Ten of the best Melbourne rooftop bars: Rooftop at QT, The Corner Hotel, Madam Brussels and more

The drinks list reads like a rehab ward for fluoro '80s cocktails with the Harvey Wallbanger, Pina Colada and Blue Lagoon all getting a buff and polish for the modern era. Or try the Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas-inspired Legal Advice: Archie Rose gin, Heering cherry, Don Benedictine and fresh pineapple – plus a recommended shot of smoky Vida Mezcal on the side to go the full Hunter S. Food is nachos, chicken ribs and simple bar snacks, or head downstairs to Franks if you are feeling the need for something meatier.

Level 2, 79 Bourke Street; facebook.com/goodheavensrooftop

THE CORNER HOTEL

Just outside the CBD, but on our list for its rock'n'roll venerability, is the newly renovated Corner Hotel rooftop. The Corner Hotel (57 Swan Street, Richmond; cornerhotel.com) has made food the focus with head chef Shannon Rice filling the menu with pub grub share plates like a whole Korean fried chicken or 12-hour beef short ribs, as well as goodies from the new outdoor kitchen and barbecue. The decor is simple with wooden tables and pot plants hanging from the industrial-chic ceiling – and you are still so close to the train line you might want to have your myki card handy. Grab a bite and then head to the bandroom.

57 Swan Street, Richmond; cornerhotel.com

ROOFTOP AT QT

Brash, big and, dare I say it, a little bit Sydney (ducks to avoid a hail of angry Melbourne cocktail umbrellas), the new Rooftop at QT is a spacious spot for a busy after-work crowd to try seriously crafty cocktails. Cheeky, design-savvy QT always adapts the brand for its location but it remains QT, and remains worth a visit. In the rooftop bar this means a huge succulent garden terrace looking onto the city's buildings, turned rosy-red by the setting sun, and sampling signature cocktails like the Tom Kha Gai Margarita, which adds coconut, sage and chilli to the classic drink – with nice little touches like a teeny wooden peg to keep your garnish in position.

133 Russell Street; qthotelsandresorts.com

MADAM BRUSSELS

The crazy old aunt of Melbourne rooftop bars, Madam Brussels is a permanent rooftop garden party full of fake grass, pastel-coloured lawn chairs and parasols. This is a nudge-nudge-wink-wink kind of place with party punches like The Madame's Fruity Double D Cups and the popular Love Juice – a mix of bacardi, berries, apple juice topped off with sparkling wine. In keeping with the theme you can have a toasted sandwich or a "rather fancy" cheese plate. Raise a pinky to this Melbourne stalwart and keep an eye out for owner Miss Pearls, who is often working the room.

59 Bourke Street; madamebrussels.com

ROOFTOP BAR

One of the first to realise the beauty of a rooftop position and home of Rooftop Cinema in the warmer months, this Curtin House favourite is either a slow elevator ride or a long stair climb from the ground floor. Once at the top you get loads of Astroturf, jugs of beer and cocktails and the Burger Shack at the back for all your beer-soaking-up needs. Rooftop is great at night when you sit in the centre of the twinkling towers surrounding you, and there is always Toff in Town or Cookie downstairs if you fancy a change of scene.

Curtin House, 252 Swanston Street; rooftopcinema.com.au

FERDYDURKE

Ferdydurke is a poster-covered party spot that looks out onto its sister bar in Tattersalls Lane, Section 8. Drinkers ascend the stairs and grab themselves an alcove, or spot on the roof, where they share jugs of sangria steeped in pineapple and sage, or watermelon, chilli or pomegranate. You can share the super-sized melted cheese sandwiches (zappiekanki) too, or have a Little Lebowski pulled pork burger all to yourself. Tunes are loud and the crowd is out for a big night.

239 Lonsdale Street; ferdydurke.com.au

BOMBA

The rooftop space above Spanish restaurant Bomba has a sleek New York vibe with copper stools and a retractable roof to fend off the unpredictable weather. Bomba is a fast and lively bar that serves spot-on cocktails and great tapas. Towards the end of the week it is packed with a pumping, raucous crowd with bar staff that are up to the task, and more with spot-on suggestions and friendly service. Try a classic margarita, made with a wide range of top-shelf tequila, and pair it with leek and manchego croquetas and spicy patatas bravas.

103 Lonsdale Street; bombabar.com.au

LOOP ROOF

A succulent garden strung with huge coloured balls hanging overhead like a giant abacus, fairy lights and colourful chairs and tables. In a crowded field, Loop has quite the view with some lower rooftops nearby giving a feeling of space before the huge buildings take over providing a great backdrop to summer drinking. There's a tiki tinge here so try the Jungle Bird: Goslings Black Seal rum, campari, pineapple lime and bitters served with fresh flowers in a tiki mug, or if you are hungry, snacks run to sliders and street tacos.

23 Meyers Place; looprooftopbar.com.au

THE HILLS ROOFTOP

This is the sort of DIY pop-up that Melbourne does best, with a collection of fruit crates, pallettes, framed prints of bunny rabbits, strings of fairy lights and the odd plastic watering can dressing up the peeling-paint roof of the former Duke of Kent hotel. It's Brunswick brew Thunder Road on tap and basic spirits and if you want a burger from Burger Theory downstairs then you can bring it up onto the rooftop with you.

1 Flanigan Lane; no website

FRENCH SALOON

This is more like a quaint terrace attached to the European fine diner that delivers great steaks and a quirky and interesting Euro-centric wine list. But out in the bar area you will find some soothing pastel-coloured walls with a yellow striped awning and the same knowledgeable service offered inside. A short cocktail list continues the Euro theme, but instead try a Gentiane de Lure and tonic, a bitter Provencal aperitif made with gentian roots.

First Floor 380-384 Little Bourke Street (enter via Hardware Lane); frenchsaloon.com

Paul Chai travelled at his own expense.