Sora Rooftop & Sky Lounge Opens in Sydney’s CBD
Sora Rooftop & Sky Lounge is a new rooftop bar that has just opened its doors above Clarence Street in Sydney’s CBD.
The two-level venue sits on the rooftop of the heritage-listed Nelson House at 285 Clarence Street, combining an open-air cocktail terrace with a more intimate upstairs sky lounge overlooking the city skyline.
Nelson House was originally built as a warehouse during Sydney’s early commercial boom, when Clarence Street formed part of the city’s busy mercantile district connecting the nearby Darling Harbour wharves with rail freight networks. Designed by architectural firm Spain, Cosh & Epslin, the building remains part of the street’s historic warehouse-era streetscape, reflecting the transformation of the precinct from an industrial trade hub into a modern business and hospitality area.
Local heritage stories also suggest that some of the structural steel used in the building may have originated from surplus material associated with the construction of the Sydney Harbour Bridge, adding another layer to its connection with Sydney’s early 20th-century development.
Sora spans two levels with a capacity for around 120 guests, with the lower rooftop level designed for social drinks and express cocktail service, while the upstairs Sky Lounge offers a more intimate setting suited to seated dining and private events.
The venue’s design features distinctive ceiling installations across both spaces, including an infinity mirror feature on the rooftop level and a series of suspended glass bird installations in the Sky Lounge, creating a visual centrepiece that shifts from bright daytime ambience to a more atmospheric evening setting.
Sora Rooftop & Sky Lounge comes from hospitality operator Ronny Dubé, known for Sydney nightclub Noir, alongside a private business partner. Leading the kitchen is Head Chef Pablo Poblete, whose career spans more than two decades across Sydney dining rooms including Pendolino, Icebergs Dining Room & Bar and Intermezzo, as well as several five-star hotels.
The menu centres on share-style plates designed to accompany cocktails, drawing on modern Australian and Mediterranean influences. Highlights include fresh Sydney Rock Oysters, delectable Kingfish Ceviche with citrus leche de tigre and charred corn, and the deliciously crunchy Karage Chicken with shichimi edamame, garlic furikake and kewpie mayo.
Other top picks include the Wagyu Tartare with mustard, chives and egg yolk, Salmon Crudo with wakame, sesame and orange – ginger vinaigrette, and the ridiculously delicious Beetroot Carpaccio with apple balsamic, mizuna, horseradish, cashew and pane carasau. Larger plates feature dishes such as prawn, crab and lobster ravioli, alongside premium Australian steaks including Jack’s Creek grain-fed sirloin and Kimbara wagyu.
To wash it all down, there’s an impressive cocktail list and a wine selection focused on Australian producers alongside a premium spirit offering. Trading from Wednesday to Friday (5pm-late) and Saturday (12pm-2am), the venue will move from afternoon drinks and sunset cocktails into a late-night atmosphere, with DJs expected to feature on weekends.
Combining heritage architecture with contemporary hospitality, Sora Rooftop & Sky Lounge serves as a vibrant and welcome enhancement to Sydney CBD’s culinary landscape.
Sora Rooftop & Sky Lounge
285 Clarence St (Level 9)
sorasydney.com