Overview
As sunny days get longer and more frequent, our minds are turning to refreshing drinks, rooftop bars and watery vistas. Over the past few months, Sydney has scored quite a few new sky-facing spaces, including the foliage-heavy Manly Greenhouse, Erskineville's pink frilly umbrella-dotted Slims Rooftop and Erskineville's art deco Imperial Up.
Now, Westfield Sydney is joining the shenanigans, with the announcement of not one, but two new rooftop venues. In 2019, inner-city workers and shoppers will be able to slip upstairs to feast on Middle Eastern and Cantonese fare, while soaking up panoramic views.
The first of the two is Babylon, a Middle Eastern-inspired venue with a whopping 800 capacity. Among its spaces are a 200-seater restaurant, two expansive bars and a woodfired kitchen. The second is Duck & Rice, a 400-seater contemporary Cantonese restaurant specialising in dishes from regional China, with an atmosphere reminiscent of 1920s Shanghai. Both restaurants will have big outdoor dining spaces. Behind the multi-faceted design is Brisbane-based architect firm Hogg and Lamb.
The Mantle Group Hospitality (MGH), has leased the rooftop and owns both Babylon and Duck & Rice. Having been busy in Brisbane for nearly 40 years, it moved into Sydney in May 2018 with the opening of The Squire's Landing at the Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks.
Babylon and Duck & Rice are both slated for completion in early 2019.