9 rooftop bars that are basically front-row seats to Vivid

Beat the crowds and watch the city light up at one of these sky-high venues.

Vivid Sydney is once again illuminating the city, and this year’s lineup promises dazzling displays. But if you prefer to view the action away from the crowds, your best bet is to head to one of Sydney’s fabulous rooftop bars. You can be as sky-high and lit as you like when you’re sipping a Negroni and surveying the neon night. Here are 10 of the best rooftop bars to view Vivid 2025.

1. Aster, InterContinental Sydney

a couple watching the lights of Vivid Sydney at Aster, InterContinental Sydney — Watch the dancing lights of Vivid Sydney atop the InterContinental Sydney.

Aster is on level 32 of the InterContinental Sydney hotel and is one of the best rooftop bars in Australia for winter drinks. The view from Aster is giving ‘Ken Done limited edition’ with views over the twinkly Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House and Royal Botanic Gardens. The Dreamscapes at Aster experience invites guests to watch the lights of Vivid Sydney dancing from on high. For just $169 per person, kick off with a themed cocktail and canapé on arrival then settle in for a share-style starter and main complemented by two perfectly paired glasses of wine. Up the ante with a Vivid Sydney Staycation offer of $469 per room, per night which includes overnight accommodation, a themed Vivid cocktail bar at Treasury Bar and a curated goodie bag and breakfast for two.

2. Blu Bar on 36

views of Vivid Sydney as seen from Blu Bar on 36 — Soak up the city lights from the 36th floor of the Shangri-la Sydney.

The Vivid theme for 2025 is ‘Dream’. And the Shangri-la Sydney has taken that concept and run with it with a dreamy bespoke menu dedicated to this night of nights and lights. Ask the waiters to shake you up a Lucid Projection cocktail ($26) that will see your night get off to an impeccable start while surveying the horizon and views over Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge. Sip on the cocktail, which is a mix of gin, peach liqueur and blue curaçao syrup, while surveying the horizon from the 36th floor of the hotel. Order the Vivid Platter ($99) which includes East 33 Sydney rock oysters from Merimbula, tuna sashimi with pickled ginger and shoyu, WA Shark Bay scampi caviar and meltingly tender Wagyu MB8+.

3. Paramount House

Paramount House is prone to fits of fancy and what better excuse to loosen the necktie than at Vivid Sydney 2025. The Surry Hills hotel is one of many inspired spots along the Hollywood Dreaming Gig Trail. You’ll do well to head to Paramount House to watch Wall Life with Sonny Day interactive art, design and music experience. The celebrated artist is known for his large scale murals and posters and is inviting punters aged between 10 and 18 to a workshop to design their very own alternative tour poster. It’s all about art, pizza and prizes at the Paramount House, one of the best venues to enjoy the festival.

4. Bar 83 at Sydney Tower

red velvet chairs and white Tulip tables at Bar 83, Sydney Tower — Bar 83 is all red velvet chairs and white Tulip tables.

Change out of your footie mum uniform and frock up for a night spent well at Sydney’s highest bar. The climax will build as you climb 83 floors (245 metres) above street level in the capsule lift that will shoot you to the top of the iconic Sydney Tower. The vibe at Bar 83 is all red velvet chairs and white Tulip tables, brushed gold and white curving archways. It’s like something out of a science fiction movie. While Infinity restaurant and the more low-key Skyfeast below both revolve, Bar 83 does not. It’s your head that will be doing the swivelling while enjoying panoramic views of the city lit up below over cocktails and bar bites from sister venue Infinity.

5. Smoke Bar, Barangaroo House

Enjoy watching the quivering rivers of light from above at Smoke at Barangaroo House , which has one of the best vantage points overlooking Vivid. The Level 2 rooftop bar looks out over the Vivid lightwalk, one of the highlights of the 2025 program. The whimsical building is right on brand for this year’s Dream theme. The bright sparks in the kitchen have curated a zero-waste menu which includes cocktails such as the Sunset ($23) and Hummingbird ($23) and snacks of the highest order – Pacific oysters ($7.50 each) and duck spring rolls ($16).

6. Hacienda

the dining at Hacienda with harbour views — Revel in incredible harbour views at Hacienda. (Image: Steven Woodburn)

Most Sydneysiders don’t have access to harbour views. So embrace the occasion and head to Hacienda . You’ll find yourself at an enviable vantage point as the city lights up with Dream Hour designed to run throughout Vivid Sydney 2025 from 4-6pm. It’s the perfect prelude to a night spent enjoying Sydney in the limelight. Drinking margaritas is fun. And the mixologists at Hacienda have dreamt up a Dream Hour that includes a Margarita your Way for $15. There are also vibrant dishes that are on-brand for Vivid Sydney such as oysters with blood plum, lobster and prawn empanadas with a hit of Fancy Hank’s hot sauce.

7. The Rook

the cocktail selection at The Rook, Sydney — Kick off with next-level cocktails at The Rook.

Start your Vivid Sydney 2025 adventure at Vivid Liftoff at The Rook, a hidden rooftop nook in the heart of the CBD because you’re cultured dang it. The Rook takes Vivid views to the next level with its Rooftop Cocktails, Bites & City Lights, where it offers an enviable selection of iridescent cocktails such as the Lunar Lagoon, Starlight Spritz and Firefly Glow. The Rook does not have Vivid views, per se, it’s in perfect proximity to the action. And it’s akin to sitting in your own Vivid installation with twinkling strings of lights. The drinks are also next-level. Dial it back by inhaling a few southern-style buffalo chicken wings with blue-cheese mayo ($15 each) while the resident DJ is spinning tracks.

8. Untied

hands holding cocktail glasses on pink background — Get together with the girls for a shimmering night out. (Image: One Cut Studios)

You don’t need to be tethered to roaming the streets every night during Vivid Sydney 2025 . Some of us are just as happy to get our glow on at a rooftop bar such as Untied, which shifts the needle during the annual Light, Music, Ideas & Food festival with its whimsical twist on Champagne. Choose your flavour: Blue Raspberry, Green Sour Apple, Pink Watermelon or Purple Berry Crunch and watch your drink shimmer against the neon night. Sip, sparkle and shine at Vivid Sydney for the Bubbles & Fairy Floss fun available May 23 to June 14.

9. Bungalow 8

a DJ sets the party mood at Bungalow 8, Sydney — Get the party started with pumping disco music at Bungalow 8.

There are new bars popping up all over the city but this sprawling venue is one of the best as it transitions from having some of the most fabulous sunset views in Sydney into a beacon for the party hearty as the night falls.  Bungalow 8 has a balcony boasting views of Darling Harbour and is one of the best places to party before or after Vivid during its Neon Nights & Pop-Up Bites at Bungalow 8 every Saturday. Expect an explosion of colour at the bar every Saturday night with its roster of DJs, glow-in-the-dark cocktails, trippy neon tunnels, free face painting and all the main-character energy you can handle. Dress as your favourite avatar and hold court making shapes with your glow stick. It’s your time to shine!

Warmer days call for slowing down and relaxing in nature. Discover why The Tweed is the ultimate destination to do just that.

As the end of the year draws near, the need for rest and restoration grows ever more prominent. For many, that means heading into nature – and there’s plenty of science to back up the benefits of doing so. It quite literally makes us happier as it reduces stress hormones, lowers our blood pressure and more. And what better place to lean into this feel-good effect than during summer in The Tweed (in the Northern Rivers region of NSW)? Blending sparkling beaches, riverside towns and hinterland villages, this area has nature covered, while also offering top activities and dining options.

And of course, pack your SPF. We Are Feel Good Inc’s Ultra-Light Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50 is a lightweight and fast-absorbing formula that keeps your skin hydrated and shielded, thanks to nourishing Coconut Oil and Vitamin E. But it’s also helping preserve the natural beauty around you on your Tweed vacation, thanks to 30 per cent ocean waste packaging.

Discover eight experiences that make The Tweed the perfect place for summer.

1. Underwater worlds

two people swimming after turtle on the tweed — Get a chance to swim with the locals.

There’s something about the ocean that calls to us as humans, and what’s below the surface is even more magical.

Green, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles (not to mention an abundance of other marine life) all use the protected waters around Cook Island, near Fingal Head, as their foraging ground, making it the perfect place to dive and snorkel to spot these adorable creatures.

Join Cooly Eco Adventures on a guided snorkelling tour that combines unforgettable turtle encounters with an inspiring look into marine conservation.

2. Farm-to-table dining

table spread at Potager restaurant — Treat your taste buds at Potager. (Image: Cara Sophie)

Respecting the land and nature also means appreciating its abundance of food. From farm-to-table cafes and boutique breweries to river cruises and restaurants championing local produce, dining around The Tweed often means engaging with the best local producers.

The award-winning Potager Restaurant , part of The Hinterland Collection , is the perfect example; beginning life as a kitchen garden, the passion to champion local producers is woven into every dish. Vegetables, fruit and herbs are picked from the garden or sourced from other local producers, the seafood comes from the Northern Rivers, and meat is sourced from ethical local producers. Even the cocktail list features local distillers.

Extend your stay with a night (or several) at boutique on-site accommodation, Potager House . This French-inspired country four-bedroom retreat boasts stunning views of the surrounding hills and nearby ocean, as well as a large pool, outdoor entertaining area and infrared sauna.

3. Water wellness

Waterguru Mindfulness in the Mangroves summer on the tweed — Find mindfulness in mangroves. (Image: Matt Johnson)

You’ll find mindfulness while floating around the mangroves of Kingscliff’s Cudgen Creek at any time, but Watersports Guru offers an immersive experience to help guests do so with more intent. Join a 90-minute guided session on a stand-up paddleboard to reconnect with nature and relax through breathwork, gentle movement and sensory awareness.

If you’re feeling more adventurous, Watersports Guru also offer Kayak fishing adventures or join a Sea Turtle Odyssey experience.

4. Restorative seaside stays

woman relaxing in spa at Halcyon Wellness, halcyon house — Unwind at Halcyon Wellness.

The Tweed encourages locals and visitors alike to slow down. To really indulge, a seaside stay is a must. Halcyon House has understood the assignment, blending a wellness philosophy centred on balance and self-discovery with luxurious surrounds. Stay in one of 22 rooms and suites (each individually designed by eclectic interior designer Anna Spiro) right on the beachfront. Book restorative treatments at the onsite spa, Halcyon Wellness, relax by the pool, dine at the hatted Paper Daisy restaurant and just let The Tweed work its magic.

While Blue Water Motel offers a relaxed coastal escape, just steps from Kingscliff Beach. Settle in stylish rooms, recently restyled by Jason Grant, nodding to the cool of Kingscliff with a fun retro vibe. Hire a bike from reception to explore the surrounding area.

5. Tasty drops

The owners at Husk Farm Distillery aren’t just about creating high-quality rum: they’re also farmers themselves. In fact, they create one of the world’s only single estate, farm-to-bottle spirits. Join a Farm to Bottle tour to discover the sustainable ‘full circle’ distilling practices used here, and even get hands-on with your own cane knife to help harvest and juice your own stalk of cane. And, of course, a welcome drink plus complimentary tastings along the way.

6. Rail trail adventures

Exploring the rolling green slopes and historic towns of the 24-kilometre Tweed section of the Northern Rivers Rail Trail is one of the best ways to connect with the region’s lush hinterland and interesting heritage. In this section of the trail, discover the area’s railway history at heritage-listed Murwillumbah Railway Station, and traverse by 18 railway bridges and through two railway tunnels.

Linking vibrant towns and villages with the larger hub of Murwillumbah, this section of the trail is covered in asphalt or compacted gravel, making it accessible for all ages and abilities, from prams to adaptive bikes.

7. Linger longer

surfer at fingal heads the tweed — Enjoy beachside locations, like Fingal Heads.

Linger longer at one of the seven idyllic beach, river and creekside locations of Tweed Holiday Parks – including at Tweed Heads, Kingscliff Beach, Hastings Point and Pottsville South. All just steps from the water’s edge, they make the ideal base to unwind, or head out for exploration of The Tweed. Choose from luxury waterfront cabins, accessible cabins, surfari tents (yes, they are basically glamping tents) or spacious sites for caravans, motorhomes and campervans or tents.

Find your feel-good summer in The Tweed at visitthetweed.com.au .

10 rooftop bars that are basically front-row seats to Vivid