HIGH above the streets of the city, a revolution is taking place.
Slowly, our once wasted rooftops are being transformed into vibrant spaces to drink and dine with family and friends.
In a city with a climate and views such as Sydney’s it’s natural to want to spend as much time as possible soaking up the sunshine in the warmer months.
But with limited space available, hoteliers are increasingly turned to the skies.
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READ NOWMerivale CEO Justin Hemmes opened one of Sydney’s first rooftop venues — the ivy Pool Club Bar — in his George St complex six years ago and is hoping to launch a revamped rooftop bar at the Coogee Pavilion (previously The Beach Palace Hotel) mid-December.
“I’d been travelling a lot prior to opening (of the Pool Club) … I was certainly inspired by New York,” Hemmes says.
“New York does rooftop bars so well — I guess they need to because it’s such a landlocked city.
“I’m a massive fan of Sydney and one of its greatest assets is its weather.
“You have to be outdoors and to be outdoors in the city you generally have to be up on the roof.
“It makes sense. I think the more rooftop bars we have the better.”
Hemmes says his new Coogee venture will have an eclectic design and a casual vibe with an Eastern Mediterranean-inspired menu.
“Hopefully it will be something amazing,” he says.
“It’s a remarkable spot — one of the most beautiful in Sydney.
“It’s got spectacular uninterrupted views of the headland to the north, the ocean and the beach and the parkland in the south.”
One of Sydney’s most popular rooftop bars, at The Glenmore Hotel in The Rocks, opened around the same time as the ivy’s and underwent a major renovation two years ago.
With views over Sydney Harbour and the city skyline it has proven a popular place with tourists and locals alike.
I travel overseas a lot, especially to Singapore and I see all these amazing rooftop bars and I think: ‘why don’t we have more?’ We have this incredible harbour and climate. - Matt Moran
Before the renovation, it had a portable bar and fridges on wheels.
It now has a permanent bar with 16 beers on tap and a retractable roof so you can enjoy the space “rain, hail or shine”.
“It was very dated,” general manager Nick Beath says.
“When they first opened it nobody knew anything about it and they slowly added tables and chairs until it got to the stage it needed to be renovated to accommodate the amount of people who wanted to be up there.
“Our demographic ranges from 18 to 80-year-olds — from tourists to suits and people just looking for a quiet beer.”
The hotel has just launched a new summer menu which includes pan roasted salmon with mixed quinoa and garden peas and a tuna salad.
Over on the Northern Beaches, rooftop bars have also popped up at the Ivanhoe Hotel and the New Brighton Hotel in Manly in recent years.
New Brighton general manager Michael McPherson says the rooftop used to house an airconditioning unit and other industrial equipment before the venue was renovated two years ago.
“I worked at the hotel pre-renovation and any time you were having a bad day you’d sneak up onto the roof and enjoy the view from North Steyne along the main beach up to Shelly Beach,” he says.
“It’s a bit of a shame that my private sanctuary has gone, but it’s too good a spot not to share with the public.”
McPherson says the bar has a chilled out vibe, with high tables and “birds nest” day beds. The menu showcases traditional Australian dishes with regular pop-ups on the rooftop, including noodle markets, burger bars and paella carts.
“There’s definitely always something happening up there,” McPherson says.
Chef and restaurateur Matt Moran also has plans to open a three-level bar at Barangaroo in early 2016.
“We’re still in the design stage but the top level is going to be an amazing rooftop bar,” he says.
“I travel overseas a lot, especially to Singapore and I see all these amazing rooftop bars and I think: ‘why don’t we have more?’ We have this incredible harbour and climate.”
When it comes to food, Moran plans to feature three different styles of offerings showcasing the paddock to plate philosophy which will “sing together”.
“We’re going to have some beautiful greenery and gardens (on the rooftop) where I’m going to grow some herbs that I will use in the restaurant,” he says.
ROOFTOP BARS IN SYDNEY
Darlo Bar, Darlinghurst
Adorned with ferns, this hip open-air terrace (pictured above) offers an assortment of craft beers on tap and experimental infused spirits like our bacon tequila and passionfruit vodka. Fresh herbs from the rooftop garden are used to put the finishing touches on cocktails. Food includes a range of Thai dishes, handmade dumplings and pizza.
306 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst
9331 3672, darlobar.com.au
The Aurora Hotel, Surry Hills
Just across the road from Central Station in Elizabeth St with views towards the city, this large rooftop beer garden (pictured left) has a casual vibe. The menu includes rump steak, schnitzel, burgers, fish and chips and Thai stir-fry dishes.
324 Elizabeth St, Surry Hills
9211 3462, aurorahotel.com.au
El Topo, Bondi Junction
Snack on tacos and quesadillas and other creations by talented young chef Matthew Fitzgerald accompanied by tequila at this bright and colourful eatery at the top of The Eastern Hotel.
500 Oxford St, Bondi Junction,
8383 5959, theeastern.com.au
The Rook, Sydney
This dimly lit seventh floor bar in York St has an industrial feel, offering up great cocktails, burgers with truffle fries, lobster gnocchi and deep fried Mars Bars for dessert.
7/56-58 York St, Sydney
(02) 9262 2505, therook.com.au
Strawberry Hills Hotel
Known affectionately as “the Strawb”, the menu highlights at this revamped hotel include grilled barramundi fillet, a pulled pork burger and braised beef cheek.
453 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills,
9699 3355, strawberryhillhotel.com.au
ivy Pool Club Bar, Sydney
This happening Hollywood-style rooftop venue in Justin Hemmes’s ivy complex (pictured left) offers cocktails, private cabanas and DJs. Its menu includes an antipasto board and a range of gourmet pizzas.
Level 4, 320 George Street, Sydney
9254 8100, merivale.com.au/poolclub
The Royal Hotel, Paddington
This small rooftop bar provides a great outlook over the glittering city lights. Indulge on marinated grilled haloumi, duck pancakes and lamb cutlets.
237 Glenmore Rd, Paddington,
9331 2604, royalhotel.com.au
New Brighton Hotel, Manly
Sit at a wine barrel table and gaze over Manly corso to the ocean beyond from the top floor of The Rooftop at the refurbished New Brighton Hotel. There are imported beers and ciders on tap as well as nachos, buffalo wings, burgers and salads.
71 The Corso, Manly
9977 3305, newbrightonhotel.com.au/rooftop
Dot’s Rooftop at Hotel Sweeneys, Sydney
Enjoy craft beer and cocktails with views of
the city skyline at Dot’s Rooftop
236 Clarence St, Sydney
9267 1796, hotelsweeneys.com.au
The Ivanhoe Hotel, Manly
This chic rooftop cocktail bar in the renovated Ivanhoe hotel offers meals including chorizo and prawn pizza with roasted garlic, Spanish onion and chimmi churri, the Ivanhoe burger with a house made beef pattie, and chicken parmigiana with housemade smoked leg ham.
27 The Corso, Manly
9976 3955, ivanhoehotelmanly.com.au
The Glenmore Hotel, The Rocks
A favourite with locals and tourists alike, this rooftop bar (pictured top left) has unbeatable views of Sydney Harbour. Now with a retractable roof, the rooftop will be open rain, hail or shine. Its menu includes seafood offerings like salt and pepper squid, smoked oysters and pan roasted salmon.
96 Cumberland St, The Rocks
(02) 9247 4794, theglenmore.com.au
Sweethearts Rooftop BBQ, Potts Point
Set above the busy streets of Kings Cross, Sweethearts has a fun, relaxed vibe. Its gourmet barbeque menu great for sharing with a group of friends and includes shrimp, sesame and Sichuan crusted salmon and Black Angus sirloin.
33-37 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point
8070 2424, sweetheartsbbq.com.au
Magners Rooftop Cider Bar, Sydney
This recently opened cider-focused bar at the top of Jacksons on George has been designed to reflect the open, organic look and feel of an apple orchard. Its traditional Irish menu includes steak and Guinness pie, lamb shanks and cured bacon loin.
176 George St, Sydney
8488 2450, jacksonsongeorge.com.au
Pyrmont Bridge Hotel
The Rooftop Terrace at the Pyrmont Bridge Hotel has views over Pyrmont Bay, Darling Harbour & the city skyline. It can also be booked for private functions.
96 Union Street, Pyrmont
9660 6996, pyrmontbridgehotel.com
The Local Taphouse, Darlinghurst
This rooftop terrace (pictured above) offers the same 20 craft beers as you can get at the main bars downstairs. Its British-influenced menu includes pub classics like Wagyu beef burgers and Shepherd’s pie as well as roasted bangalow pork belly and glazed Suffolk lamb shoulder.
122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst
9360 0088, thelocal.com.au
The Sky Terrace, Pyrmont
After a successful stint last summer, the Sky Terrace at The Star Event Centre is set to reopen next month, pending DA approval. With panoramic views of the Harbour and city skyline it’s a great place to sip a cocktail at sunset and watch the lights of Sydney turn on.
The Star Event Centre, 80 Pyrmont St, Pyrmont,
1800 858 858, star.com.au