Carved into the lower�"level of a glassy office tower, this loft-theme lounge offers striking views of Sydney Harbour free of camera-clutching tourists looking to sip hour-long glasses of wine. A staircase straight-out of a Sigourney Weaver Alien-movie ushers guests from the street level through an industrial passageway with illuminated wall leading to the main lounge space. It’s one of the hippest bars on the waterfront, luring a sexy crowd of unbuttoned office workers and dressed-up city dwellers for happy hour cocktail mingles and late weekend dance parties. Floor-to-ceiling panes of glass frame a room of laser-cut walls of ornamental paneling and sculpted ceiling that looks like a gigantic piece of Swiss cheese carved out of wood. With Moroccan elements like amber lighting made from Spanish beads, wooden stools and palette of caramel-colored leather lounges, the lounge is divided between two separate area with adjacent terrace for smokers and fresh-air escapees. Not limited to just frilly-stemmed drinks and sugary cocktails like the Dragon Boat Fizz, the bar also offers a limited tapas menu of shared Mediterranean, Asian and South American platters.
Tips
Best during happy hour from 6pm-8pm during the week and then again on late Friday and Saturday nights.
Last Word
A sexed-up Casablanca with ocean views and sophisticated single’s scene, this loft-theme lounge is a waterfront hit amongst the touristy outposts of Sydney Harbor.