Bar Ombre

When the opportunity to open a rooftop bar in the CBD came up, Salt Meats Cheese co-owners Edoardo Perlo and Stefano De Biasi jumped at the chance.

Bar Ombré is on level three of the Gateway building, one floor above SMC's Circular Quay location. It's full of plants and colourful furniture, with a European riviera vibe. Punters can glimpse the tops of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House as they drink and snack.

The menu is true to the pair’s Ligurian heritage – Perlo says the food is similar to what you’d get if you went to a bar in Italy: calamari, prosciutto, olives, grilled vegetables. The antipasto platter does the best job of showcasing the menu’s simplicity. For more substantial fare you can order from SMC downstairs and it'll be delivered to the bar.

Drinks involve classic spritzes and sours as well as vanilla and grapefruit barrel-aged Negroni, and an Averna Amaro with mezcal, bitters, cream and cinnamon. There’s also champagne and a focus on biodynamic and organic wines.

From 4pm to 6pm daily you can score happy hour prices on beers, wines, spritzes and cocktail carafes (of Aperol spritz, sangria, Margarita, and homemade soda of the day with your choice of spirit). From 6pm to 8pm there are free bar snacks: truffled popcorn, woodfired crackers and pesto, smoked olives, cured pancetta with chilli and pepper, truffle pecorino, and roasted peppers with salsa verde.