Coogee Pavilion Rooftop Set to Open for Summer

Sydney's beachside citadel is about to reveal the cherry atop its three-level venue, just in time for the new year.
Shannon Connellan
December 08, 2014

Officially Sydney's newest rooftop bar, Coogee Pavilion Rooftop is set to open its highly anticipated sky-high space — just in time for New Year's Eve. Home to no less than four indoor and outdoor bars, Merivale's Rooftop is kicking things off on Tuesday, December 30, ready to make a breezy home for post-beach snacks, sunset cocktails and one of Sydney's best panoramic views over the warmer months. Plus, the Rooftop and Ground Floor will both be open on New Year's Eve — with no bookings or tickets required. Plans have changed.

The crown of Coogee's three-level beach citadel, Coogee Pavilion, opened in July this year to big ol' snaps, the Rooftop has been designed by Kelvin Ho and Emilie Delalande of Akin Creative, Amanda Talbot, Justin and Bettina Hemmes. Get ready for a few surprises, the space has been designed "as if it was once the conservatory owned by an eccentric botanist" according to Merivale. Think epic greenery, mismatched Moroccan tiles and handpainted tables from the hand of local artist Mayriel Luke.

Food-wise, expect Merivale-style decadence on the Rooftop, but with a laidback beachside vibe. Coogee Pavilion's executive chef Jordan Toft is taking his crafts upstairs, infusing the menu with inspiration from his travels through the Eastern Mediterranean. Think charcoal-grilled meats and smoked seafood — we're talking whole baby calamari with ink vinaigrette, haloumi wrapped in grape vine leaves and lemon oil, and adana (ground lamb and beef, washed onion and sumac).

Post-swim tipples at the Pavilion? Drinkies have been designed by Merivale's group bars manager Paul Mant, and while the cocktail list is yet to be revealed, fresh fruit-laden sharing pitchers seem to be the go.

Holding the Coogee Pavilion as Merivale's pièce de résistance, CEO Justin Hemmes is super keen to unveil the Pavilion's fancy new hat. "This is our most exciting venue to open yet and certainly the one I’m most proud of," he says. "We have been overwhelmed by the support of the local community since launching the ground floor and I can’t wait to unveil the next level of this iconic property." The new Rooftop stems from the already-applauded lower levels of the Pavilion — brimming with Will & Co coffee, a lovejuice cart, barber shop, florist, nostalgia-ruled games area, true-Italian woodfired pizza by Vincenzo Biondini, raw bar and a giant 45kg rope knitted lampshade — to casually gloss over the details.

With the opening of Sydney's first free beach library, seems Coogee's staking a mighty claim as the go-to eastern summer hub this season.

Coogee Pavilion Rooftop will open December 30, 2014.

Published on December 08, 2014 by Shannon Connellan
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