Bangkok
Sky Bar at Lebua at State Tower, Bangkok
With a glowing bar that changes color like a Hypercolor T-shirt and a bang-up view of Bangkok, Sky Bar at Lebua at State Tower takes bird’s-eye beverages to new heights. Standing 820 feet above street level on the 63rd floor, the always busy perch made famous by The Hangover Part II movie is well worth the cost of its US$17 drinks. Since you’ll be consuming at cloud level, dress up for the occasion—lebua at State Tower is vigilant about its dress code—but don’t spend too much time on your hair because imbibing at one of the tallest bars in the world means the windblown look is where it’s at.
Sydney
Shangri-La Hotel, Sydney
Perfectly positioned for view-finding over Darling Harbour, Blu Bar on 36—the floor, that is—in the
Shangri-La Hotel Sydney, is “the” destination for lofty libations. Low-lit in cool hues to highlight the bright lights below, the posh perch’s floor-to-ceiling observation windows ensure not one of Sydney’s famed sights goes unnoticed. Pull up a bar stool at dusk to toast your trip while the sun swathes Sydney in the day’s most radiant light.
Bali
Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort, Bali
Bali’s bar-with-a-view game is straight up, thanks to thirsty tourists who storm the island’s sugary shores year-round. For a no-fuss approach to imbibing, don your bathing suit, find a spot under the umbrellas lining Seminyak Beach, and order a Bintang brew. A casual beer on the beach is perfect during the day, but nightfall calls for a classy cocktail at MoonLite Kitchen and Bar at
Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort, where standing with a sweet-and-spicy Thai toddy over the Indian Ocean will make every future sip pale in comparison.
Vancouver
Rosewood Hotel Georgia, Vancouver
The basic assumption with rooftop bars is you’ll be up high looking down. Reflections in the
Rosewood Hotel Georgia flips this notion on its head. Nestled into a lantern-lit and teak-furnished courtyard on the fourth floor, Reflections has you look up at the cityscape. If the notion of “Canada” and “outdoor bar” have you confused, know this: Vancouver is one of the mildest cities in the northern country, and an army of heaters plus a central fire pit ensure the only thing that’s cool is the drinks.
New York
The Skylark, New York
During the summer months, New York boasts a bevy of rooftop bars, but come winter, many close shop. Not
The Skylark. Complete with a multi-level design blending a heated patio and an indoor bar fit for Don Draper, this midtown drinkery is a must for the mixology alone. (We’re looking at you, Pisco Yuzu Aperitif, with your transcontinental mix of pisco, lillet, and yuzu juice.) Add in an ultra New York view of the Empire State Building as well as a savory mac-and-cheese cupcake, and your rooftop experience just got a lift.
Las Vegas
High Roller, Las Vegas
Sin City is taking highballs to new heights. Enter the
High Roller, the world’s tallest observation wheel with a Vegas twist: You can sip while you sightsee 550 feet above the Strip. Plan ahead and buy a “Happy Half Hour” ticket, and it’s all you can drink during the glass-enclosed capsule’s 30-minute revolution.
Los Angeles
Ace Hotel, Downtown Los Angeles
For a celestial view of the City of Angels, head “Upstairs,” the cheeky name of the bar in the
Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles. Hanging at the top of a 1927-built tower, the hot spot’s Hollywood-heyday cocktail list hints at its history, while the indoor-outdoor space is a study in the latest urban design trends: concrete floors, wood-slab tables, and white leather chairs. For an ever-changing vibe, check out the nightly reel of events ranging from pop-up shops to local bands.
At sea
Disney Dream, Disney Cruise Lines
Ahoy! What about a rooftop bar at sea? Perched on deck 13 of
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Dream, the aptly named Currents is where the crow’s nest and cocktails come together in breezy bliss. Positioned above the misted adult pool, the sexy 10-seat bar hugs the ship’s contours and offers a sleek peek of the Caribbean Sea.
