There’s nothing better on a warm night than enjoying a cocktail at a rooftop bar overlooking the city’s twinkling lights or the ocean.
Spring is a renewed state of mind that should be shouted from the rooftop – here are five venues to spend lazy days or nights at new heights, sipping on skyline views:
Cocktails at Sunset on the Roof
Boasting many spaces, bars and balconies to get lost in, head to Henry Deane on Bettington Street in Millers Point for rooftop brews and bites. The zenith of Hotel Palisade, this dining destination reveals the building’s modern and contemporary charisma with plush settees and lounges to watch the boats and harbour float on by – kick back and settle into uninterrupted Sydney views no matter which way you look.
Catch the sunset or a storm rolling in as you sip a Smooth Criminal mezcal cocktail and graze on lentil and pumpkin fritters, black garlic and mint, or prawn chowder with chilli oil and saffron rouille; for larger plates, opt for glazed pork belly, fermented grape and tarragon, or whole roasted chicken, koji, garlic and lemon. For a sweet finish, try chia seed pudding, yoghurt and cranberries.
Inner-city Rooftop Haven
Embrace the golden hours of the early evening and everything that lies beyond at Bar Ombre Rooftop on Alfred Street in the Sydney CBD. This inner-city haven boasts afternoon aperitivo, light fare and eclectic entertainment in an intimate sunset experience gazing out across the city skyline – dance with the resident DJ, boogie by the bar or find a corner with someone special for an evening to remember.
Sip a signature Purple Haze cocktail with ink gin, pink grapefruit, lemon and orange bitters and graze on fried salted cod bites and tartar sauce; perhaps opt for pappardelle with slow-cooked lamb ragu, pecorino and romano, or chicken cotoletta, coleslaw and Dijonnaise. Those with a bent for pizza chow down on tomato, smoked ham, hot sopressa, pancetta, sausage, fior di latte and BBQ sauce.
Dine Under Blue Skies and Starry Nights
Escape the ordinary at Melrose contemporary Pan-Asian-inspired restaurant and rooftop bar to dine under blue skies by day and stars at night. Located upstairs at the tranquil river end of Oxford Street in Bulimba, Melrose offers an alternative dining experience focusing on a menu curated to share using locally sourced produce and traditional Southeast Asian techniques.
Unique cocktails have been carefully designed to complement the flavours on the plate, along with an extensive selection of more than 80 bottles of wine; get the party started with a Flamin’ Galah pink gin cocktail while grazing on a slipper lobster roll with spicy tamarind mayo, caviar and lime zest. Perhaps share beef short ribs with tom yum dressing, peanut, shiso and mixed herbs, or crispy calamari and kimchi mayo.
Feet on the Ground, Head in the Sky
Discover a serene oasis where your feet are on the ground and your head is in the sky at Beverly Rooftop on Chapel Street in South Yarra. Epitomising genuine hospitality, escape from the day-to-day above the hustle and bustle of Melbourne city in an immersive space, which seamlessly transforms from daylight to sunset and beyond allowing you to connect with something truly spectacular.
A one-stop home for an unforgettable experience, pair a Funky Kong cocktail with lobster cannoli, mascarpone and Parmesan, or a duck slider with jalapeño sauce on sesame brioche. From the fire come plates of charcoal chicken, with blue cheese sauce, buttermilk ranch, wood-roasted pumpkin, miso cauliflower and home fries; or delve into nori angel hair pasta with spanner crab, shrimps, saltbush and caviar.
Infinity Pool, Day Beds + Bar
Merging the most indulgent aspects of idyllic beachside and rooftop destinations with premium dining, Lina Rooftop is elevating Brisbane’s bar and restaurant scene to new heights. Calling South Brisbane’s skyline home from the corner of Merivale and Tribune Streets, find 1500sqm of luxe with an open-air terrace, prestige restaurant, Australia’s first non-residential tower infinity pool surrounded by day beds and an A-class bar.
With all-day lounging while enjoying cocktails and music, the days blend seamlessly into balmy nights – settle in with an icy glass of rosé to go with tuna tartare with avocado, white soy and roasted sesame tare, or share chateaubriand eye fillet with Hollandaise, roasted pomme de terre and buttered asparagus. Sweet tooths finish with skillet brownie and vanilla bean gelato.
