Cleo fits right in with Hyde Melbourne Place’s impressive slate of food and drink venues, Ross and Sunny Lusted’s Portuguese restaurant Marmelo and sibling bar Mr Mills. The rooftop bar in the former Mid Air space, on the Russell Street hotel’s 12th floor, has sweeping city views and is open from 7am for breakfast right through to late-night drinks. 

The eastern Mediterranean menu is overseen by Jordan Clavaron (Cutler, Society) and focuses on dishes meant for sharing. You might find grilled seafood, such as crispy prawns with green harissa, alongside slow-cooked meat, like lamb tomahawks with eggplant. Drinks, the work of Beverage operations manager and sommelier Matthew Jensen (Farmer’s Daughters, Vue de Monde), include a list of easy-drinking wines by the glass as well as ideal rooftop bar cocktails. Expect pistachio spritzes, Spicy Margaritas and the Cleo Colada – a mix of white rum, Lillet Blanc, clarified pineapple, lime, coconut and banana.

There’s also a DJ series curated by Untitled Group, as well as special events, which may include rooftop Pilates and meditation.

@cleomelbourne