Best new rooftop bars to visit in Melbourne, Victoria

Looking for a space to enjoy snacks drinks with friends as the weather heats up? We’ve found some of the city and region’s best new bars and restaurants to tick off your list this summer.

Marmont at Crown Melbourne. Picture: David Caird

Looking for a somewhere to shower in a summer time glow of great food and quenching drinks? We’ve got you sorted with these seven sparkling new places in Melbourne and Victoria.

DJ Grant Smillie debuts his new riverside bar Marmont at Crown Melbourne with head chef Mark Tagnipez.

It’s not just drinks at Marmont. Picture: David Caird

RIVERSIDE

MARMONT

Melbounre DJ Grant Smillie knows how to throw a party. At his new Crown Melbourne waterfront digs, the musician and restaurateur will celebrate day-to-night eating and drinking with head chef Mark Tagnipez (formerly of Smillie’s LA restaurants EP and LP) on the tools. Think a “deep snack list” with larger shares peddled as the night rolls on. Resident DJs will keep the tempo upbeat as the sunsets. Make sure you snare a seat on the terrace to watch the world go by and those perfect Melbourne sunsets.

8 Whiteman St, Southbank

Scarlett Bibby and Daniel Hassoun are soaking in the vibes at Afloat Melbourne. Picture: Ian Currie

AFLOAT MELBOURNE

Afloat channels the pastel Italian holiday island for its food, drinks and design for its ninth year moored on the Yarra. Expect a dedicated spritz section to quench your thirst, alongside gelato-spiked cocktails. On food, executive chef James Gibson sensibly takes an Italian front with two types of pizzas: Neapolitan and smaller rectangular pizettes, pastas such as vongole (clam) and vodka amatriciana, antipasto platters and a boozy tiramisu to end.

2 Flinders Walk, City

Afloat Melbourne is the place to be this summer. Picture: David Geraghty

IN THE CLOUDS

Take the lift to level 12 for sweeping city views. Picture: Kristoffer Paulsen.

Take a trip to Greece, Spain and France via Executive Chef Nick Deligiannis’ menu.

Mid Air

Ride the lift to level 12 of the city’s newest luxe new hotel, Melbourne Place, to find Mid-Air. The Med-leaning menu is steered by young chef Nick Deligiannis (ex-Audrey’s, Sorrento) from breakfast through to late-night snacks and drinks. He plays with flavours from Greece, Spain, Turkey and Italy, so expect dishes such as marinated golden peppers with hot honey and feta, rock-lobster doughnuts filled with taramasalata, ‘tomapork’ steaks and trout roe and crumpets topped with ocean trout, mandarin and horseradish.

130 Russell St, City

Hotel Nacional spruiks a gluten-free menu.

Hotel Nacional

Escape the Hardware Lane buzz by hotfooting it to Hotel Nacional’s rooftop. Since May, the five-level behemoth has been slinging a gluten-free, Mexican menu toppling with tortillas, tacos and tequila. Head chef Sergio Tourn, behind The Vale in Ascot Vale and Brunswick’s Tino, peddles birria braised beef tacos, and cauliflower tofu escabeche from the kitchen. Drinks include a dedicated margarita list and rum and tequila-spiked cocktails, wine and beer.

23-25 Hardware Ln, City

Le Terrasese is your portal to Paris. Photo: Liana Hardy

MAISON BATARD LE TERRASSE

Chris Lucas’ shiny new play thing opened at the top-end of Bourke this month. If you’re overwhelmed by the formalities of downstairs, take a trip to Paris via the third floor, sun-drenched terrace shaded by a 50-year-old Maple Tree. Settle into a sensory backdrop of champagne corks popping and cocktails shaken at the sunken bar inside. Order the cheeseburger, frittes and a strawberry sundae to end.

23 Bourke St, City

ROADTRIP WORTHY

Hotel Sorrento has just launched its new rooftop. Picture: Kate Shanasy

Expect a smorgasbord of seafood and shareable snacks. Picture: Kate Shanasy

Hotel Sorrento
The Pitt family has pulled the curtain on its latest trick at Hotel Sorrento. First came the hospitality overhaul, then boutique accom, and now, a flash all-weather rooftop bar just in time for the silly season. Executive chef Beth Candy builds a seafood-led grazing menu that’s designed to share. Think lobster rolls, pizzas and raw-fish crudo

5/15 Hotham Rd, Sorrento

The long-awaited “Dunetown” brewery by Sailors Grave has opened in Marlo. Picture: Supplied

Sailors Grave Brewery

Camping adventures in East Gippsland will be better this summer thanks to the long-awaited opening of the Sailor’s Grave Dunetown brewery. Founders Chris and Gab Moore have spent five-years getting the “bloody big shed” built on land owned by Gab’s dad between Marlo and Cape Conran. The mega-project includes its own pilot malting plant, a bar and beer hall. Expect 16 brews on tap — from the core range to new classics — with tummies lined by a Mexican inspired feast of tacos, nachos, mini masa corn dogs, and Long Paddock churned ice cream.

85 Marlo Plains Rd, Cape Conran