More than 15 years after it opened, and over 35 years since the opening of its first iteration, Rockpool Bar & Grill has firmly entrenched itself as a bona fide legend of Sydney's — indeed, Australia's — dining landscape. Despite being one of the most awarded restaurants in the country, recognised by reviewers and guides from around the world, the glamorous Sydney restaurant is not content resting on its laurels, having undergone several changes in the past few months alone including all-new seating (and an increased capacity to boot), a revamp of two of the private dining rooms, and the introduction of an intimate new 12-seat wine room. This month, the Hunter Street hotspot unveils perhaps its most significant new addition since moving to its current digs in 2009 in the form of Rockpool Lounge, a stylish 50-seat lounge bar perched above the main dining room. This brand-new space welcomes both diners looking to extend their evening and those looking for a cosy spot for a nightcap, with the venue open until 1am seven days a week. Rockpool Lounge's cocktail menu has been crafted by Bar Manager Leonardo Zuccardi Merli, and centres around modern twists on classic recipes. Signatures include a frozen dirty martini enhanced with house-made olive brine infused with black, green and Taggiasche olives, and a velvety smooth coconut negroni. There's also an excellent selection of highballs available from Thursday to Sunday based on classic mixed drinks like the Horse's Neck, made with cognac and ginger ale, and the zingy Lounge V&S, in which vodka is elevated with jalapeño and lime soda. Merli also spotlights a number of forgotten classics — appletini, anyone? Complementing the cocktails is a wine list showcasing over 40 selections by the glass from both established and emerging producers from around the world. Regular visitors will be rewarded with the Spirits Club selection, a monthly-rotating list of limited-edition releases curated by the bar team. On the food side, Executive Chef Santiago Aristizabal's South American-leaning menu has been created with both the afternoon pitstop and after-dark nightcap in mind. Pull for snacks like Don Bocarte anchovy on smoked tomato toast, wagyu brisket empanadas served with pebre, and blue corn tacos topped with grilled prawn and guajillo chilli. Heartier plates include wood-fired Cape Grim fillet with Café de Paris butter and the signature Rockpool cheeseburger with double-smoked bacon and special sauce. Those looking to linger a little longer can also order from the main restaurant's à la carte menu. Rockpool Lounge's stylish setting combines understated elegance with comfort. Guests enter the first-floor space via a private elevator and are welcomed into intimate clusters of chesterfield armchairs and plush velvet lounge chairs, while sleek black suede stools line the bar for those preferring an up-close bar experience. In the afternoon, the Lounge is bathed in natural light from its tall windows, offering scenic views of tree-lined Bligh Street, while after dark, live music fills the space on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 9.30pm onwards. Rockpool Lounge is located on Level 1, 66 Bligh Street, Sydney. It's open from 12pm–1am Monday–Friday, and 5.30pm–1am Saturday–Sunday. For more information, head to the venue's website. Images: Steven Woodburn / Christopher Pearce.