As far as Melbourne rooftop bars go – the vibe, location and cocktail list at QT’s Rooftop Bar doesn’t really get much better. There’s the allure of al-fresco dining for bar snacks and a drink list that will keep you busy for hours. This is where the cool set head for late night conversations; a place to linger until the early hours – with an epic view of Melbourne’s skyline.
QT Bar Manager Hayden John spoke to The Write Drop for our At The Bar series.
MY CITY
Melbourne. I love it because of its food and beverage scene. No matter what you’re in the mood for, or what kind of occasion you’re looking for, there’s always somewhere that fits.
FAVOURITE FOOD MEMORY
The Tempura Toothfish at Yamagen Melbourne. I’d never even heard of toothfish before, but one bite in and I was ready to order three more! Everything about the dish was perfect. It felt like every component had been carefully considered and curated with intention.
FAVOURITE BAR
Caretaker’s Cottage. I usually like to try something from their monthly menu, but I always seem to end up with their House Martini (with a lemon twist, of course).
BEST HANGOVER CURE
A Hydralyte before bed usually helps, but honestly, I normally just sleep until it goes away.
BEST INTERSTATE BAR
Cantina OK in Sydney. It’s quite literally a hole in the wall, a nice small space with great drinks and even better hospitality. If you’re a fan of tequila, it definitely needs to be on your list. They’ve got a cracking Spicy Margarita that’s just too hard to ignore.
BEST REGIONAL BAR
Daisy in Geelong. It’s such a great bar: a simple space, awesome drinks and amazing hospitality. I love sitting at the bar and having a chat with the staff. It’s simple, refined elegance with a bit of laid-back charm. They currently have an Eastside on the menu that is to die for, it’s super clean and fresh, and perfect for warmer weather.
FAVOURITE WINE WITH FRIENDS
Rodda 2024 Smith’s Vineyard Chardonnay. It’s got exactly the amount of oak I want in a Chardonnay, with heaps of stone fruit and citrus that make it perfect for spring. Once you open the bottle, you can forget about the lid because it’s not going to last long.
A WINERY YOU LOVED YOU’D VISIT AGAIN
Rodda Winery up in Beechworth. It’s a little bit of a drive from Melbourne, but it’s 100% worth it. It’s a bit of a hidden gem with absolutely amazing wines, and the town itself is something to fall in love with (especially if you love a good pastry from the bakery).
NEXT DESTINATION
Chicago, Illinois. I’m long overdue for a visit to my brother and nephew, and it’s also such a great city for food and cocktails. It reminds me a lot of Melbourne in that there’s always something interesting happening.
DINNER PARTY WITH THREE FAMOUS PEOPLE – GO!
Henry Cavill – I feel like we’d absolutely nerd out over video games and Warhammer.
Neil Patrick Harris – he’s been in a few of my favourite TV shows, and I feel like he’d be an absolute blast at a dinner party.
Sam Ross – more of a personal bartender choice, but I’d love the opportunity to pick his brain and see what I could learn from him.
BEST THING ABOUT YOUR JOB AND WHY
The people. I’ve got such an amazing team up on the Rooftop. But there are so many different departments and things happening throughout the building, and it always feels like one big team. Being part of that kind of culture, as well as the one, we’ve created on the rooftop, is pretty special.
