5 Roof tops you need to visit


The View…

The Glenmore Hotel - The Rocks

The Glenmore has the benefit of perching high above the main drag of The Rocks, away from the cruise ship traffic and the hopelessly-lost George-Street-crawling night-clubbers.

From Argyle Street level, over one-hundred stairs stand between you and the rooftop, but with arguably one of the best views of Circular Quay and a no-fuss and affordable food and booze menu, it’s hard not to be grateful on arrival.

Glenmore’s rooftop is a good spot for an informal lunch-date and the perfect place to show-off Sydney to out-of-towners.


The Beer…

The Local TaphouseDarlinghurst

Looming over a busy intersection in the Inner-East, three stories of warm, wooden décor and rickety staircases house Sydney’s No.1 craft beer menu. Far above the stench of beer-nerdery downstairs is the oddly shaped but substantial rooftop bar. This great space plays ahome to their Rooftop Cinema, beer launches and predictable Friday and Saturday night debauchery.

During the week though, The Taphouse’s rooftop serves as a somewhat quiet place to enjoy the sun while grabbing a lunch-accompanying pint of something delicious.


The Sunday Session…

The Strawberry Hills HotelSurry Hills

Standing proudly in the increasingly trendy sub-suburb between Surry Hills and Redfern, ‘The Strawb’ is not just a popular pit stop between Central and the SCG for those dreading the thought of stadium-temperature mid-strength beer. Serving up great pub grub and a decent range of beers, the upstairs bar and adjoining open-air courtyard - while almost constantly occupied - has the uncommon benefit of plentiful seating.

A must-do Sunday session location and, due to its close vicinity to Central Station, a great place to muster large groups of mates as, from here, all roads lead to The Strawb.


The Cocktails…

CorridorNewtown

Cuter-than-buttons, Corridor on Newtown’s King Street looks and feels exactly like what it is– a charmingly understated renovation from terrace house to bar.

Upstairs, purple velour Chesterfield armchairs stand out among the more modest mid-century fireplaces, old wooden floorboards and (almost obligatory) street-art inspired wall hangings. Moving outside is a quick change of pace with a more suburb-neutral feel to the small but unbelievably welcoming balcony.

It’s not just a place to come to for a view - with only the back streets of Newtown to gander over - but Corridor’s homely and casual feel allows you to cheekily slip off your thongs and plunder their extensive and flawless cocktail menu.


The All Rounder…

SweetheartsPotts Point

Another labour-intensive climb up a stairwell brings you to Sweetheart’s rooftop-come-skygarden bar offering tap wine (yes, it’s a thing now), shandies, cider slushies and a barbeque food menu that you fill in with a pencil to order. Notoriously busy and becoming less and less of a Kings Cross secret, it’s a good idea to book ahead to reassure yourself a place to sit. 

Sitting in the thick of it above Sugarmill on Darlinghurst Road, its easy to lose track of time once you become more acquainted with Sweetheart’s food and drinks menus... and harder still to make the decision to climb back down the stairs and venture out into the Cross.

A great place for a hair-of-the-dog weekend lunch, but be warned: it has all the potential for cruising on into the afternoon and evening.