Sydney’s newest rooftop destination has opened above 25hours Hotel The Olympia, introducing a fresh chapter in the city’s bar scene ahead of the long, warm months. Monica, located on the fifth floor of the heritage Olympia building in Paddington, began welcoming guests in October and offers one of the area’s few true elevated viewpoints, taking in Paddington’s terrace-lined streets, the city skyline and a glimpse of the Harbour Bridge. Open Friday to Sunday from midday until late, the venue promises lively weekends filled with cocktails, music and sweeping outdoor spaces.
Monica is shaped around a characterful muse, embodying colour, personality and a sense of play. The design draws on Sydney’s modern rhythm through a nostalgic 1960s Hollywood lens, pairing bold interiors with an atmosphere made for long afternoons that drift into evenings. The space accommodates around 200 guests across indoor lounges and an open-air terrace, with patterned tiles, drapery and tropical planting setting the tone. Two contrasting colour palettes, from olives and mint greens to a deep signature burgundy, define the zones, while a statement mural by Sydney artist George Buchanan wraps the venue in a continuous line drawing inspired by connection, movement and local botanicals.
The menu is designed for sharing, with highlights such as devilled spanner crab on Jatz, yellowfin tuna tartare with tomato jelly and betel leaf, San Daniele prosciutto with roasted fig and rosemary, along with favourites like soy-glazed fried chicken burgers. Monica’s cocktails lean towards bright West Hollywood-style creativity, with signatures including a Picante Margarita made with fermented jalapeño and habanero bitters, a coconut and macadamia daiquiri, and the citrus-led Sunset Strip.
A live DJ set carries the atmosphere from day through dusk, offering a relaxed Sunday ritual with views over Paddington.
