Rooftop Bars in Geelong

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 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.

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 →

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 →

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 →