Rooftop bar at night with fairy lights
Photograph: Supplied | The Standard
Photograph: Supplied | The Standard

The 18 best rooftop bars in Perth

When the weather is roasting, rooftop refreshments are a must

Advertising

It really doesn’t get much better than sipping on an Aperol spritz or two while gazing out across the sparkling Swan River at sunset. Or maybe you prefer the vivacious chatter of friends while perched among the bright lights of the city skyline.

We’ve put together a list of Perth’s best rooftop bars, so you’ll have no shortage of options for Thursday night drinks.

🍽️ The best restaurants in Perth right now
🍷 More great bars for drinks in the city
⭐️ Perth's top hotels to rest your head

Top floor, please

Hidden among Northbridge’s heritage rooftops, this tiny but mighty house of fun stands out as a firm favourite. Mechanics Institute is a key voice in Perth’s cocktail conversation, with a quick but quirky board of daily-changing drinks. Past hits have included a PB and Jealous with Sheep Dog whisky, macadamia, raspberry and coffee, and a Starward Colada with tropical notes of pineapple, coconut and lime. With an al fresco roof deck, sing-out-loud soundtracks and the ability to order an XL one-size-defeats-all Flipside Burger at the bar, you’re in for a guaranteed good time. 

https://media.timeout.com/images/106089369/image.jpg
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia

Spread your wings and soar high above it all at this spacious open-air rooftop bar in Perth’s CBD. Decked out with lush greenery and shady umbrellas, The Aviary is your go-to for bottomless brunch, sunset sessions, date nights and everything in between. You can sip on a fruity cocktail, WA cider, low-alc beer or fancy wine from France while taking in sweeping views of the city skyline. The rooftop buzzes during happy hour from 4.30 to 5.30pm daily, while Sundays go off with epic DJ beats from 4pm, $30 cocktail jugs and $15 pizzas.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106089369/image.jpg
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
Advertising

Terrarium Perth

There’s a reason why Terrarium won Cocktail Bar of the Year WA at the 2023 Australian Bar Awards. The sky-high rooftop terrace is a go-to for specialty cocktails and refined bar snacks, all served under twinkling fairy lights in the heart of the city. Terrarium’s botanical-inspired decor sets the tone for its floral cocktail menu, featuring drinks named after plants, including the ‘Red Dahlia’ Manhattan, the ‘Primrose’ Lime Curd Margarita, and the non-alcoholic ‘Bird of Paradise’ Spiced Colada. The 24-page spirits list reads like a bible, and your chosen tipple is sure to pair well with the bar's salted nuts, seasoned olives or grazing boards.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106089369/image.jpg
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia

AGWA Rooftop Bar

With space for up to 500 people to drink and dance at once, AGWA’s new rooftop bar takes the crown as Perth’s largest rooftop venue. This stylish spot doubles as a bar and an art gallery, featuring an open-air sculpture walk where you can admire works from the State Art Collection. Add to that the dazzling city skyline views, beats from local DJs, and a distinctly WA-inspired food and drink menu, and you’ve got a winning combo. AGWA Rooftop Bar exclusively opens across the spring and summer months on Friday and Saturday from 4pm till late. 

https://media.timeout.com/images/106089369/image.jpg
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
Advertising
  • Pubs
  • Perth Central

Floating above St Georges Terrace atop Print Hall is a rooftop bar dripping with good vibes and a colourful history. The rooftop terrace celebrates political history with its bar named after Australia’s third-longest-serving Prime Minister and beer lover, Bob Hawke. The newspaper-lined staircase also pays homage to Print Hall’s past life as The West Australian's former headquarters and print factory. The smart casual venue features eclectic cocktails, craft beer and bar bites, including steak sandos, cheese boards and classic pizzas. Start the evening off the right way with happy hour from 5 to 6pm daily! For $10 tap beers and house wines, it’s the place to be.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor

There’s nothing standard about this three-level, Mediterranean-inspired bar and kitchen that revives Northbridge’s once-lost European charm. Small to medium share plates are designed to keep the good times and conversations flowing, including pickled mussels, duck liver parfait, and mortadella with sweet and sour onions. The drinks list is equal parts fancy and fun, featuring flavours that span from Italian stone fruits and summer citrus, to creamy desserts and subtle Mediterranean spices. 

https://media.timeout.com/images/106089369/image.jpg
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
Advertising

Your story is only just getting started on level five of the newly opened Yagan Square hospitality precinct. With panoramic views spanning from Elizabeth Quay to Northbridge, Stories Rooftop bar invites you to drink, dine and dance under the stars until 2am on weekends. With colourful cocktails, bright lights and bangin’ beats, it’s quite hard to resist. Stories’ menu features all your classic hits, including Sparkling Piña Coladas and Spicy Marg, along with cheeky specialty cocktails, like the OnlyPavs with pavlova vodka, passionfruit, vanilla and lemon. The wine and beer list is long and local, with pizzas, burgers and fire-cooked mains dominating the food offering. 

https://media.timeout.com/images/106089369/image.jpg
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
  • Modern Australian
  • Perth Central

If you’re partial to panoramic views of the Swan River and carefully curated food and drink offerings, Songbird might just be the spot for you. Inspired by the natural surrounds and beautiful birds that wander our skies, The Ritz-Carlton, Perth’s esteemed rooftop bar takes high-altitude drinking to the nines. Fresh oysters, buttermilk fried chicken and glazed lamb ribs grace the menu alongside a more informal grazing menu, decorated with creative cocktails, local spirits, craft beer and wine. Songbird's zesty signature gin is worth trying, distilled with native botanicals of pink finger lime, Geraldton wax, pepi leaf and sea parsley. Drink it straight with tonic, or add sweet notes of cherries in the Eternal Bloom. 

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor
Advertising
  • Pub dining
  • Perth Central

With spectacular views sweeping over the Swan River and Elizabeth Quay, Henry’s Rooftop is one of Perth’s most scenic cocktail-chugging destinations. The drinks menu features classics like the Cosmopolitan, Expresso Martini and Margarita, alongside giant cocktails, like La Passion with vodka, Aperol, passionfruit puree, lemon and tonic. Henry's Rooftop is sure to impress with its share-style menu, live entertainment and relaxed atmosphere. Dance away the work week with a live DJ set every Friday and Saturday afternoon till late. Then refuel with piping hot pizzas, beef brisket sliders and buffalo cauliflower wings.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106089369/image.jpg
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia

18 Knots Rooftop Bar

Let me set the scene: you’re sitting skyhigh with a cocktail in hand on the level 18 rooftop deck at DoubleTree by Hilton Perth Waterfront. The Perth city skyline views are oozing all sorts of Carrie Bradshaw, Sex in the City vibes. The drinks list leans tropical with creations like the Blue Hawaii Martini, Johnny Apple Pie and Spicy Pineapple Margarita, so there will be something just perfect for you. But, if you’re not that way inclined, why not, indulge in some bubbles or rosé? A range of gluten-free and vegetarian bar bites grace the Rooftop Bar menu. Pumpkin and sun-dried tomato arancini, prawn cigars and seafood skewers, oh my! For those preferring a heartier feed, try the stone-baked pizzas or fish tacos. 

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor
Advertising
  • Moroccan
  • Perth Central

With a share-friendly menu infused with Moroccan, Mediterranean and Greek flavours, Hadiqa will transport you to places far and wide. The restaurant and rooftop bar were inspired by the Arabic word for “garden”, with the Middle Eastern oasis providing a welcome escape, contrasting against the Perth CBD and concrete jungle surroundings. Hadiqa's menu features taste sensations of Moroccan chicken, flank steak, lamb shawarma and all your favourite mezze dips. Hit up happy hour from 5 to 6pm between Wednesday and Saturday to enjoy $10 schooners, $10 house wines, $15 seasonal Spritzes and $15 Turkish Delight Martinis. For something a little different, you might even enjoy a visit from belly dancers and snake handlers.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor
  • Modern Australian
  • Fremantle

Located within the heritage-list Old Synagogue building in the heart of Fremantle is Mr Chapple. It’s a crafty bar with no-fuss grub and a rooftop terrace overlooking the renowned Freo café strip. The rooftop is a hive of activity and an awesome stop for a night of bar-hopping. For food, you can dig into salt and pepper squid, pork rillettes and a big loaf of sourdough with salted butter. Need something heartier? You can also tuck into double cheeseburgers, bangers and mash, or grilled sirloin steak. Gin and tonics rule the drinks menu, but you'll also find all the classic cocktails, along with Chapple specialties, including a Peanut and Tangerine Manhattan, and Mango and Earl Grey Sour. 

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor
Advertising

The Point Rooftop Bar and Restaurant

Let’s cut straight to the point. This waterfront bar and restaurant, located just moments from Perth’s CBD, is one of the best places to soak up views of the majestic Swan River and the Pacific Ocean. The stylish rooftop boasts beautiful open-air balconies perfect for soaking up the sun and sipping signature cocktails, including a Boozy Iced Tea, Spicy Margarita and Tropical Spritz. Weekends by the water’s edge are a glamorous affair, featuring DJs and local musicians. You can linger late into the night, fuelled by a simple menu of burgers and pizzas.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106089369/image.jpg
Melissa Woodley
Travel & News Editor, Time Out Australia
  • Modern Asian
  • East Fremantle

This East Fremantle-based garden bar boasts a charming menu of Asian-inspired share plates, great for a date night or evening with the gals. The rooftop dining experience will transport your senses to the heart of the East, with divine dishes including sticky eggplant, karaage chicken, fried gado gado and prawn laksa. Sweetheart's menu also features plenty of vegan, gluten-free, nut-free, onion and garlic-free options, so there’s sure to be something to suit all tastes and dietary requirements. The relaxed setting, groovy furnishings and trendy rooftop vibe will have you feeling like you’re on vacay. A word to the wicked: take advantage of happy hour with $12 cocktails, $8 beers and $10 glasses of wines from 5-6pm daily. 

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor
Advertising
  • Tapas bars
  • Perth Central

Fix your eyes on a horizon of sparkling city lights while perched on the 18th floor of the QT Perth. The hotel's dazzling rooftop bar is a picture-perfect sunset spot that goes wild on weekends, with gorgeous CBD views and stunning cocktails. You can admire the work of local artists and the vibrant tones of the West Australian landscape while loading up on fried mortadella sandos, suckling pig croquettes, Greek lamb pitas, and prawn and lobster rolls. More than ten Aussie beers are available on tap, with a long list of bubbles and wines, plus five funky cocktails. Our pick? The Sundown Sour with white rum, Campari, Liquor 43, fresh pineapple, almond syrup and lime.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor
  • Modern Australian
  • Subiaco

Perched atop the Vibe Hotel in Subiaco is the Storehouse, a vibey rooftop restaurant and bar where the incredible views over Perth aren’t the only incentive. Storehouse's menu showcases a repertoire of wholesome meals, created with regionally sourced produce. With pan-fried gnocchi, braised beef cheek, torched salmon belly and char siu cauliflower steak gracing the menu, you won’t be leaving the Storehouse with any extra room in your belly. Whether you’re down for casual after-work drinks or looking for a place to celebrate with a group, this glamorous space is perfect to eat, meet or relax.

Advertising
  • Fremantle

What could be better than 360-degree views in the heart of Fremantle? The beautifully restored National Hotel, oozes character and charm, with a rooftop garden possessing sights spanning over the port to Western Australia’s favourite island, RottnestThe building was originally built on the corner of High and Market Streets as a shop in 1868, and was then occupied by the National Bank in the early 1880s. When the bank relocated in 1886, the building became the beloved National Hotel. Downstairs you can enjoy pub grub and live music seven nights a week. Upstairs in the rooftop garden, you can sip on premium international and local beers, wines and spirits while taking in the 360-degree views.

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor
  • Film
  • Outdoor cinema
  • Northbridge

It may not be your traditional rooftop bar, but Perth's favourite open-air cinema has the people talking. Gather a group for a movie night at Perth's first rooftop theatre, boasting the best views in town. Perched in the heart of Perth's CBD, Rooftop Movies screens a killer line-up of films, with a burger bar, candy bar and drinks bar to complete your experience. Pro Tip: Be sure to book your tickets quickly, because sell-outs are common!

https://media.timeout.com/images/106150201/image.jpg
Alexandra Casey
Contributor
Recommended
    More on Summer
      You may also like
      You may also like
      Advertising