Where to find Sydney’s best rooftop bars
There is no better season than summer to pair a cold beer with a bird’s-eye view and with Sydney’s glorious weather and incredible views, the city’s rooftop bars are lifting their game.
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THERE is no better season than summer to pair a cold beer with a bird’s-eye view and with Sydney’s glorious weather and incredible views, the city’s rooftop bars are lifting their game. Patrons are looking for much more than a venue in the sky. Developer John Tully opened rooftop rose bar The Fernery, in Mosman on December 1.
“It was time to give the market something that it needed,” Tully says. “As far as rooftop bars go, Sydney had a real undersupply.”
Looking over local treetops, and with its own hanging garden of lush greenery, The Fernery (719 Military Rd) boasts sweeping views of Sydney Harbour and a seasonal, wood-fired menu with an emphasis on locally sourced ingredients and herbs sourced from its own outdoor kitchen garden.
“People like drinking in the right atmosphere, so all factors have to be right. A rooftop is just part of it, you also need great ambience, good drinks and the right kind of service,” Tully said.
“You have to have the fundamentals right, whether the venue is a roof or basement like Baxter Inn. The view is an additional variable that just makes the experience all that much better.”
Here are Insider’s pick of the newest venues:
SMOKE
35 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
The recently opened rooftop bar at Matt Moran’s Barangaroo House has a champagne-driven wine list and share plates such as smoked brisket doughnuts and sea urchin toasties.
It’s the jewel in the crown of the tri-level venue.
Considering Sydney’s climate, Moran can’t comprehend the lack of rooftop venues.
“Why does Sydney not have them? I think we’ll have more and more,” he says.
LEVEL SEVEN AT PRIMUS HOTEL SYDNEY
339 Pitt St, City
The rooftop, which was previously only for guests, opened to the public in September. It’s a glam spot for cocktails and champagne and a menu featuring oysters, jaffles and wood-fired pizzas.
ROSETTA
118 Harrington St, The Rocks
The restaurant’s terrace at the Grosvenor Place complex offers city skyline views and glimpses of the Opera House sails.
Have a drink and snack from Neil Perry’s bar menu of antipasti or pizza teamed with aperitivi cocktails including the Sgroppino, lemon sorbet whisked with prosecco and a dash of Amaro. If you fancy heartier dishes such as the zuppa di pesci with garlic bruschetta, you’ll be happy to know you can dine outside while ordering from the main menu.
ZEPHYR SKY BAR
Hyatt Regency Sydney
Level 12, 161 Sussex Street, CBD
There are rooftops and then there are rooftops, this belongs to the latter category. High up enough that it offers panoramic views of Darling Harbour and the city, it has the kind of comprehensive drinks list you expect of a city hotel and also does Sunday brunch.
EAST VILLAGE SYDNEY
234 Palmer St, Darlinghurst
The rooftop level has been transformed into a tiki bar just in time for summer. The Tiki Terrace is decorated with inflatable lobsters, neon-lights, traditional tiki mugs and lush tropical ferns to match a menu including a Banana Colada, spiced rum, coco lopez, pineapple, banana, lime, salt, angostura bitters, all adorned with a banana dolphin and spicy Jerk Chicken Boa with pineapple ketchup and coriander.
HELM BAR BAR & BISTRO
Aquarium Wharf, 7 Wheat Rd, City
This rooftop was recently relaunched and in keeping with its harbour setting, new items on the cocktail menu include Boatie McBoatface with Ketel One Vodka, Paraiso lychee liqueur, passion fruit puree and lime juice. It makes sense that the sharing menu also has a seafood bent, including a seafood platter loaded with oysters, smoked salmon, chilled and grilled prawns, mussels, battered fish and whitebait.
THE TERNARY
100 Murray St, Pyrmont
Located in Novotel Sydney on Darling Harbour, the Ternary Terrace has just reopened for summer with a Pimm’s Pop-Up. From Friday-Sunday until March, play a game of croquet while making your way through the exclusive Pimms cocktail list and menu including cheeseburgers, buckets of prawns and Pimms pastrami sandwiches.
SKY TERRACE
The Star, Sydney
On level three of The Star, the summer pop-up bar overlooking the city is now open for the season. The expansive space is home to four outdoor bars; Heineken Bar, Garden Bar, Bacardi Mojito Bar, and the Peacock Lounge by Moet Hennessy, so no matter what you’re drinking, you’ll find it here.
And our old favourites
HENRY DEANE
Hotel Palisade, 35 Bettington St, Millers Point
Uniquely positioned, the two-floor cocktail bar has views of both bridges; Harbour and Anzac.
UNTIED SYDNEY
Level 4, Exchange Place, 400 Barangaroo Ave, Barangaroo
Cocktail jugs, ice cream tacos, bottomless drinks packages and more make for fun times.
THE GLASSHOUSE
Hotel Steyne, 75 The Corso, Manly
The upper level is now a gin and tonic bar, with views over Manly beach.
INTERCONTINENTAL SYDNEY DOUBLE BAY
33 Cross St, Double Bay
Non-guests can enjoy the rooftop in summer, book a cabana or pop in on Saturdays for the brunch menu.
ZETA BAR
488 George St, Sydney
The bar at Hilton Sydney has an outdoor terrace that overlook the Queen Victoria Building.
SWEETHEARTS ROOFTOP
Level 3, 33-35 Darlinghurst Rd, Potts Point
Say ole to the Mexican cantina vibe while overlooking The Cross.
ICEBERGS DINING ROOM AND BAR
1 Notts Ave, Bondi Beach
Enjoy an Aperol sprtiz and the tunes of Sicily DJ Stefano Pierozzi every Wednesday-Saturday from 5pm.
COOGEE BAY HOTEL
253 Coogee Bay Rd, Coogee
The third level, with views over the beach, is the jewel in this venue’s very cool crown.
THE ROYAL HOTEL
237 Glenmore Rd, Paddington
The rooftop is tiny, holding about only 40 seats. If you’re lucky enough to score one, settle in for a session.
THE GLENMORE HOTEL
96 Cumberland St, The Rocks
An old-school pub going since 1921, it has some of the best views in town, all for the price of a schooner.
CAFE DEL MAR
Rooftop Terrace, Cockle Bay Wharf, 35 Wheat Rd, Sydney
Best known for hosting DJs the likes of Basement Jaxx and Joey Negro.
SOCAL
1 Young St, Neutral Bay
The name says it all, a Southern Californian experience in Sydney.
THE ROOK
56-58 York St, Sydney
A CBD spot best known for its lobster rolls.
THE LOCAL TAPHOUSE
122 Flinders St, Darlinghurst
Craft beers over three levels, you just have to navigate the narrow, rickety staircase first.
ROYAL OAK HOTEL
28 Bay St, Double Bay
Pub fare and a rooftop cocktail bar because drinks taste better when they’re sipped in the open air.
Coming soon...
Chiltern Rooftop Pool and Bar
Governor Macquarie Drive, Warwick Farm
The William Inglis Hotel is opening January 22 and one of the attractions of this new five-star hotel will be the rooftop bar and pool deck. It will be the only pool in the world where you can relax on cabanas and sun lounges while watching the races below.
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