Rooftop Bar Scene

By Josh Ives

If you stop yourself once in a while and smell the roses, you’ll realise that we live in a pretty kick-ass city. Yes, ok so the cabbies are mental, the rent is sky-high and the lock-out laws are a joke. But honestly, if we really take a sec to appreciate our lives and the fact that we get to play in one of the most beautiful cities on Earth, then the little thorns don’t seem to dig so deep.

So. You live in a sweet city with limitless social life possibilities, and the warm summer evenings are just too tempting to contemplate staying inside. What do you do? Where do you go? Why not you grab your tinder date buds and cruise onwards and upwards to one of the many rooftop bars that are sprawled around the city to enjoy a night of good times under the stars. Where are these magical drinking havens you ask? Cool your jets, ‘cos we got your back.

After much discussion, we decided to focus on our favourite pub styled bars and not so much those swanky little taps hidden at the top of other competing hotels.

Stayed tuned for the follow up on that one 😉

So, here’s a little list of our favourite rooftops around the city at the moment:

Hotel Sweeneys:

Ahh Sweeny’s. My first love. I have to admit, whenever anyone asks me for a good recommendation for a rooftop spot in the city my mind always goes to Sweeny’s first. There’s nothing quite like kicking it with a well-earned drink and the sun setting over the city. When I say well-earned, I mean it! Getting to the summit of Sweeny’s is a mission, and only the fittest will make it. If you’re travelling with a gang, be prepared to lose one or two to the challenge. But once you’re up there, good times and great drinks await! Grab a jug with your mates, and keep the hunger at bay with a schooner of delicious pork scratchings. Pro-tip for the newbies: it’s an intimate space so if you’re cruising with a group, always best to book ahead to secure a table, especially on a Friday.

Glenmore Hotel:

If you’ve decided to head out towards the Rocks for end-of-the-week drinks, you’d be crazy to miss out on a chance to soak up the last rays on the Glenmore rooftop. You’ll see why once you get up there. Drinking a craft ale just seems so much sweeter when you’re taking in views that belong on a postcard. A great spot for lunch on the weekends, it also caters for the competitive with a games room on the lower floors where you can show off your dazzling pool skills. And as for the peckish; any local worth their salt will direct you to the mind-blowing BBQ ribs. C’mon, ribs, a good stout and a prime view of the sun setting over the Opera House. Was there ever an easier sell?

The Rook:

Three words: Lobsters, Burgers & Cocktails. That should be all I really need to say about this, but in case you need any more reason, I’ll go on…

Easy to miss by those who don’t know it exists, I’m giving you the scoop on this hidden gem. Located at 56-58 York St, you’ll enter into a normal enough looking foyer where you’ll await the lift. Forget the sweat towel, no hundred flights for you this time. You’ll get in, hit ‘R’ and exit on the 7^th floor looking fresh and ready to party. Like “stepping into an 18+ version of Willie Wonka’s chocolate factory” you’re now ready to stroll up to the bar and confidently order a Kentucky Cooler (that’s bourbon, peach tea, Amaro Montenegro and lemon juice for the kick). There’s a liquor range matched only by the likes of Baxter’s and Shady Pines, and you’ll never fall short for the right tipple. Need a feed? Any self-respecting legend will go with the Uncle Sam burger, but for the lobster lovers out there, you can’t go wrong with the mouth-watering lobster roll.

The Local Taphouse:

If you like your beer craft and with a side of delicious food, then this rooftop beauty is the place. Located in Darlinghurst a short walk from Oxford Street it is a sight for any weary traveller in need of a tasty craft ale and a Shepherd’s Pie. No, but seriously, although you may have to venture a little out of your normal drinking zone, you’ll be sure glad you did. Take your mates upstairs where a quaint little open-air rooftop awaits you. It’s your shout: grab a paddle and make the night a memorable one with great German-style beers infused with tropical, sweet and downright weird flavour combos. Drinks are a little pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Food, they’ve got you covered. Ploughman’s bangers and mash, served next to a heap of mouth-watering handmade sausages, cheddar mash, haystacked onions and a beetroot relish. Goes nice with a 150 Lashes from that James Squire bloke.