Concrete Playground

In summer, Sydneysiders are addicted to being outdoors every minute they possibly can. This, of course, includes late-night (or mid-afternoon) drinking hours. There's something a little bit special sitting on a rooftop with a super refreshing cocktail or ice old beer in hand, a balmy breeze tickling the back of your neck, looking out at the twinkling harbour.

Sydney doesn't have a huge amount of rooftop bars, but the ones we do have are something to be glad about. If you're looking for somewhere to have a catch-up Christmas drink or release some tension post-work, try out one of these on for size.

1. Hunky Dory Social Club

Where: 215 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst

Ornate lanterns and a potted garden decorate one of Sydney’s best rooftops that you can drink on. Look down on the throngs of plebeians on Oxford Street with your expensive but delicious cocktail in hand.

2. The Glenmore Hotel

Where: 96 Cumberland Street, The Rocks

The grandpa of rooftop bars (not only because of its age - it’s 90 years old), this is one of Sydney’s most beautiful and iconcic bars in Sydney. It has a huge rooftop with a distractingly beautiful view of Syndey Harbour and the Opera House. Be a tourist and have a beer and a gawk at the view.

3. Corridor

Where: 153A King Street, Newtown

This is Newtown’s best kept secret. It’s a skinny bar with a fairly small wooden deck upstairs, but it’s so worth it for the cocktails, the live jazz (Tuesdays and Thursdays) and the unpretentious local crowd.

Read the full review here.

4. Strawberry Hills Hotel

Where: 453 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills

They’ve recently reopened after a major re-furb and if you were a local here before you won’t recognise it. Come here to escape the Surry Hills hipsters and eat an awesome vegetarian pizza and a cider on the large wooden deck. Old songs play on the TV screens will have you reminiscing if conversation dries out.

5. Darlo Bar

Where: 306 Liverpool Street, Sydney

The rooftop at Darlo has high walls but the quirky astro turf and pink flamingos make it more than bearable. Always an interesting mix of people here, and a stone’s throw away from Oxford Street if you want to party on.

Read the full review here.

6. Pyrmont Bridge Hotel

Where: 96 Union Street, Pyrmont

Just outside of the CBD in Darling Harbour, this bar is for those wanting to let off all the pent up stress from the year and have a very big one. It has live music, pool tables, a decent wine list and $8 steaks too. It’s open 24 hours - see if you can make it until sunrise.

7. Shore Club

Where: 36-38 Steyne, Manly

Possibly one of the most popular bars in Manly, prepare to be yelling across the bar to order your drink if you’re there on a Friday or Saturday night. The rooftop is named the Moet & Chandon Lounge, and the white and black striped booths and wooden floors do make it look posh, in a Manly kind of way. The cocktail list is full of summery drinks, you can’t get closer to the water than here, so wait until the hot weather truly sinks in and relax in the afternoon sun.

8. Sweeny's

Where: 236 Clarence Street, Sydney

This rooftop is a particularly pleasant surprise. On top of what looks like a very dingy, average city pub is a pretty decent sized tiled rooftop, high enough that you really feel you're up in the air. Huff your way up the stairs to emerge in the bright sun and reward yourself with a glass of champers.

9. Moncur Terrace

Where: 116 Queen Street, Woollahra

The upstairs, laid-back version of the well-known Bistro Moncur is a great place for a glass of wine after work (they have 29 by the glass). Remember, you’re in Woollahra so the pub food ain’t cheap, but if you like hanging out with good-looking people then this is your kind of place.

10. ZanziBar

Where: 323 King Street, Newtown

Last but definitely not the least loved, Zanzibar has fans all over Newtown and beyond. Boasting a pretty impressive space (unlike some of the other tiny decks where you'll inevitably be pretty much sitting on a stranger's lap if you want a spot). It look a little like a paved courtyard at the back of a suburban north shore terrace but hey, they serve cocktails and good snack food and on a balmy night it's the best place to be on all of King Street.