Mid Air

Overview

Melbourne is chock-full of rooftop bars, but there's always room for more. Especially when they come in the form of Melbourne Place's Mid Air. Completed at the end of 2024, this hotel rooftop bar is an absolute stunner, from its mid-century modern design and city views to the next-level Med-inspired eats and cocktails. 

It's hitting all the right spots, much thanks to Hatted Young Chef of the Year Nicholas Deligiannis (ex-Audrey's). He's running the food program for the whole hotel — excluding Marmelo and Mr Mills — but Mid Air gets most of his love. 

Being a rooftop digs, there's a strong focus on small bites — perfect for those spending long lunches sipping and snacking in the sun. Start with fresh oysters and scallops with urfa and kelp butter before moving on to some damn tasty skewers. These will change somewhat regularly, but if you make it for the wagyu and quail renditions, be sure to add a few to the table. Those looking to remove all decision-making from the rooftop dining process can also opt for the $95 per person tasting menu.

Cocktails, like the food, will change seasonally, with plenty of signature sips adorning the list. They cover all bases, from the fruity and sour side of the spectrum right through to rich and bitter amaro-heavy tipples. The bloody mary is also a must-try, especially if you're dropping by for a boozy weekend brunch.

Yup, these folks are also opening up the rooftop to non-hotel guests every day of the week, making the most of the space. Get around shakshuka, eggs royal, house granola and damn good breakfast roll packed with bacon, hashbrowns, cheddar, tomato jam and a fried egg. 

This spot is picture-perfect, especially if you can nab a seat by the large cut-out circles in the open-air part of the rooftop bar. Here, you get uninterrupted views of the city, plus all of the sunshine. But most of Mid Air lies beneath a retractable roof, so you can enjoy a moody rainy Melbourne day up here without a worry. 

It's an absolute banger of a Melbourne rooftop bar — open from breakfast right through to late-night cocktails. And it just so happens to be perched right on top of one of Melbourne's best hotels. If you really want to treat yourself, consider booking a stay in one of the top-class rooms so you can take in more of these views and stunning interiors. 

Images: Kristoffer Paulsen.