An occasional series where we pair rooftop bars to find the best places to bar hop (or crawl) with big Melbourne views.
The Loop
When it’s hot, head for the garden sanctuary of The Loop in the heart of the city. It’s been here since 2013 and was a hit from the start, thanks to the greenery and the party lighting.
It’s also won several AGFG Readers’ Choice awards.
Melbourne Winter Rooftop Bar Bliss
When it’s cold and raining, there is a retractable waterproof awning with heaters. The Loop is a great rooftop bar for winter in Melbourne too, as under cover (with coats) can be as much fun as big Italian style sun umbrellas. The winter version of Loop is on Level Three. Level Four has Aperol Spritz.
A vertical garden with amazing views and big umbrellas helps the holiday feel, even if you’ve just climbed the stairs straight from work.
The Rooftop Off Bourke Street
There are big, squashy cushions on the terraces to make it worth the walk – go across from Bourke Street. After dusk the candles come out and you can watch the sun set here, as the cocktails are shaken and the parmesan is grated.
Shared finger food works well with craft beer if you have a group.
We tried the Fried Eggplant Chips with rosemary salt and chilli mayonnaise ($11) and Crispy White Bait with cod roe ($13). If you want to really pretend you’re in Italy, organise a Mezze Platter to share with salami and olives.
Rooftop Cocktails
All the cocktails at Loop were around $25 and wildly original. Breakfast Club offered Bourbon, peanut butter, butterscotch, hazelnut, coffee and chocolate in a glass.
The Garden of Eden had vodka, wasabi, shiitake mushroom extract, lemongrass, lime juice, celery and soda. We immediately wanted to copy it at home.
Still in Italy (in our minds) we thought about a bottle of Prosecco for $75.
Golden Hours
Melbourne does in fact turn gold on some summer sunsets. Golden Hour here is a glamorous version of Happy Hour everywhere else, from 4.00pm to 6.00pm from Tuesday to Friday when prices drop to $9 for some drinks. From there, it’s time to crawl (okay, walk in a civilised fashion) to The Duke, a few minutes across town.
The Duke Rooftop Melbourne
Stunning views of The Forum across the road (Melbourne’s best-loved city music venue) show you the 1929 Moorish Revival architecture at an angle you never see from the street.
It’s best to book here as The Duke is popular for birthdays and pre-gig group gatherings.
It’s also where everybody piles in after a concert, when it’s hot outside.
The Duke of Wellington on the corner of Flinders Street and Russell Street opened in 1853. During the gold rush this was where you raced for a drink if you got lucky. The Duke has also traditionally been where journalists and photographers from the Herald and Weekly Times drank.
The Dining Room
If you want to wander down for dinner, The Dining Room offers Gin and Juniper Cured Salmon ($26) and The Duke of Mixed Grills, which has to be seen to be believed. Lamb, steak and sausage with an egg on the side – this is footballer fare.
There’s a ten minute stroll between drinks, no matter which end of town you start at. The two bars couldn’t be more different, but they both have a roof with a view.
The Duke Rooftop Bar
146 Flinders Street, Melbourne 3000
Hours 12pm – 10pm
The Loop Rooftop Bar
Address 23 Meyers Place, Melbourne 3000
Hours 12pm to 1am (varies on weekdays)
