Up in the air: 11 of Sydney's best rooftop bar

Go for the views; stay back for the cocktails.

The Glenmore: The original Glenmore Hotel - dating back to the 1840s - was located on the other side of Cumberland Street and had to be demolished and rebuilt at its current location in 1921 to clear the route for the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

That's just one reason to love this Sydney institution. Sweeping harbour views, complete with the Sydney Opera House, is another. And don't get us started on its historical flourishes - from original fireplaces and Juliet balconies, this characterful gem has it all. theglenmore.com.au

Henry Deane: Here's another gorgeous haunt replete with history. Dating back to 1915, Palisade Hotel was one of the tallest buildings in the city when it was first built. Exactly 100 years later - in mid 2015 - it relaunched after a significant refurb, with a pub on the ground floor, eight stunning guest rooms (yes, you can stay here, too) on the second and third floors, a cocktail lounge on the fourth floor and - the ultimate jewel in its crown - the Henry Deane rooftop bar on the top floor.

Inside, the fitout is contemporary, with floor-to-ceiling windows, sheer curtains and comfy couches that bring to mind Palm Springs-style elegance. And outside, the views take the cake - all the way from Darling Harbour in one direction to the Harbour Bridge in the other. hotelpalisade.com.au

Smoke Bar: Located on the second floor of celebrity chef Matt Moran's Barangaroo House, which is also home to House Bar on the ground floor and Japanese-inspired restaurant and vinyl bar Rekodo on the first floor, Smoke Bar offers sweeping Darling Harbour vistas and is one of the best spots in the city to toast sunset.

And the food and drinks menu is just as impressive. Go for the honey-soy pork belly skewers with whisky glaze; stay back for one of the refreshing cocktails. Charlie's Angel with gin, Aperol and citrus, perhaps, or Dorothy with Campari, vermouth, blood orange and strawberry. barangaroohouse.com.au

Bar 83: If you don't want to take any chances with the weather, make your way to the 83rd floor of Sydney Tower, where you'll find Bar 83 with 260-degree views of the Harbour City and The Jetsons-inspired interiors - think glossy white floors with striking red carpets, and equally dramatic red and bright-yellow couches.

The beverage menu is extensive and so are the food offerings, but if you're in the mood for a proper meal, two revolving restaurants (fine-diner Infinity on level 81 and casual eatery SkyFeast on level 82) are located in the same high-rise. bar83sydneytower.com.au

Aster Bar: There are good views and then there's this - the biggest stars of Sydney Harbour packed in one single wide-angle frame. Located on InterContinental Sydney's 32nd floor, Aster offers uninterrupted vistas of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and Royal Botanic Garden.

The space was once the hotel's - rather underutilised - club lounge. Turning it into a bar accessible to not only high-paying guests but to anyone who's not staying at the hotel was the best decision the property made a few years ago. Sydney's New Year's Eve fireworks and Vivid light displays are something else from this vantage point. sydney.intercontinental.com

Babylon Rooftop: Sometimes it's not about the view. It's about the vibe - when you want to feel like you're in the middle of one of the world's most happening metropolises.

That's where this CBD haunt comes in. Located in the heart of the Pitt Street Mall, surrounded by high-rises, Babylon is reminiscent of New York City bars, with an exhaustive menu of beers, wines, cocktails and spirits, and food offerings that range from classic (crispy chicken wings, anyone?) to cool (think Murray cod skewers). babylonrooftop.com.au

Jacksons on George: Under the keen eye of restauranter Maurice Terzini, a Sydney stalwart has been reinvented. A happening pub occupies the ground floor and a flash French bistro has taken over the second storey. But it's on the top floor where the real action lies, with a cutting-edge cocktail list and a food menu replete with Terzini touches - from crumbed prawn rolls to pork belly skewers. jacksonsongeorge.com.au

FOUR MORE

The Sydney CBD doesn't have a monopoly on rooftops bars. Some of the city's top coastal spots have their own local stars, too. Here are a few to check out.

1. Watsons Bay Boutique Hotel: The Sydney skyline spreads its fins like a giant mythycal manta ray when seen from this local institution, which also boasts excellent onsite eateries and dozens of rooms, apartments and loft-style suites. Because an evening is not enough time to experience everything Watsons Bay has to offer - from creamy beaches and breathtaking lookouts to heart-racing hikes.

2. Coogee Pavilion: This bar is in a league of its own - not only for the views and drinks, but for excellent people watching, too.

3. Manly Greenhouse: There's no dearth of excellent dining and drinking dens in one of the world's most famous beachside neighbourhoods, but this three-in-one haunt wins our vote as the best. Drop into the ground-floor eatery for a casual bite any time of the day, or book a table at the first-floor restaurant for a gourmet lunch or dinner. Or - better still - nab a spot at the rooftop bar after 4pm for boundary-pushing cocktails and Manly views to match.

4. Icebergs Dining Room and Bar: This isn't excatly a rooftop bar, but there's a balcony, perched high above one of Australia's most stunning ocean pools, set against the backdrop of the legendary Bondi beach. Spots are limited, so go there early to grab one.

Pictures: DNSW