Setting The Bar High: The World’s Best Bars With A View

Cocktail culture has long been on the rise, so you may as well drink accordingly – quite literally. We craned our necks and squinted our eyes to find some of the world’s top bars on top of the world: at these spots, ranging from lush garden terraces to sleek indoor lounges, great views rival curated drink lists and stellar menus.

AER Lounge at the Four Seasons
Mumbai, India

Rise above the vim and vigour of India’s most populous city, and chill cloud level at this breathtaking bar. Astounding day or night, the view after sunset is a special brand of stunning, with city lights stretching toward the Arabian Sea; a glass-panelled enclosure on the terrace creates a floating effect. The clever cocktail menu channels the whims of the Mumbai heavens, with categories including Monsoon, Cumulus and Clear Skies. Sip on a Mumbai Yacht Club (lemon gin, strawberry vermouth, watermelon, galgal citrus and a local spice blend) for a real taste of the place.

Crystal Bar, Alvear Icon
Buenos Aires, Argentina

The Alvear Icon Hotel and Residences represents Buenos Aires’ contemporary design vibe in the heart of Puerto Madero, a buzzy cosmopolitan district on the banks of the Plata River. Head to the 32^nd storey for floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of the river and the city lights. The interior hits the mark with a combination of sleek and cosy seating throughout. Expertly crafted cocktails and fine wines accompany a Japanese-inspired menu infused with local flavours, as well as a specialty ceviche. Take advantage of the Coravin pouring system to sample high-end Argentinian wines by the glass, or sip on fruit- and flower-infused tonics and twists on classic drinks. Light-filled and airy but also completely enclosed, Crystal Bar is equally charming on a rainy day. 

The Court
Rome, Italy

What it lacks in vertical prowess, The Court more than makes up for with an up-close and personal view of the Colosseum in all its glory. A forerunner of Rome’s mixology scene, Matteo Zed wrote the book – an actual book – on amaro. Zed leads an astounding team of bartenders, whose creations meld science, artistry and style. Sip on their signature Formidible, which is built around Formidable Amaro, Cynar, lime and Sanpellegrino Rovere tonic water. The Court occupies a terrace of the Palazzo Manfredi, sandwiched between the Caelian and Oppio Hills. The panoramic vista includes the relics of the Ludus Magnus gymnasium where Rome’s fierce gladiators once trained, and a gob-stopping view of the Colosseum. You’ve got to see it to believe it.

Lui Bar
Melbourne, Australia

Take the lift to floor 55 of Melbourne’s Rialto Towers for unforgettable drinks and unbelievable vistas. Lui Bar offers a sophisticated and luxurious rooftop experience with stunning panoramic views of the city skyline and an endless blue stretch of Port Phillip Bay. You’ll feel like a ‘million dollar baby’ when sipping the thus-named cocktail, a luscious blend of vodka, strawberry, amazake, yuzu, vanilla and whey. The bar menu complements an ample selection of drinks, with homemade crisps, Wagyu beef ribs and a full caviar service.

Ozone Bar
Hong Kong, China

Ozone proclaims to be the highest rooftop bar in the world. At 118 floors, it certainly tops the charts for watering holes with unmissable views. Gaze out floor-to-ceiling windows at the spread of Victoria Harbour, Hong Kong Island and, of course, Hong Kong’s glittering skyline at dusk. The cocktail menu includes a full range of top-shelf spirits, international and Chinese wines, aperitifs and digestifs, and a creative mocktail selection. Bar snacks slant pan-Asian, but even lobster mac-and-cheese makes an appearance.

CloudBar
Chicago, USA

It can get a bit draughty on the 94th floor, but the Windy City’s CloudBar has you covered. 360 Chicago offers a full day of exploration inside the iconic John Hancock Center, with entry tickets including unobstructed 360-degree views of Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower), Navy Pier, Millennium Park and Chicago’s notorious shopping avenue, the Magnificent Mile. Interactive displays spotlight Chicago’s history of architecture, as well as its vibrant culture, while the TILT experience gives daring visitors the feeling of floating above the city. CloudBar is the cherry on top. Sip cocktails (or a much needed ginger ale) at sundown and watch the city extend far beyond the horizon.

Vertigo and Moon Bar, Banyan Tree
Bangkok, Thailand

As the name would suggest, you’ll feel like you’re floating in your own moon orbit at this chart-topping rooftop bar. Located on the 61st-floor of the iconic Banyan Tree hotel in central Bangkok, the bar offers dazzling views of the city below. Head there by sundown and try the aptly named Vertigo Sunset, a refreshing blend of pineapple, cranberry and lime juices, meant to emulate a dusky skyline, and topped with Malibu rum. A comprehensive cocktail list also includes mocktails and wine, but it’s hard to resist Unspoken Paradise, a punchy spritz infused with yuzu purée, orange and pomegranate.

Nubeluz
New York City, USA

A new entry at Nomad’s Ritz-Carlton, featuring star chef José Andrés, Nubeluz occupies the hotel’s 50th floor. A play on two Spanish words, nube (cloud) and luz (light), the sweeping views of New York City’s iconic skyline are served with delightful bites by Andrés’ and clever spins on classic cocktails and mocktails. As if the panoramas weren’t enough to revive a weary traveller, the Nubeluz classic Corpse Revier #2, made from Oxley gin, Lillet Blanc, triple sec, lime and an absinthe rinse, should do the trick.

[Photo credit: Björn Wallander]

Miralto
Mexico City, Mexico

Regularly touted as the best view in Mexico City, the bar at the Miralto restaurant delivers on the promise. Located on the 41st floor of the Torre Latinoamericana, one of the city’s most iconic skyscrapers, its stunning views are accompanied by some of the best of Mexican wines, alongside an array of curated international bottles. Cocktails follow the same cosmopolitan vibe, with an extensive tequila selection, high-end spirits and classic drinks. The food menu melds Mexican cuisine and tapas with internationally inspired pastas, soups, meat and seafood. Chances are, once you sit down, you won’t want to leave – at least until the sunset.

360 Bar
Budapest, Hungary

Immerse yourself in history with an ultra-modern vibe. Located in District V, this stylish bar provides – as the name suggests – a 360-degree perspective of Budapest’s top landmarks, including the Danube River and Buda Castle. The sleek and vibrant atmosphere indoors and strikingly chic outdoor terrace make it a popular spot all year round. Even on the chilliest of nights, you can admire the city’s iconic domes and nearby mountains from the comfort of a transparent igloo-like structure. Their extensive menu includes signature drinks inspired by local flavours and Hungarian ingredients.

The View Lounge
San Francisco, USA

It’s all in the name, and deservedly so, at this perennially popular bar. Situated atop the Marriot Marquis hotel on the 39th floor, massive vaulted windows offer breathtaking views of the skyline and distinctive landmarks, including the Golden Gate Bridge and the Transamerica Pyramid. Strap on your heels and don your chicest attire, as this bar is all about elegance, with a food and drink menu to match. Sip on elevated versions of classic cocktails, like the 10/89 Martini made with premium vodka or gin and infused with a dash of vinegar, black pepper and blue-cheese stuffed olives. Small plates, like Spanish octopus confit or seared wild scallops with Meyer lemon and beurre blanc, are a delight to behold as well as devour.

Café Lycabettus
Athens, Greece

Visitors to Athens are spoilt for choice when it comes to drinking and dining with a view. Rooftops like A for Athens and 360 Cocktail Bar in Monastiraki serve world-class drinks with jaw-dropping views of the illuminated Acropolis and swarming hotspot Monastiraki Square. Believe it or not, the view is even more spectacular from atop Lycabettus hill, Athens’ highest peak. At Café Lycabettus, you’ll find yourself above the clouds, staring down at the Acropolis, the Olympic Stadium and the city sprawl that reaches all the way to the sea. The 277-metre climb is absolutely worth it, but there’s also a cable car for tired legs.

Sky Pod Bar
London, England

Situated on the 35th floor of London’s characterful tower, also known as “Walkie-Talkie”, Sky Pod Bar is part of the city’s innovative high-altitude Sky Garden. Sit cloud level among flowering plants and so much greenery you might forget you’re sipping martinis in one the world’s busiest metropoles. Check out views of the London skyline, including iconic landmarks the Shard, the Gherkin and the winding River Thames. Hot tip: entry to the Sky Garden is free, however booking in advance is highly recommended.