Best Rooftop Bars in the World

Forget the views from the overpriced tourist traps, get yourself sky high and gaze down across the classic NYC skyline. One side shows off uptown and midtown's finest; the Empire State, Met Life, etc and the other side gives a lookout to Wall Street and One World Trade Centre, so park yourself in the middle and get the best of both worlds. Check the loos before you leave too.

BarChick have been hopping between rooftops to bring you the ultimate guide to where's hot up in the clouds, worldwide, all year round.

THE AMERICAS

Buenos Aires: Carnal

First impressions say American rock'n'roll bar: neon lights, hanging glasses and hell-for-leather party vibes; but the double whammy roof terrace is giving some Ibiza attitude and taking the party to the next level.

Coronel Niceto Vega 5511, 1414 Buenos Aires

It's hard to miss the elegant Hotel Fasano on the shore of Ipanema Beach, filled with the swankiest of Rio visitors, but you're gonna need to own it here because this place is guests only. Hit it up in your finest and walk past the girl on the door like you belong. The ground floor, Bar Londra, is your best bet if you're deemed not worthy for the roof.

Avenida Vieira Souto, 80 - Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro

Sao Paulo: Skye Bar

The bar nestling above the infamous arch-shaped Hotel Unique is the perfect place to drape yourself poolside and soak up the sights. If you're feeling confident/had one too many, strip to your bikini and hit it hard by the pool to the underwater sound system.

Hotel Unique, Av. Brg. Luis Antonio, 4700, Jd Paulista, Sao Paulo

New York: Standard

Forget the views from the overpriced tourist traps, get yourself sky high and gaze down across the classic NYC skyline. One side shows off uptown and midtown's finest; the Empire State, Met Life, etc and the other side gives a lookout to Wall Street and One World Trade Centre, so park yourself in the middle and get the best of both worlds. Check the loos before you leave too.

848 Washington St, New York, New York 10014

New York: Bar Hugo

With floor-to-ceiling windows, a wood decked terrace looking over the Hudson, cool art, great tunes, and cocktails by Brit Ben Scorah of Bill's Food and Drink, this duplex bar is ticking a lot of boxes. Toast the town with a Light and Breezy cocktail of Elyx Absolut Vodka, lime and ginger beer, or hit up the top floor for the boozy brunch on weekends.

525 Greenwich Street, New York, NY

Las Vegas: Inspire Theater

If the bright lights of Sin City is getting a bit much, this rooftop bar downtown will take you above and beyond the neon. With a banging view and impressive cocktails, this bar is a great spot to escape from the dizzying madness of the Vegas strip.

107 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101

Los Angeles: Ace Hotel

The new ACE Hotel in LA's Downtown took up residence in the 1920s golden oldie formerly known at the United Artists Theatre. It's perfect for laidback Moroccan garden style, great vibes and sky high sun worshiping. Arrive early to beat the queues and stay until close for the cocktails and DJs.

929 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90015

Miami: Area 31

Get yourself up to The Terrace Lounge and take a look at their adventurous menu of fresh and seasonal cocktails. Order up, take in the views of the Miami River and get your feet shuffling because this place buzzes come sunset.

270 Biscayne Blvd Way, Miami, Florida 33131

ASIA

Bangkok: Sky Bar

If you're gonna get high, you might as well do it properly. Sky Bar is the world's highest open air bar and with 63 storeys below you, the views are mega. It's also home to Thailand's new signature drink, Hangover-tinis - inspired by the movie, natch.

The Dome at Lebua, 63rd Floor, 1055/42 Silom Rd, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500, Thailand

Whether you're packing plastic or just splashing the cash, get yourself to Banyan Tree Hotel and head up to the 61st floor. The large, multi-tiered bar, bang in the centre of the room, gives you the perfect spot for people watching, but if no one tickles your fancy, there's always the panoramic views to fall back on.

21/100 South Sathon Road, Sathon, Bangkok

Tokyo: Two Rooms

High above Tokyo's fashion district, the elegant and stylish Two Rooms has a seriously impressive booze collection and is famed for its sublime brunch offerings. This one's great for an all-day look out.

5F AO Building, 3-11-7, Kita-Aoyama, Minato-Ku, Tokyo, Japan 107-0061

Singapore: Ku De Ta

Ku De Ta is the party home of some of Singapore's famous faces, all heading skywards for some mile high bottles and hedonism. Once the daytime tourist gangs have been ushered out, this is the place you wanna be, so leave the pocket map and binoculars at home and get involved.

SkyPark at Marina Bay Sands, Tower 3, 1 Bayfront Avenue, Singapore 018971

Hong Kong: Sugar

This moody little hideaway tucked up above East Hotel, is sexy, sophisticated and will sort you out with cocktails, tapas and some world class DJs. Sugar has it all, in just the right amounts.

32/F East, 29 Taikoo Shing Road, Island East, Hong Kong

MIDDLE EAST

Beirut: Sky Bar

Sky Bar is Beirut's original rooftop bar. Sure, its slick and chic clientele can be a little pretentious and uber trendy, but it's the views you're here for and the party. Anyway, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

Minet Al Hosn, Beirut, Lebanon

Dubai:40Kong

Your heart will skip a beat as you go up to the 40th floor in the H Hotel's glass elevator, so you're definitely gonna need to knock back a few Likke Li cocktails as you gaze over the epic Dubai skyline.

The H Dubai, 40th Floor, One Sheikh Zayed Rd, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

EUROPE

Big dog mixologist Diego Cabrera has opened a poolside terrace bar at the top of the NH hotel. It's bit of a local secret for now which adds to the charm, plus the cocktail menu is killer.

Avenida da Liberdade, 180 B. 1250-146, Lisbon, Portugal

Istanbul: 360

This spot is hard to find but well worth the adventure, and once the run down, stuttering lift hits the top floor, you'll see why. Like a pimped out warehouse with floor-to-ceiling windows, this seriously cool bar offers great cocktails shaken by award-winning mixologists.

Istiklal Caddesi 311, Misir Apartman floor 8, Beyoglu, Istanbul

You're already in Venice so you're half way to the romantic dream, now just ditch the gondola and head up to the rooftop of Guidecca Island's Hilton for a Spritz and the hottest sunset views in town.

Guidecca 810, 30133, Venice, Italy

Hanging above an Art Deco gallery, you can get your culture fix first before heading up for 360-degree views, sunbeds, cocktails and food. This one's open all year round too so you can get your Madrid skyline fix anytime.

Calle de Alcala, 42, 28014 Madrid

On top of the trendy 25Hours Hotel Bikini, this tiki hangout will have you drinking out of coconuts and swinging in hammocks for some sky high monkey business. If all else fails, the monkeys in the zoo below will keep you entertained.

25Hours Hotel Bikini Berlin, Budapest Straße 40, 10787 Berlin

Officially Europe's tallest bar, the 32nd floor of The Shard is where you'll find one of the best views of London, especially for the trainspotters amongst you. With mega babes on the door, leather-clad barmen with golden shakers and a badass collection of rums and ryes, this place is hot.

Level 32, The Shard, 31 St Thomas Street, London SE1 9RY

Athens: A for Athens

This place is well known for their banging brekkies and as a popular night-time haunt, but it's all about the minimal bar above the hotel boasting seriously impressive views across Acropolis, Plaka and Monastiraki Square.

2-4, Miaouli St, Monastiraki, Athens, Greece

Barcelona: Hotel Miramar

This renovated 1920s palace is tranquil and super luxe. It's just minutes from Barcelona's buzzing city centre, but when you're overlooking the rooftops sipping on cocktails and Champagne, you'll feel a million miles away.

Pl. Carlos Ibañez, 3, 08038, Barcelona

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