Sydney’s Rockpool Bar & Grill has expanded upwards with the opening of Rockpool Lounge, a new 50-seat bar located above the landmark restaurant.

The venue offers the perfect spot to settle in for pre-dinner drinks, post-meal cocktails, or a standalone night out, without straying far from Rockpool’s polished aesthetic.

Accessed via elevator, the first-floor lounge is decked out with Chesterfields, velvet chairs and bar stools overlooking Bligh Street. From 9:30 pm Thursday to Saturday, live music brings a late-night pulse to the space.

Bar Manager Leonardo Zuccardi Merli leads the cocktail program, which puts a modern spin on classics. Highlights include a Dirty Frozen Martini ($30) using a blend of house-made olive brines, a Coconut Negroni, and the Vintage Harvard. Highballs ($20) lean light and refreshing, with options like vodka, jalapeño and lime soda, or cognac and ginger ale.

Wines are taken seriously, with more than 40 by the glass, covering both marquee and emerging producers. The Spirits Club rotates limited-edition bottles monthly.

The menu, from Executive Chef Santiago Aristizabal, is designed to be casual but considered. Dishes include anchovy on tomato toast ($12), Wagyu brisket empanadas ($25), and a Wagyu tongue taco with bone marrow salsa ($15). Larger plates include a Cape Grim fillet with Café de Paris butter ($36) and the Rockpool cheeseburger ($23). Hand-cut chips and onion rings round out the offering.

The lounge arrives alongside a broader refresh of the venue, including a new Wine Room, updated seating, and private dining upgrades.

Rockpool Lounge is now open at 66 Hunter Street, Sydney. Find out more here.