Until you’ve experienced city from above, have you really seen it at all?
When I go to a new city, I have one rule: hit up a rooftop bar or restaurant and take in the sights from above.
The ground offers a different experience. While exciting and a great way to take in your surroundings up close, it can be overwhelming to navigate which direction Google Maps is telling you to go that details can go amiss.
A bird’s eye view, however, is incredibly revealing. From great heights, you can absorb the buzz of the city and observe interactions between people – commuters, traffic and people around you and on other rooftops.
So whatever you’re feeling, a lively night out, a high end cocktail, or just a relaxing place to down a drink, these rooftop bars and restaurants to get to truly get to know a city.
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SKYLOUNGE, AMSTERDAM
A firm favourite among tourists and locals alike, SkyLounge is the place to admire the beauty of Amsterdam’s elaborate canal system and narrow houses. Located atop of DoubleTree by Hilton, their New Year Eve event is set to be a decadent affair you don’t want to miss, judging from the dress code of ‘Touch of Gold, Glitter & Glamour’.
DOUBLE SIX SEMINYAK, BALI
Bali is known for two things: raging parties and luxurious resorts – both of which are set against a white-sand backdrop. If the latter is more your vibe, then make your way to the Rooftop Sunset Bar at Double Six Seminyak. With floating lounge pods, out-of-this-world views of the Indian Ocean and tropical deep house DJ sets, we can’t think of a better way to ring in the new year.
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PLAZA HOTEL LUCCHESI, FLORENCE
There’s nothing like the terracotta rooftops of Tuscany. So if you want to take it in while sipping Negronis rather than trying not to fall down the staircase of the Duomo as you peer out the windows, then take yourself to the Empireo at the Plaza Hotel Lucchesi. A rooftop pool awaits, so make sure you pack your cozzie for fabulous day under the Tuscan sun.
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OCTAVE ROOFTOP BAR, BANGKOK
While Bangkok knows no leaps and bounds when it comes to rooftop bars, Octave Rooftop by the Marriott should be on your radar for a few reasons. It’s buzzy Sukhumvit location is a hotspot among the expat crowd. It’s offer of a 360-degree view of the city, combined with free-flowing drinks and treats at their New Year’s Eve party make it worth the flight to Bangkok.
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HIGH NOTE SKYBAR AT ARIA HOTEL, BUDAPEST
Budapest is a magical city and Aria Hotel is one of the gorgeous buildings that make the Hungarian capital’s architecture so rich and diverse. Its High Note Skybar rooftop is a rarity that’s open to enjoy all year-round so you know they’ll put on a show to welcome in 2019.
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LA DOLCE VITAE MAJESTIC, BARCELONA
The rooftop bar at this 5-star hotel is what you’d expect from somewhere named The Majestic. Forget about views of the Barcelona city – although it offers them by the bucketload – high rollers come here to take in vista of the Mediterranean Sea. This year’s New Year’s bash includes a nine-course set menu filled with delicacies like foie gras and truffle, topped with Dom Perignon. While €550 may be a bit steep, you can always save your piggy bank for next year’s festivities.
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LEVEL 43 SKY LOUNGE, DUBAI
Nowhere else screams opulence like Dubai and the Level 43 Sky Lounge surpasses all expectations. Iconic skyscrapers, monuments and the Jumeirah coastline glisten from this terrace bar – and you can be sure they’ll amp up glitz even more to say goodbye to 2018.
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