Mermaid Beach’s New 100-Seat Rooftop Has A Retractable Roof And All-Day Aperitivo Thursdays

Charlie’s Rooftop Bar has landed above The Glenelg Public House in Mermaid Beach, and I’m already plotting an early knock-off. The concept takes its cues from European aperitivo culture, that golden window between day and night when one drink and a few snacks have a habit of turning into dinner. Expect plenty of greenery, open skies and a retractable roof for the days our subtropical weather has other plans.

Image Credit: Charlie's Rooftop Bar | Supplied

The menu is made for sharing, and I’d start with the moreish chimichurri choripán, served in a crunchy baguette with salsa criollo. The chilli lime calamari is another must for the table and the steak frites has been stealing the show since opening, and with good reason: juicy steak, crispy golden chips and all the makings of a very good Monday lunch, now with a $25 special to sweeten the deal.

The cocktails are just as tempting, from the Cherry Ripe espresso martini to the burnt butter old fashioned, but it’s the sweet, spicy chilli guava margarita I can’t stop thinking about.

Image Credit: Charlie's Rooftop Bar | Supplied

Aperitivo will call you back time and time again, running all day on Thursdays and from 4pm to 6pm over the weekend. Think spritzes, frozen cocktails, house wine and beers on tap. You can mix and match three snacks for $35, with prawn and chorizo skewers, hot honey haloumi and smoky butter corn ribs among the tempting options, or make a little occasion of it with a plate of oysters.

With more than 100 years of combined hospitality experience between the team behind the name, Charlie’s has the relaxed-but-considered fit-out to match its European-inspired approach. It’s the kind of place where an afternoon spritz drifts into shared plates of corn ribs, the sky turns peach and, before you know it, another round is on its way. I’ll see you up there.

Main Image Credit: Charlie's Rooftop Bar | Supplied