Historic Darlinghurst Pub The Strand Has Opened Its Luxe New Rooftop Bar and Hotel Accommodation

Enjoy dirty martinis and prawn cocktails above William Street at this breezy new rooftop bar.
Ben Hansen
October 04, 2022

Earlier this year, The Strand Hotel in Darlinghurst unveiled the first part of a huge full-venue transformation that it was undergoing. Stage one was The Strand Bistro, a lavish French restaurant that's taken over the ground floor of the building  –  complete with a luxurious French-inspired fit-out, creamy garlic mussels and leek tarts.

At the time, it was promised it wouldn't be the last piece of The Strand puzzle, with a luxe hotel accommodation and a breezy rooftop bar on the way –  both of which have now arrived.  Up top, you'll find a sun-soaked rooftop courtyard above William Street boasting vibrant colours and a summer-ready drinks list. The house speciality? A dirty martini.

"We've designed the rooftop to provide an unexpected and charming escape amongst the anonymity of William Street, with a deliberate strong contrast to the aesthetic experienced through the brooding texture and materials of the hotel rooms and Bistro below," says Public Hospitality and Public Design Studio's Tom de Plater who is overseeing the makeover alongside cult denim brand Ksubi's George Gorrow.

There are also plenty of great bar snacks to enjoy, including the aforementioned tarts, prawn cocktails, corn gruyere croquettes and the French Kiss which combines Belvedere vodka with Oscietra caviar.

Each weekend, the rooftop will host DJ sets and live entertainment until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays and until 10pm on Sundays. Anyone looking to kick on until the early hours of the morning can then head down to the newly refurbished Club 77, just a few doors down.

As for the hotel, there are 17 freshly renovated boutique suites. Starting from $199 per night, the rooms range from cosy one-person accom through to deluxe residential-style rooms. The stays are designed to appeal to both travellers looking for an inner-city Sydney oasis and locals wanting a staycation within walking distance of Surry Hills, Potts Point, and the CBD.

"The Strand has been designed with the intimacy and personal service of a boutique hotel, creating a community hub of like-minded people, that makes you want to return again and again," says Gorrow.

Bookings for The Strand Rooftop and The Strand Hotel, as well as the previously opened The Strand Bistro are all open now via the venue's website. And, if you want to add a bit of Parisian style to your next event, the bistro and rooftop bar are both available for event bookings.

The Strand Hotel is located at 99 William Street, Darlinghurst. The bistro is open 6am–midnight Sunday–Thursday and 6am–3am Friday–Saturday, while the rooftop is open midday–midnight Wednesday–Sunday.

Published on October 04, 2022 by Ben Hansen
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