Overview
If four levels wasn't enough, Oxford Street mainstay The Burdekin Hotel has expanded by opening a rooftop bar and restaurant. The new sun-soaked bar sits five storeys high, looking out over Hyde Park. As well as picturesque city views, the new bar offers up cocktails, pub-style Italian food and one helluva happy hour.
The expansion has been in the works for the past four years, since restaurateur Adam Celestino took over the venue. It was finally granted approval in early 2020, and the team used the time during the COVID-19 shutdowns to construct the bar.
The new sky-high space, which is filled with fairy lights, black and white tables, large umbrellas and wooden banquettes, was unveiled alongside a new-look menu. A tried-and-true list of pub classics like pizza, schnitzels and salads occupy a majority of the new menu. But, if you're in more of a snackier mood, the range of meat and cheese boards will accompany sunset views just nicely.
Billy Zammit
Accompanying the food menu is a 14-strong cocktail list, including a range of traditional cocktails and some left-of-centre creations from The Burdekin team. The latter includes the Slutty Mermaid, which combines vodka, Malibu, blue curacao, pineapple juice and tropical Red Bull, and the Island Invite starring rum from Surry Hills distillery Brix, maple syrup, cinnamon and orange and pineapple juice.
If you head in between 4–6pm Monday–Friday, you can try some of the new menu and drinks for cheap. With the weekday happy hour featuring $10 pizza and $5 wine, beer and spirits. As an added bonus, this two-hour special is available venue-wide.
Live entertainment and parties are also expected to occupy the space once venue restrictions are rolled back further. The Burdekin Hotel has a long history of packed dance floors and live music. It was one of the first to be granted an exemption from the lockout laws back in 2017 and has remained a hotspot for nightlife and a Mardi Gras hub since.
Downstairs, the hotel hosts regular comedy shows, trivia nights and drag competitions. The Burdekin's regular dance party We Love and pop-punk night AM//PM have also recently returned after a prolonged hiatus, although attendees are obviously required to be seated for the time being.
The Burdekin Hotel is located at 2–4 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst. The rooftop bar is open 4–10pm Monday–Thursday, 12pm–12am Friday–Saturday and 12–10pm Sunday.
Images: Billy Zammit