The Rooftop at The Bristol

Overview

Hospitality hubs are all the rage in Sydney right now — throw a stone in any direction and you're likely to hit one of these drinking and dining one-stop-shops. However, while they may be plentiful, few of this new wave of mega venues can hold a candle to the polish and vision of The Bristol — the five-level nightlife hotspot that has taken over what was formerly The Bristol Arms Hotel on Sussex Street.

The Oscars Group has sparred no expense renovating the interiors of the 126-year-old building, creating six distinct spaces. These include a Greek restaurant helmed by celebrated chef Peter Conistis (ex-Alpha), a pub-esque casual bar, a state-of-the-art sports bar, a nightclub (complete with 200 disco balls), an opulent cocktail lounge and The Rooftop, a Mediterranean-coded bar with three outdoor terraces, marble-clad DJ podium and a street eats-style bar menu also created by Conistis.

Whether you're wistfully reminiscing about this year's jaunt to the northern hemisphere or you've been enviously scrolling through your globe-trotting friends' Insta-feeds, a trip to The Rooftop delivers the Euro-summer vibes you've been craving. The pretty pastel decor, featuring a sunny pallete of creams, corals, blushing pinks and accents of chartreuse, wouldn't look out of place on the Amalfi Coast or perched on the shores of Saint Tropez.

While the interiors set the tone, it's the three outdoor terraces that steal the show. Flanking the main bar is a slender balcony offering leafy views towards Darling Harbour and a smaller al fresco area for smokers. Leading off The Rooftop's rear is a more expansive terrace, decked out with built-in seating, wicker sculptures and a striped awning offering ample shade for those blistering Sydney summer days. While the view is urban, the vibe leans beach, with macrame umbrellas and lush planters further selling a seaside aesthetic.

Behind the bar there are more than 20 wines available by the glass as well as a small but considered menu of refreshing signature and classic cocktails that make for the ideal afterwork sundowners or hot-weather thirst-quenchers. For those who favour a sip that isn't too serious, the perky and playful Cherry Bomb is a fruity riff on a martini starring gin and cherry liqueur, topped with a vegan-friendly aquafaba sour cherry foam. Alternatively, you can turn up the heat with a Tommy's Tropicana, a margarita variant mingling jalapeño-infused tequila, guava, pineapple and lime.

A mix of easy-to-like skewers and souvlaki-style wraps make up a bar menu that supplies tasty sidekick snacks for the pekish and heartier informal feeds for those with a bigger appetite. The excellent service team nimbly navigate the bar with both cocktail-laden trays and food orders, ensuring that even when there's a packed house, guests can enjoy the convenience of having their order brought directly to them.

Images: Steven Woodburn