Concrete Playground

Like the namesake suggests, Sky Room can be found up above Fortitude Valley’s bustling Brunswick St Mall. The vertical neighbour to molecular degustation restaurant The Buffalo Club, Sky Room’s location makes for a surprisingly appealing view. Owner’s Stephanie Canfell and Cameron Birt are no strangers to the hospitality industry. The duo is also responsible for iconic Fortitude Valley drinking hole The Bowery and know the magic formula to creating a bar with joie de vivre.

For their sky-high venture, Canfell and Birt have created a retro, tiki styled venue where the surroundings include greenery, dome light fixtures and sixties lime-green couches. On paper it may sound a little cliché, but the vintage references are subtle, and besides the splashes of green, Sky Room’s décor is relatively minimal. Where the venue really cuts loose is within the pages of the drink menu. Much like The Bowery, the staff here know what they’re doing and can suggest a cocktail to suit your palette. But if you prefer to take matters into your own hands, you can pick from the menu’s charming themes including Latina, Trans-Atlantic, Palm Springs (for when it’s cool) and old favourites.

When it comes to Sky Room’s atmosphere, the vibe varies from night to night. If you venture there during a live band performance (usually local funk acts) or special DJ set you might find it hard to nab a stool out on the balcony. On a quieter night however, you may be lucky to have the entire balcony to your self. Both a lively packed out venue or a more peaceful bar have their merits, so depending on what you prefer we suggest you pick your night wisely and visit the website to see what events are coming up.

If you compare both Sky Room and its brother venue The Bowery, it’s easy to separate them by the seasons. The Bowery, with its warm glow and den-like décor, is the ideal drinking place during the chilly winter months, while Sky Room’s bright and airy feel is better suited to the warmer times. If you can manage to score a stool out on the balcony, sharing a cocktail jug with friends while watching the sunset during summer is what Sky Room is all about.