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Melbourne’s new rooftop bar will transport you to LA this summer 

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
The StandardX, Melbourne has opened its rooftop to the public, bringing the buzz with cocktails on tap, DJ sets and skyline views. 

Fitzroy just scored a new perch for golden hour. Boutique hotel The StandardX, Melbourne has flung open the doors to On Top, a rooftop space previously reserved for hotel guests. And it’s bringing a sun-drenched hit of LA cool to Melbourne just in time for summer.  

The reimagined rooftop, which originally opened in Fitzroy in 2024 as part of the hotel brand’s first opening in Australia, now welcomes locals and out-of-towners from Thursday to Sunday, accommodating up to 60 people.

What to expect

food at On Top, The StandardX Melbourne
All-day dining with a side of city views. (Image: Pete Dillon)

The vibe is decidedly playful: Aperol spritzes and yuzu margaritas flow on tap, while a Japan-style vending machine adds a dose of novelty. On Top’s suggestive name is equally on brand with The StandardX’s cheeky and charming tone. 

Come Friday and Saturday evenings – and languid Sunday afternoons – DJ rotations set the tone, drifting from ‘90s Brooklyn to Lago beaches. It’s a relaxed social space that knows exactly when to turn up the energy and captures Fitzroy’s social spirit.  

The design

On Top is The StandardX, Melbourne's new rooftop.
The StandardX’s new rooftop overlooks Melbourne’s stunning skyline. (Image: Supplied)

With architecture by Woods Bagot and interiors by Hecker Guthrie, On Top brims with a summer-ready edge reminiscent of the sunset bars of downtown LA. Plush lounge seating, bistro tables and bar stools overlooking Melbourne’s captivating cityscape shape the space, while warm terracotta tones and arid plants create a lived-in elegance.  

Designed with Melbourne’s mood swings in mind, the space is fully weatherproof thanks to a retractable roof and heating system that includes a Corten fireplace. While there are endless chic bars in Melbourne, this one holds year-round allure.

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The dining and drinks

The StandardX, Melbourne rooftop food
Expect American-inspired bites at On Top. (Image: Supplied)

The StandardX, Melbourne’s all-day menu riffs on the hotel brand’s American heritage, spanning Wagyu sliders and hot-sauce-slathered fried chicken to oyster mushroom skewers marinated in shio koji and topped with chilli crumb. And for those who can’t refuse a sweet treat, fret not; cinnamon doughnuts served with warm chocolate sauce and mascarpone tart with salted caramel ensure you’ll end on a (sugar) high. 

But what’s a great meal without flowing drinks to accompany? On Top serves Aperol spritz, yuzu margaritas and lager on tap, alongside a suite of signature cocktails. Nude & Rude is Mexican inspired (Mezcal, amaro, lemon, agave and bitters), while Cloud Cover is a heady mix of apricot brandy, Aperol, Lillet Blanc, ginger and lemon.  

drinks at On Top, The StandardX Melbourne
On Top offers some cocktails on tap. (Image: Supplied)

Vino lovers won’t be disappointed either. Designed collaboratively by The StandardX, Melbourne and Australian-based wine importer Lo-Fi, the wine list heroes local Victorian producers that focus on sustainable wines. To keep the fun rolling, the space even has a Japan-inspired vending machine stocked with pre-batched cocktails, wines and non-alcoholic drinks. 

Opening hours

Monday to Wednesday: Exclusive access for hotel guests, no service (self-service from vending machine, The Box)  

Thursday to Friday: Exclusive to hotel guests until 5pm, open to the public from 5pm to 10pm 

Saturday: Exclusive to hotel guests until 12pm, open to the public from 12pm to 10pm 

Sunday: Exclusive to hotel guests until 12pm, open to the public from 12pm to 8pm 

Walk-ins are welcome, but the hotel recommends booking for groups of six or more.  

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Where is The StandardX’s rooftop bar?

On Top rooftop is located within The StandardX, Melbourne at 62 Rose St, Fitzroy VIC 3065. 

 

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or testing her friends’ patience with increasingly obscure vocabulary.
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The best places to wine and dine across regional Victoria

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    There’s no shortage of exceptional eateries in regional Victoria. From casual classics to finely tuned fine diners, here’s our pick of the plentiful bunch.

    Le Foyer Brasserie, Bendigo

    French plate at Le Foyer Brassiere, Bendigo
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    From the owners behind Bendigo’s beloved The Woodhouse comes this newly opened elegant French bistro. It’s all about welcoming warmth at this city fine diner, after all Le Foyer, translates to ‘the hearth’ in French. A place to linger in the chic, Parisian-style salon, the menu unfurls in the classics, from beef bourguignon to steak frites and mille-feuille.

    Riverbank Moama, Murray River

    seafood plate at Riverbank Moama, Murray River
    Dine on the banks of the Murray at Riverbank Moama. (Image: Cindy Power Photography)

    If you’re journeying on or beside the Murray, it’s only fitting that you dine by its banks. This nature-nestled restaurant by the river is idyllic for a long, sun-filled lunch. The menu is an unfussy playlist of the hits served with a seasonal spin – and the mood is as gently flowing as the nearby water.

    Felix, Geelong

    a bartender mixing up drinks at Felix, Geelong
    Felix offers a relaxed French bistro experience. (Image: Cameron Murray Photography)

    Soft brown banquettes, walnut hues and a terrazzo bar welcomes with relaxed French bistro vibes at Geelong’s Felix. But really, it’s the collage of simple, seasonal flavours that make this restaurant an easy-going favourite. Come for brunch or dinner; vegans are welcomed with a dedicated menu.

    The Perch, Lavers Hill

    a plate of food at The Perch, Lavers Hill
    Savour the seasonal menu at The Perch.

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    The Shared Table, Ballarat

    The Shared Table, Ballarat
    The Shared Table in Ballart.

    If you go for the ‘Dine without Decision’ option at this beloved eatery, you’re free from the tyranny of food envy with a chef-selected procession of dishes that highlight the bounty of the Midwest region. Think mochi gnocchi with pumpkin and XO or Western Plains pork cotoletta.

    Barragunda Dining, Mornington Peninsula

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    This fine diner, which opened in early 2025, has been lauded as one of the region’s most ambitious and significant openings in recent years. Set on a 400-hectare, cliffside Cape Schanck property that delivers the kitchen with a cornucopia of produce, it’s elegant and honest paddock-to-plate dining at its most refined.

    Mount William Station, Grampians

    plating a dish at Mount William Station, Grampians
    Dine on elevated seasonal and local produce at Mount William Station. (Image: Phil Hocking)

    Whether you’re staying at this luxe historic station or just swinging in for dinner with friends, the shared table vibe here is country hospitality at its most welcoming and elevated. Seasonal and local produce guides chef Dean Sibthorp’s hand for plates finessed with the mountain-fresh flavour of the Grampians.

    Emerald City, Yarra Valley

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    You’re certainly not in Kansas anymore when you slip behind the emerald curtain from Cavanagh’s Whiskey and Alehouse to the diminutive Emerald City. Allusions to the fraudulent wizard and Dorothy aside, this acutely intimate four-seat diner is a curated experience worthy of a road trip. As you may imagine, bookings are essential.

    du Fermier, Trentham

    dining at du Fermier, Trentham
    du Fermier is Trentham’s exquisite French fine diner. (Image: DJN Photography)

    Annie Smithers’ intimate, farmhouse-y French fine diner is not at all new, but it is every bit iconic. It’s long attracted food-lovers to its charming dining room for a set menu that undulates with the seasons. If you’re a gourmand to your core, book into one of Annie’s delightfully informal masterclasses.

    Messmates Dining, Gippsland

    diners at Messmates Dining, Gippsland
    Inside Messmates Dining. (Image: Fotoarco)

    This Warragul diner’s menu is a well-arranged collection of delicious, farm-forward morsels crafted, quite simply, to delight. Dishes such as French onion dip scooped onto nigella seed crackers and fresh-made pasta tossed with a black pepper and butter emulsion are all about balanced, enjoyable flavours paired with good wine.