Here's our list of the best rooftop bars in Melbourne, featuring every roof top bar and pub in the city and its suburbs for inspiring outdoor drinking, dining, beer and cocktails.
Diving into the best rooftop bars in Melbourne reminds us that this city – both the CBD and all of its numerous inner suburbs – is truly spoilt for choice when it comes to roof top bars and pubs that serve cocktails, spirits and beers in some incredible surroundings with outstanding views across the skyline. No matter what you’re into, this city’s got a rooftop bar up your alley (it certainly has a lot up its alleys).
Given we’re all based in Melbourne, we firmly believe all our best bars and pubs lists are the most comprehensive of their kind. This collection breaks down the city’s venues on Swanston Street and Bourke Street including our picks for the 40 best rooftop bars, the best roof top bars in Brunswick, Richmond, St Kilda and more.
We’ve made lists over the years of the best Melbourne bars and pubs for every taste and whim, you can check a lot of them out in a master list of the best bars and pubs in Melbourne here. You can also check out our list of the best bars with outdoor dining here or beer gardens here. Otherwise, read on and check out our handy interactive map to all the venues we’ve listed here.
You can also check out our Melbourne directory here or Melbourne’s most comprehensive guides to the best bars and pubs in each suburb and street here.
The best rooftop bars in Melbourne CBD
The best bars and pubs in Melbourne’s CBD: Swanston Street and beyond
Fleet Rooftop Bar
Flinders Street’s tallest rooftop bar, Fleet, is set to open this April
Fleet Rooftop Bar is Melbourne’s newest rooftop destination set to redefine the city’s skyline. Melbourne’s skyline is about to get a whole lot more captivating with the imminent arrival of Fleet, the city’s tallest rooftop bar, opening its doors mid-April on Flinders Street.
Nestled 68 meters above ground atop Vibe Hotel Melbourne, Fleet promises a panoramic spectacle of the Yarra River and beyond, offering a modern retreat with a nod to Melbourne’s rich heritage.
Her Rooftop
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Address: 270 Lonsdale St
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Fancy share plates
Her Rooftop brings all the best elements of Melbourne into one little hotspot. There’s music, Bangkok inspired food, and a whole lot more. You can grab some mouth-watering Asian delicacies like Khao Soi Gai, Green Curry, and even a Duck Laab. Dive into the rest of the menu here.
Pomelo
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Address: Level 3/169 Melbourne Place
Vibe: Chill
Dedicated Menu: Drinks
It’s a new spot in the CBD, and they’re already one of the most popular waterholes in the state. They’re above the insanely popular Bouvardia bar, but Pomelo stands alone, they’ve got killer drinks, starting with their array of seltzers that are breathtakingly mouth-watering. Dive into more about Pomelo here.
Union Electric Bar + Rooftop Gin
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Address: 13 Heffernan Lane
Vibe: Modern
Dedicated Menu: Gin
Melbourne’s no stranger to getting niche with their spots, with Union Electric’s rooftop gin garden specialising in bringing customers some of the best in the field of liquor. To name a few, some of their gins on offer include the Lola, which has notes of coconut and ginger, the Botanica, which has notes of Apple, or the Dark Flip which has notes of cacao. Dive into all the gins they’ve got on offer here.
Siglo
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Address: 2/161 Spring St
Vibe: Modern Melbourne
Dedicated Menu: Drinks
Siglo is quickly becoming a staple for all the fans of rooftop bars in Melbourne because they’ve got killer service, and equally great drinks, so there’s nothing to lose here. It’s right near Melbourne’s theatre district, so it’s the ideal spot to grab a post-show drink. Dive into more on Siglo here.
Bombabar
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Address: 103 Lonsdale St
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Spanish
Bombabar is only a little spot – tiny in comparison to some of the other rooftop bars in Melbourne – but it’s got a massive personality you won’t forget. It’s walk-in only spot that has some regular DJs, so you can really get that Melbourne vibe. On the drinks side, Bomba’s got a heap of drinks ready for you, things like the Bomba Bellini, Sangrias, or even Collingwood’s very own Bodriggy beer.
Miscellania
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Address: 2/401 Swanston St
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Drinks
We looooove Miscellania. Just across the road from RMIT on Swanston Street (next door to a KFC) it’s totally unique on this list as it’s an intimate and often atmospheric nightclub indoors that exists to promote the best of Melbourne’s independent scene and promoters. The indoor club is on its second level and has its own mezzanine, but the highlight is on the third floor, where Miscellania has a really cosy upstairs outdoor rooftop courtyard. A rooftop bar area is obviously a fantastic and rare addition to any club, and this one comes with its own bar and fairly spartan furniture. You can head up there earlier in a night, get a bit tipsy, then go downstairs and really let loose.
Top Yard Rooftop
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Address: Geddes Lane
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Drinks
If nothing floats your boat in this list so far, look no further than the Top Yard. Their rooftop has an amazing full 360° view of stunning Melbourne. Check out more info on it, and book in a visit over on their website here.
Transit Rooftop Bar
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Address: Level 2, Transport Hotel
Vibe: Modern Melbourne
Dedicated Menu: Snacks
Located in the heart of Melbourne, this spot will give you a view that’s definitely worthy of the ‘gram. They’re also a live music mecca, featuring performances from artists like Tex Perkins and Jack Jones.
Emerald Peacock
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Address: 233 Lonsdale St
Vibe: Laid back
Dedicated Menu: Pizzas
The Emerald Peacock brings the best of fancy venues, but puts it in a great laid back venue, which sets in apart from other rooftop bars in Melbourne. They’ve got set music nights too, every Friday, you can catch some disco and funk, and every Saturday, there’s house, and commercial.
On the food front, there’s some bargain $18 pizzas, there’s everything from the eggplant and mushroom Hipster to the Peacock Classic with basil and mozzarella. Dive into the rest of the menu here.
Heroes
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Address: 188 Bourke St
Vibe: Karaoke
Dedicated Menu: Drinks
Heroes is half rooftop bar half karaoke bar. Just another one of Melbourne’s many spots where you don’t have to leave to enjoy a night out. It’s a great location for drinking year-round, with areas serviced by heaters, it remains ideal for these cooler months.
Campari House
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Address: 23-25 Hardware Lane
Vibe: Chill
Dedicated Menu: Pizza
Campari is the self-confessed “best Melbourne rooftop bar on Hardware Lane,” so it truly needs to be checked out. Situated in one of Melbourne’s most popular laneways, the rooftop gives a great view of our wonderful city sights. While you’re there, why not chow into a freshly made pizza?
Loop Roof
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Address: 3/23 Meyers Place
Vibe: Chill
Dedicated Menu: Finger foods and snacks
Okay, bit of a confession here. This may just be our favourite of all the rooftop bars in Melbourne, and on many occassions we’ve wished they’d hold more live music or DJ sets here. The Loop brings massive Melbourne vibes to the top level, bringing chill vibes into the nightlife. They support all the arts, their project space putting on displays from an array of local artists. On the grub side, you’ve got classic cocktails, fancy wines, and a heap of rare brews. Check out more info on Loop here.
Goldilocks Bar
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Address: 5/264 Swanston St
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Cocktail bar
Not too hot, not too cold, the Goldilocks bar is just right. They’ve got some of Melbourne’s best cocktails, even one called the Too Cold, which includes a Watermelon popsicle. On top of that, you can grab some fancy wines from some of Victoria’s best wine regions, and a whole heap more.
Imperial Hotel
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Address: 2-8 Bourke St
Vibe: Laid back / Pub
Dedicated Menu: Pub grub
If you want to grab a drink and enjoy the sunset in one of the oldest and most casual rooftop bars in Melbourne, Imperial Hotel is perfect for that sorta thing. There’s a heap of TV’s spread throughout, so it’s ideal to catch a footy match with a few mates. Their drinks menu features some great local and international brews, things from Balter, Boatrocker, and of course the pub favourite, Furphys.
Good Heavens Rooftop Bar
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Address: 2/79 Bourke St
Vibe: Laid back
Dedicated Menu: Cocktail bar and snacks
As the name suggests, this bar is like heaven on Earth. The laid back setup is ideal for killing a few hours over the weekend. Every Sunday, they’ve got a killer deal that’s worth checking out, you can grab a spritz between 12-4 for an easy $10!. Dive into more on Good Heavens over on their website here.
Cabinet Bar and Balcony
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Address: 11 Rainbow Alley
Vibe: Homely
Dedicated Menu: Tapas
In another top spot on this list of rooftop bars in Melbourne, just behind Little Collins St is where you’ll find the Cabinet Bar. It’s a chill and relaxed bar perfect for a date or catchup with friends. The little hole in the wall puts on some great service, and slings some mouth-watering drinks, like their original cocktails; like their Pamela Wendy with vanilla vodka, or their Loosey Lucy with St Germain gin.
Fable
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Address: 13/168 Lonsdale St
Vibe: Upper class
Dedicated Menu: Mediterranean
Fable is a fancy food-hole perched atop 13 levels on Lonsdale St, one of our highest rooftop bars in the city. It’s right in the heart of the CBD, 2 minutes from the State Library. While you’re here, you can grab some killer food, with a menu curated by popular Alex Xinis, there’s things like pork neck, beef tartare, and even taramasolata. Dive into the rest of the menu here.
QT
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Address: 11/133 Russell St
Vibe: Classy
Dedicated Menu: Snacks and pizza
This spot is like something you’d see in a tourism magazine. It’s a classy venue with an equally great menu. You’ll feel like you need to be chowing down on some caviar and truffles, but QT’s got some killer pizzas, snacks like oysters, calamari, and even burgers. QT’s perfectly situated atop of its namesake hotel on Russell St, giving an impeccable view of our stunning skyline. Definitely one of the best rooftop bars in Melbourne for foodies.
Young and Jacksons Rooftop Bar
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Address: 1 Swanston St
Vibe: Old school
Dedicated Menu: Drinks
The Young and Jackson group have some of the best bars across the region, focused on bringing their loyal customers some of the tastiest bevs around. Their rooftop bar on Swanston Street is in the perfect spot to enjoy the stunning Melbourne sights before your night out.
Palmz Rooftop Bar
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Address: 117 Swan St
Vibe: Jungle inspired
Dedicated Menu: Drinks
Located on the top of The Carlton Club, Palmz is a bar to unwind and immerse yourself in the palm trees. Heading here is like going on a safari, it’s jam packed with an interior full of palm trees and jungle vibes, making it a bit unique among the rooftop bars in Melbourne. You can dive into some cool cocktails here too, there’s the Wintervention with gin and lemon, or the Strawberry Negroni, which is bound to become your new favourite.
The Stolen Gem
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Address: 8/388 Bourke St
Vibe: Fancy
Dedicated Menu: Cocktail
The Stolen Gem gives a little bit of an NYC vibe to our CBD. For all us anxious orders out there too, The Stole Gem has a visual menu, where you can check out what you’re getting before you dive into it.
On top of all that, their cocktail list is pretty remarkable, they’ve got cocktails called Cinnamon and Brown Sugar Espresso, and even one called S’more Fashioned. Or if you’re wanting something a little more classic, the bartenders can make you a cocktail of your choice.
The Duke of Wellington
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Address: 146 Flinders St
Vibe: Modern Melbourne
Dedicated Menu: Finger food and pub grub
If you’ve ever dreamed of heading to a rooftop pub, the Duke of Wellington is for you. It’s in the Flinders St hub, a stone’s throw from ACMI or the station. It’s a classic choice if you’re looking for an easily accessible, welcoming venue to introduce you to the range of rooftop bars in Melbourne.
While you’re here, you can grab some mouth-watering cocktails like the old classic Aperol Spritzes and Cosmos, or you can even grab some non-alcoholic cocktails lie a Nogroni or Espresso Martino. This is just the tip of the iceberg, check out what else they’ve got here.
Madame Brussels
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Address: 59 Bourke St
Vibe: Straight out of a storybook
Dedicated Menu: Drinks and fancy finger food
If Alice In Wonderland was one of the rooftop bars in Melbourne, Madame Brussels would be it. Kitsch as all hell with pastel colours aplenty – in the best way possible. Essentially a garden party atop of the city, it’s a cosy joint perfect for sipping a G&T while feeling a bit fancy under their shady parasols. The view is one to die for, from the Bourke St rooftop, you can see the wonders that Melbourne has to offer, you’ll never want to leave.
Rooftop Bar
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Address: 7/252 Swanston Street
Vibe: Laid back
Dedicated Menu: Burgers
You didn’t think we were going to skip the very aptly titled Rooftop Bar, did you? It’s a classic for a reason. It’s been a staple of all our lives for a number of years, the top spot for a pre-show brew.With astro-turf, bevs, deckchairs and burgers slung from Burger Shack, What more could you ask for? Extra points for the consistently on-point music and selection of DJs.
To top it off, every weekday, (besides public holidays), they haven’t got happy hour, rather a killer golden hour, with bargain drinks galore, like a Furphy for $5.50, a Yuzu Americano for $10, or a Spicy Margarita for only $12!. Check out the rest of their menu here.
The best roof top bars in Richmond
The best pubs and bars in Richmond: Swan St, Church St and more
Corner Hotel
Address: 57 Swan St
Vibe: Music mecca
Dedicated Menu: Classic pub style grub
It can’t be a rooftop bar list without mentioning the legendary Corner Hotel. It’s transformed the nightlife of our city into a mecca of live music over the years. You can grab all your classic pub grub and drink classics.
Like all good spots out there, The Corner’s got some killer weekly specials, like Tuesdays with a Steak special, or even if you’re not a meat fan, you can grab a Wednesday eggplant Parma deal. Dive into all the specials they’ve got here.
Feast of Merit
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Address: 117 Swan St
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Middle Eastern inspired
One of Richmond’s better kept secrets, Feast of Merit have now opened a rooftop bar serving up some handcrafted Middle Eastern food complimented with locally sourced wine, beer and cocktails. There’s all the classics like Aperol Spritz’s and Bloody Marys, and some cool rare brews like the Bodriggy Tropical Sour. Check out all the other drinks they’ve got on offer here.
You can even book out the stunning space for your next party, or one of those many events you missed out on during lockdown. As we move into these cooler months, don’t fret, there’s a bunch of heating up there, making it the ideal spot year-round.
Harlow
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Address: 447 Church St
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Pub staples with trendy twists
Nestled away in the heart of Richmond, Harlow brings some great service to their many loyal customers. One quick peek at their menu unearths some pretty excellent eating options, there’s things like the old classic Chicken Parma, Chicken Schnitzel, or even the House Pie. Dive into the rest of their menu here.
Mt View Hotel
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Address: 60/70 Bridge Rd
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Pub grub
The Mt View Hotel is perfectly situated on Bridge Rd in Richmond for a great view of our wonderful city. There’s some killer drinks ready for you too, things like a passionfruit gin fizz, a spicy margherita or even a chocolate inspired old fashion. Dive into all things Mt View Hotel here.
St Kilda’s best rooftop bars
The best pubs and bars in St Kilda: Fitzroy Street, Acland Street and beyond
The Local Taphouse
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Address: 184 Carlisle St
Vibe: Chill fine dining
Dedicated Menu: Pub grub
The Local Taphouse brings the feeling of a classic country pub into the CBD, with killer service, great tasting food, and some amazing beers. They’re really dedicated to slinging some great beers with 20 taps that change daily. You can check out what’s on tap here.
The Espy
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Address: 11 The Esplanade
Vibe: Hipster and Chill
Dedicated Menu: Pub
A stone’s throw from St Kilda landmarks like the Palais and Luna Park, The Espy is a staple for all Melburnians, and they’ve got a killer little rooftop bar ready for you to enjoy. Their drinks list is something to marvel at, there’s a bunch of beers from great local breweries like Moondog and Stomping Ground. Dive into their jam-packed drinks menu here.
The best roof top pubs and bars in Carlton
The best bars and pubs in Carlton: Lygon St, Cardigan St and beyond
The Wolf’s Lair
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Address: Jimmy Watson Lane
Vibe: Sunday arvo
Dedicated Menu: Pizza
The Wolf’s Lair is an interesting spot that stands out from the pack, their outdoor area is like stepping into a magical garden. Their cushioned seats and spread-out tables means you can spend a few hours here without feeling like you’re hogging the space. The Wolf’s Lair has some great stuff on offer too, you can grab some mouth-watering pizzas, and a whole heap of amazing drinks! Dive into what they’ve got to offer here.
Johnny’s Green Room
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Address: Level 2/293-297 Lygon St
Vibe: Laid back
Dedicated Menu: Snacks and pizza
If you’re not a fan of the hustle and bustle, Johnny’s Green Room is a great spot for you. As we move into these cooler months, they’ll pump up their fireplaces, which sounds like a cosy way to spend the weekend. There’s something for everyone, with a menu that features fancy sounding pizzas with things like zucchini and mortadella, or even a drinks list that features some great non-alcoholic beverages.
The best rooftop bars in Collingwood
The best bars and pubs in Collingwood: Smith Street and beyond
Easey’s
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Address: 117 Swan St
Vibe: Tram
Dedicated Menu: Burgers
Easey’s isn’t your standard rooftop bar, it’s three trams situated on top of a building in Collingwood. It’s a pretty cool premium location that brings together hipster vibes with quality service.
Easey’s has some of the best burgers in the Melbourne region, there’s things from the classic cheeseburger to the Metropolitan Mayhem, which has a little bit of everything. Dive into the rest of the menu here.
Runner Up
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Address: 35 Johnston St
Vibe: Hipster
Dedicated Menu: Drinks
Collingwood’s Runner Up rooftop bar is one of the best spots in the city, it’s laid back, hip, and has some pretty great stuff on offer. Like all good spots out there, Runner Up’s menu isn’t jam-packed, rather committing on a few things that they ace, there’s things like Sauv Blanc’s, Proseccos, and they’ve even got a Bodriggy seltzer on tap.
The best rooftop bars in South Yarra
The Emerson Rooftop
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Address: 141 Commercial Road, South Yarra
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Modern pub grub
If you’re after a spot that is massively Melbourne, look no further than The Emerson. There’s drinks, food, and even some regular music nights that you can dive into here. You can chow down into some mouth-watering fare too, there’s things like cheeseburgers, chicken sandwiches, and even hot dogs. Check out their full menu here.
The Albion
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Address: 172 York St
Vibe: Sunday arvo
Dedicated Menu: Asian
The Albion is the perfect mix of fancy and chill, the event space having a little something for everyone. They’ve got a space ready for your engagement party, to a space that’s great for DJs, and everything in between.
Fitzroy’s best roof top bars and pubs
The best pubs and bars in Fitzroy: Brunswick St, Johnston St and more
Marquis of Lorne
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Address: 411 George St
Vibe: Trendy
Dedicated Menu: Fresh produce
Perfect for sinking a tinnie and downing a hearty serving of steak and chips, Marquis of Lorne is home to a very chill rooftop bar area sitting atop three other levels. The rooftop is one of the finest for lapping up the sun when the weather provides the goods, and their market-fresh oysters are second to none. It’s the ideal spot for a quick after work bev, or to bask in the Sunday arvo sun. Dive into all the stuff they’ve got on offer here.
Naked Upstairs
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Address: 285 Brunswick St
Vibe: Classic Melbourne
Dedicated Menu: Classic pub style grub
Atop Naked For Satan comes Naked Upstairs (formerly Naked in the Sky), a rooftop bar that offers a stunning view and some seriously tasty food. Floating above Fitzroy and offering an expansive vista of Brunswick Street, you can enter the rooftop area by walking into an old lift shaft inside the building.
Their fried cheese and walnut croquettes are well worth a try, as is their extensive selection of craft beer on tap. Their specials are something great too, every Sunday between 12pm and 3pm you grab a $10 Sprizer, every Monday through to Sunday from 4pm to 7pm, you can grab a $20 Sangria, or if you’re a little peckish, grab a $13 lunch!
Hawthorn’s best rooftop bars
Nineteenforty Rooftop Bar
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Address: 200 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East
Vibe: Classic Melbourne
Dedicated Menu: Cocktails
If you’re keen to have some pre-drinks before a night out, Nineteenforty Rooftop is the place for you, it’s got everything you need. They’re on top of Village Cinemas’ Rivoli in Camberwell, so you can catch a flick then head up for a brew or two. Some of the coolest movies to check out in the next little bit are The Bob’s Burgers Movie, Top Gun, or The Northman.
Lido on the Roof
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Address: 675 Glenferrie Road
Vibe: Cinema
Dedicated Menu: Drinks only + candy bar snacks
Now for a bit of a venture outside of the city circle and into the suburbs before we round out this list of the best rooftop bars in Melbourne, we’re heading to a spot that isn’t technically bar, but a ripper cinema that has a cool section where you can grab a beer or two.
Lido on the Roof is one Melbourne’s few popular rooftop cinemas, putting on classics, new stuff, and many special events that you can check out here. It’s not too exxy either, you can grab a ticket to this cinema for only $25, which is dirt cheap compared to half the other cinemas out there.
Ringwood’s best rooftop venues
Suburban Dining and Rooftop
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Address: Tenancy R10, Town Square Eastland
Vibe: Family friendly
Dedicated Menu: Pizza
If you’re not keen to venture into the city, look no further than Suburban Dining and Rooftop, an awesome outer city spot that you need to head to. Located on a rooftop within Eastland, you can grab some pretty cool stuff at this spot, there’s pizzas, nibbles, and of course some cocktails that you’ll never forget about. We also recommend checking out our list of Melbourne’s best hidden bars here.
Find out more about the best bars with outdoor dining here or beer gardens here.
