Following a site-wide refurbishment totalling a cool $120 million, InterContinental Sydney’s popular rooftop bar (now trading under the name of Aster) is slated to reopen this week. For the first time ever in the hotel’s 37-year history, the venue will welcome reservations from the public, breaking the previous tradition of restricting access to in-house guests.
Perched on the 32nd floor of the freshly shod downtown InterCon, Aster’s self-explanatory drawcard is its elevated backdrop – boasting panoramic views of Sydney landmarks including the Opera House, Harbour Bridge, and Royal Botanic Gardens.
Now billed as a rarefied “hub of fine drinking and dining,” Aster is led by Behzad Vaziri, InterContinental Sydney’s resident Director of Bars. Per Vaziri, the beverage program showcased here is inspired by astronomy and the surrounding hotel’s own history (constructed in the mid-1800s, it was at one stage home to the NSW Treasury).
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“Aster Bar is all about encouraging exploration,” said Vaziri.
“We want to be seen alongside other major [international] cities most well-known for their dynamic bar scenes.”
In practice, much like its sister venue at InterCon’s Double Bay property, there is a clear fixation on mixological classics; often reframed with original ingredients that are crafted with the aid of modern processes. Speaking to the city’s hospitality journalists, Vaziri emphasised the use of house-made tinctures, tableside prep and creative garnishes – all advisable tropes if you’re in the business of operating a specialty cocktail bar inside a luxury hotel.
On the culinary front, it looks like Vaziri and his team are going with a keep-it-simple-stupid approach, teeing up a snack menu that’s designed to go down smoothly alongside a round (or three) of Aster’s signature rum Old Fashioneds. There are churros piped with cheese curd, hasselback potatoes garnished with sour cream and caviar, and even a delightful anachronism in the form of the prawn cocktail.
While Aster’s online reservations portal is still coming online – the InterContinental Sydney website insists this venue will only be accessible with a booking – you can browse a selection of images below. The venue joins the city’s growing menagerie of specialty rooftop destinations including: Kiln at Ace Hotel, Dean & Nancy at A by Adina, and the soon-to-be-opened Spice Trader at Porter House.
