The Best Rooftop Bar in Metro Manila Might Just Be This One in Quezon City

Manila isn’t lacking in bars perched on the penthouses of tall buildings. But there’s one on the 38th floor of Solaire North that may just have the best, most unbeatable views of the city. 

Skybar already has a distinct advantage over other bars in Metro Manila because of its location. Solaire North is one of the tallest buildings in Quezon City, and having a bar on one of its topmost floors immediately guarantees expansive views; on a clear day, you can see the skyscrapers of Makati, BGC, and Ortigas in the South, all the way to the majestic Sierra Madre mountain range further up in the northeast.

The layout of the bar maximizes these views. There’s a wraparound open-air lounge that lets guests capture the sunset from any angle. Tough luck, though, when it rains.

Luckily, there’s an indoor area that mirrors the elegant but laidback design language of the entire casino-resort. Plush leather and fabric chairs, muted lighting, and strategically placed mirrors heighten the upscale atmosphere, setting the stage for a relaxed evening of conversations and libations.

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Skybar backs up its extraordinary vibes with an equally impressive drinks list. Its latest promotion is a selection of drinks off its Celestial Cocktails menu, each one named and designed like something ripped from the cosmos. Try the Solar (Hennessy VS, Fresh Lemon Juice, sugar syrup and red wine), the Milkyway (Corazon Blanco, pineapple juice, fresh lime juice, homemade pandan syrup, full cream milk, and coconut cream), or the Lunar (Yaguara Cachaca, homemade mint lime cordial, and citric solution).

For those feeling more adventurous, there’s Midgard (Johnnie Walker Double Black, Ginger Honey Shrub, Fresh Calamansi Juice, Laphroaig Triple Cask, Pasturized Egg White), Rose Skies (Hendricks, Homemade Rose Vermouth, St. Germain), and Supernova (Hennessy VS, Homemade Apricot Liqueur, Peychaud’s Bitters, Brown Sugar, Absinthe). Don’t be afraid to ask the servers what you’re in the mood for.

Skybar has two ongoing promotions: Dusk and Drinks gets you two hours of unlimited tapas, wines, cocktails, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks for P1688++, while on Sundays, there’s Afternoon Free-Flow ‘til Sunset, which also offers two hours of classic drinks from wines, cocktails, spirits, beers, juices and sodas.

There’s no shortage of restaurants at Solaire North to satiate every kind of craving; there’s Manyaman for modern Filipino, Finestra for fine Italian, Yakumi for inventive Japanese, and several others at the fourth-floor food court. But for after-dinner drinks, the best choice is Skybar. There’s even a dedicated cigar room and vault, for people who must accompany their drinks with the occasional puff. 

We don’t really need much with our local watering hole: good service, a fine drinks selection, perhaps a relaxed air of conviviality and camaraderie. All these things are present at Skybar and taken to new heights—literally. 

Skybar is located at the 38th  floor of Solaire North in Quezon City. Rservations recommended.