Fable isn’t just Melbourne’s newest rooftop bar. It’s also one of the highest. Located on the 13th level of the Greek Community building, at the top end of the CBD, the venue has views of the Eureka Skydeck, the Arts Centre and even the Bolte Bridge.

“It’s one of the most unique vantage points of Melbourne,” says owner Gehan Rajapakse. “The whole surrounding area is no more than three or four storeys high. It’s like the city backdrop was perfectly built just for our view.”

Rajapakse considers himself lucky to have stumbled upon the space, which was a Greek restaurant before he took over.

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“The first time I came up, I thought I could have been in New York or Tokyo or something,” he says. “I don’t even think they knew what they were sitting on.”

Initially, Rajapakse had only planned to do a small cosmetic lift of the semi-covered eatery. But after he got started, he ended up embarking on a complete rebuild and opening the entire roof up. Now sheltered by a retractable awning, the venue is designed for year-round trade. “In winter or when it rains, we can close it up. We have heaters. It’s like a rooftop speakeasy,” Rajapakse says.

Fable plays on the building’s heritage through its Mediterranean-leaning menu, developed by former Press Club chef Alex Xinis.

Dishes include calamari with ouzo mayonnaise, a lentil and eggplant moussaka, and lamb shoulder with horiatiki (Greek salad) and tzatziki. Over half the menu is gluten-free and a large portion – including the cheese platters – can be modified for vegans.

The drinks list, designed by Alessandro Nardini (Nick and Nora’s) follows suit. Expect cocktails like Hannibal’s Dream, containing bourbon, pine and aquafaba (a vegan egg-white substitute, the starchy liquid left over after chickpeas are cooked in water); or Ambrosia, made with beeswax-aged whisky, smoked honey and cocoa. Coming into summer, trading hours will extended to accommodate aperitivo drinks from 2pm onwards. Nardini grew up in Italy, where aperitivo was “almost a religious thing”.

Fable
Level 13, 168 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne
(03) 9662 2629

Hours:
Wed & Thu 5pm–1am
Fri & Sat 5pm–3am
Sun 5pm–1am

fablemelbourne.com.au