Best Rooftop Bar in Penang: Three Sixty vs the Pokok vs Gravity

Penang's rooftop bar scene is smaller than KL's, but it makes up for size with character. George Town's low-rise skyline means even modest elevation gives you sweeping views across heritage rooftops to the Penang Strait and the mainland beyond. The three bars covered here represent the range of what the island offers: a revolving sky bar, a ground-level-meets-rooftop backpacker hub, and a sleek hotel lounge.

We visited all three across weekday and weekend evenings in 2026 to compare them on view quality, drinks, pricing, atmosphere and practicalities. Below is the full breakdown.

Side-by-Side Comparison Table

Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant and Sky Bar

Three Sixty sits on top of Bayview Hotel on Lebuh Farquhar and holds the distinction of being Penang's only revolving restaurant. The dining room completes a full 360-degree rotation roughly every hour, giving every table a shifting panorama of George Town's heritage rooftops, the Penang Strait, Penang Hill and the mainland coastline. The outdoor alfresco bar area does not revolve but offers a large open-air deck that counts as the biggest sky bar terrace on the island.

The bar menu features craft cocktails in the RM 35-55 range, with a selection of wines, beers and spirits. The food menu leans toward Peranakan-inspired dishes and sharing plates. Sunset is the main event here — arrive by 6:30 pm to claim a good spot on the outdoor terrace before the golden hour crowd fills up. The atmosphere is relaxed but slightly elevated, with smart casual dress expected. No slippers or beachwear.

Three Sixty is the clear choice when views are the priority. No other venue in Penang gives you a continuous panoramic sweep of the island and the strait in one sitting. Reservations are recommended for the revolving restaurant, especially on weekends. The bar area operates on a first-come basis. Parking is available at Bayview Hotel.

The Pokok (Chulia Street)

The Pokok is not a rooftop bar in the traditional high-rise sense — it is an open-air street-level bar at 227 Chulia Street, in the heart of George Town's backpacker and nightlife strip. The name means "the tree" in Malay, and the venue is built around a large tree that anchors the outdoor seating area, draped in fairy lights and surrounded by mismatched furniture that gives the place its relaxed, bohemian character.

What The Pokok lacks in elevation it makes up for in energy. Live bands perform regularly, DJs take over on weekends, and the mix of local regulars and international travellers creates a social atmosphere that the hotel bars cannot replicate. Drinks are the most affordable of the three, with cocktails in the RM 18-30 range and local beers from RM 14. The dress code is as casual as Penang gets — shorts, sandals and tank tops are all welcome.

The Pokok is the right choice when you want to meet people, listen to live music and keep your bar tab reasonable. It operates from 4 pm to 1 am daily, and the crowd builds after 9 pm. The Chulia Street location means you are within walking distance of hawker stalls and other bars, making it easy to fold into an evening food-and-drinks crawl through George Town.

Gravity (G Hotel Kelawai)

Gravity occupies the top floor of G Hotel Kelawai on Persiaran Maktab, in the Gurney Drive area about 15 minutes by Grab from George Town's heritage core. The venue is split into a plush interior lounge with panoramic windows and a glowing outdoor sky bar. An infinity pool sits adjacent to the bar area — it is reserved for hotel guests, but non-guests can enjoy the visual backdrop and the open-air seating that wraps around it.

The cocktail programme is the strongest of the three bars, with a menu that leans toward contemporary mixology. Signature drinks run RM 40-60, and the spirits and wine list is more curated than what you will find at Three Sixty or The Pokok. Light meals and sharing plates are available. The view from Gravity sweeps across Gurney Drive, the northern coastline and George Town's skyline — not as high as Three Sixty, but the polished setting and the pool create a more refined ambience.

Gravity is the pick for a polished night out. The smart casual dress code, higher price point and Gurney Drive location position it as the aspirational option on Penang's bar scene. Friday and Saturday evenings get busy, so reservations are recommended. Valet parking is available at G Hotel Kelawai. The bar opens at 5 pm and closes at midnight.

Our Pick by Situation

• First-timer wanting the signature Penang view: Three Sixty. The revolving format and alfresco terrace deliver the widest panorama on the island.
• Short on time: The Pokok. Walk in from Chulia Street, no reservation needed, and you can pair it with dinner at nearby hawker stalls.
• Family or group celebration: Gravity. The refined atmosphere, comfortable seating and cocktail variety suit a special evening.
• Late night on a budget: The Pokok. Affordable drinks, live music and a crowd that keeps going until 1 am.

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