The Rooftop Sydney

Overview

The rooftop bars just keep on coming this spring. Next up it's The Rooftop Sydney — not to be confused with Pyrmont's also newly opened The Rooftop. This one is a Hamptons-inspired garden terrace that just opened on level three of the CBD's Shelbourne Hotel. It boasts a retractable roof, floor-to-ceiling windows and views across Sydney Harbour, too.

A go-to in all weather conditions, the alfresco dining spot has luxury vacation home feels with hanging rattan chairs, herringbone tiles, tropical palm trees and festoon lights. The share menu focuses on local seafood, salads and skewers, all prepared in the rooftop's dedicated open kitchen. Think kingfish ceviche with pomegranate, jalapeño and nam jim ($19), Alaskan king crab salad with avocado and mandarin ($24) and Moroccan chicken skewers served with romesco sauce ($19), plus truffle and mushroom arancini ($18) and salt cod croquettes ($19).

In true Hamptons fashion, long lunches are encouraged and, if you really want to live like the upper crust, a pop-up Champagne bar is also on offer from October 3 — with two-hour bottomless champagne packages priced at a cool $155 per person.

Cocktails (all $17) play to the Hamptons vibes, too, with poolside-inspired concoctions like the North Haven (white rum, pressed watermelon, strawberry, mint and lime), Hayground Cove (Aperol, gin, orangeflower syrup, lemon and cherry bitters) and the Holy Hacienda (spiced tequila with agave, orange liqueur, cranberry and cucumber). There are also cocktail carafes to share ($35), including the Emma Rosé with gin, strawberry and cranberry juice. And, if you come by on Thursday nights, it's slinging special cocktails for a tenner.

Open three nights a week from noon until late, The Rooftop is a solid weekday live music option with acoustic sessions on Wednesday nights and DJ sets on Fridays.