The crowning glory of the QT Hotel, Melbourne, the Rooftop at QT has a bustling indoor bar and generous outdoor terrace with glorious views of the city skyline.
Update:
See we revise this review in October 2023, the Rooftop at QT has just undergone a major spruce up.
There’s a totally new design principle at work, plus an exciting new executive chef heading up the kitchen. This means a change in direction for the menu, which becomes more Mediterranean-inspired. Think Snapper Cannoli ($24) – Yep. We’re dying to try this one too. And a Lobster Cocktail ($135). Yes. You read that price tag right. We will simply be admiring that dish from a distance….
Finally, a bar is not a bar without a Drinks Menu. And the one at the revamped Rooftop at QT has definitely had an airing. The one we really want to sample is Peppered With Royalty ($25). Come on. The name alone is a winner! This beauty promises Dark Matter Spiced Rum, Brillet Pear, Cinzano 1757 Rosso Vermouth, Sesame, Lemon & Mission Spiced Pomegranate.
We will investigate and report back…
The Rooftop at QT
Location: QT Melbourne, 11/133 Russell St, Melbourne, VIC 3000 Ph: (03) 8636 8800
On a Thursday night in the run-up to Christmas, it’s no surprise to find the top floor of the QT Hotel, Melbourne, heaving.
But then, with a set up like, this, I reckon this bar is busy most nights of the week and packed at the weekends.
The Space
Step away from the throngs crowding Russell Street into the pleasantly perfumed foyer of the QT Hotel and take the lift up to the rooftop.
Once there, follow the music and babble of chatter and you’ll find yourself in one of the most impressive high-rise bars in Melbourne.
The Rooftop at QT is big. Both inside and out.
A rectangular island bar makes an attractive focal point to the internal space. Shelves of bottles are suspended from above and sparkle like jewels in the feature lighting. Bar staff shake cocktails and pull beers, surrounded by an emerald green tiled serving counter. More shades of green accent the room with lush plants adding a touch of tropical cool.
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Squidgy banquettes and high tables with matching chairs give respite to those either wanting a rest or preferring to hang out and people watch for a spell.
It’s all very comfortable and civilised.
However, the real star of the show is the outside terrace. It’s a warm night when we visit and the floor to ceiling glass doors are open to the night air. People stand in groups and perch on stools with Melbourne’s cityscape twinkling behind them.
There’s a bar out there too, once again smartly lit and providing a beacon of light in the dark. Red signage and feature lights illuminate the foliage marking the edge of the roof.
Music pumps from the inside to out and both areas are buzzing. The Rooftop at QT is undoubtedly the place to be on a balmy evening.
For more of the Best Rooftop Bars in Melbourne, click here.
The Drinks
There are a number of beers – both bottled and on tap.
That said, a lot of punters – including quite a few young men – are getting stuck into the Signature Cocktails.
The QT G&T ($24) is a tall, pink-tinged glass of Ordered Chaos Gin, Elderflower Tonic, Lime & Strawberry. It’s light and quaffable at dusk and would be fabulously refreshing on a sunny afternoon. The Lady Marmalade ($24) is heavier on the citrus thanks to Bulldog Gin, Bass & Flinders Marmalade Liqueur, Passionfruit, Orange & Lemon. It’s also incredibly easy to drink.
It’s always great to see a popular bar like this promoting local spirits and liqueurs in their mixes. Worth mentioning also is that they have a dedicated No or Low section of non and low alcohol tipples.
The Food
The Rooftop Bar at QT offers a smart little menu of drink-friendly nibbles.
Their Rooftop Bites include Dumpling/Gyoza, Burgers and Stone Baked Pizzas, along with a few more exotic items like Fried Karaage Chicken Ribs ($17) and Freshly Shucked Oysters with Ponzu & Cucumber ($6ea).
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Personally, I got very excited when I saw the Loaded Kimchi Fries, Spring Onion, Cheese, Sour Cream, Coriander & Sriracha ($14). As a huge fan of kind of fried potato AND kimchi, it had my name written all over it. And I wasn’t disappointed.
For a smaller bar with a view and its own house-made seltzers, try Pomelo Rooftop Bar across the road from the QT Hotel
Overall
With a lively atmosphere and plenty of quieter (inside) corners to sit and chill, the Rooftop at QT should definitely be on your list of Melbourne CBD bars to try.
The drinks are well-thought out and executed and the food menu touches on enough favourites to keep the masses happy, but also has some interesting options.
However, when it comes down to it, it’s all about the terrace and that view.
Melbourne has a number of great rooftop bars, but the Rooftop at QT has to be up there (literally!) amongst the best.
If you find yourself up in NSW, check out the QT Newcastle for both its Rooftop Bar and Jana Restaurant
Poh Ling Yeow at QT Melbourne
Downstairs at the Premier event space, something exciting is happening!
MasterChef Australia star, TV chef and all-round national treasure, Poh Ling Yeow, has created a sushi train afternoon tea experience in conjunction with Singleton’s Whiskey.
Running for only a short time, this has to be one of the hottest foodie tickets in Melbourne.
Poh has put together a menu of delights such as Fried Chicken Bao, Kimchi & Kewpie Mayo ($15) and Pandan Coconut Sago Shots ($8). And everything comes matched with a Singleton Whiskey cocktail – if you so desire.
In keeping with the sushi train idea, the food is delivered on plates that trundle slowly past and the cost is tallied at the end.
Get in quick before Poh and her delicacies leave the station for good!
For more of the best High Tea Venues in Melbourne, see here.
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