By Marie-Antoinette Issa.
Melbourne’s Fitzroy just got a new reason to look up. Perched above The StandardX, the city’s newest design-forward hotel, On Top opens its previously hotel-exclusive rooftop to the public…and it’s worth the ascent.
The moment you step out onto the rooftop, the city’s industrial grit meets a carefully curated oasis. Think warm, earthy tones, arid planting and a Corten steel fireplace that nods to the area’s factory-heavy past.
Woods Bagot’s architecture and Hecker Guthrie’s interior design make the space feel intimate yet social, with soft lounge seating, bistro tables and bar ledges that hug the edges of the terrace, offering sweeping skyline views. Melbourne’s famously unpredictable weather? No stress. A retractable roof and heating system keep the party rolling year-round.
The food here takes cues from the hotel’s American roots but with enough twists to make every bite a conversation starter. Start with smoked ocean trout on flatbread or an oyster mushroom skewer dusted with shio koji and chilli crumb, before moving on to the brioche prawn roll with Gascony butter, or the Wagyu slider stacked with bistro sauce, cheese and pickles.
Fried chicken fans, rejoice - hot sauce and guindilla chillies make the classic comfort dish anything but ordinary. For dessert, cinnamon doughnuts with warm chocolate sauce or a vanilla mascarpone tart with salted caramel hit all the right notes.
The drinks menu is just as adventurous. On-tap cocktails and beers sit alongside signature creations like the apricot-forward Cloud Cover, the smoky, amaro-driven Nude & Rude, or the citrusy Last Dance with Aperol and passionfruit.
For a playful twist, a Japanese-style vending machine stocks pre-batched cocktails, wines and non-alcoholic options, letting guests self-serve with style. For wine lovers, a curated list from Lo-Fi champions local Victorian producers who prioritise low intervention and sustainable practices.
Evenings are when On Top really comes alive. Local DJs spin Friday and Saturday nights (and Sunday afternoons), taking you from Brooklyn in the ’90s to Lagos beaches and downtown LA bars during golden hour.
The schedule is designed to keep things flexible: Monday to Wednesday remains a hotel-exclusive, self-service playground, while Thursday through Sunday, locals and visitors can join from midday or 5 pm depending on the day. With space for 60 guests, it’s a perfect balance of energy and intimacy - never too crowded, always buzzing.
On Top isn’t just another rooftop bar. It’s a destination that captures Fitzroy’s creative energy, combining good food, inventive cocktails and social beats with a sense of history and style.
Whether you’re popping up for a lunch snack, a sunset cocktail, or a weekend soirée, the rooftop is designed to make you linger. As the city lights flicker on and the night unfolds, it’s easy to forget you’re still in Melbourne…if only for a few hours.
