Overview
On the top floor of a CBD pub a magical wizarding rooftop awaits. Located atop Bourke Street's Imperial, it's filled with alcoholic potions, magical wintry booths, an owlery and a supernatural sweet store. And while it's officially opening its doors today, Friday, June 7 — it's not new.
The rooftop was originally called Vertic Alley — aka the CBD watering hole's equivalent of Diagon Alley — and originally popped in February. Then, just last month, it suddenly disappeared. While the pub declined to comment on why it vanished, the Age reported that Warner Bros had ordered the themed rooftop's removal, because it used Harry Potter intellectual property.
Now, thankfully, it's back. The pub has also declined to comment on whether it has struck a deal with Warner Bros, but it's confident the wizarding wonderland will stick around for winter. So, you can once again climb to the top level of the Imperial and peruse magical books — on everything from herbology to werewolves — find yourself a fancy new robe at a magical fashion shop, practise with wands and drink, of course, many boozy concoctions.
Get comfy in sheltered booths (newly installed for winter), practice saying "accio cocktail!" and enjoy an all-round boozy celebration of the Boy Who Lived. Four brand new magical stores (filled with wizard and witch fashion, supernatural sweets, potions and broomsticks) have also popped up in the latest incarnation of the rooftop, as has a brand new cocktail list.
The new potions include the Chuckle Juice (gin, rosemary and grapefruit), FireWhiskey (Fireball, lemon and honey), Imperial Tattletale (Fernet Branca, rum, cream and honey) and True Love Potion (pomegranate, gin, sparkling wine and lime), while the food range spans black beef sliders, pumpkin pasties and Korean-fried chicken wines. You can check out the full menu here.
The magical rooftop was very popular first time round, and we're sure it'll be the same this time — especially since the The Cursed Child (which is happening just down the road) has been extended until 2020. We recommend you can make a reservation via the Imperial website.
Find the Imperial Rooftop at 2–8 Bourke Street, Melbourne. It's open from 11am daily.