Orbit Lounge

Here’s a bar where it’s easy to take your drinking to a whole new level. That’s because it’s perched way up the top of the Harry Seidler-designed Australia Square tower, and, thanks to the marvels of retro technology, it revolves, baby. Day and night, sightseers who might not have any interest in visiting a cocktail lounge if it weren’t 47 storeys up and slowly spinning make the ascent to ooh and ah over views that stretch from the mountains to the sea. The interior’s as retro as its concept – a sunken bar, tulip chairs around marble-top cocktail tables, red carpet and pink lighting give it a look that sits somewhere between Mad Men and The Jetsons. Add to that the nocturnal twinkling of Sydney and you’ve got one breathtaking combo. Mind you, the old concept of paying for the view does come into play – the drinks aren’t cheap, but they’re damn good. The bartenders will do a classic Martini any way you like it or, if it’s something more creative you’re after, take a sweet tour of the twists and favourites, like mixology master Manuel Terron’s Burning Monk – vodka, chilli, ginger, lychee and kaffir lime. It definitely met our, er, high expectations. There’s also a great tapas menu if you haven’t blown your budget on the booze.