Wondering where in the world you can get a gorgeous view served up with your cocktail? Not to worry – Hannah Lodge from BarChick.com has done the hard work for you, rounding up the world’s best bars with a view.
Sky Bar, Bangkok
Sky Bar is the highest open-air drinking establishment in the world, so if you are chasing vistas as well as drinks then this is going to top them all. Perched dizzyingly high on the 63rd floor of The Dome at Lebua, this small, circular, colour-changing bar is high up on any visitor’s list. It’s the ultimate place for a sun-downer; drink in the skyline of Bangkok and the Chao Phraya River with fine vintages and amazing cocktails.
Hula Hula Bar, Hvar, Croatia
This beachfront beauty on the coastline of Hvar is proof that you don’t have to get up high to find a sight to knock your socks off. As the sun begins to sink everyone on the island flocks to the rocks to grab a cocktail from Hula Hula Bar and party as the sun sinks in to the Adriatic. It’s so good that people even moor up from neighbouring islands to catch a glimpse.
Skyline Bar, Venice
Not your typical Venetian drinking spot, Skyline Bar is a swanky cocktail lounge which looks out across the entire floating city and southern lagoon. As Venice’s most impressive bar, it boasts not only a panoramic skyline but also a rooftop pool, just in case you fancy taking a little dip. All those canals may be perfect for some things, but swimming sure ain’t one of them. There’s no better way to spend an afternoon than chilling out, Champagne cocktail in hand, watching the boats float past.
Rooftop Lounge, Venice Beach, LA
There aren’t many places cooler than LA, and the Rooftop Lounge in Venice Beach takes the crown in this town. There are laid back cabanas up on the hotel roof where you can look down at kids shooting hoops, spot bladers whizzing by or just grab some cold beers and hold tight for the sunset through the palm trees below. This is the best place to get a slice of a real laid back LA lifestyle outside of the 90210 postcode.
Palaphita Kitch, Rio de Janeiro
This bar is a little bit special – it’s like an Amazonian jungle sitting on the shores of Rio’s Lagoa. Partially open-air and with a palm thatched roof over the rest, this is the definition of a place to star-gaze or enjoy a dusk sky. Beautiful by day, but even more impressive at night, torches are lit and the lake reflects its beauty. Settle into a tree-house like platform and get experimental when it comes to your drink: they’ve got over 28 different types of fruit just begging to be charged with booze.
Top Mountain Star, Austria
High above the Gurgler Tal in southwest Austria, the Top Mountain Star shines a thousand times brighter than any other. Seeing is believing with this architectural phenomenon. Safely anchored 3082m up along an incredibly narrow, rocky ridge, it’s the ultimate place to breathe in the mountains. Forget skiing, this place is much more fun (unless of course you have vertigo), and is the ultimate spot for lunch with a view.
Ghostbar, Las Vegas
This sure isn’t a city that’s running low on “wow-factors” but Ghostbar on the top of Palms Casino, with its 360-degree view outdoor terrace and floor to ceiling windows looking down on the Vegas Strip, is something else. You may be keen to try your luck with most things in Sin City but choosing where to get your cocktail fix shouldn’t be one of them. Sure the decor is on the tacky side of swanky, and you might spot some WAGs on those white leather couches, but you’re in Vegas baby – what did you expect?
The Heron Tower, London
With stiff competition for the best skyline scanning spot in the big city, the Heron Tower, near Liverpool St, has got it right by giving us two epic bars to choose from. If you’re feeling glam and want to drink al fresco go to SushiSamba for fusion cocktails, or if you fancy a 24/7 vista keep going up to Duck & Waffle (sunrise views of London anyone?) where they’re keeping drinks British. Head up the ear-popping lift and just you wait for that view to hit you – when it does, you’ll need a drink with which to toast it. These two very different bars do have one thing in common though – they share an awesome view of the best city in the world.
Hannah Lodge is a writer at BarChick.com, a guide to the best bars in the world. Follow them on Twitter at @HotBarChick.
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