Top 10 Rooftop Bars

So many rooftops, so little time to enjoy the thousands around the world that have been converted into trendy nightspots with comfy sectional seating, pools and restaurants. It seems that every major city has a rooftop bar scene, and they’re a must for any hotel claiming to be an arbiter of cool.

 
To narrow it all down, we've chosen the 10 best. Some are coveted A-list hangouts demanding key-card access or a VIP pass. Some are thoughtfully designed. Or they’re on the rooftops of the world’s highest buildings. Still other bars were chosen for their killer views -- and we don’t just mean of the waitresses.

Vue Bar at the Shanghai Hyatt

This two-floor bar-lounge has a wooden and brick ground floor lounge with a circular cocktail bar, DJ and reversible daybeds. Further up a spiral case on its terrace, you get unsurpassed views of the Bund (the hotel is a five-minute walk from this waterfront area in central Shanghai) and Pudong. A marble Jacuzzi is surrounded by daybeds and armchairs, and these all fill up early in the evening (including the Jacuzzi). The result is a go-to chic drinking establishment for the expat community and visiting Westerners.

Three Sixty at Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark, St. Louis, Missouri

Cardinals diehards are given a bird’s-eye view of Busch Stadium from this bar 25 stories up, so it’s no wonder there are lineups to get into Three Sixty during baseball season. But it’s so well-designed and cozy, we predict it’ll become a year-round hangout. Fire pits are positioned strategically throughout an outdoor patio, enabling comfortable alfresco lounging in cold weather. And there’s plenty of indoor seating and flat screens for you to watch hockey on while nibbling on upscale sports-bar fare this winter.

Sky Blue at Sky Lodge, Park City, Utah 

A pool table in your hotel suite? Sky Lodge, in Park City’s historic Old Town, offers many wow moments like these, including a rooftop with views of the Wasatch Mountains. Try a Pommard, Park City’s official winter cocktail for this year, with Calvados, apple cider, lemon juice, simple syrup, cinnamon, and cardamom, as you slip into the bar’s oversize hot tub. Or tiptoe over radiant-heated floors to grab a spot by the fireplace. You’re very close to being able to shake off a hangover on the slopes. The resort has ski-in/ski-out access to Park City Mountain Resort, one of the U.S.A.'s best.

Luna Rooftop Tapas Bar, Rosewood San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Munch on Mexican and Spanish tapas on the roof of this urban resort in a UNESCO World Heritage Site city. Luna Bar is a cozy place to observe the goings-on below on cobblestone lanes of San Miguel, north of Mexico City. And the new hotel fits right into its character-filled surroundings, featuring colonial-inspired wide stone staircases leading to airy courtyards or high-ceilinged guest suites.

Sky Yard at the Drake Hotel, Toronto

We’ll tip our hat to the Thompson Toronto’s super-trendy rooftop bar and pool, where Bay Street bankers and traders are known to book rooms for the night just to secure access to the guest-only schmooze-fest upstairs. But we like to give credit for originality, too, and the Drake Hotel, west of downtown, has an edgier, arty scene complemented by its “pop-up” rooftop bar. The theme of Sky Yard changes every few months, as do the drinks menu, décor, art installations, and music. Last fall, the bar was set up as a beer garden, featuring vintage Oktoberfest picnic seating imported from bygone German bier-fests local microbrews served by dirndl-clad hostesses.

Mikla at the Marmara Pera, Istanbul

This combination bar and fine-dining restaurant also has an outdoor pool and DJ, and it’s done in minimalist white-on-white that looks positively South Beach-y. Mikla’s vibe is mellow, with a soothing Bosphorus view and -- here’s the best part -- a sophisticated and original menu by Turkish-Finnish chef-owner Mehmet Gürs (try the monkfish, dill, lemon, and fennel risotto). This is the most exclusive rooftop in the city, but if you prefer a nightclub-y, electric atmosphere, finish your meal and head to 360° Istanbul, a famous alfresco disco-bar with live stage atop the historic Misir Apartments, where jet-setting celebrities -- from Formula 1 drivers to Paris Hilton -- keep the party going into the wee hours.

Sky Bar at Hotel Lebua, Bangkok

Sky Bar is on the 63rd floor, attached to Sirocco, one of the Thai capital’s best restaurants. And if The Ritz claims to have the world’s tallest rooftop bar, Sky Bar, 650 feet above Bangkok and its Chao Phraya River, is billed as the tallest alfresco watering hole. Order a signature Hangovertini of green tea liqueur, apple juice, sweet vermouth, and rosemary-infused honey, commemorating scenes from last summer’s The Hangover II, which were shot from the circular neon bar.

OZONE at The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong

Banker and broker heaven since it opened along with The Ritz earlier this year, OZONE is the highest bar atop the world’s tallest hotel. Its lounge and outdoor terrace are on the 118th floor of the International Commerce Centre, an office-shopping complex in West Kowloon that’s packed with power brokers from Morgan Stanley, Deutsche Bank and Credit Suisse, whose Asian head offices are on lower floors. Shimmying on a neon dance floor, you’ll take in unrivaled views of the skyscraper-filled downtown.

 

Above 6 at The Thompson Hotel, New York City

 

Above 6 at 6 Columbus opened in May as the latest of Thompson Hotels’ signature rooftop bars. It has a Columbus Circle address in Midtown Manhattan, a cozy contemporary outdoor fireplace and features Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill, with a retractable roof for all-weather dining. Above 6 is open to the public by reservation, unlike Thompson's other rooftop bars, where you need to be a guest of the hotel to get in or be one of a few celebs handpicked each year to receive a “membership card.”

 Aer at the Four Seasons Mumbai

The city’s highest bar-lounge, Aer, covers the entire 34th floor rooftop of this new hotel situated in an emerging commercial district in south Mumbai. Order a champagne cocktail and chicken tikka pizza during daily half-price “sunset happy hour.” Or stay for the evening, gazing out to the Arabian Sea, while a DJ spins house and funk.

A Vacation Guide To Bachelor

When you're single, there's something missing alright. When you're in a relationship, the whole world is missing YOU, and the moment another fight over crumbs in the toaster breaks out, you realize that playing solo was far more fun. That's of course a temporary state of mind, and sooner or later, the need for “possession” takes over. But what if you're single and can't help it? Well, the first thing to do is to be persistent and keep looking; the second - have a holiday that will make your mind race and your buddies turn green with envy.

10. Belgrade, Serbia

Electronic music capital.

Don't make such big eyes. Since a survey by Lonely Planet dubbed it the world's party hub, Serbia's capital city has become a prime location on the traveling radars of those who long for exuberant fun underpinned with respectable cultural legacy. Visitors say the city's electronic music scene is unparalleled and the Skadarlija district really rocks with its old bohemian ambiance and quaint bars. Music blasts from virtually everywhere, be it barges spread along the Sava and Danube River or the basement of the University of Belgrade's Faculty of Electrical Engineering, where the famed KST alternative club is located. If partying makes your world go round, head to Belgrade. The lack of restrictive night life regulations means that nearly everything is possible.

9. Montreal, Canada

Touching kindly welcome.

Montreal is a place where the dirtiest fantasies come true, and it's not even about the number of rub-and-tugs and strip clubs around. The thing is that the Canadian Supreme Court passed a law that made lap dancing with full touching and contact absolutely legal and, in practice, much welcome, with Grand Prix or Chez Diane held as the most liberal clubs in the city. So, if you really need to go further than just watching, Montreal is a very "hands-on" kind of place.

8.Cairo,Egypt                                              

Light my fire.

No, it's not the pyramids that makes Cairo a bachelor paradise. Nor the camels. Egypt's capital city hosts the best belly-dancing spectacles, and believe it or not, a professional show is unlike anything else on earth. When the French occupied Cairo, one of Napoleon's generals called the art "a gross and indecent expression of sensual intoxication", and much as he was exaggerating the obscenity, don't be surprised if the impassioned hip action turns you on in no time. Dina, Fifi Abdu and Lucy pass as the most stupendous performers in the city and their shows are really worth splurging on (the artists only appear in 5 star hotels).

7.LasVegas,USA                                         

 

Las Vegas

The Sin City doesn't need much advertising. Nights out on the Strip, drinks pouring to no end, scantily-clad girls pole dancing next to gambling tables, and hotels that don't falls short of even the weirdest expectations - that's Las Vegas in all its glory. Just be careful not to wake up with a ring on your finger. Getting wedded by Elvis is helluva fun, but is the one lying next to you worth breaking with the bachelor status?

6. South Beach, Miami, USA

Bienvenido a Miami.

Guess what location Cosmopolitan Magazine picked when trying to break the Guinness World Record for the largest swimsuit photo shoot in history. If you've ever watched South Beach, you already know the neighborhood brings out the best of Miami, and although the TV series turned to be a total flop, the fact remains that South Florida is called the Skin Belt. Reasons? Just go to the beach and the amazingly shaped, bikini-clad goddesses sipping Mojitos will suffice for an answer. Why they're so luscious, we don't know. Be it access to the world's top-rated surgeons or the South American influx, the women here are HOT, and nobody's surprised that year after year, South Beach makes it to the top of world's sexiest beaches list.

5. Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Red Light District.

It's just got to be on the list, hands down. Liberal like the Netherlands' policy towards homosexuality, promiscuous like the Red Light District, laid-back like the cannabis coffee shops, and small enough to navigate on foot (guess you don't want to be able to drive on your bachelor holiday) - the city is a place to be if you really want to go bad and have nobody making big fuss about that. Period.

4. Jamaica, the Caribbean

Dancehall Queen.

Luscious, palm-fringed beaches, the Rastafarian vibe, and chocolate-shaped bodies are all Jamaican hallmarks ready to give you a holiday of a lifetime. But the thing that makes the island a particularly male-oriented destination is a form of dancing that has sprung from a less politically-centered variant of reggae as practice, for instance, by Sean Paul or Shaggy. All forms of wriggling, hip moving, and bum shaking make dancehall a really sexy form of expression that's able to melt ice. Just check out Shisha, the Dancehall Queen, and imagine things like that are commonplace in clubs here. Just ask those in the know to tell you where.

3. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Samba frenzy.

Even if Brazilian women are runner-ups, after Venezuelans, in the world's beauty rankings, they certainly have a lot more opportunities to sport their unbelievable shapes, let alone that half of the angels in Caracas had nature tampered with by plastic surgeons. In Rio, thrilling beauty doesn't have to be looked for as it literally comes right across your way: in the bikini fashions of Copacabana, in the passion-inspired cheering at the Maracana Stadium, in celebrity-frequented clubs (Baronneti, Hideaway, and Catwalk, to name just a few), and above all, in the samba-infused carnival festivities that dazzle with color, deafen with music, intoxicate with alcohol, and put at ease with the absolute lack of restraints. When the streets fill with scarcely-clad dancers, nobody makes a big deal about your hand accidentally landing on their perfectly curved...body part.

2. Cancun, Mexico

May tequila be with you!

Those lucky to have gotten a taste of it claim Cancun's nightlife is second to none. Mexican food that fires your taste buds, girls swinging from the ceilings, dancing hands-on-her-hips in a conga line, and above all, tequila flowing like water. Tumble out of Carlos and Charlie's, Coco Bongo, or the clubs at Yaxchilan Avenue at some wee hours in the morning straight onto a beach for a short nap under a palm tree - the beaches in Cancun are nothing short of dreamlike. When you're up and ready, have an invigorating swim followed by a light breakfast of fruit at a thatched bar, and start planning for another night of revelry. In Cancun, life is all about partying and not giving a hangover time to strike. Oh, have we mentioned the Mexican voluptuous curvature?

1. Phuket, Thailand

Not an ordinary massage. By Wyndham Jaco Beach, Costa Rica

Put two most liberating things on earth together, sex and traveling, and what you get is a phenomenon of "sex tourism", defined by WTO as "trips organized from within the tourism sector, or from outside this sector but using its structures and networks, with the primary purpose of effecting a commercial sexual relationship by the tourist with residents at the destination".

In practice, the idea can range from just going to a different country in pursuit of pleasures that your country deems illegal, to all-inclusive holiday packages, the best of which are apparently to be enjoyed in Phuket, Thailand's picturesque island with a flourishing sex business. Just remember that you potentially support the industry that sexually abuses children. You certainly don't want to contribute to that, do you? So just get a sensual Thai massage and find out it can be an equally thrilling experience.

A word of advice

Everything is for people, and it's only our common sense that controls how far we can go in our pursuit of pleasures. Always make sure everyone in the party is of legal age, stay safe, and...have good-quality fun.

Most Fabulous Casino Hotels

They may not be the most luxurious hotels in the world, but they definitely take the gambling experience to another level. In these locations, the designs, views and attractions are so rewarding that even huge losses at the table may seem less bitter. 

See some of the most fabulous casino hotels on the planet:

 

Atlantis Resort&Casino                     

Atlantis Royal Tower.

Atlantis Resort and Casino has been expertly designed to set a new standard of excellence. Its modern, luxurious design, oceanic ambiance and tropical feel combine to give you a vacation to never forget. Countless guestrooms, suites and villas accommodate wide budget rages (rates start at around $250), the fabulous waterpark will give you the fun of your life, and nightlife is hard to beat. If you're interested in the casino part, there's even poolside gaming available, so this is definitely a place to come and play if the setting matters to you. The resort has been heavily featured in popular culture (Casino Royal, Friends, and After the Sunset, among others).

Glass sculpture inside the casino.

Palace of the Lost City                      

Palace of the Lost City.

Located in a remote part of South Africa and literally drowning in greenery, this amazing residence is a fabulous combination of mosaics, frescoes, sophisticated furnishing and wildlife statues. Huge, luxurious and decorative, it looks totally surreal in its fantasy-like setting. Sample Africa's royal past and indulge in the comforts of the present times, including the most advanced Waterpark in South Africa. A stay at the Palace of the Lost City is no doubts a lifetime experience, to be gotten for not less that $600.

The restaurant.

The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel - Macao

The Venetian. 

Sparkling with 3,000 fabulous suites (min $200), thousands of lights and 1,600,000 sq ft (149,000 m2) of shopping space, this landmark hotel is Asia's real pearl of entertainment. Area wise, it is the fifth largest building in the world, and indeed, its spaciousness makes a staggering impression. The casino itself is divided into themed areas named Golden Fish, Imperial House, Phoenix and Red Dragon. And although the property can really give you a feel of old-world Venice, its 2 billion dollar technology is truly far from renaissance.

In the lobby.

Mohegan Sun - Uncasville, CT, USA  

Mohegan Sun at sunset.

A player or not, if you happen to be around Uncasville, CT, don't miss out on its fabulous entertainment hub. With 1,200 high standard guest rooms and suites (starting at $250), luxurious spa, shopping, golfing options, and headlining music events, Mohegan Sun has everything to bewilder and please its non-gambling guests. However, it is the second largest casino in the United States that makes it a real pearl among the gaming establishments. A 35-foot high animated water wall inspires luck in the Casino of the Wind, the world's largest planetarium dome takes you to the stars in the Casino of the Sky, and the howling of wolves mixes with the jingling of slot machines in the Casino of the Earth.

Shopping at Mohegan's. 

Hotel de Paris - Monte Carlo, Monaco         

Casino de Paris.

Surrender to the calling of bliss at one of Europe's most beautiful hotel spas, dine at the world's finest restaurants and relax in lavishly decorated rooms. Hotel de Paris is actually a palace rather than a hotel, and don't expect anything cheaper than $600. Although it doesn't have a gaming space of its own, it's located right next to Monaco's legendary Casino de Monte-Carlo, which hosts the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final. Pure class and glamor!

In the lobby.

Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort                

Niagara Fallsview Casino.

The complex may not be the most impressive building in the world, but the view you get from your hotel window more than compensates for any deficiencies (rates start at $200). Situated at the foot of Horseshoe Falls, the hotel is one of the most fabulous places to stay... and lose money. The casino itself is so big that it could house 3 foootball fields and has enough gaming options to perplex even the most hardened player. Sophistication and classy decor are a huge attribute of the resort.

Overlooking the Niagara

Bellagio - Las Vegas, USA        

The dancing fountains in front of the hotel.

The best thing about Las Vegas is that its hotels are really affordable, no matter how many stars they boast. Bellagio, which is definitely top of the range, can be booked for as little as $200.  Of course, it's not the most luxurious hotel in Las Vegas, but it's not always standard that matters. Here, the competitive advantage is at least three-fold: celebrity spotting is almost guaranteed, the dancing fountains take the breath away, and the lobby is magically colorful.  The casino? Well, it's Las Vegas so it's hard to tell kitsch from sophistication.

In the lobby.

Just keep your common sense and watch you wallet. It's so easy to get carried away when there's so much splendor around. Any gambling experience that you want to share with us by the way?

Ibiza Travel Guide

Ibiza, this beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea, is one of the most beautiful places in the world one should definitely visit, as it represents the perfect combination between historical places and a wild nightlife. The visitor who comes to Ibiza surely will be impressed by the beaches, the traditions, and the large number of clubs and by this island’s philosophy of life and earthly pleasures. 

Well known for its hot summers and hot parties, Ibiza isn’t all about social- and nightlife, it actually has some places which have been declared by UNESCO part of World Heritage. This puts on hold the rapid and continuous development of the city, while preserving some historical places with great international importance. The island of Ibiza (the 3rd largest in the Balearic Islands, where it’s situated) has a history dating back to 650 BC, when Phoenician settlers founded a port here. The 'Ibiza' name comes from 'Bes', the Phoenician god of music and dance, and, one must admit that it couldn’t be a better name to inspire this magnificent island.

Ibiza’s geographical position blesses the island with exquisite beaches and a warm temperature, making tourists visit it probably more often than many other islands in Europe. An eclectic population is yearly attracted here, from rock star celebrities, electronic music fans to hippies. The island makes no discrimination when it comes to having fun, so it practically invites everybody. With a tremendous number of luxurious hotels and resorts, Ibiza is one top Spanish summer destinations.

Beaches of Ibiza

Ibiza has a large number of beaches, each charming the visitors in its own way. Whether one’s looking for therapeutically sunbathing or just enjoying a refreshing cocktail in the tens of bars spread out along the beaches, here is the place to best taste a veritable Spanish sunset or sunrise.

For hidden white beaches to more popular ones, with music coloring the general mood, Ibiza’s beaches are one good reason to come here. The most famous beaches are Ses Salinas, Playa d’en Bossa, Calla D’Hort, Sa Trinxa or Playa de Figueratas.

Nightlife in Ibiza

Ibiza is one of the most popular destinations in the world when it comes to having fun and partying. The nightlife here is internationally famous, due to several major clubs which had the chance to open and flourish here: 'Privilege', 'Amnesia', 'Space', 'Pacha', 'Eden', 'Es Paradis', 'DC1o' or 'Gala Night'.

This island of fun is the privileged scene for the world’s most famous DJ’s to present their latest works as well as the place offers the chance to popularize various kinds of electronic music styles(trance, goa, house, and techno). Carl Cox, Pete Tong or Dj Tiesto – they all came to Ibiza to play their music. Starting with June, the season for nightlife is officially opened and it usually lasts until October.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Old Town of Ibiza

Above the actual town of Ibiza, a small fortress has been built, and its name was given 'D’Alt Villa'. The old town of Ibiza is a magical place with little narrow old streets, with a 15 century old castle, chic shops and plenty of beautiful landscapes and views.

The immense guard tower placed in the old town of Ibiza can be seen from anywhere on the island and it’s one of the city's signature and historical buildings. While here, one can visit the fortifications built by the cavaliers or the Eivissa Cathedral dedicated to the Virgin Mary, with medieval walls and Baroque decorations. 

The Hippie Market of Ibiza

Ibiza is known worldwide for this exotic fair called the 'Hippie Market'. Held every Wednesday during the season, this extremely colored place is full of stalls which sell pretty much everything. Starting with clothes, silver jewelry, African art and leather goods, the Hippie Market is a nice relaxing place, easy to enjoy and rather difficult to forget once you’ve seen it.

Santa Eulalia

Santa Eulalia is a nice and beautiful resort in Ibiza, continuing the island’s specific mixture of old and new features. With its expensive luxury yachts in the harbor, with a river walk with a Roman bridge, with white Mediterranean houses and narrow alleys, Santa Eulalia can be a one-day destination. It also has very lovely restaurants and bars, on the famous “Street of Restaurants”, and chic stores.