RoofPOP

Back again to Curtin House, home of Cookie, The Toff, Choo-Choos, an ever-changing roster of intriguing little shops and the Wing Chun Bing Fa Kung Fu Academy. The latest attraction to take up residence on the top floor is RoofPOP!, a Veuve Clicquot-sponsored popup champagne bar. It’s paired with and spitting distance from the longstanding Rooftop Bar, but traffic between the two is limited: drinks from RoofPOP! can’t be taken upstairs, due to Rooftop’s unfortunate glass ban.

But no matter – although it’s indoors, RoofPOP! has a summery vibe of its own. Maybe it’s just the Astroturf, but there’s something about the interior design, courtesy of Fitt de Felice, that screams summer. Which is odd, because what it should really be screaming is “I’m being drowned in a gigantic bottle of champagne!” The gold leaf-lined entryway leads into a room where the curved, deep green walls are covered in little plastic shotglasses, all arranged to give the impression of bubbles fizzing from the floor up toward the ceiling. Veuve Clicquot branding abounds, and even the bird of paradise plants, in their monumental-looking pots, fit perfectly with the colour scheme.  There are two main seating areas, quite isolated from one another and from the bar itself – that makes it a good place for intimate little gatherings, though not exactly optimal for locking eyes with a stranger across the room. To the rear is a large area available for exhibitions and private functions.

There’s no printed drinks list, but the staff are friendly and happy to tell you what’s what. As far as wines go, Veuve is obviously the main brand, but it’s not the only one, so if the branding is getting to you there’s always the option of rebelling just a smidge. RoofPOP! is open from now until the end of summer, and will no doubt make a fine place for hot city-dwellers to cool off.