East Village Hotel's Panoramic Rooftop Terrace Is Now Open

One of Sydney's hidden rooftop gems has reopened atop the recently revamped East Village Hotel. After much anticipation, the folks at Goodtime Hospitality Group revealed two of three newly revamped sections of the much-adored, 100-year-old drinking spot in late October — we've seen the Public Bar and Athletic Club, a slick, minimalist wine bar and a vintage-inspired sports bar, respectively. And now, the third and final space, Terrace, is open.

We've been waiting to see what design team Alexander & Co.(Busby, The Village Inn, Surly's, Daniel San) do with this 100-square-metre rooftop space — it's got one heck of a CBD skyline view. Climb four flights of stairs and you'll find high bar tables, lower lounge-like seating, handcut terrazzo slabs, plenty of plants and a retractable roof. It's the perfect spot for lazy weekend cocktails, with general manager Lee Potter Cavanagh and bar manager Reece Griffiths putting together a Terrace-only menu. There's 'seasonal mimosa' on the bill, with interchanging fruit juices, a 'teetotallers' menu for non-drinkers, and 'holiday' cocktails each month with recipes from their overseas buddies. Plus, for the strong-stomached, there's a 'Squidmark Sour', with Bulleit rye whiskey, Tempus Fugit gran classico bitters, crème de cacao, cherry, grapefruit, shichimi togarashi and squid ink— yep, squid ink.

Food-wise, the Terrace is offering up something a little more casual than its lower counterparts, where head chef Graham Johns (Quay) and executive chef Tom Kime (Ceru, Fish & Co.) are reimagining classic counter meals. Upstairs though, executive chef Tom Kime has crafted a summery, casual menu of grilled meats, salads and snack — think gazpacho soup with marinated blue swimmer crab and basil ($21), escabeche of seared fish with saffron and pickled vegetables ($24), and rare grilled veal with anchovy and herb mayonnaise, caper berries and fried anchovies ($24).

Head downstairs to find out more about the East Village's other unique levels.

Find the East Village at 234 Palmer Street, Darlinghurst. Terrace is open this week on Wednesday and Thursday from 6–10pm, Friday – Sunday: 11am – 10pm. Then, from Monday 21 November, open 11am–10pm, seven days a week.