Some people make hay while the sun shines, and others open rooftop bars to absorb as much vitamin D as humanly possible, thanks to Sydney's famously nice weather. The latest sky-high drinking destination is not out east, but north to the golden shores of Manly Beach. The old Shore Club Hotel, which has been standing vacant for four years, has been taken over by the same people behind Sails on Lavender Bay and they're sprucing the beachfront destination up and transforming it into the Manly Greenhouse.
It's opening the doors on Friday September 7, but you'll have to wait until October to get into the snazzy restaurant on level two. For now the Greenhouse public bar and rooftop are ready to embrace the early spring sunshine. The ground floor will be the place for wood-fired pizzas, crab bruschetta, Ortiz sardines served in the tin, whole snapper, steak, pappardelle with slow-cooked brisket and a salted caramel sundae for dessert.
Photograph: Yasmin Mund
There will also be Aperol Spritz and Bulletproof Espresso Martinis on tap because they know the crowds will come once the weather warms up, and no-one likes waiting in queues. Upstairs the food is snackier, with toasties on the menu, and in both bars, space not reserved for humans will be given over to the plant world with ferns, hanging plants and pressed flowers. But really it's those seats with panoramic views out over the beach that are going to be the big drawcard here.
Manly Greenhouse, 36/38 South Steyne, Manly 2095. Daily 11.30am-late; rooftop Thu-Mon 3pm-late.
Want more fun in the springtime sun? Check out the best rooftop bars in Sydney.