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This summer, as we spread our wings and start to rediscover our cities, we’ve discovered 3 cool hotel bars that are raising the bar on experience - The Q (Melbourne), The Storehouse (Perth) and Chifley's Bar & Grill (Canberra).

Fun and Fab: The Q at Quincy Melbourne

The music playing in the lifts at Quincy Hotel Melbourne isn’t your usual elevator music. It’s more modern, more upbeat, trendier. Add in the floor-to-ceiling graffiti wallpaper and it’s like stepping into one of Melbourne’s famous laneways.

Taking the lift to The Q, the hotel’s rooftop terrace bar, continues the eclectic theme. It fuses the buzz of Melbourne laneways with the colours and flavours of southeast Asia: think luscious cocktails and elevated street food.

The Q is rapidly making its mark as one of Melbourne’s coolest rooftop bars. Blessed with 360-degree views of Melbourne CBD, all the way to the Yarra River and Port Phillip Bay, it is sophisticated and glamorous yet relaxing and approachable at the same time.

Sharing the 28th floor with a glistening lap pool, the space cleverly transforms from Quincy Melbourne’s exclusive Club Lounge during the day to a pulsing public bar at night. Kick back and admire the view while enjoying a Quincy Sling, The Q’s signature cocktail of gin, Dom Bénédictine, lime juice, pineapple, sour cherry, and orange bitters.

Executive chef Adam Woodfield’s pan-Asian menu draws on the cooking traditions of Thailand, Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia with zesty bar bites and share plates. One of his favourites is Smoked eel betel leaf, inspired by dishes found near the rice paddies of Chiang Mai. Other mouth-watering dishes include Coffin Bay oysters with red nahm jim, Seared scallops with sweet pork caramel, Cauliflower and shiso fritters, and Hainanese chicken bao. Yum!

Hot in the City: Storehouse Subiaco in Perth

If you like your Aperol garnished with great views, then Storehouse Subiaco in Perth's inner west is the place for you. You'd never know it from the bar's unassuming entrance through the Vibe Hotel Subiaco, that in this watering hole, rooftop views are king, the food is to-die-for and their delicious cocktails are just the thing to sip on when you're in Australia's sunniest capital.

Storehouse Subi exudes fresh and vibrant vibes from Chef Marc Eskdale's stunning and Insta-worthy menus to the cocktail creations whipped up by the uber-friendly bar team.  And, when the sun dips low in the sky... the city lights come on and the vibe changes with the tempo of the music.

What's your poison? We like ours with a touch of summer floral.

Plus, hotel guests at Vibe Subiaco can take full advantage of other rooftop amenities including their sparkling pool... it's just another reason to turn your cocktail night out into a fun night in.

Everything old is new again: Chifley's Bar & Grill at Hotel Kurrajong Canberra

History is even more palpable at Chifley’s Bar & Grill in the Hotel Kurrajong Canberra. Comfortable leather chairs, chandeliers and Art Deco furnishings lend a clue to the story behind one of the National Capital’s best-preserved early buildings.

Australia’s 16th Prime Minister, Ben Chifley, loved dining here and frequently enjoyed a tipple in the bar. In honour of his favourite drink, the whisky bar takes guests on a sensory journey of whiskies around the world. Chifley would have approved of the signature cocktail, Benny’s Double, a heady blend of Johnny Walker Gold Label Reserve, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, orange bitters and 23 carat gold leaf.

But in summer, Kurrajong shines with its grounds as the pavilion-style building opens to gorgeous, manicured gardens, making this the most delightful spot to relax and unwind on a balmy summer evening. It’s here that local artists play catchy tunes on a Friday afternoon and guests bask in the sunshine all week-long. 

The seasonal menu pays homage to the region’s boutique food producers, of which there are a surprising number. Truffles, garlic, chestnuts, Dutch cream potatoes, stone fruit and olives are among the products that flourish in and around the Australian Capital Territory.

The drinks list has a great selection of local wines, along with an extensive list of imported wines, cocktails, craft beer and cider making it our pick in the nation's capital.

** Peace of mind when you stay with us: Introducing Clean Touch. Note some activities listed may be subject to Covid restrictions.**