MELBOURNE’S BEST ACCESSIBLE ROOFTOP BARS
Look up! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s one of Melbourne’s iconic rooftop bars! Whether they’re on a rooftop or a terrace, these elevated outdoor spaces are great year round. And, they’re all wheelchair friendly too!
Fable Melbourne
Fable Melbourne’s story starts as soon as you arrive at the building. Accessible with drinks, food, and dazzling views, this place is no fairy tale. Entering the foyer of the building via automatic doors, a lift takes you to level 13. This all-seasons bar has a retractable roof and shade coverings that adjust as quickly as the elements. There’s a range of seating, including stools, chairs with arms and cosy booths. The accessible toilet on level 5 is reachable via lift.
Serving modern Mediterranean cuisine, the entire menu is gluten-free and can be modified for vegans. Fried calamari with ouzo-lemon mayo or lamb with fermented honey are just some of the food offerings. But it’s the cocktails that are the stuff of fantasy. Try the one with passionfruit liqueur and Prosecco; or a martini with orange bitters and olive brine. Accessible platform super stops are only a block away on Swanston Street.
Imperial Hotel
Beer in hand. Sport on the screen. Gentle breeze on your face. Imperial Hotel’s rooftop bar is the perfect spot to catch a game or catch up with mates. It’s great for a drink after work or a pre- or post-theatre snack too.
Entering via the wide doorway on Spring Street, a lift takes you to the third-floor rooftop. If you can look away from the incredible view of Parliament House you’ll see a mix of seating including stools and bench seats. There’s an undercover area with heating, and open-air spots have big umbrellas for sunny days. Accessible bathrooms are on the ground and rooftop levels.
Food is classic Aussie pub grub with a modern update, serving parmas, burgers, and a footy grazing board. Dietary requirements are catered for as well. There’s a massive range of beers on tap, lots of local wines, and classic cocktails. Open seven days a week from 12 noon, Parliament Station is metres away as are accessible platform super stops are on Bourke and Spring Streets.
Bomba Bar
The buildings surrounding Bomba provide a dramatic backdrop to its fifth-floor rooftop bar. Day or night, the sight is something to behold. Accessible via lift, this wheelchair-friendly space has a range of high and low seating and an accessible toilet on the ground floor. A retractable roof and drop-down windows make it ideal for all seasons.
Serving Spanish food, there are lots of tasty tapas to snack on. Try the cheesy croquettes, wild boar charcuterie, or grilled quail with roasted grapes. A selection of Spanish wines, beers and spirits, and carafes of sangria are also on the menu. And fruity cocktails feature orange gin, rhubarb liqueur, and peach. Open daily, DJs play tunes every Friday and Saturday from 6pm. The closest accessible platform super stop is on Bourke Street, and Parliament Station is not too far away.
Transit Bar
Hiding in plain sight only two floors up is Transit Rooftop Bar. This all-seasons spot is on the top level of the Transport Hotel in Fed Square overlooking the scenic Yarra River and Alexandra Gardens.
Arriving by lift, the indoor lounge has low leather couches and a bar that’s a good height for wheelchair users. Heading out to the terrace through wide barrier-free doors, there’s a mix of high and low seating and an undercover area. An accessible toilet is on the same level.
Try the signature cocktail with a house-made lemon myrtle and wattle seed tincture and gin. Or the twist on a classic martini with vodka and pineapple. Bar food includes chicken wings with caviar, a wagyu cheeseburger, or freshly shucked oysters. And for sweet tooths there are lemon meringue tarts or hot jam doughnuts. Flinders Street Station is just across the road and accessible platform super stops on St Kilda Road are close by too.
The Stolen Gem
Once you’ve unearthed the treasure that is The Stolen Gem, you’ll be going back again and again. Panoramic views, DJs every Saturday night, and accessible, it’s the perfect hidden Melbourne bar.
Arriving by lift, a ramp leads to the rooftop terrace with a picturesque outlook on the Bourke Street Mall. There are high stools and tables, and a little indoor room has a couch and armchairs. A retractable roof, scrolling windows, and a fireplace make this a perfect all-seasons spot.
Captivated by the stunning view? You can order food and drinks straight to your table via the QR code or head to the bar. For cocktails with a twist, try the Pavlova spritz, a classic margarita, or the ‘Venus Afterglow’ with gin, fairy floss, and gold flecks. Collaborating with South East Asian eatery Rice Paper Scissors, meals include Thai prawn rolls, mushroom dumplings, and crispy pork and prawn coconut cups. Accessible platform super stops are on Bourke and Elizabeth Streets.
Rooftop at QT
Elevate your drinking and dining experience at Rooftop at QT. Entering the all-seasons rooftop terrace via lift, you’ll get breathtaking views of Melbourne’s cityscape. There’s a great range of bar snacks, from burgers to pizza to bao, but it’s the cocktails that are its signature.
With nods to local streets and ingredients, The ‘Russell St. Sling’ is a citrus twist on the Singapore classic. And make sure you sample the cocktail with marmalade orange liqueur from the Mornington Peninsula.
There’s a mix of seating options and the low benches are an inclusive height for wheelchair users and their group. The spacious venue is easy to navigate and there are accessible toilets near the lift area. Getting there is easy with accessible platform super stops just around the corner on Bourke Street.
Her Rooftop
Meet Her, a wonderland of sophisticated drinks, modern food, art, and music. Housing four distinct venues within a heritage building, its crowning glory is Her Rooftop. Showcasing spectacular views of Melbourne’s cityscape, it has a fun, Euro garden party vibe.
Entering the building via the easy-to-traverse Drewery Lane, a glass lift takes you to the fourth floor. The playful feminine décor includes a mix of seating and retractable awnings. There’s room between tables but this popular spot gets crowded at times. You can get to the accessible and ambulant toilets one level down via lift or stairs with handrails.
Its cocktail-centric drinks list features classic and signature delights. Try the ‘Iced Vovo Milk Punch’ with homemade raspberry fruit wine and rum. And delicious food comes courtesy of in-house Thai BBQ canteen, BKK. Located on Lonsdale Street, Melbourne Central Station is nearby and accessible platform super stops are on Swanston Street.
Johnny’s Green Room
Away from the hustle and bustle of Lygon Street, but still part of the buzz, sits Johnny’s Green Room. Think Roman rooftop meets Melbourne understated cool.
Only two floors up, the views are still magnificent, with the cityscape gleaming in the distance over the Carlton rooftops.
Serving classic and house cocktails, there’s local and imported beer and spritz on tap; and bar food’s greatest hits from fried chicken to burgers and pizza. A lift or staircase with handrail takes you to the large terrace. There’s a range of seating including banquettes and chairs with arms. And tables are the ideal height for wheelchair users. An accessible toilet is on the same level. A retractable awning, umbrellas, fireplaces and heaters make it an all seasons spot.
A neon sign in the easily accessible King and Godfree Lane lights the way to the entrance. The closest accessible platform super stop is on Elgin Street or a couple of blocks away on Swanston Street.
Blossom Rooftop Bar
Rivalling the skyscrapers surrounding it, Blossom Rooftop Bar on level 14 of Pullman Melbourne on Swanston, is one of the city’s highest. Day or night, the extensive alfresco area that wraps around the building offers awe-inspiring views and respite from the city below. And it’s accessible too.
Entering the indoor bar area via lift, there’s a mix of seating and accessible and ambulant toilets. A small ramp leads you to the outdoor terrace with its high and low seating, and grass floor covering. Umbrellas in the summertime, heaters in winter, it’s the ideal spot year-round.
The Italian-inspired menu includes Moreton Bay bugs and woodfired pizza. Serving local beer Bells Beach Brewing on tap, there’s also a range of wines, spirits, and cocktails. Located in the heart of the city, accessible platform super stops are right outside on Swanston Street.
State of Grace Rooftop Bar
Date night, catching up with mates, or after work drinks, State of Grace is the perfect spot for it all. This unique function venue houses a restaurant and cellar bar, but it’s the rooftop bar that takes your drinking and dining experience to another level. With its quirky aesthetic, this lush urban oasis has dazzling city views and lots of space to move around.
Arriving at the ground floor King Street entrance, a platform lift or stairs with handrail takes you to the lift. The fifth level rooftop bar has high and low seating, an accessible toilet on the same level, and heating.
Graze on bar snacks like croquettes or fries. Or feast on a range of pizzas. It has cocktails, tap beers wines and everything in between. Located at the western end of the city, the closest accessible platform super stops are on Flinders Street.
The Q
Looking for a rooftop bar that’s sophisticated, with great food and drinks and extraordinary views? The Q, perched atop the Quincy Hotel Melbourne, is a rooftop bar like no other.
Signature cocktails have Melbourne-centric titles like the ‘Under the Clocks’ or ‘The Hook Turn’ with apple brandy and Vietnamese mint. Or indulge in South East Asian snacks including roast duck and pineapple rice cups, or honey lemongrass profiteroles for something sweet. Table service makes it easy to order.
Entering from Flinders Lane via a small set of stairs with handrail or a ramp through the hotel lobby, a lift takes you to the 28th floor. Upon arriving, the striking mesh ceiling feature draws you into the stylish space. There’s plush seating including banquettes and chairs with arms and low tables. The outdoor terrace has a retractable roof, heating, and a mix of seating. An accessible toilet is near the lifts. The nearest accessible platform super stops are on Flinders and Collins Streets.