Sky's the limit as the Woolly Bay Hotel and The Strand open rooftop venues

As Sydney welcomes two new rooftop venues, operators say it's just the beginning for the hospitality accoutrement de jour.

The Luchetti Krelle-designed Arturo's Rooftop at the Woolly Bay Hotel isn't an afterthought or tweaking of unused space. An entire new floor was built as part of Laundy Hotels' $14 million redesign of the pub, which has views of the Art Gallery of NSW and Woolloomooloo Bay.

Laundy Hotels creative director, Justine Laundy, argues the pandemic left customers wanting more "open, outdoor space". Sydneysiders have always loved a sweeping vista and, when it isn't raining, the city has the weather for rooftop venues.

At the luxe 120-seat Woolly Bay rooftop, you can tuck into small plates of kingfish crudo, octopus with romesco or potato scallop with caviar from the kitchen of the equally smart new Arturo's restaurant downstairs.

It isn't the only new rooftop in town. High above busy William Street, Darlinghurst pub, The Strand, has opened a bar on its rooftop, and is already doing a brisk trade in drinks with a side of tuna tartare or a "French Kiss" of vodka and caviar.

A block away from The Strand, Slim's pioneered the genre on the strip, but rooftops have been sweeping Sydney.

The CBD, in particular, has a host of venues perched in its skyline, from the upmarket Shell House to Old Mate's Place and Babylon rooftop. Chef Mitch Orr's new Kiln restaurant and bar also recently opened on the 18th floor of the Ace Hotel.

The InterContinental Sydney's new Aster Bar has panoramic harbour views and Skye Bar in Burwood looks onto the CBD, while the rooftop at Botswana Butchery has dress-circle views of Martin Place.

Justine Laundy says they are already planning rooftops at some of their other pubs: "The Oxford Hotel at Drummoyne is next, we'll do it wherever there's a view and it's not going to annoy the neighbours."

The Woolly Bay's new rooftop – which takes a few of its design touches from a "Grecian beach club" and mixologist Fabrizio Vani knocks out the martinis – is part of a new wave. "It's the latest and greatest thing in hospitality, but the rooftop is really a worldwide trend," Laundy adds.

Arturo's Rooftop, open Mon-Sun 12pm-late, 2 Bourke Street, Woolloomooloo, woollybayhotel.com.au/arturos-our-story

The Strand Rooftop, open Wed-Sun noon-midnight, 99 William Street, Darlinghurst, strandhotel.com.au/rooftop