New Mixology Hotspots

Rooftop Bars

Sometimes happiness consists of three ingredients – a good drink, a comfortable lounge chair, and a beautiful view. The six new rooftop bars we'd like to introduce adhere to this recipe, yet each one has its own unique flavor. Join us in discovering Europe's chicest new locations - we hope you're not afraid of heights!

The view from the Sea Sky rooftop terrace in the W Algarve stretches to the sea, the horizon, and beyond. Those who've been listening to the waves on the golden bay of Armação de Pera can spend the evenings enjoying sounds of the city atop the hotel: on Fridays and Saturdays during the summer, international DJs lay the tracks as the sun goes down. Opened in June 2022, the rooftop bar has already established itself as the scene for dancing on warm nights. Drinks are served by the bottle. The menu also features five signature cocktails inspired by the Mediterranean to pair with dishes at the adjacent Paper Moon restaurant. Also on the terrace is the W Lounge, which celebrates Portuguese coffee culture during the day. By contrast, snacks and cocktails made from regional ingredients such as sweet peppers, figs, and seaweed are served in the evening. Wine lovers also enjoy a wide selection of fine wines. Bonus point: here Portugal's leading female winemakers take the spotlight.

Trade Contact: Ricardo Gomes, Director of Sales

Amid magnificent architecture there is merriment! The Rosewood Vienna moved into its namesake city on August 1, 2022 – and with it came the Neue Hoheit, a classy rooftop bar on the seventh floor of this former bank building. It offers creative cocktails in a cozy atmosphere and sits atop The Brasserie, one floor below, that serves European dishes, Austrian classics, and features a show kitchen, outdoor terrace, and Secret Garden. The comfortable seating and atmospheric lighting are exquisite but almost secondary, as the view stretches far and wide over the rooftops of Vienna's Old Town and its landmarks: St. Peter's Church, Mozart's residence, and St. Stephen's Cathedral. A delicious drink – teasers are on their Instagram account – finally adorns the memory with almost an imperial dignity. And it's easily accessible: the entrance to the bar is located on Tuchlauben Street number four. From here guests can take the elevator to the very top.

Trade Contact: Frederico Vasconcelos, Assistant Director of Sales

Tiradito, yellowtail sashimi with jalapeños, black cod miso... the list goes on. Scattered from Dallas to Doha, Nobu's 59 restaurants to date are known for tantalizing our palates with Japanese dishes à la sushi master Nobuyuki Matsuhisa. But now comes a true feast for the eyes with The Rooftop, the new scene at Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay. The view left us without words, but we have to write something about it here somehow so let's try anyway! Striking delicate balances is what the Nobu brand is known for: stirring excitement and spontaneity while at the same time remaining relaxed and unpretentious, and the new roof terrace does not disappoint. The unobstructed view of Talamanca Bay will make summer evenings on Ibiza unforgettable. This ambience lends itself to all kinds of events that attract the hip crowd looking for something new under the Ibiza sun or moon, including meditations with breath work, dance, and electronic music. The Rooftop is so new, in fact, that we don't have an official opening date at press time.

Trade Contact: Nuno Dias, Director of Sales & Marketing

The Duchess opened in July 2021 in Budapest at Matild Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel. Perched above the city's rooftops and offering picturesque views of the Elisabeth Bridge, the Danube River, and Gellért Hill, the elegant rooftop bar markets itself as a "secret liquor library" where DJs spin. The hidden entrance and private elevators here are inspired by the top secret area that Archduchess Maria Clotilde had installed on the palace roof in 1884 to create a meeting place for the city's socialites. The Duchess harkens back to those times and serves as a glamorous retreat for those seeking decadent luxury. Life is meant to be enjoyed to the fullest here, as tragedies and grief are undesirable. "Less Drama" is one of the cocktails that is therefore aptly named, and served alongside exceptional wines and other spirits. There are also some tasty treats on the menu, including salmon tartare with homemade kimchi and black rice chips (whoa!), and beet and goat cheese macarons (what?!). Enjoy? No. Delight!

Trade Contact: The Sales-Team of Matild Palace

Since June, Iceland's many bright summer and cold winter evenings alike can be spent at The Roof, on the seventh floor of The Reykjavik Edition. The 360-degree panoramic view of the ocean, Mount Esja, and the Snæfellsjökul glacier allows guests to gaze into the distance and tempt a watchful eye out for the Northern Lights. On New Year's Eve the seats at The Roof are likely to be in high demand since the sky above the harbor comes alive with fireworks. The interior of the bar is pleasantly simple so as not to distract from the view: a black ebony floor, black window frames, black-painted ceilings, and black lounge furniture provide a discreet backdrop for nature's art. If their gaze wanders to the food and beverage menu, guests can look forward to cocktails, local wines and beers, and creative dishes. There's sausage with bread, crispy kale, and onion jam for the small appetite, reindeer croquettes with blue cheese and blueberry jam for the large ones. If they're in the mood for dessert, they will be spoiled by the choices: pineapple with basil foam, churros with thyme caramel, and mushroom chocolate ice cream. Every Friday and Saturday local and international artists play live music.

Trade Contact: Anibal Ortiz, Director of Sales and Maria Weinberger, Sales Manager

With the Eden Roc Lounge at the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, part of the Oetker Collection, the French Riviera has had a new open-air retreat since July. From the roof of the Eden Roc Pavilion, guests can now enjoy the backdrop of the Mediterranean, especially while delicious cocktails and other drinks are mixed for them at the bar during sunset. Seasonal fruits and aromatic plants of the region are also used as drink ingredients. For the lounge's opening, Monaco's only distillery produced the very first house spirit, Eden Roc gin. The ingredients, namely citrus fruits and pine needle extract, come from the gardens of the hotel and the surrounding area. Another hallmark of the lounge is the color scheme: shades of white, mint, gray, blue and terracotta, which also define the seven-meter fresco on the lower level, complete the mosaic. The abstract pattern of hand-painted ceramic tiles is meant to reflect the spirit of love, music, and joie de vivre. This would surely have pleased Pablo Picasso and Ernest Hemingway, once famous regulars at the hotel.

Trade Contact: Mélanie Renvoisé, Senior Sales Manager

What the Industry Says

"Is a rooftop bar a good selling point?"

"Rooftop bars are especially in demand in big cities. Many of our customers choose a particular hotel precisely because of a special rooftop location. In general, F&B is now one of the most important aspects when planning trips, which is why we need to know about both the F&B outlets in the hotels and the top venues at the destinations. As part of our concierge service, we also make reservations at bars and restaurants for our clients. However, many establishments now require credit card deposits in advance, which unfortunately doesn't make reservations easy for us since the verification codes are sent to the customer's cell phone. But it's worth the effort: our F&B tips never fail to impress. By the way, my favorite selling points for the summer are three very different rooftop bars. First, there's Munich's most beautiful rooftop terrace at the Mandarin Oriental, and second, my latest insider tip for Paris travelers – the Sequoia Rooftop Bar at the Kimpton St. Honoré. Outside Europe, in beautiful Dubai, the rooftop of the Address Beach Resort is also home to a restaurant, bar, and the world's highest infinity pool, where only adults can swim and relax."

Christoph Berner, Managing Director, Berner Travel

Conclusion

Europe's newest rooftop bars bring a breath of fresh air to F&B offerings, making Portugal, Austria, Spain, Hungary, Iceland, and France even more palatable. Sometimes decadent and sometimes modest, the locations define luxury in their own unique way. What they all have in common is a fabulous view: taking in the vast ocean, rivers, rock formations, or rooftops alike. With fashion-forward creations in your glass prepared by masters of their craft, a lofty height, the world at your feet, and the stars within reach, the combination quickly gives you a sense of freedom, which, as we all know, is the most precious commodity of all.

Author: Vanessa Schumacher, Freelance Writer