Just Open: The Bennelong Balcony bar, Sydney Opera House, Sydney

If you haven't had any luck scoring a reservation at Peter Gilmore's highly-sought-after Bennelong restaurant, here's some good news. The Bennelong Balcony bar is setting up next door – and you don't need a booking to get in. The new pop-up bar will open from Friday, January 8 for three weeks only as part of the Sydney Opera House's Summer at the House events program.

Guests entering the doors of this private balcony – situated between the Concert Hall sails and Bennelong itself – can expect snacks such as tiger prawns, carrot salad and Sydney rock oysters, but the headline attraction will be the drinks.

The harbour views will be perfectly paired with the cocktail creations ($15 each) of bar manager, Aaron Gaulke, who has come from Intercontinental Hotel Group and Eau de Vie.

"Being a pop-up, there are the usual logistical issues – things like having no running water – but I designed the cocktails so that they are pretty easy to make in the location, which means we can get them out to people fast," he says.

Gaulke's menu is not just about convenience, though, and has a nice focus on spritzes and gin and tonics. You can try a Just Fine and Dandy, which is a refreshing mix of Ketel One vodka, Piper Heidsieck champagne, St Germain elderflower liqueur, apricot brandy, apple and bitters. "The apple and apricot have great flavours at this time of year, great for all the people coming out in the hot, hot sun," Gaulke says. But his personal favourite is Puttin' on the Spritz with Tanqueray gin, Sanbitter, lemon, tonic water and rosé.

This pop-up will only be serving cocktails and bar snacks by the harbour for a short spell, so head to The Bennelong Balcony before it closes on January 31.

Open Fri-Sun noon-late.

Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point, Sydney, bennelong.com.au