Celeb chef Luke Mangan is opening a new fine-dining restaurant on the top floor of the bridge’s South East Pylon, which has long been a viewing platform for those not gutsy enough to scale the entire structure. ‘Luke’s Table’ will feature a single long table for 20 guests, which can be booked for groups or individually. The space can also host up to 50 people for intimate functions.

“It is an amazing space,” Mangan told the Daily Telegraph this week. “We are so excited.”

That excitement might wear off a little when it comes to bumping in – the only way to access the venue is via a flight of 200 stairs.

“Everything, every oyster, every bottle of champagne, has to be carried up because there are no lifts,” Mangan said. “I am going to get very fit.”

The Pylon Lookout will remain in operation, which means that each day, Mangan and his team will have to wait until the lookout closes to the public at 4pm before climbing the stairs of the 87m-high structure to start work.

Once there, they need to unpack induction ovens from specially installed storage boxes, set up tables and chairs and begin preparing for guests to arrive from 6:30pm. When service ends three hours later, everything has to be packed away again.

“It is a lot of work, but it’s worth it for this amazing view,” Mangan said. “You’ve got the Bridge, the Opera House, it’s incredible.”

Can the food match the view? That remains to be seen, but oysters and Champagne are a given. Luke’s Table will officially open on November 17.

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