Paramount Recreation Club hits the Paramount Building rooftop in Surry Hills

Sydneysiders caught their first glimpse of the racy 1949 version of The Great Gatsby in the cosy theatrette of the Paramount Pictures building in Surry Hills, which offered little drama compared with what has played out in recent years over the building's rooftop.

The operators of Quay toyed seriously with opening a moonlit restaurant, and there was another plan for a silent open-air cinema – where customers would listen on headphones – which failed to win over neighbours.

But next month Barrie Barton (Golden Age) swings open a kiosk for those who enjoy skyline vistas with their food, and he has the support of his local hospitality community.

"We've developed a healthy and simple menu with our good friends and close neighbours [restaurateur] Sam Christie and [chef] Griff Pamment," Barton says.

The Hollywood poke-style dish, which will be on the opening menu, mixes avocado, sesame kale, roasted coconut, pickled radish, shredded carrot and black beans with an option to add organic grass-fed beef, kingfish ceviche or ocean trout.

The kiosk is part of Barton's Paramount Recreation Club, a space where Sydneysiders will be able to build up an appetite with exercise in "mirror-free" surrounds.

The Surry Hills block, which is already busy with the addition last year of Chin Chin restaurant, is also set to welcome the boutique Paramount House Hotel in early April, followed in coming months by the long-overdue bar from the good folk at Chippendale's Ester restaurant.

Paramount Recreation Club, 80 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, opening next month.