Cocktails & City Lights: 5 Signature Drinks to Enjoy at Strato Melbourne

August 9, 2023

Sip with the Skyline

Strato Melbourne isn’t a nightclub. It’s not fine dining. It’s not about exclusivity or excess.

It’s about atmosphere — the kind you can feel in the lighting, in the music, in the first sip of a beautifully crafted cocktail as you look out over the city skyline.

From long lunches to late-night energy, every visit to Strato is a multi-sensory experience designed for people who appreciate flavour, design, and connection. Whether you're here midweek or on a weekend, each moment brings its own vibe — and its own perfect pairing.

5 Signature Cocktails & Expert Pairings from the Bar

At Strato Melbourne, every cocktail begins with intention. From base spirits and infusions to aromatics and garnish, each element is crafted to reflect the skyline it’s served against. Whether you're a lover of spirit-forward complexity, citrus-laced spritzes, or balanced zero-proof options — there’s a pour for you.

Here are five of our most iconic pours, all crafted by our in-house mixologists and paired with seasonal dishes from our winter menu.

1. Moondance

Most popular | Best for slow sips and signature indulgence

Recommended: Wednesdays to Sundays

This spirit-forward favourite brings together butter fat-washed rum, cognac, amaro and a touch of dark cacao. The fat-washing technique creates a rich mouthfeel, while the blend of bitter and sweet liqueurs gives it depth and balance.

Tasting notes: Silky, spiced, bittersweet

Bar style: After-dinner sipper, barrel-aged warmth

Pairs with:

– Lamb Two Ways with pea & mint purée & confit cannellini beans

– Earl Grey Cremeux (Mousse sponge with ginger infused butterscotch sauce)

2. Beyond Violet

Best for golden hour dreamers

Recommended: Wednesdays & Thursdays

A floral-forward, colour-changing highball that balances guava soju, lychee liqueur, butterfly pea flower gin, and sparkling water. Visually stunning, this cocktail leans into aromatic botanicals and light carbonation — a playful nod to aperitivo hour.

Tasting notes: Floral, tropical, effervescent

Bar style: Light aperitif, colour-shifting highball

Pairs with:

– Pacific Oysters natural or dill and apple gel

– Risotto Milanese with Creamy saffron infused risotto & vegetables and mascarpone cheese

3. Yuzu Negroni

Best for laid-back lunches in the clouds

Recommended: Saturdays & Sundays

This zesty twist on the classic Negroni blends yuzu gin, Campari, yuzu vermouth and lemon water. The result is crisp and citrus-driven, with a cleansing bitterness that awakens the palate — perfect for early evening wind-downs or pre-dinner refreshment.

The layered citrus notes from both yuzu and lemon elevate the drink’s sharpness, while the vermouth and Campari lend a classic, herbaceous backbone.

Tasting notes: Citrusy, bitter, refreshing

Bar style: Modern aperitif, citrus-forward, low-sugar

Pairs with:

– Victorian Burrata with avocado, cucumber & raw mango dressing

– Roasted Scallops with Capers, broccolini, sauce verge

4. Noir Skyline

Best for rhythm and reflection

Recommended: Fridays & Saturdays

A bold stirred-down creation, this cocktail features basil-infused gin, pinot noir, dom benedictine, and bittered aromatics. Complex and herbaceous, it belongs firmly in the nightcap category — designed to be sipped slowly under skyline lights.

Tasting notes: Herbal, complex, aromatic

Bar style: Spirit-forward, aromatic, infused base

Pairs with:

– 250gm Black Angus Tenderloin with parsnip purée and portobello mushrooms

Steamed Baby Broccoli with garlic & chili

5. Monkey Mongo

Best for Sunday slow-downs and tropical ease

Recommended: Sundays

This tiki-inspired modern serve features cachaça, coconut tequila, mango purée, mint, and coconut foam. Refreshing and verdant, it’s blended for smooth texture and tropical brightness — served with a chilled garnish and good vibes.

Tasting notes: Tropical, lush, mellow

Bar style: Tropical build, fresh foam topper

Pairs with:

Crab Timbale with Grapefruit & Lemongrass Vinaigrette

– Miso Glazed King Salmon with Ginger carrot purée & bok choy

A Perfect Match of Flavour & View

Our mixology team is proud to offer a full zero-proof/mocktail menu — not just simplified versions of classics, but thoughtfully constructed drinks with flavour structure, complexity and finish.

From house-made cordials to non-alcoholic aperitifs, we invite every guest to enjoy the full Strato experience, whether sipping with spirits or without.

Explore the Full Bar Menu from Strato Rooftop Bar website.

Getting Here

Strato Melbourne is perched above the city on the rooftop of Oakwood Premier Melbourne, just moments from the Southbank arts and dining precinct.

📍 40/202 Normanby Rd, Southbank VIC 3006

Enter through the ground floor lobby, and our team will guide you to the private rooftop lift. No guesswork — just elevation.

Book Your Rooftop Moment

Whether you're planning a sunset cocktail, long lunch, romantic date, rooftop proposal, private function, birthday celebration, or after-dark event — your skyline moment begins with a table at Strato Melbourne.

👉 Reserve your table now

Cozy seats. Curated drinks. City views worth celebrating.

FAQs

Do I need a reservation?

We recommend it, especially on weekends and during sunset hours. Walk-ins are welcome when space allows.

What are your opening hours?

  • Wednesday: 5–11pm
  • Thursday: 5–11pm
  • Friday: 5pm–12am
  • Saturday: 12–2pm, 5pm–12am
  • Sunday: 12–2pm, 5pm–11pm

*Closed Monday & Tuesday

What’s the dress code?

Smart-casual. Dress with the rooftop energy in mind — stylish, relaxed, and elevated.

Do you offer non-alcoholic cocktails?

Yes! We offer bespoke zero-proof drinks and mocktail versions of many of our signatures.

What food do you serve?

Seasonal bar snacks and curated share plates, thoughtfully designed to complement our cocktails and rooftop setting.

Can I host an event at Strato?

Absolutely. From birthdays to proposals to corporate gatherings, we offer private bookings and tailored event packages.

Can I see the menu before I visit?

Yes — view the full menu from Strato Restaurant and Rooftop Bar website.