By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
High above Bankstown, where the skyline stretches towards the Blue Mountains to the west and city lights of the east, Lady Banks Rooftop is set to send visitors down an enchanting rabbit hole a la Alice in Wonderland.
It’s a rooftop that rewards wandering, sipping, grazing and lingering. Hanging florals, soft fairy lights and hidden corners create a sense of discovery while the open terrace reminds you that you are very much still in Sydney Summer. Each dish and cocktail is curated to match the surroundings - breezy, bright and a little bit magical - whether you are settling in for a weekday escape or a weekend celebration with friends
This Summer, it transforms into Secret Garden Social - a lush kingdom in the clouds where petals spill over railings, fairy lights hum like whispered secrets and cocktails arrive in vintage teacups as though served by the Mad Hatter himself.
From now through to February, guests are invited to wander through a riot of emerald foliage and vibrant blooms, discovering hidden nooks made for quiet conversations and softly lit corners perfect for sunset Spritzes. Each visit feels a little different - a little magical - with grazing boards layered in artisanal seasonal bites, botanical cocktails and Chandon sparkling poured as though the evening itself is worth celebrating.
The culinary offerings are where the garden really comes alive. Seasonal grazing boards form the backbone of every rooftop visit, stacked with fresh, shareable bites that feel sophisticated without fuss. Artisanal cheese, delicate cured meat, marinated olives and crisp seasonal vegetables make for light grazing, but it’s the thoughtful twists that elevate them into moments of playful indulgence.\
Dips infused with garden herbs and housemade bread feel like a nostalgic nod to warm evenings spent outdoors, while the teapot cocktail High Tea offers a chance to sip cocktails and nibble delicacies in equal measure, feeling both indulgent and impossibly charming.
Weekend offerings take things a step further. Bottomless Banks runs from midday to three, serving a carefully curated tapas spread alongside bottomless house pours, or an upgrade to Spritzes if you’re feeling particularly indulgent.
Plates are built for sharing - a little bit greedy, a little bit polite - and feature the sorts of bites that make you glad you came hungry. Think soft focaccia with whipped ricotta and honey, grilled seasonal vegetables, delicate tartlets and pastries that balance sweetness with a whisper of floral and citrus. It’s the kind of spread that makes you pause, take a sip of your sparkling Chandon and really savour that moment of rooftop bliss.
For those after a more theatrical experience, the Secret Garden Package is a revelation worth discovering. Teapot cocktails arrive to the table alongside an array of delicate savoury and sweet bites, from dainty finger sandwiches to miniature tarts and housemade pastries. Every item is designed for sharing and delight, creating a garden-party feel that is both playful and refined, the kind of rooftop experience you’ll remember long after the last sip.
Secret Hour runs daily from four to six and is the perfect invitation to slow down and sip under the vines. Cocktail offerings lean into the botanical, with floral infusions, delicate Spritzes and Chandon sparkling elevating the seasonal grazing boards. Once a month, the rooftop shakes things up with Sunset Fiesta - salsa beats echoing through the flowers, shared plates passed across tables and cocktails that taste of sun and celebration.
Lady Banks’ calendar is sprinkled with seasonal highlights that keep the rooftop lively throughout the Summer months. New Year’s Eve brings a mirrored canopy, live entertainment and sparkling celebrations. The Long Weekend Garden Games Party in January offers oversized chess, sun-soaked BBQs and playful competition. Valentine’s Weekend turns the garden into a romantic retreat complete with love songs, floral workshops and intimate High Teas for two.
Lady Banks Rooftop has always flirted with floral inspiration, but Secret Garden Social is its most immersive and elegant interpretation yet. A rooftop where the ordinary slips away, the season stretches a little longer and the simple act of grazing, sipping and laughing becomes a quiet, rooftop revelation.
Follow the garden path this Summer and let the flowers, the food and the cocktails lead you somewhere deliciously unexpected.
