Roof)

Best for: Art and design lovers with a taste for fancy wines.

Loop Roof and Loop Top are so distinctive they could be considered two vastly different rooftop bars, equally beloved by Melbourne locals for their affordable drinks and vast greenery. Those illustrious city vistas, however, are best angled from Loop Roof where kitschy lawn furniture, day beds and a well-sourced wine list help reiterate this garden oasis as the quintessential Melbourne rooftop bar.

The arts play a big part in the Loop Project, so we often find the aesthetic changes constantly depending on what’s being showcased on any given day. The versatility keeps Loop front of mind when locals debate about what the best Melbourne rooftop bar is. It’s hard to argue against this one.

Address: 3/23 Meyers Pl, Melbourne

15. Naked Upstairs, Fitzroy

people dining at the rooftop bar of Naked Upstairs, Fitzroy — Arrive early to reserve your spot. (Image: Naked Upstairs)

Best for: Making new friends and indulgent Spanish-flavoured food.

Fitzroy’s most recognised rooftop bar still dominates Brunswick Street with attractive weekly specials and a solid list of around 20 infused vodkas playing around with flavours like cherry ripe and Turkish delight. You’ll never find the spot empty, which makes it perfect for mingling with locals, but we often feel squished on weekend afternoons, when the bar is at its brightest.

Spanish and Australian flavours dance across the food menu, best enjoyed on the quieter side of the bar that looks out over the Dandenongs and away from the typical Melbourne skyline views. If you do want those urban vistas, however, you’d need to arrive early and stake your claim – Naked Upstairs is consistently the busiest rooftop bar in Melbourne.

Address: 285 Brunswick St, Fitzroy

16. Strato, Southbank

the stylish bar at Strato, Southbank — The elegant indoor bar at Strato.

Best for: Long client lunches and incredible wide-ranging bay views.

Strato attracts a mostly corporate crowd and is ideal for those long client lunches or after-work drinks on the 40th floor of Oakwood Premier Melbourne in Southbank. The sleek space also hosts a separate modern Australian restaurant and two private function areas, but it’s the outdoor lounge that gets the most traction with wide-ranging views across Port Phillip Bay and the Yarra River.

Given the clientele, drinks and service are pushed to a high standard, so you’ll find expensive bottles of wine and elegant bar snacks compared to the usual round of cheap and cheerful brews that define most of Melbourne’s many rooftop bars.

Address: 40/202 Normanby Rd, Southbank

17. Harlow, Richmond

a look inside the English pub at Harlow, Richmond — The elevated English pub is renowned for its exceptional wine list. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Unobstructed skyline views atop a modern English-style pub.

An extension of the old-school English pub ambience that once sat on this site, Harlow carries the legacy of the grungy Great Britain Hotel with modern swagger. While locals usually head downstairs to the basement bar, the real reward is in the opposite direction: a modest rooftop, powered by unobstructed Melbourne skyline views.

Efficient staff serve chicken parmas and pies straight from the kitchen downstairs, content with nothing but elevated pub food matched with a tight wine list and local craft beers. Melbourne does prefer simplicity at the best of times, and Harlow represents that preference exceptionally well.

Address: 447 Church St, Richmond

18. Goldilocks, CBD

four women sitting at Goldilocks Bar, Melbourne — Soak up views over the CBD at Goldilocks Bar. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: A quiet night out with dumplings and vegan bar snacks.

You’ll find Goldilocks Bar on the fourth floor of the Denyers Building, above a Cantonese diner in the heart of Swanston Street. Signature cocktails with gin, blood orange and passionfruit are the way to go in this diminutive space, which sports a minimal design with a hut-like interior leading to a small AstroTurfed terrace.

The Melbourne CBD rooftop bar is far from fancy. Instead, locals generally favour Goldilocks for its privacy, whereas interstate and international visitors typically prefer flashier venues like Rooftop at QT and Fable.

Anyone after vegetarian and vegan bar snacks would be wise to hit this spot up and spend the night drinking with Melburnians, with opening hours stretched until 3am on weekends and 1am every other day.

Address: Denyers Building Level 5/264 Swanston St, Melbourne

19. Palmz Rooftop Bar, CBD

the Palmz Rooftop Bar at Melbourne CBD filled with guests — Enjoy summery drinks amongst the palms. (Image: Tracey Lester)

Best for: Tropical party vibes and late nights.

Located above the Carlton Club on Bourke Street, Palmz Rooftop Bar plays into Melbourne’s deathless love of tropic-themed rooftops and gaudy cocktail jugs. It’s always a party up here, particularly on Friday nights. The extensive menu serves up mid-range pub grub, pushing the affordable approach to help quell the cost of living chaos.

Service is always friendly, mirroring the relaxed ambience built with features like plastic pink flamingos and a head-turning bamboo Tiki bar that stays open until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Address: 193 Bourke St, Melbourne

20. Heroes, CBD

the crowded rooftop bar at Heroes, Melbourne — Heroes is a hotspot for afternoon drinks.

Best for: Late-night karaoke in the heart of the city.

Karaoke, dumplings, and skyline views. Heroes is all about an excellent night out , squeezing into the same category as Melbourne’s classiest early-morning establishments like Revolver Upstairs and Sub Club.

Heroes is only open on Fridays and Saturdays. But it doesn’t shut up shop until 3am, meaning you and your mates have plenty of time to perfect your group rendition of Teenage Dirtbag while scoffing down platters of BBQ pork buns and fried chicken baos.

Address: 188 Bourke St, Melbourne

the entrance of Dom’s Social Club, Melbourne CBD — Head upstairs to this much-loved rooftop. (Image: Kate Shanasy)

Best for: Friendly service, dancing and mingling until early morning.

Plenty of interstate visitors would claim Dom’s Social Club as the best of all the many rooftop bars Melbourne CBD has to offer. And, look, they wouldn’t be wrong. While “best" is always going to be contentious, it’s hard to deny the staying power of this triple-tiered ode to Melbourne’s vintage charm.

Up top is where the magic happens, with excellent signature cocktails and pizza floating around, always served up with a smile as staff tend to treat each and every guest like an old friend. Great service makes an immense difference, and Dom’s Social Club has always been proof of that. It’s Melbourne through and through and that’s why we could never get enough of this furiously fun institution.

Address: 1/301 Swanston St, Melbourne

22. Tetto di Carolina, South Yarra

food and wine on offer at Tetto di Carolina, South Yarra — Pair seafood dishes with indulgent wines at Tetto di Carolina. (Image: Kristoffer Paulsen)

Best for: Late-night jazz with upscale Italian food and classic cocktails.

Coming from the same team behind Bar Carolina and Sarti, Tetto di Carolina is a convivial jazz bar unlike anything else in Melbourne. It’s a bit more upscale than the city’s usual hipster haunts, swapping the cheap tinnies and kitschy decor for a solemn attempt at recreating the dapper rooftop bars you’ll find at swanky luxury hotels in the USA.

Food is just as much of a focus as the cocktails, best taken with house-made flatbread served around appetisers like tinned anchovies, deep fried prawn sandos, and a chef’s selection of cured meats. The cocktails are treated with a similarly high standard, favouring classics done beautifully with premium Australian spirits.

Address: 48 Toorak Rd, South Yarra

23. Cityfields, Chadstone

Best for: Dinner and drinks by the fire during winter.

Part of the multi-million-dollar refurbishment of Chadstone, Cityfields has already become one of the best restaurants in the area. But not many locals are aware that you can also head upstairs to The Terrace, flowing on from the Euro-inspired brasserie with the same menu.

That means massive 1.2-kilogram T-bones and handmade pasta like a signature cacio e pepe can be enjoyed while looking out over Melbourne. In the colder months, the team even build a fire pit so you can sip classic whisky cocktails while shrugging off Melbourne’s temperamental weather.

Address: 1341 Dandenong Rd, Chadstone

24. Marquis of Lorne, Fitzroy

a woman holding a drink atop Marquis of Lorne, Fitzroy — The old-fashioned Fitzroy bar is a local favourite. (Image: Marquis of Lorne)

Best for: Classic pub food and mixing with locals.

While visitors to Fitzroy make a beeline for Naked Upstairs, it’s Marquis of Lorne where you’ll usually find an exclusively local crowd.

Sitting atop the three-level heritage pub, the deck up here doesn’t try to be anything more than a good, ol’ fashioned rooftop bar with the winning trifecta of inspired skyline views, a healthy list of craft beers and cocktails, and upscale pub grub with a menu that always seems to be completely different every time we visit.

Address: 411 George St, Fitzroy

25. Johnny’s Green Room, Carlton

people drinking at Johnny’s Green Room rooftop bar in Carlton — This much-loved Carlton hangout spot is perfect for sunset drinks. (Image: Visit Victoria)

Best for: Italo-disco bangers and limoncello margaritas.

As the top level of the historic King & Godfree complex in Carlton, Johnny’s Green Room provides the perfect sunset vista, tunes favouring Italo-disco, and some of the best Italian food in the area.

After a brief closure in early 2023, celebrity chef Karen Martini has come on board, leaning more towards pizza and cicchetti to give Johnny’s Green Room a culinary makeover.

Bar Americano’s Matt Bax has also stepped up to the plate, maintaining the beloved drinks program but introducing show-stealers like a limoncello margarita and Sgroppinos – which, for the uninitiated, is lemon sorbet with vodka and prosecco. Who needs the Amalfi Coast anyway?

Address: Level 2/293-297 Lygon St, Carlton

26. Blossom Rooftop Bar, CBD

Best for: Wraparound views in the very heart of Melbourne CBD

Located above the Pullman Melbourne, the fresh-faced Blossom Rooftop Ba r is all pizza and views for both hotel guests and an increasingly large following of locals. Given the hotel is smack bang in the heart of the CBD grid, you’ll get one of Melbourne’s best views when wrapping around the terrace with some light bar snacks and an Aperol in hand.

While some of Melbourne’s more popular rooftop bars have been focusing on different concepts or more substantial food menus, it’s nice to see a fresh face that still knows the value of keeping it simple and letting the views do the talking.

Address: 265 Little Bourke St, Melbourne

27. Hotel Nacional, CBD

the Mexican-inspired laneway rooftop bar at Hotel Nacional, Melbourne — The Mexican-inspired laneway rooftop bar. (Image: Michael Woods/@instantcrushcreative)

Despite Melbourne’s definitive laneway culture, it’s rare to actually find a laneway rooftop bar. But Hotel Nacional , which arrived in 2024 with its charming Southern Mexican accent and gluten-free menu, feels like something the city hasn’t seen before.

It’s a hacienda on Hardware Lane. A five-storey food mecca crowned by an open-air stunner that’s almost entirely about sipping spicy margaritas far above street level. You’ll want to start downstairs if you’re hungry, where the kitchen proves its worth with birria tacos and slow-cooked lamb.

Address: 23-25 Hardware Ln, Melbourne

28. Fleet Rooftop Bar, CBD

a martini cart at Fleet Rooftop Bar, Melbourne — Fleet Rooftop Bar takes it up a notch with a martini cart above the city.

Vibe Hotel Melbourne likes to keep this a closely guarded secret, but too many people have been finding out about Fleet Rooftop Bar lately. It’s buzzy, a whopping 22 floors above Melbourne, and carves its own little niche with nautical-themed cocktails and a bar menu focused on fresh seafood.

It’s Flinders Street’s tallest rooftop bar, but the height is only part of the appeal. Prices are reasonable – we’ve never walked out feeling short-changed – and lately you’ll find just as many locals up here as you would guests of the hotel.

Address: 1 Queen Street, Melbourne

29. Ocean 12, Southbank

cocktail drinks at Ocean 12, Southbank — Opt for late-night drinks at Ocean 12.

Best for: Late-night karaoke

Most of Melbourne’s sky-high rooftop bars offer their best sides when the sun is out, but Ocean 12 is strictly a late-night affair. Doors fling open at 8pm everyday except Sunday, and they don’t close until well past 3am.

That means more time spent buried in your own private karaoke room with a bunch of your friends, only pausing rounds of sing-screaming whenever friendly staff deliver some more bowls of kaarage chicken. It’s all about fun up at this classic party spot.

Address: Level 3/8 Whiteman St, Southbank

30. Captain Baxter, St Kilda

the beachside rooftop bar at Captain Baxter, St Kilda — The breezy beachside bar at Captain Baxter.

Best for: Beachside vibes and summery cocktails.

Reaching out to St Kilda Beach, Captain Baxter feels like it could have been ripped straight from the scenes of Sydney. Of course, that luscious golden sand has a lot of do with the vibe, offering a wide-ranging view of one of Melbourne’s best beaches with summery drinks served year-round.

Few Melbourne rooftop bars feel as liberating, maximising the open air and mirroring the ocean with blue-and-white striped cushions, which are begging for a post-swim spritz paired with fresh seafood.

Space out here is limited compared to inside, so it’s always advised to get in early.

Address: 10/10-18 Jacka Blvd, St Kilda

31. Gigi Rooftop Bar, Thornbury

a drone shot of Gigi Rooftop Bar, Thornbury — Join the fun at Gigi Rooftop Bar. (Image: @pixel101)

Best for: Summer celebrations in hip and happening Thornbury

You don’t have to search far for a good rooftop bar in Melbourne CBD, but you’ll have to look at bit harder when you’re out in a suburb like Thornbury. And that just makes it all the more rewarding when you stumble upon something as fun and truly hidden as Gigi Rooftop .

This tiny rooftop haunt sits above Umberto Espresso Bar and is only accessible via the cafe’s dining room. The best time to head along is in the late afternoon, just before sunset to watch the sun sink behind the trees with a grapefruit house spritz in hand and a fried ‘nduja soldier in the other.

Just note that the party’s over at 11pm and Gigi isn’t open on Mondays and Tuesdays, and it’s usually closed for the winter months entirely.

Address: Level 2/917 High St, Thornbury

32. The Emerson Rooftop Bar & Club, South Yarra

Best for: A big night out in the middle of the dancefloor.

Make way for one of South Yarra’s liveliest venues and head straight to the top. The Emerson Rooftop Bar has the distinction of also hosting a nightclub, so late-night weekend dances are law after you’ve worked your way through the Japanese-flavoured bar snacks.

Much like Palmz Rooftop Bar and Heroes, The Emerson requires a lot of energy. There’s no sitting around quietly sipping on cocktails at this buzzy Melbourne rooftop bar, which values fun above all else and provides the perfect atmosphere to match.

Address: 141-145 Commercial Rd, South Yarra

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Abandoned mills and forgotten paper plants are finding second lives – and helping redefine a city long underestimated.

Just 15 years ago, Federal Mills was a very different place. Once among the most significant industrial sites in Victoria, the historic woollen mill was one of a dozen that operated in Geelong at the industry’s peak in the mid-20th century, helping the city earn its title as ‘wool centre of the world’. But by the 1960s global competition and the rise of synthetic fabrics led to the slow decline of the industry, and Federal Mills finally shuttered its doors in 2001. Within a few years, the abandoned North Geelong grounds had become makeshift pastoral land, with cows and goats grazing among the overgrown grass between the empty red-brick warehouses. It was a forgotten pocket of the city, all but two klicks from the bustle of the CBD.

Geelong cellar door wine bar — Geelong has shed its industrial identity to become an innovative urban hub with reimagined heritage spaces. (Image: Ash Hughes)

Federal Mills: from forgotten factory to creative precinct

Today, the century-old complex stands reborn. The distinctive sawtooth-roof buildings have been sensitively restored. An old silo is splashed with a bright floral mural, landscapers have transformed the grounds, and the precinct is once again alive with activity. More than 1000 people work across 50-plus businesses here. It’s so busy, in fact, that on a sunny Thursday morning in the thick of winter, it’s hard to find a car park. The high ceilings, open-plan design, and large multi-paned windows – revolutionary features for factories of their time – have again become a drawcard.

Paddock Bakery andPatisserie — Paddock Bakery and Patisserie is housed within the historic wool factory. (Image: Gallant Lee)

At Paddock , one of the precinct’s newer tenants, weaving looms and dye vats have been replaced by a wood-fired brick oven and heavy-duty mixers. Open since April 2024, the bakery looks right at home here; the building’s industrial shell is softened by ivy climbing its steel frames, and sunlight streams through the tall windows. Outside, among the white cedar trees, families at picnic benches linger over dippy eggs and bagels, while white-collar workers pass in and out, single-origin coffee and crème brûlée doughnuts in hand.

Geelong: Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design

Paddock Bakery can be found at Federal Mills. (Image: Gallant Lee)

“A lot of people are now seeing the merit of investing in Geelong,” says Paul Traynor, the head of Hamilton Hospitality Group, which redeveloped Federal Mills. A city once shunned as Sleepy Hollow, and spurned for its industrial, working-class roots and ‘rust belt’ image, Geelong has long since reclaimed its ‘Pivot City’ title, having reinvented itself as an affordable, lifestyle-driven satellite city, and a post-COVID migration hotspot.

And the numbers stand testament to the change. In March 2025, and for the first time in its history, Greater Geelong became Australia’s most popular regional town for internal migration, overtaking Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Current forecasts suggest Geelong will continue to outpace many other Australian cities and towns, with jobs growing at double the rate of the population.

Tourism is booming, too. The 2023-24 financial year was Geelong and The Bellarine region’s busiest on record, with 6.4 million visitors making it one of the fastest-growing destinations in the country. It’s not hard to see why: beyond the city’s prime positioning at the doorstep of the Great Ocean Road, Geelong’s tenacity and cultural ambition stands out.

As Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design, Geelong is swiftly shaking off its industrial past to become a model for urban renewal, innovation, sustainability and creative communities. The signs are everywhere, from the revitalisation of the city’s waterfront, and the landmark design of the Geelong Library and Heritage Centre and Geelong Arts Centre, to the growing network of local designers, architects and artists, and the burgeoning roster of festivals and events. That’s not even mentioning the adaptive reuse of storied old industrial buildings – from Federal Mills, to Little Creatures’ brewery ‘village’ housed within a 1920s textile mill – or the city’s flourishing food and wine scene.

The rise of a food and wine destination

Restaurant 1915 is housed within a restored former boiler house. (Image: Harry Pope/Two Palms)

Traynor credits now-closed local restaurant Igni, which opened in 2016, as the turning point for Geelong’s hospo industry. “[Aaron Turner, Igni’s chef-patron] was probably the first guy, with all due respect, to raise the bar food-wise for Geelong,” he says. “People now treat it really seriously, and there’s clearly a market for it.” While Igni is gone, Turner now helms a string of other notable Geelong venues, including The Hot Chicken Project and Tacos y Liquor, all within the buzzy, street art-speckled laneways of the CBD’s Little Malop Street Precinct. Many others have also popped up in Igni’s wake, including Federal Mills’ own restaurant, 1915 . Housed within the cavernous boiler house, 1915’s interior is dramatic: soaring, vaulted ceilings with timber beams, exposed brick, a huge arched window. The share plates echo the space’s bold character, playing with contrast and texture, with dishes such as a compressed watermelon tataki, the sweet, juicy squares tempered by salty strands of fried leeks, and charred, smoky snow peas dusted with saganaki on a nutty bed of romesco.

The Woolstore , one of The Hamilton Group’s most recent hospo projects, opened in February. It occupies a century-old riverside warehouse and exudes a more sultry, fine dining ambience. Much like Federal Mills, the blueprint was to preserve the original brickwork, tallowwood flooring and nods to the building’s former life. That same careful consideration extends to the well-versed, affable waitstaff as well as the kitchen. Head chef Eli Grubb is turning out an eclectic mix of ambitious and indulgent mod Oz dishes that deliver: strikingly tender skewers of chicken tsukune, infused with hints of smoke from the parrilla grill, and glazed with a moreish, sweet gochujang ‘jam’; nduja arancini fragrant with hints of aniseed and the earthy lick of sunny saffron aioli; and golden squares of potato pavé, adorned with tiny turrets of crème fraîche, crisp-fried saltbush leaves, and Avruga caviar, to name but a few stand-out dishes.

Woolstore menu — Woolstore’s menu is designed for sharing.

Breathing new life into historic spaces

On the city’s fringe, hidden down a winding side road with little fanfare, lies a long-dormant site that’s being gently revived. Built from locally quarried bluestone and brick, and dating back to the 1870s, the complex of original tin-roofed mill buildings is lush with greenery and backs onto the Barwon River and Buckley Falls; the audible rush of water provides a soothing soundtrack. Fyansford Paper Mill is one of few complexes of its time to survive intact. It feels steeped in history and spellbindingly rustic.

“We were looking for an old industrial place that had some charm and romance to it,” explains Sam Vogel, the owner, director and winemaker at Provenance Wines which moved here in 2018. When he first viewed the building with his former co-owner, it was in such a state of disrepair that the tradie tenant occupying the space had built a shed within it to escape the leaking roof and freezing winter temperatures. “To say it was run down would be an understatement,” he notes. “There was ivy growing through the place; the windows were all smashed. It was a classic Grand Designs project.”

Provenance Wines moved to Fyansford Paper Mill in 2018. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

The team has since invested more than a million dollars into their new home. Where paper processing machinery once sat, wine barrels are now stacked. Vaulted cathedral ceilings are strung with festoon lights, and hidden in plain sight lies a shadowy mural by local street artist de rigueur Rone – one of only three permanent works by the artist.

While the award-winning, cool-climate pinot noir, riesling and chardonnay naturally remain a key draw at Provenance, the winery’s restaurant is a destination in itself. Impressed already by whipsmart service, I devour one of the most cleverly curated and faultlessly executed degustations I’ve had in some time. It’s all prepared in a kitchen that is proudly zero-waste, and committed to providing seasonal, ethical and locally sourced meat and produce under head chef Nate McIver. Think free-range venison served rare with a syrupy red wine jus and a half-moon of neon-orange kosho, shokupan with a deeply savoury duck fat jus (a modern Japanese take on bread and drippings), and a golden potato cake adorned with a colourful confetti of dehydrated nasturtiums and tomato powder, and planted atop a sea urchin emulsion.

handcrafted pieces — Bell’s handcrafted functional pieces on display.

The complex is home to a coterie of independent businesses, including a gallery, a jeweller, and its latest tenant, ceramicist Elizabeth Bell, drawn here by the building’s “soul”. “There’s so much potential for these buildings to have new life breathed into them,” says Bell, whose studio is housed within the old pump room. “Even people in Geelong don’t know we’re here,” she says. “It’s definitely a destination, but I like that. It has a really calming atmosphere.”

A Melbourne transplant, Bell now feels at home in Geelong, which offers something Melbourne didn’t. “If this business was in Melbourne I don’t think it would’ve been as successful,” she notes. “It’s very collaborative in Geelong, and I don’t think you get that as much in Melbourne; you’re a bit more in it for yourself. Here it’s about community over competition.”