While Sydney loves a hard-to-find subterranean drinking den, she’s also partial to a lofty rooftop bar. And when the views encompass the stunning Sydney skyline as well as the sparking harbour, a sky-high seat becomes the most enviable spot in town.
The Hyatt Regency’s Zephyr Bar is one such location. Perched atop the hotel between the CBD and Darling Harbour, this open-air hotel bar has sweeping views of the water and plenty of room to take it all in. The expansive terrace is a primo spot for after-work tipples that are just a little bit fancier than your average pub pint.
The drinks menu focuses on vintage vermouth, gin and rums sourced from across the world. The cocktail menu incorporates some rather unusual techniques, including washed-barrel and acoustically aged cocktails – yep, ingredients are made more delicious with soundwaves in a hypersonic infuser – plus a whole series of signature G&Ts.
Enjoy twists on classics, like a salted caramel Espresso Martini, which incorporates maple syrup, dark rum, cold drip coffee and a nitrogen-charged hot salted caramel foam, or a hazelnut Old Fashioned, which adds Frangelico to the standard blend of bourbon and bitters over ice. Want to try an original concoction? Order their Lemon Passion: a zippy infusion of lemongrass Tanqueray gin, dry orange curacao, mint, lime, cold pressed apple and lemon, which is topped with an extravagant vanilla bean and passionfruit foam.
Once you’ve gotten through a few drinks, dinner inevitably comes calling. Pair your next cocktail with a selection of small plates, from fresh Pacific oysters to stuffed pumpkin flowers dipped in tahini or a lamb kofta resting in a pita with eggplant, pomegranate and dukkah. If you have a hunger that only cheese and cured meat can satisfy, you’re in luck – there’s one of each board on the menu with plenty of carby, pickled and dipping extras.