The Rook

bar

A hidden rooftop gin bar on the seventh floor of a York Street office building, serving lobster-focused dishes and creative cocktails to after-work crowds and date-night pairs.

4.4

(1,890 reviews)$$Google

Happy Hour Deals

Happy Hour

$15 cocktails
$8.50 select beers
$8.50 select wines

Monday – Friday

4:00pm – 6:00pm

Best For

BarOutdoor SeatingTakes ReservationsWheelchair Accessible

level 7/56-58 York Street, Sydney CBD 2000

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday12pm – 11pm

Tuesday12pm – 11pm

Wednesday12pm – 11pm

ThursdayToday12pm – 11pm

Friday12pm – 1am

Saturday12pm – 1am

Sunday12pm – 8pm

The Vibe

Entrance and location: Finding The Rook requires dedication - it's tucked away on the seventh floor of a nondescript office building on York Street, accessible only to those who know where to look.
Interior design: The space underwent a major redesign in 2019, trading its original grungy aesthetic for something more Californian. Dusty pink and burgundy cushions complement deep-tan leather upholstery, while hanging florals and foliage soften the rooftop setting. A Picasso-like abstract feature wall replaced the bold graffiti mural that once defined the space.
Layout and atmosphere: The venue splits between dining tables and a dedicated cocktail bar area. A retractable roof handles Sydney's unpredictable weather and the elevated position offers eye-level views into nearby office windows - a slightly smug experience that regulars seem to enjoy.
The crowd: Young professionals and casual drinkers mix here, with the space particularly popular for date nights and group celebrations.

What People Love

Signature dishes: The lobster roll draws people back - now reimagined as a snack-sized slider with Japanese influences, featuring butter-poached lobster dressed in yuzu mayo and topped with iceberg lettuce for crunch. The burger menu has been streamlined to two solid options: a cheeseburger and fried chicken burger.
Asian-influenced menu: The kitchen leans heavily into Asian flavours with dishes like hiramasa kingfish dressed in gin and mandarin sauce, whole deep-fried snapper with mango and herbs and mussels served in a lemongrass and coconut broth with chilli oil.
Creative cocktails: Bartenders craft inventive drinks like the Crunchy Nut old fashioned (made with Crunchy Nut-infused Maker's Mark and honeycomb syrup) and Can't Beet A Root (Beefeater gin with beetroot and lemon). Saturday's Gin & Juice event offers $10 cocktails made with fresh juices and house-made sodas.
Lobster speciality: Multiple lobster preparations keep seafood lovers returning, including a lobster cheese melt and whole lobster with chipotle butter and truffle fries.

The Neighbourhood

CBD positioning: The Rook sits on York Street in the heart of Sydney's CBD, surrounded by office buildings and the daily flow of city workers. Its seventh-floor location creates separation from the street-level hustle below.
Transport access: The venue's central location puts it within walking distance of Wynyard and Martin Place stations, making it accessible for after-work drinks and weekend visits from across the city.
Hidden gem status: Housed in a nondescript office building, The Rook operates as one of Sydney's genuine hidden gems - the kind of place that requires local knowledge to find. The contrast between the corporate exterior and rooftop bar experience adds to its appeal as an escape from the CBD grind.
Crowd dynamics: During the week, the venue draws heavily from surrounding office workers looking for an elevated drink after hours, while weekends bring a broader crowd seeking the novelty of a hidden rooftop experience in the city centre.

Nearby in Sydney CBD

Ratings from Google

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Contact

The Vibe

Entrance and location: Finding The Rook requires dedication - it's tucked away on the seventh floor of a nondescript office building on York Street, accessible only to those who know where to look.

Interior design: The space underwent a major redesign in 2019, trading its original grungy aesthetic for something more Californian. Dusty pink and burgundy cushions complement deep-tan leather upholstery, while hanging florals and foliage soften the rooftop setting. A Picasso-like abstract feature wall replaced the bold graffiti mural that once defined the space.

Layout and atmosphere: The venue splits between dining tables and a dedicated cocktail bar area. A retractable roof handles Sydney's unpredictable weather and the elevated position offers eye-level views into nearby office windows - a slightly smug experience that regulars seem to enjoy.

The crowd: Young professionals and casual drinkers mix here, with the space particularly popular for date nights and group celebrations.

What People Love

Signature dishes: The lobster roll draws people back - now reimagined as a snack-sized slider with Japanese influences, featuring butter-poached lobster dressed in yuzu mayo and topped with iceberg lettuce for crunch. The burger menu has been streamlined to two solid options: a cheeseburger and fried chicken burger.

Asian-influenced menu: The kitchen leans heavily into Asian flavours with dishes like hiramasa kingfish dressed in gin and mandarin sauce, whole deep-fried snapper with mango and herbs and mussels served in a lemongrass and coconut broth with chilli oil.

Creative cocktails: Bartenders craft inventive drinks like the Crunchy Nut old fashioned (made with Crunchy Nut-infused Maker's Mark and honeycomb syrup) and Can't Beet A Root (Beefeater gin with beetroot and lemon). Saturday's Gin & Juice event offers $10 cocktails made with fresh juices and house-made sodas.

Lobster speciality: Multiple lobster preparations keep seafood lovers returning, including a lobster cheese melt and whole lobster with chipotle butter and truffle fries.

The Neighbourhood

CBD positioning: The Rook sits on York Street in the heart of Sydney's CBD, surrounded by office buildings and the daily flow of city workers. Its seventh-floor location creates separation from the street-level hustle below.

Transport access: The venue's central location puts it within walking distance of Wynyard and Martin Place stations, making it accessible for after-work drinks and weekend visits from across the city.

Hidden gem status: Housed in a nondescript office building, The Rook operates as one of Sydney's genuine hidden gems - the kind of place that requires local knowledge to find. The contrast between the corporate exterior and rooftop bar experience adds to its appeal as an escape from the CBD grind.

Crowd dynamics: During the week, the venue draws heavily from surrounding office workers looking for an elevated drink after hours, while weekends bring a broader crowd seeking the novelty of a hidden rooftop experience in the city centre.