The Melbourne CBD’s newest rooftop bar and restaurant, Strato Melbourne opens its doors today, after five years of planning and development.

Located at 202 Normanby Street in Southbank on the 40th floor of Oakwood Premier Melbourne, Strato Melbourne will house a bar, restaurant and two VIP areas.

Access to the new venue is via a private entry from the lobby of Oakwood Premier Melbourne. Once on level 40, guests step out into a unique ‘bird’s eye view of Melbourne’ artwork, created by projecting 16 different loop videos across the floor and mirrored walls.

The Strato bar area holds up to 70 people, featuring a 16-metre stone bar, alfresco terrace and 7-metre glass windows to maximise city skyline views.

Meanwhile, the Strato restaurant offers a contemporary modern Australian menu, with seating for up to 60 guests and views of Port Phillip Bay.

The venue has two VIP areas: one between the main lounge and restaurant, and an exclusive dining space above the bar on Level 41 for special events.

The menu – which prioritises locally sourced, Victorian ingredients – is based on five elements: air, water, ice, earth and ‘living things’, with theatrical components like smoke, vapour, embers, levitation and nitrogen, so make sure you bring your Tiktok A-game.

Expect dishes like 180 days on grain-fed beef tartare, salt and pepper macaroon with scampi caviar and venison black pudding croquettes.

Charlie Ainsbury and his team of cocktail evangelists at Proof and Co have created a unique drinks menu for the bar and restaurant, showcasing fresh twists on the classics alongside all-new Strato sips. (Think Negronis with blood plum garnish and Lychee Martinis finished with rosewater mist.)

“We are exploring things like spices, rare botanicals and grains as well as rare liqueurs and spirits. One of the things we’re most excited about here is our collection of rare and old bottlings,” said Ainsbury.

Strato Melbourne is now open on the 40th floor of Oakwood Premier Melbourne at 202 Normanby Road, Melbourne.

Strato bar is open 7 days from 5pm until late, while Strato restaurant is open Tuesday – Saturday from 5pm – late. For bookings, head to stratomelbourne.com.au.