The Rooftop Bar Melbourne

Some nights need an open sky. The space turns from a sun-soaked afternoon into a full night out without ever leaving your seat. Wide skyline views stretch across South Yarra’s highest point, one reason we’re regularly named among the best rooftop bars Melbourne has to offer.

It is a rooftop bar Melbourne guests return to again and again, not because it tries hardest to impress, but because it never runs out of reasons to stay. Whatever brought you up here, there is a booth, a plate and a playlist waiting for you. This is usually where the night starts, not just where it passes through.

Rooftop Bar & Kitchen

The Rooftop bar in Melbourne features inviting and lively interior, fitted out with premium table and booth seating. Showcasing unmatched views of the iconic Melbourne city skyline, relax and unwind in our own desert oasis.

Walk-in’s are always welcome. For larger groups, we recommend making a booking via the button below.

Opening Hours

Friday | From 5pm – late

Saturday | From 12pm – late

Sunday | From 3pm – late

Book A Table

Functions & Enquiries

Enquire here or email our team at hello@theemerson.com.au

The Emerson Rooftop Bar Melbourne Veuve Clicquot cheers

An Open Sky, Whatever the Weather

The whole space is enclosed and climate controlled, so a grey Melbourne afternoon is never a reason to cancel. Warm days, the doors open up and the fresh air comes straight through. Cold nights, the heating takes care of the rest. Either way, you are not checking the forecast before you book a table on a rooftop Melbourne can rely on through rain, wind or a stray heatwave.

Rooftop Restaurant South Yarra

The Rooftop Bar in South Yarra Built for Every Crowd

Skip the idea that a good night out only works for one type of person. The Rooftop draws a genuinely mixed crowd, from twenty-something birthdays to a fortieth spent on cocktails with a view, all sharing the same booths, the same skyline and the same easy, unhurried pace. It has grown from a Friday knock-off spot into somewhere people plan their whole evening around, well before they head downstairs to The Lounge or the dance floor beyond it.

Walk-ins are always welcome. For bigger groups, birthdays or anything worth planning ahead, we recommend booking so your table, your booth and your view are locked in before you arrive.

Opening Hours: Friday from 7pm, Saturday from 3pm, all running until late.

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The Perfect Place to Start Your Night

For a lot of Melbourne, the night no longer starts at midnight, it starts up here. Book a table for early drinks and dinner, watch the sun drop behind the skyline, and decide from there whether you stay put or head down to The Lounge or The Club later on. The Rooftop was built to be a destination in its own right, not a waiting room before the real night begins, so treat it as the first stop rather than an afterthought.

The Emerson Rooftop Bar South Yarra Melbourne Chandon Oysters
South Yarra Bars smiling patrons enjoying food and drink in the sun

A Rooftop Bar Prahran Locals Cross the Border For

Technically we sit in South Yarra, but ask around Chapel Street and you will find plenty of regulars who consider us their local. As one of the rooftop bars South Yarra and greater Prahran crowds rate highest, we are close enough to feel like the obvious choice and different enough to be worth the walk. Trams stop close by, street parking opens up after 5pm, and two car parks sit within easy reach if you are driving in.

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Food, Drinks and a Reason to Stay

Our kitchen runs a seasonal menu built for sharing, using produce sourced from local suppliers rather than a laminated list that never changes. Order a plate for the table, settle into a cocktail, and let the afternoon roll into evening without needing to move. When the sun drops and the DJ starts, The Rooftop shifts gear too, so you can start your night here and finish it three levels down without leaving the building.

Check our What’s On page for the DJs, day parties and themed nights on the calendar, and see why we’re one of the rooftop bars Melbourne can’t stop talking about.

Private events, work functions and group bookings all fall within our range too. Whether it is a birthday, a bucks or hens celebration or an end-of-year function, our team builds the package around your group rather than asking your group to fit a package.  

Visit The Emerson to see how the Rooftop connects with the Lounge and Club below it, and talk to our events team to start planning.

Why The Rooftop Stands Apart

Plenty of rooftops rely on the view and stop there. Ours pairs a live DJ and dance floor every weekend with a kitchen that keeps up, then turns a quiet Sunday into a bottomless brunch or a themed day party without much notice. That kind of range is why The Rooftop keeps turning up on lists of the best rooftop bars Melbourne has, and why it works just as well as a starting point for the night as it does the whole night itself. Explore The Emerson to plan your visit, or head to the booking page to lock in your table.

Private Functions & Events

We love to celebrate any occasion. Whether it’s an intimate birthday celebration or an end-of-year work event, we have a space to suit your needs.

To find out more about our functions services at the rooftop bar in Melbourne, please contact our lovely team at events@theemerson.com.au

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TOP FAQS ABOUT THE EMERSON ROOFTOP BAR IN MELBOURNE’S SOUTH YARRA

If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out to our team for more information.

GET IN TOUCH

We accept walk-in guests, although to ensure a reserved table or booth, we suggest making a reservation in advance to ensure availability. Click here to make a reservation. For larger groups over 10, please fill out this enquiry form and our sales team will be in touch.

For larger groups over 10, please fill out this enquiry form and our sales team will be in touch!

For reservations under 10, we don’t require a minimum spend. For groups above 10, we do require a minimum spend to be paid in advance of the booking. Please fill out this enquiry form here and our team will be in touch.

There is street parking and parking lots nearby to the venue. Public transportation options are also close by, with trams stopping right next to the venue.

The Emerson prohibits outside food and drinks. However, exceptions may be made for dietary restrictions. Contact our team to check.

The Emerson Rooftop Bar in Melbourne features live entertainment, such as DJs, live bands, or special events. Check out ‘What’s On’ at the rooftop bar for information on upcoming performances.

The Rooftop is open on Friday from 5pm until late and Saturdays & Sundays from 12pm until late. Book here to secure your spot.

We sure do! The Rooftop Restaurant serves up a seasonal menu carefully curated by our chefs using locally sourced produce. Check out our current menu here.

Our kitchen is open Fridays from 5pm until late, as well as Saturday & Sunday from 12pm for brunch, and our A la Carte menu from 5pm until late.

Find our booking availabilities here.

The Emerson Rooftop Bar in Melbourne is fully enclosed and climate-controlled, allowing us to host your functions, events & parties all year long. We also have a balcony where you can enjoy the fresh air!

Yes, the Emerson Rooftop Bar in Melbourne is fully enclosed and climate-controlled. No need to worry about your hair getting wet in the rainy season as our rooftop is completely sheltered from the elements.

We love celebrating hens and have a few different offerings. Get in contact with our sales teams about what packages and offerings we can send your way!

Groups over 10 require a minimum spend to be met, this goes towards a pre-paid bar tab for your table sitting on the rooftop. Enquire with our team here to book!

At this stage our lift is undergoing maintenance and unavailable for use, meaning The Rooftop and The Lounge are only available via the stairs.

We apologise for any inconvenience this causes, and encourage you to reach out to us via hello@theemerson.com.au with any questions.

We sure do! All three of our levels are available for private event hire, and our team are here to help curate the perfect packages to suit your next event.

The Rooftop Bar in Melbourne hosts a variety of special events, from International DJs to themed parties and celebrations, keep up to date with our Special Events here.

Here at The Emerson we try to make sure there’s a little something for everyone, boasting a range of gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan/vegetarian, and nut-free options, we’re confident we can cover all bases with our menu.

Our menu includes allergenic ingredients and is prepared in a kitchen that handles nuts, shellfish, and gluten. Although we make every reasonable effort to cater to our guests’ dietary requirements, we cannot provide a guarantee of allergen-free food.

Smart casual applies across all three levels of the venue. Sportswear, singlets, hoodies, thongs, ripped clothing and heavy branding are not permitted, so dress to match the setting rather than the gym.

Walk-ins are always welcome, and we will always try to find you a spot. That said, weekends fill up quickly, so if you want a specific table or booth secured for a birthday or celebration, we recommend booking ahead through our reservations page rather than leaving it to chance.

Nothing changes for you. The Rooftop is fully enclosed with a retractable roof and climate control running year-round, so rain, wind or a cold snap never affects your booking. Layers are optional, not required.

The Rooftop is open Friday from 5pm, Saturday from 12pm and Sunday from 3pm, all running until late. Check our booking page for exact availability on the day.

We understand plans change, and that means bookings can too.
Our cancellation policy differs depending on the size of your booking or event, so please reach out to our friendly team at hello@theemerson.com.au to confirm what that would look like for your next booking.