Hotel Sorrento always seems to be working on, or unveiling, something. In late 2023 it wrapped up a five-year development and made the jump from “big pub” to “luxe resort”, adding 13 new suites, a 30-metre pool and a day spa. This after earlier launching a slick Australian Cantonese restaurant, Shihuishi, in the pub’s basement.

Now comes the next thing: a rooftop bar crowning the grand, sandstone edifice and giving some pretty special views of Port Phillip Bay. And it’s here right in time for the hectic summer break, with room for 320 punters.

“We feel like an offering like the rooftop has been missing from the Peninsula, so we’re excited to be bringing it to Sorrento locals and visitors alike,” says Hotel Sorrento director Myles Pitt, whose family has operated the pub for 40 years and counting.

Never miss a moment. Make sure you're subscribed to our newsletter today.

SUBSCRIBE NOW

The space takes design cues from the French Riviera, featuring dark wood, natural sandstone and plenty of umbrellas. And more specifically, the pub says it was inspired by Italian photographer Willy Rizzo, who was known for documenting the glamorous “jet set” crowd of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. In Saint-Tropez he captured Brigitte Bardot, Jack Nicholson and other stars unwinding in the streets, on the beach and yes, on rustic rooftops.

At Sorrento the unwinding is helped by bubbly carafes of spritz (Aperol, limoncello or blueberry-vodka) or hard seltzer (watermelon, grape, orange or mango). Single-serve cocktails are similarly built for good, if basic, times: Espresso Martini, Pornstar Martini, Paloma and Spicy Margarita.

Food fits the same brief, with four simple, summery pizzas ready for pulling and sharing, plus oysters, crudités, olives, kingfish crudo, lobster rolls and other snacks on support duty. It’s all made for the sunny days with pleasant sea breezes.

So what happens when the gloomy Victorian winter sets in? Well, the rooftop has a fireplace and a fully retractable roof. And presumably, executive chef Beth Candy will change up the menu to match the weather. Add regular DJs for vibe and you’ve got a recipe for what feels like year-round success, sunshine or no sunshine.

Hotel Sorrento
5/15 Hotham Rd, Sorrento
(03) 5984 8000

Hours
Daily 12pm–late

hotelsorrento.com.au/