Even though I travel fairly often, there are still a ton of places on my bucket list.
AND even though I would like to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in all of these places, there are only several where it is actually possible, or shall I say legal. The following places (in my opinion) are the best places to grab a drink around the world…
The Top of the Eiffel Tower, Paris France
Head to the Champagne Bar at the top of the Eiffel to romance yourself with a panoramic view of Paris while throwing back pink or white bubbly.
Price: 12-21 euros/drink
Insider Tip: Don’t feel like dropping a load of cash? Take a seat in the lawn and buy a bottle of cheap champagne from the selection of nearby hustlers.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
Marina Bay Sands rooftop infinity pool sits 57 floors above Singapore, making it the world’s largest infinity pool at this height. Sip on a Singapore Sling among the Singapore skyline.
Price: Expect upwards of $25/drink
Insider Tip: The only way to make it in the pool is to stay at the hotel, which is a whopping $600/night. However, you could opt for a cocktail on the roof by visiting Marina Bay’s nightclub, Ce La Vi. Wednesday’s are “ladies night” where women receive complimentary entry, including one drink. For men, there is a cover charge of $28 on Wednesdays, which includes one drink, sorry!
Sky Bar, Bangkok Thailand
Sky Bar is the world’s highest open air bar, with an unbelievably electric view of downtown Bangkok.
Price: 700-1500 baht/drink (this may be one of the priciest places in Bangkok, but well worth it for the view)
Insider Tip: Unlike most of Thailand, there is a dress code at Sky Bar, men have to wear slacks or jeans – no shorts. Women should look polished.
Amsterdam Bar, Koh Phangan Thailand
Located high atop a mountain in Koh Phangan, Amsterdam bar is a wooden bar adorned with colorful rugs and pillows, one elaborate menu, and marajuana. Most importantly, Amsterdam bar gives one of the best views of the sunset on the island, and just happens to be one of my favorite places in the world.
Price: I can’t recall but Phangan is pretty cheap, this has to be the cheapest bar on this list.
Tip: Plan to eat here, the food is amazing.
Rock Bar, Ayana Resort & Spa: Bali, Indonesia
Accessible only by a small cable car, Rock Bar sits on the cliffs of Ayana Resort & Spa and overlooks the ocean. Not only does it have one of the best sunset views of any bar in the world, but it also has one amazing menu.
Price: Expect upwards of $15/drink
Tip: Although the staff will offer umbrellas to shade you from the sun, Rock Bar can still get extremely hot so dress accordingly (and bring sunscreen). Show up a while before sunset to avoid the rush.
The Top Bar, Adriana Hotel: Hvar, Croatia
Known as the only rooftop bar in Hvar, the Top Bar gives it’s patrons lovely views over the marina and a cooling breeze from the Croatian heat.
Price: 57-90kn/drink (upwards of $8)
360: Istanbul, Turkey
Stop in 360 to sip a cocktail among the firepits while enjoying a roof top view of Istanbul. I would also plan on heading there right before sunset as I hear the views are hard to beat.
Price: Upwards of 25 Turkish Lira/drink ($8)
In a Gondola Down the Venice Canal
Grab a bottle of wine from the streets of Venice and book you’re very own Gondola ride. It will cost you $80, but there is nothing like it in the world.
Price: 8-15 Euro/bottle (more expensive wines are also available of course) plus 80 for the gondola
Insider Tip: Go with a group since prices are per boat not per person.
The Skylark, Manhattan (Midtown)
There’s nothing quite like Manhattan. The skylark’s glass walls give expansive panoramic views of the Hudson River, The Empire State Building, and Midtown. Even better, there’s an open-air rooftop terrace.
Price: $18 +/drink
Northern Lights Bar, Iceland
Hotel Ion’s Northern Lights Bar offers panoramic views over Lake Thingvallavatn, and is the perfect location to view the northern lights. Grab a beer from one of the island’s micro breweries and enjoy the show. Oh, and there’s also a geothermal pool for outdoor aurora spotting.
Price: 800ISK/drink (upwards of $6)
Tip: It is hard to predict when you will be able to see the Northern Lights. The best time to see the northern lights is when the sky is clear of any clouds. Although some people claim the aurora comes out when temperatures are colder, this isn’t the case, temperatures just tend to drop when the skies are clear. The lights are most active around the equinoxes, which are in March and September.
Red Sea Bar, Israel
The only bar I’ve heard of that is actually underwater…yes, that’s right, you walk out on the pier, go inside and then take an elevator below the sea. Red Sea Bar is surrounded in windows which allow you to see hundreds of various tropical sea creatures in their natural habitat.
Price: No idea, can’t find this anywhere, but I hope it’s still open!
White Rabbit Restaurant & Bar, Moscow, Russia
The White Rabbit is located atop one of Moscow’s tallest buildings, and it’s glass dome roof offers the best views of the historic center of the city.
Price: Starting at 500 Russian Ruble/drink, upwards of $7.
Hotel Edelweiss, Mürren, Switzerland
Buried in the center of the Swiss Alps, Edelweiss may be the closest you can get to the mountains with a beer in hand. Drink while taking in the breathtaking views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau mountains.
Price: This information isn’t in the public domain, but let’s assume it’s pretty pricey since it’s in Switzerland.
Halfway Guesthouse in Tiger Leaping Gorge, China
You may just need a beer to calm your nerves after visiting the bar at Halfway Guesthouse in Tiger Leaping Gorge, which sits on top of a dramatic 2000 metre cliff with spectacular views of the gorge below. Tiger Leaping Gorge isn’t a bad place to hike either, being one of the finest treks through some of the most naturally beautiful and diverse landscapes that China has to offer.
Price: No menu online but seems really cheap, several people on TravelPod claimed they ate like kings here for around $3.
At.mosphere Lounge, Burj Khalifa — Dubai
Located on level 122 of the tallest building in the world and overlooking Downtown Dubai and the world’s tallest performing fountains, you’re definitely going to spend a pretty penny to get a buzz at At.mosphere Lounge. I’ll try this place when I win the lottery, or just hangout on Google Images while drinking a beer.
Price: Seems to have a minimum of 200 dirhams, the equivalent of 54 dollars.
GB Roof Garden Athens Greece
Sip a cocktail as you go back in time with uninterrupted views of the Acropolis, Lycabettus hill and the Parliament. Go at sunset and stay throughout the night to see the buildings light up the sky.
Price: ~14 Euros/drink.
On A Paddleboat Before the Prague Castle
You can opt to drink at one of the river bars on the Vltava OR you can grab your own beers and rent a paddleboat to gander after the castle complex and Charles Bridge. I’d go with the latter.
Price: Beers are less than a dollar from mini marts, 70CZK for the boat (less than $3!)
Szechenyi Baths, Budapest
Szechenyi is one of the many ancient thermal baths located in Budapest and is surrounded by an enormous neo-baroque palace. Enjoy the beneficial effects of thermal bath water while casually sipping on cocktail or drinking a Borsodi at one of their famous bath parties.
Price: No hard numbers, but very affordable.
Insider Tip: If you decide to attend a bath party, they occur every Saturday. Also, don’t wear you’re favorite bathing suit in the bath, it may fade.
Do you have a place to add to the list? Let us know below!
Media Credits: Rock Bar, The Top Bar, 360, Skylark, Northern Lights Bar, Red Sea Star, White Rabbit, Edelweiss, Halfway Guesthouse, At.mosphere, GB Roof Garden, Szechenyi
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