DRINK > Mid Air, Melbourne (15/20)

Early Autumn is my favourite time in Melbourne, it is when the warm days end with warm evening that cool down to fresh mornings.  It is a time when there are so many things to do all complemented by amenable weather.  Grand Prix, Comedy Festival, Food & Wine Festival, Fashion Festival its all going on March to June.

There are few things more stereo typical Melbourne than a rooftop bar. Melbourne’s rooftop scene has become quite a crowded field, but Mid Air, perched atop the new Melbourne Place hotel, makes a compelling case for a detour skyward. This twelfth-floor oasis, designed by Kennedy Nolan, is a study in mid-century modern elegance, with panoramic city views that are as much a draw as the food and drink. Step out of the lift and you’re greeted by a space that feels both cinematic and distinctly Melbourne: terrazzo underfoot, local timber, and those signature twin oculi-massive circular windows that frame the skyline and cast a golden glow as dusk falls.

AMBIENCE >

Mid Air is the rare rooftop that works in all seasons. The open-air terrace, with its double-sided fireplace and lush Amanda Oliver gardens, is a suntrap by day and a moody, romantic hideaway by night. Most of the bar sits beneath a retractable roof, meaning Melbourne’s famously fickle weather is never an issue. Seating is a mix of intimate booths, generous tables for groups, and coveted spots by the oculi-ideal for people-watching or soaking up the city lights.

EAT & DRINK >

The kitchen is helmed by Nick Deligiannis, Young Hatted Chef of the Year (ex-Audrey’s), whose Mediterranean-inspired menu is both playful and polished. Expect snackable small plates-think fresh oysters, scallops with urfa and kelp butter, and skewers that might feature wagyu or quail, depending on the day’s mood. There’s a $95 tasting menu for those who want to surrender to the chef’s whims, and a brunch lineup that includes a loaded bacon and egg focaccia (with obligatory hashbrown) and a breakfast roll that’s already a contender for the city’s best.

Cocktails are as considered as the food, with a list that changes seasonally. Signature spritzes, amaro-heavy concoctions, and a bloody mary worth crossing town for (especially at brunch) anchor the drinks menu. Wine and bubbles are well-chosen, with a nod to both local and European producers.

Despite its hotel-bar pedigree, Mid Air feels more like a destination than an amenity. The staff strike a balance between polished and personable, equally adept at guiding you through the menu or leaving you to your own devices. The crowd is a blend of hotel guests, city workers, and locals in the know-drawn by the views, the food, and the sense that this is a place to linger, not rush.

CONCLUSION >

Mid Air is a rooftop bar that delivers on every front: design, food, drinks, and atmosphere. It’s open from breakfast through late-night cocktails, equally suited to a power lunch, a romantic date, or a celebratory group dinner. Book ahead for dining, or try your luck for a walk-in drink on the terrace. For a true treat, book a room downstairs and make a night of it.

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Image Credit | Enoteca Alleghe & Almanak

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