The 6 best rooftop bars in Canberra

Atop the Burbury Hotel in Barton sits Canberra’s classiest new rooftop bar. Leyla Bar’s bright, minimalist fit-out with pops of foliage frames stunning views of Canberra, from Parliament House to Lake Burley Griffin. Martinis are Leyla’s specialty, with classic Martinis to unleash your inner Bond, or ones that stray further from tradition like a Lemon Drop Martini with limoncello. Wines are a mainly local affair, and pair excellently with the bar’s tapas menu. Work your way through their range of croquettes (we rate the gruyère cheese ones) and try their pulled pork empanadas with a cool coriander yoghurt. Taco lovers should book their bottomless deal where $80 per person will get you free-flowing Margaritas, sangria, rosé and sparkling wine, plus a selection of tacos. 

There’s no better place in Canberra to watch the sunset from than this sixth-floor rooftop bar. With panoramic views of the city, you can sip through their collection of Australian wines and dine on hot wood-fired pizzas. If you’re just after a cocktail (or two) and a snack, crunch on fried cauliflower with sticky Korean sauce while you drink the Eclipse cocktail with Brookie’s (of Cape Byron Distillery) cumquat gin, Rhubi rhubarb liqueur, lemon and elderflower syrup. Sweet tooths will love their Espresso Martini-inspired Above the Avenue cocktail, topped with a toasted marshmallow.

For a more refined rooftop experience, The Inn at Edgars is your bet. We can’t think of a better alfresco setting than dining on their lush outdoor terrace, eating some seriously considered food. Try The Inn’s reinvention of the adored Indian snack pani puri, with crème frîache, caviar and quail egg, or silky vegetable dumplings and wakame. Get amongst their asado grilled menu items, like grilled swordfish with mojo rojo (spicy Canarian sauce), or a steak from their selection of stellar cuts sourced from all over the country. If you’re a large group, centrepieces like a show-stopping 1.2kg lamb shoulder, or a 45-day aged 1kg T-bone steak will impress. 

If you’re looking to host an alfresco event, The Duxton at O’Connor’s trusty rooftop terrace is the perfect place to do so. Lit by the sun during the day and fairy lights in the evening, The Duxton offers several different event packages to suit your soiree. Take advantage of their strong collection of local wines, or for something fun, try their Aperol Sour. Canapés like kingfish ceviche with coconut and jalapeño sambal or moreish potato rostis are all fair game. Pizza, charcuterie and banquet menus are also on offer for you to design your night.

Perched at the top of the heritage Melbourne building with views over London Circuit, Highball celebrates all things tropical. It's not technically a rooftop bar, but with its lofty perch, we reckon it's worthy of a spot on this list. Highball’s food menu takes hints from Spain, Mexico and South America to complement its vibrant cocktails. Try one of the seasonal Daiquiris with a generous serving of guacamole or a salmon ceviche ‘taquito’ made with crispy wonton wrappers. Our favourite of their tiki cocktails is the Mandarin Mai Tai, where Curaçao liqueur is swapped out for Mandarine Napoleon cognac. If you like Piña Coladas (getting caught in the rain is optional), try their spruced-up edition featuring spiced pineapple, caramelised coconut cream and a hint of nutmeg. Highball is a good time no matter what day of the week, with salsa classes and dancing every Tuesday, $15 frozen cocktails every Thursday, cocktail-making classes, and DJs on offer.

Upstairs (again, not exactly a rooftop bar but still higher than your typical one), this sleek pan-Asian bar and restaurant serves up loud, fresh flavours and just as funky fresh cocktails. With nods from all over East and Southeast Asia, we recommend trying as many dishes from their sharing-friendly menu as possible. It’s hard to go past their prawn toast 2.0 brightened by a nam jim emulsion, or delicate shiitake and leek dumplings in soy brown butter. Pair them with sake chosen with the help of chatty staff, or a cocktail, like their Pandan Coconut with chilli pearls.  If you’re keen on more than drinks and snacks, DIY bao platters and larger dishes like baby barramundi in a ginger and tamarind sauce are sure to satisfy.