The Canberranaissance is upon us, our hospo scene is flourishing, the light rail is connecting locals to the CBD and the ever-growing portfolio of developments has impacted the Capital’s sought-after status. While we challenge our bigger sister cities on all fronts, Canberra has seriously been lacking in the rooftop bar department. Until now!

From the owners of Hopscotch a rooftop bar will sanctify the City, located above Shorty’s on Bunda Street and spanning past Lola’s into Garema Place.

In past years, Canberra nightlife has crumbled around us, seeing the closure of Academy, Shooters, Uni Pub, North Bar, ICBM and Meche. Yet thankfully Hopscotch prevailed and gave locals a reason to leave the house on the weekends, and now, that reason will extend through to the City Centre.

Beach Road Enterprises – the group who own Hopscotch and Young & Frisky – are responsible for swinging the trend back towards the city with their plans to rebirth the precinct to include a superhero-themed fast food joint, Flash; an Italian inspired café, Piccolos; and this new rooftop venture in the same building as Fiction Nightclub, set to open Saturday 6 April.

“We’re excited about being part the evolution of Canberra’s CBD,” Kate Parkinson says. “The flat roof is currently underutilised and given it is such an iconic building of Canberra, it made sense to explore a Rooftop bar.”

Between burgers, baguettes and a bar we are giving this balanced mix of new offerings – all set to open in 2019 – the thumbs up.

While the name and theme is yet to be revealed, the rooftop venue which will occupy the top two levels of the building, will be a high-end cocktail bar to contrast the popular Braddon watering hole. Expect after-hours drinks and somewhere to relish the views until 2am.

As we wave goodbye to the last few days of summer, Canberrans have another reason to count down the days until summer comes around again and brings along this exciting new venue with it.