The 6 Best Rooftop Bars in Venice

Few skylines are as legendary as Venice’s, and where better to lap up the panoramic views with an aperitif than at one of the city’s fabulous rooftop bars? Venice isn’t quite as revered for its nightlife as other Italian cities are, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t many superb spots to spend an evening.

At first, I didn’t give much thought to the rooftop bars in Venice. However, after years of running my Venice food tours, I stumbled upon quite a few haunts with amazing views and killer cocktails to match.

Here are my picks for the best rooftop bars in Venice, featuring a mix of laid back lounges and upscale terraces.

Skyline Rooftop Bar

Photo credit: Skyline Rooftop Bar

Skyline Rooftop Bar is probably the best-known spot for late-night happenings on Giudecca Island. It’s perched at the top of the Hilton Molino Stucky Venice, a five-star hotel overlooking the city’s towering domes and historic architecture.

I made it to this award-winning cocktail bar just in time for sunset, and I was surprised at how chilled-out the terrace area was. Although it’s super sleek and modern, it didn’t feel overly fancy or fussy. The mellow live music was a lovely touch.

They’ve got a fantastic menu of classic and signature cocktails, which all sounded incredible, so much so that I had to ask the bartenders for some guidance. In the end, I decided to try their mango and tequila-based drink.

After a few minutes of watching the mixologist at work, I was presented with a bright yellow creation with a thick, delicious foam. The tequila had some spicy notes of white pepper and nutmeg, which offset the sweet mango, citrusy yuzu juice, and honey-like agave syrup.

Skyline Rooftop Bar (€€€€) – Giudecca, 810, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 4:00 pm to 1:00 am

Top of the Carlton

Photo credit: Top of the Carlton

Top of the Carlton is a pretty apt name for this sophisticated rooftop bar in Venice, which sits on the highest floor of the Carlton Hotel on the Grand Canal. This Venice hotel is situated in Santa Croce, and its open-air bar is the perfect place to retire after a hectic day in the city.

Doubling as a restaurant, Top of the Carlton has a spacious outdoor area packed full of pristine white tables hidden beneath matching umbrellas. It was so serene and relaxing when I got here, which is a much-appreciated rarity somewhere as busy as Venice!

I had already eaten not long before I visited, but I’ll be sure to arrive hungry next time I stop by as their menu was full of dreamy Mediterranean dishes. Instead, I opted to take in the stunning views over the canal with a Campari spritz.

On a hot, sunny day, a refreshing drink like this was just what I needed. The bitter, herbaceous taste of bold red Campari can sometimes be intense, but the fruity prosecco and sharp soda water paired back and lightened the flavors.

Top of the Carlton (€€€) – Fondamenta del Monastero, 578, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 3:30 pm to 11:30 pm

Sagra Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

Photo credit: Sagra Rooftop Restaurant and Bar

Sagra is one of the most unique spots on this list, and its location on the private island of Isola delle Rose sets it apart from the other rooftop bars in Venice. It’s part of the JW Marriott Venice Resort, and you’ll need to catch the 20-minute free water taxi from St. Mark’s Square to get here.

I initially thought Sagra was exclusive to hotel guests, so I was thrilled when I found out this wasn’t the case. That said, as soon as I saw the bustling patio and its stylish wooden decor, a part of me wished I was staying here.

As gorgeous as the views over Venice were, I was particularly taken with the cocktail menu. Some delectable drinks were on offer, but the gin, fig, and lemon cocktail looked right up my street.

The base was a rosemary-infused gin that had a delightful woody flavor. It was teamed with zingy lemon juice and a tart fig jam that had a hint of berries, making for a balanced cocktail that I ended up ordering a second time!

Sagra Rooftop Restaurant and Bar (€€€) – Isola delle Rose (Sacca Sessola Laguna di, S. Marco, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 11:00 am to 10:30 pm

Bar Terrazza Danieli

Photo credit: Bar Terrazza Danieli

Terrazza Danieli lies in the heart of Venice in San Marco, just minutes from the buzzing Piazza San Marco. I came across this place by chance after previously visiting the attached eatery, Restaurant Terrazza Danieli, which is also a part of Hotel Danieli.

After taking in the breathtaking views from the restaurant area, I knew I had to stop by once more before the end of my trip. Even though it’s nestled in a lively corner of the city, the bar’s floral arrangements and steel black seating made it feel like a quiet and colorful garden.

I took one look at the cocktail menu and was instantly torn between the bellini and the Aperol spritz. Given that bellinis were in season and they originally hail from Venice, I felt it was a natural choice.

One thing I love about bellinis is how simple but tasty they are, and this time was no different. The combination of the prosecco’s crisp apple and pear flavors and delicate peach puree is always a winner. On this occasion, the addition of egg whites gave it a heavenly, lightweight foam.

Bar Terrazza Danieli (€€€€) – Riva degli Schiavoni, 4196, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm

La Terrazza Bar

With its enviable location in San Polo, La Terrazza Bar has become a can’t-miss Venice rooftop bar. It’s part of the H10 Palazzo Canova and the best place I’ve found in the city to watch the gondolas journey through the meandering canals and under the Rialto Bridge.

La Terrazza is a classy and elegant spot with an indoor and outdoor section. Come here early, and you’ll be in with a shot of snagging one of the tables along the edge of the balcony. I wasn’t so lucky, but the laid back vibes and chic, minimalistic decor more than made up for it.

The cocktails sounded excellent, but I fancied a pinot grigio and chose to pair a glass with some snacks, my favorite of which was the bruschetta.

My waiter arrived in no time with a chilled glass of wine that was the ultimate pick-me-up. When the sun is shining in Venice, there’s nothing like the first sip of zesty, acidic pinot grigio, with its full, saline finish.

Soon after, I was tucking into some oh-so-fresh bruschetta. On the bottom was lightly toasted crostini with a gentle crunch, which served as the perfect base for the juicy chopped tomatoes, mild mozzarella, and punchy basil.

La Terrazza Bar (€€€) – Riva del Vin, 744, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am

28.5 Rooftop

Photo credit: 28.5 Rooftop

28.5 Rooftop is among the latest additions to Venice’s rooftop bar line-up. Tucked away at the top of the lavish Ausonia Hungaria Hotel in Lido, this rooftop terrace is somewhere that I can’t see remaining a hidden gem for long.

The hotel itself is super swanky, and the rooftop area is refined and understated. There’s a dining area with slick white and orange furniture and a more casual open-air bar area where I decided to grab a drink just before the sun went down.

I was initially keen on getting a beer or wine but decided against it when I saw how great the cocktails looked. Their old fashioned seemed to be one of their most popular drinks, so I thought it was a pretty safe bet!

It was made from a blend of peppery, toffee-tasting rye whiskey, aromatic angostura, and a touch of sugar. Unlike the classic recipe, which uses plain water, the bartender here added soda water, giving the bittersweet notes of the drink an extra kick of mineral-like flavor.

28.5 Rooftop (€€€) – Gran Viale S.M. Elisabetta, 28, 30126 Venezia VE, Italy – Open every day from 6:30 pm to 12:00 am

Conclusion

Sipping on cocktails while looking down over the Grand Canal and quaint Venetian streets is something I’ll never tire of. These are the finest rooftop bars in Venice to add to your list before your next sojourn in the City of Canals!