The Best Rooftop Bars in Adelaide, Australia

Perched eight stories above the corner of King William St and North Terrace atop a historic inner-city building, 2KW has cemented its reputation as one of Adelaide’s premier rooftop bars since opening in 2015. Make sure you dress up to fit in with the well-heeled corporate crowd, who flock to 2KW for the panoramic views as well as the sophisticated contemporary cuisine plus upscale beer, wine and cocktails in the Loggia Bar and alfresco Terrace Bar.

Tucked away off Hindley St in the West End of Adelaide, the Crippen Place complex is a smorgasbord of watering holes: pumping underground nightclub Electric Circus, Asian-themed bar Mr Kim’s on the first level, rocking live music venue Rocket Bar above that, then a rooftop bar to top it all off. The vibe on the terrace is more chill than those other levels, with friendly table service delivering food and drink to the leafy outdoor space.

Proof was awarded Adelaide’s first small venue licence in 2013, and this trendy laneway venue has lived up to the hype surrounding its much-anticipated opening. Grab a seat at the cosy bar to sample the impressive wine and cocktail list, or tuck into the gourmet menu by press* on the breezy outdoor terrace.

Don’t let the opulent surroundings of the Mayfair Hotel distract you on your way up to this chic outdoor terrace smack bang in the centre of Adelaide. Named after the building’s architect, Hennessy serves an inventive cocktail menu, including their signature drink the Honey Trap — a caipiroska made with Belvedere vodka, lime, ginger and honey collected from bees kept on the Mayfair Hotel’s rooftop — as well as raspberry vodka and piña colada alcoholic popsicles.

The Gallery on Waymouth was one of Adelaide’s few rooftop venues when it opened in 2013, and it has remained popular five years later, with a trendy crowd regularly filling this charming multi-storey venue. A modern pub grub menu complements the stylish rooftop space overlooking this bustling inner-city strip.

Massive renovations gave the classic Boho Bar a serious facelift in 2015, providing the southern fringe of the city a modern new rooftop watering hole. The Unley is a lively pub with breezy first-floor balconies as well as an airy, open rooftop bar brimming with lush plants and twinkly lights — the ideal spot to enjoy a drink with lunch or dinner as well as a big side serving of city views.

Why do they call this place the Cathedral Hotel? Just have a quick peek at the rooftop. This historic Victorian-era pub is situated in the shadow of St Peter’s Cathedral just across the park from the iconic Adelaide Oval, and the rooftop beer garden makes the most of those elegant surroundings. This bar has been pouring pints since 1860 and recent renovations have delicately restored its original features, retaining its unique heritage charm.