Garden State’s New All-Season Rooftop Bar Is Melbourne’s New Drinks Playground

Melbourne weather has a habit of ruining a good rooftop plan. Garden State Hotel just fixed that with a two-level Rooftop Garden that has a retractable roof and heating. Rain, wind or sunshine, you’re still sorted for a drink on Flinders Lane.

> What’s new: A two-tier Rooftop Garden and a reimagined cocktail bar called The Observatory at Garden State Hotel.

> Where: 101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne CBD.

> Why go: Retractable roof, year-round heating, shareable plates and spring cocktails.

Ten years after opening, Garden State has gone up. The new rooftop sits above the existing beer garden and stretches that signature greenery skyward.

You get an open-air lower terrace and a raised mezzanine that seats up to 40, linked by sage-green mosaic-tiled stairs. Layered planting, arched details and climbing greenery keep it feeling like a garden, just one with a view over Flinders Lane.

The whole space holds 300 guests, so it works for after-work drinks, a Saturday catch-up or a proper celebration. High bar seating, woven chairs and plush banquettes keep it polished but not stuffy.

As Venue Manager Katie Saxton puts it, “with the retractable roof, Melbourne weather doesn’t get the final say.” Couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

The menu has built the food for sharing, using locally sourced ingredients, Victorian beef and seasonal produce. Rooftop plates include:

– Prawn rolls with dill mayo and lemon

– Stracciatella with cucumber, honey, black pepper and focaccia

– Truffle arancini with black garlic aioli and parmesan

– Kingfish crudo with parsley, chilli and lemon

– Sydney Rock oysters with caviar and limoncello vinaigrette

– Flatbread with olives, walnut romesco, honey labneh and spiced seeds

Grab a few plates, pass them around, done.

The spring cocktail list is built for a sunny afternoon:

– Rhubarb & Pomegranate Spritz

– Matcha Martini

– Pineapple & Mint Mule

– Peach in the Garden Spritz, an exclusive with Chandon, vodka, peach, lemon and rosemary

Heading to the races? Garden State has teamed up with Chandon for the season, with floral giveaways on Chandon purchases during the Spring Racing Carnival. That makes it a pretty handy pre- or post-race stop for Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival bars.

Now for the after-dark side of things. The Observatory has been reimagined as Garden State’s more intimate evening hangout.

Think plush booths, bespoke cocktails, bar snacks and vinyl DJs spinning disco, funk and soul. It’s open Wednesday to Saturday from 4pm till late, and it’s walk-ins only, so rock up and see what the night brings.

The rooftop and The Observatory join the main bar and beer garden, the Rose Garden basement bar, Tippy Tay and private function spaces. That’s a different mood for every stage of the day, from afternoon drinks to late night.

It’s one of the more versatile Flinders Lane bars going, and you can do the lot without leaving the building.

Use The Pass at Garden State Hotel

Here’s the best bit. When you visit Garden State, use The Pass app to pay at the table, earn points and stack up those sweet loyalty perks. No waiting at the bar to settle up, and you get rewarded for the round you were already having.

New to The Pass? Download the app and score $10 off your first order.

Looking for your next spot after this one? Browse the The Pass Venue Finder to find more venues near you.

The Garden State Hotel: The Details

Address: 101 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Rooftop trading hours: 12pm until late

The Observatory trading hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 4pm till late, walk-ins only

Website: https://gardenstatehotel.com.au

See you up top.