Quick Answer
Geelong has 4 rooftop bars open now: National Hotel (Tue–Sun, retractable roof), The Arborist (Fri–Sun from 3pm), Sailors' Rest (7 days from 8:30am, Corio Bay views) and The Telegraph Hotel (Wed–Sun, Pakington St). All four are verified for 2026 — hours in the table below.
Rooftop Bar in Geelong — At a Glance
| Venue | Location | Rooftop Hours | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Hotel | Geelong CBD | Tue–Sun (retractable roof) | City skyline views + live music |
| The Arborist | Little Malop St, CBD | Fri–Sun from 3pm | Cocktails + CBD ambience |
| Sailors' Rest | Geelong Waterfront | 7 days from 8:30am | Corio Bay views + DJs |
| The Telegraph Hotel | Pakington St, Geelong West | Wed–Sun from 11am | Award-winning gastro pub rooftop |
Best Rooftop Bars in Geelong Open Now
All four rooftop bars in Geelong are trading in 2026. Sailors' Rest on the Geelong Waterfront is open 7 days from 8:30am — the most accessible rooftop in the city. National Hotel in the CBD runs Tuesday to Sunday with a retractable roof, so the terrace is available year-round regardless of weather. The Arborist opens its rooftop Friday to Sunday from 3pm. The Telegraph Hotel in Geelong West trades Wednesday to Sunday from 11am.
CBD Rooftops: The Skyline Experience
Geelong's CBD has two distinct rooftop options within walking distance of each other — a heritage pub terrace with a 170-year history, and a modern cocktail bar on Little Malop Street's bar strip. Both deliver elevated views of the city; the difference is the vibe.
National Hotel
Built in 1856, the National Hotel is one of Geelong's oldest pubs and its most architecturally striking rooftop experience. The three-level venue culminates in a rooftop terrace with a retractable roof — meaning you drink with Geelong's skyline above you year-round, rain or shine. It's the city view you won't find anywhere else in the CBD.
Ground floor runs a casual bar and craft beers; the mid-level dining room has exposed brick and an open fireplace for winter sessions; the rooftop is the destination for a warm night or a Friday from 9pm when live music and DJs take over. Modern Australian menu spans parmis, steaks and Barramundi.
The Arborist
The Arborist sits on Little Malop Street — Geelong's CBD cocktail strip — and its rooftop is the most social option in the CBD. Open Friday through Sunday from 3pm, it draws the after-work and pre-dinner crowd with a full cocktail and wine program delivered with the elevated views of the surrounding CBD streetscape.
The restaurant below runs seven days for lunch (12–3pm) and dinner (5pm–late), so a rooftop drinks session can flow naturally into dinner downstairs. The kitchen runs seasonal small plates and share dishes — the format suits groups who want to graze between rounds.
Waterfront Rooftop: Corio Bay Views
If you want water views from a rooftop, Sailors' Rest on the Geelong foreshore is the only address in town. The rooftop terrace looks directly out across Corio Bay — best visited on a weekday afternoon or weekend with DJs from 3pm.
Sailors' Rest
A multi-level waterfront venue at the foot of Moorabool Street: beer garden at ground level, a second-floor lounge bar, and a rooftop terrace looking out across Corio Bay. DJs take over the second-floor lounge every weekend from 3pm; the first Friday of the month brings free distillery and brewery tastings plus live acoustic music. Open 7 days from 8:30am — the rooftop catches the afternoon sun as well as sunset.
The kitchen runs a globally inspired menu with locally sourced seafood: fettuccine marinara, fisherman's basket, share platters. This is the Geelong rooftop for a relaxed Sunday session or a foreshore walk followed by cocktails. See also: Waterfront Bars in Geelong guide →
Pakington Street: Award-Winning Rooftop
The Telegraph Hotel at the top of Pakington Street has won awards for its rooftop — and with an art deco exterior and a modern Australian kitchen that draws from Asian and Mediterranean influences, it offers a different register to the CBD options. This is the rooftop for a proper dinner with drinks.
The Telegraph Hotel
The Telegraph Hotel anchors the top of Pakington Street with a classic art deco facade and a rooftop terrace that's earned it a genuine reputation as one of the best venues in Geelong West. The layout offers progression across a session: main restaurant, bar level, alfresco area, and the rooftop above it all — sweeping views over the neighbourhood.
The modern Australian menu takes in Asian and Mediterranean influences alongside a curated craft beer and wine list. Function-friendly and child-friendly in the earlier hours; evening rooftop sessions are the destination. Open Wednesday through Sunday (call for Mon–Tue hours). More Geelong West pubs →
Plan Your Rooftop Session
Start at The Arborist (75 Little Malop St, rooftop opens 3pm Fri) → drinks at National Hotel rooftop (191 Moorabool St, live music from 9pm Fri). Both venues are a 5-minute walk from each other. Add a stop at Non Disclosure Bar or the 18th Amendment Bar on Little Malop St between venues. Full CBD pub crawl guide →
Sailors' Rest rooftop (3 Moorabool St, open from 8:30am) — arrive for brunch, stay for afternoon cocktails with Corio Bay views. Combine with a walk along the Geelong foreshore to Eastern Beach before or after. A 10-minute walk along the waterfront gets you to Edge Geelong for elevated cocktails with a different bay angle. Best Sunday Sessions guide →
Start with drinks at The Telegraph Hotel rooftop (2 Pakington St, Wed–Sun), take in the views over Geelong West, then walk the length of Pakington St with options for wine at Tulip (111 Pakington) or Meet Me At Mary's (66 Pakington). The strip covers about 600m on foot. Wine bars guide →
Geelong Rooftop Tips
- Book ahead for groups — all four venues can get full on Friday and Saturday evenings, especially in summer. The National Hotel and Telegraph Hotel both take function bookings.
- Weather matters — National Hotel has a retractable roof (all-weather). The Arborist and Sailors' Rest are more exposed; check the forecast before a winter rooftop session.
- Timing for sunset — Sailors' Rest faces west over Corio Bay, making it the best rooftop for a sunset drink in summer (sunset ~8:30pm Jan–Feb). The National Hotel catches the evening light well on its south-facing terrace.
- Arborist rooftop days — the Arborist rooftop opens Fri–Sun only from 3pm. Arrive before 5pm to get a seat on busy weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
What rooftop bars are in Geelong?
Geelong has four: National Hotel in the CBD (retractable roof, Tue–Sun), The Arborist on Little Malop Street (Fri–Sun from 3pm), Sailors' Rest on the Geelong Waterfront (7 days from 8:30am) and The Telegraph Hotel in Geelong West (Wed–Sun from 11am). All four are verified for 2026.
Which rooftop bars in Geelong are open now?
All four are currently trading. Sailors' Rest is the most accessible — open 7 days from 8:30am. National Hotel runs Tuesday to Sunday. The Arborist opens Friday to Sunday from 3pm only. The Telegraph Hotel trades Wednesday to Sunday from 11am.
What is the best outdoor bar in Geelong?
For outdoor drinks, Sailors' Rest on the Geelong Waterfront is open 7 days from 8:30am with Corio Bay views — the most accessible outdoor option. National Hotel has an all-weather retractable-roof rooftop in the CBD. The Arborist opens its rooftop on Little Malop Street Friday to Sunday from 3pm. The Telegraph Hotel's Pakington Street rooftop trades Wednesday to Sunday.
Which bars in Geelong have views?
Sailors' Rest faces directly across Corio Bay — the best water views of any bar in the city. National Hotel's rooftop looks out over the Geelong CBD skyline from 191 Moorabool Street. The Telegraph Hotel overlooks Geelong West from the top of Pakington Street. The Arborist offers elevated views over the Little Malop Street precinct.
Is there a rooftop bar near the Geelong waterfront?
Yes. Sailors' Rest at 3 Moorabool Street sits on the Geelong Waterfront with a rooftop terrace looking directly out across Corio Bay. Open 7 days from 8:30am, with DJs on weekends from 3pm. It is the only rooftop bar in Geelong with water views. See the Sailors' Rest listing →