Savoring an aperitif at sundown as the fiery sun sinks into the big blue has been a sacrosanct ritual for many years.

The bar scene has evolved far beyond sailors chugging back bottles of cheap wine portside or Marcel Pagnol film characters chinking Pastis glasses in the 1930s. The drinking scene on its rooftops is reaching heady new heights as the city has evolved from Mediterranean black sheep to metropolitan trendsetter with cool factor extrme.

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Le Corbusier's La Cité radieuse and MuCEM's lattice-shaded terrace are two of the most innovative roof decks in the world. They are still a place of pilgrimage for art and design lovers. Social butterflies, night owls and cocktail connoisseurs alike are attracted to the rooftop hot spots.

The fishing hamlet of Les Goudes in Marseille at sunset
Tuba's new rooftop bar sits right over the water in picturesque Le Goudes © pcruciatti / Getty Images

Stop by Tuba for the best new opening in town

You know you're in the right place when you drink on the roof. Tuba was in a 1960s diving club in the fishing hamlet of Les Goudes. Tuba is the city's summer HQ for gourmet A-listers and has a new rooftop bar opening in July 2022. There will be more sea views to die for, as well as original tapas served in pizza boxes and signature cocktails.

Enjoy a non-rooftop bar with incredible views at La Caravelle

The city's original "bar with million-dollar views" was once the closest thing to a rooftop bar. The 1920s restaurant-bar on the port side of Le Panier has a romantic window on the second floor. Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde is known for its retro nautical décor, jazz concerts and vintage charm, and the port-facing bijou balcony is one of the most coveted seats in town. It's not a rooftop.

Dine in the sky at Ciel

Ciel, meaning'sky' in French, popped up on the 7th floor of one of the city center's highest buildings in the summer of 2021. Strung with canvas sails to shade and garlands of twinkling fairy lights after dark, the designer rooftop restaurant cooks up city views and top-notch pizza and pasta. San Daniele ham is cured for 16 months and deep- Fried Artichokes are highlights of aperitivo. What's the best seat in the house? The wooden swing is popular on the social networking site. It swings.

Group of friends clinking glasses while enjoying an evening meal in a restaurant on New Years Eve
Enjoy al fresco cocktails and dance the night away at R2 © SolStock / Getty Images

Dance late into the summer nights at R2

The charisma of this wildly popular, open-air bar and dance club can be attributed to retired shipping containers being turned into ethnic street-food stands. Up to 1500 night owls pack the dance floor to attend the best nights on the international circuit. R2 can be found on the rooftop of Les Terrasses du Port, a contemporary shopping center located in the renovated 19th century docks of La Joliette.

Escape the bustle of La Canebière at Les Réformés

When the throng of shoppers and strollers on La Canebire gets too much, rise above the main street hubbub. The restaurant-bar is located on the roof of the multi-screen cinema on La Canebire. The kitchen makes small plates to share over drinks and weekly live jazz or DJs.

Order drinks in a garden above the city at Bar Julis

The best of Marseillais sky bars can be found at the alfresco cocktail bar in Jardin de la Colline Puget. The garden is a five minute walk from Quai de Rive Neuve, and you can see Invader's gold-tile Oh Bonne Mre! mosaic. Once perched on a bar stool, hobnob with a local after-work crowd over signature cocktails and Mediterranean dishes.

Head to La Friche La Belle de Mai for worldly music, movies and outdoor tunes

If you want to party with an almost exclusively Marseillais crowd, make a beeline for the city's most experimental rooftop bar. The cultural center is accessible year-round, but in May and October it comes into its own.

Vieux Port in Marseille lit up at night
Take advantage of Marseille's rooftop bars to experience the best views of Vieux Port © Buena Vista Images / Getty Images

Admire incredible views of the Vieux Port at Rooftop Hôtel Hermès

This simple, two-star independent hotel at the Vieux Port is a great example of how appearances can be deceiving. The rooftop bar is open to non- hotel guests from 6pm until late. The seating and lawn may not be for everyone. The cocktails, mixed cheese and charcuterie platter, and birds' eye views of boats in the Vieux Port are all amazing. A plate of panisses (mini chickpea-flour pancakes with fiery chili sauce), eye-ball Notre Dame de la Garde and enter heaven la Marseillaise can be ordered.

Drop by Rowing Club for refined Mediterranean cuisine and bottomless Sunday brunch

It's name is not a mistake. The Jardin du Pharo area is home to the city's well-established rowing club and this rooftop restaurant and bar is close to it. The Mediterranean menu might include dishes like deep- fried squid with garlic and rouille, or a dish made from the catch of the day. When a bottomless buffet is laid out on Sunday, it's important to make reservations at the rowing club.

Experience five-star luxury by the port at Dantès Skylounge

Dants Skylounge is located on the seventh floor of a luxury hotel. A panoramic view of the entire Vieux Port, guarded by the twinset forts of St-Jean and St-Nicolas, can be seen from the roof bar until the early hours of the morning. You can admire the city from above over a Provence-inspired cocktail, pastis or pink gin distilled by Mistral Gin. It's Sante!

The article was last updated about 4 hours ago.