Blu Horizon Bar, Shangri La Hotel, The Rocks, Sydney

The Blu Horizon Bar has great views of Sydney; on the 36th floor at the top of the Shangri-La Hotel, you’d certainly expect amazing views and you won’t be disappointed.

Other bars such as the Opera Bar have better angles and closer proximity to the Harbour Bridge, but the great thing about the Blu Horizon Bar is the fact that it’s fully enclosed, which means it’s perfect in winter or in the rain.

The Opera Bar, by contrast, kicks ass in summer but it kind of sucks in the rain or in winter.

The cocktails at Blu Horizon are pretty good – as you’d expect at $20 each! I ordered a “Sex on the Beach” cocktail and it was pretty nice!

If you definitely want a table by the window to take in those gorgeous views, it’s best to visit Blu Horizon early in the week. Friday and Saturday nights are pretty crowded – still, that’s what you’d expect from a bar with a view this good.

Parking is achieved with a little effort – there is meter parking on Cumberland Street outside the Shangri La Hotel (formerly the ANA Hotel) or you can use the carpark on Harrington St ($16 per night) a couple of minutes away. If you really want the lavish experience you can use the Shangri La’s valet car parking service (a pricey $35 for non-guests).

Address: Level 36, Shangri-La Hotel (former ANA Hotel), 176 Cumberland Street, The Rocks, Sydney.

Aug 18, 2008

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