A British-Australian engineer, Henry Deane was responsible for converting Sydney's original horse-drawn and steam-powered trams to electric power in the 1890s. It’s also the name of the classy cocktail lounge perched above the Millers Point pub, Hotel Palisade – named in honour of Deane’s whopping big contribution to Sydney. You can really appreciate the beauty of our Harbour City from the top floor of this rooftop bar. It’s got the kind of views that make you feel proud as punch to live here – spanning the Harbour Bridge, city skyline, the beginnings of the Parramatta River and even Barangaroo below. And while Mr Deane lives on in the history books, we reckon this would’ve been one of his favourite spots for a cold one, too.
As Time Out’s Editor in Chief Alice Ellis said in her five-star review, “Henry Deane cocktail lounge may just sit atop an old Sydney pub, but an afternoon spent there will have you feeling on top of the whole world.”
This year, the swish cocktail bar turns ten – and to celebrate, the team has launched a fresh food and cocktail menu, complete with Vegemite-laced tipples.
Classic cocktails are available – and they’re done well, too. But why not try the Miss Marshie – made with Ketel One vodka, toasted marshmallow, fizz and pineapple foam – it’s fancy and a little bit sweet. For something that tastes like a holiday, go for the Circa 1915, featuring Hotel Palisade Portside gin, coconut, mandarin and makrut lime. Feeling brave? Try the Home Slice, a grown-up riff on an Aussie breakfast staple, made with sourdough bread-soaked vodka, verjuice, charcoal-activated vanilla syrup and Vegemite. It’s subtle, elegant and well-balanced.
The share-style food menu changes with the seasons – but you can always count on it complementing the cocktails. Kick things off with a finger-like golden potato hash topped with a squiggle of abalone sauce and finished with smoked pork dust. Fresh chopped prawns come with a butter bean dip, fermented honey and a hint of chilli; and marinated grilled chicken is paired with a punchy green sauce and preserved lemon.
Next time you’ve got a friend visiting from Melbourne, or you wanna score a brownie point or two on a first date, head up to the rooftop and order a cocktail at Henry Deane. Promise they’re anything but watery.
Find out more here.
Address: 35 Bettington St, Millers Point NSW 2000
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