The Rooftop @ Imperial Hotel

Pro

Capacity: 270 guestsPricing: From $31 per personCategory: VenuesLocation: 2-8 Bourke St, Melbourne VIC 3000

Highlights

Exclusive rooftop hire for up to 270 cocktail guests
Bookable rooftop sections for groups of up to 50
Views over Parliament House, with lift access to the roof

About The Rooftop @ Imperial Hotel

The Imperial Hotel sits at 2-8 Bourke Street, next to the Princess Theatre and opposite Parliament House, with Parliament Station out the front and trams along Spring, Bourke and La Trobe Streets. The building began as Nobel's Circus in 1852 and became Richardson's Imperial Hotel in 1863. Today it runs as a pub over three levels, with a bistro downstairs, function rooms on level one and a rooftop bar on top. The Rooftop is an open-air garden bar under a retractable roof, with relaxed lounge seating, long communal tables, heaters and big screens, including a large outdoor screen for sport. Parliament House and the surrounding city towers frame the view. You can hire it exclusively for a cocktail party of up to 270 guests, or book one of four rooftop sections for up to 50, each with a mix of casual seating and standing room. A lift runs to all three levels and there are bathrooms on the roof. Catering comes from the pub kitchen. Canapé packages are $40 per person for six options, $49 for eight and $61 for ten, with substantials such as sliders and fish and chips at $13.50 each, platters, and savoury grazing tables at $31 per person for groups of 50 or more. Drinks can be a standard, premium or deluxe package for two to four hours, a bar tab you review as the night goes on, or a cash bar, with add-ons like cocktails on arrival, roaming bubbles and a spirits upgrade. You are welcome to bring a cake with no cakeage, and the functions team helps shape the event around your budget and theme.

Inclusions & amenities

Venue type

PubHotel

Budget

$ (Lower)

Food & drinks

Catering AvailableDrink PackagesBar TabPay-As-You-Go Drinks

Features

Cocktail/StandingRooftopCity ViewsOutdoorPrivate SpaceParty Vibe

Facilities

TV/Presentation FacilitiesWheelchair Accessible

Pricing

No minimum spend is published for the rooftop. Canapé packages are $40 per person for six options, $49 for eight and $61 for ten, with substantials at $13.50 each. Savoury grazing tables are $31 per person and sweet tables $22 per person, minimum 50 guests. Dining menus run $73 to $89 per person. Standard drinks packages are $53, $68 or $81 per person for two, three or four hours; premium $65 to $93; deluxe $76 to $104.

Food

Hot and cold canapés include pumpkin arancini, prawn and vegetarian gyoza, tandoori chicken skewers and mini beef pies, with sweet canapés such as mini tarts and brownies. Substantials include fish and chips, calamari and beef or plant-based sliders. Grazing stations offer cheeses, cured meats, fruit and breads, or a dessert and lolly bar. The menu covers vegetarian, vegan, low gluten and low dairy needs; confirm dietaries with the team.

Beverages

Standard, premium and deluxe beverage packages cover sparkling, white, rosé and red wine, a choice of tap beers and cider, soft drinks and juice for two to four hours. Add-ons include cocktails on arrival ($18 per person), a spirits upgrade ($29), roaming bubbles ($20) and bottomless Aperol ($20). A bar tab on consumption or a cash bar is also available.

Availability

Monday11AM – 11PM

Tuesday11AM – 11PM

Wednesday11AM – 11PM

Thursday11AM – 12AM

Friday11AM – 2AM

Saturday11AM – 2AM

Sunday11AM – 11PM

The rooftop can be hired exclusively or in sections throughout the year; enquire through the function enquiry form or by email with your date and preferred space.

Frequently asked questions

How many people can the Imperial rooftop hold?

Exclusive hire of the whole rooftop suits a cocktail party of up to 270 guests. For smaller groups, each of the four rooftop sections takes up to 50 people with a mix of seating and standing room.

What food packages are available for a rooftop function?

Canapé packages are $40 per person for six options, $49 for eight and $61 for ten. Savoury grazing tables are $31 per person and sweet tables $22, with a minimum of 50 guests. Substantials are $13.50 each and platters are also available.

What are the drinks options?

Standard packages start at $53 per person for two hours, with premium and deluxe packages and three- and four-hour options. You can also run a bar tab that you review during the event, or a cash bar. Cocktails on arrival, roaming bubbles and spirits can be added.

Is the rooftop wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The main entrance is on Bourke Street and a lift serves all three levels, including the rooftop, which has its own bathrooms.

Can we bring a cake and decorations?

Yes. There is no cakeage fee for bringing your own cake, and decorations are fine as long as they are not messy and don't interfere with other guests.

Where we are

Suitable occasions

Birthday Party Christmas Party Corporate Event Hens Party Wedding Reception

Reviews

See all reviews for The Rooftop @ Imperial Hotel on Google

Dionysios Achtypis

a month ago

Caught up with 2 work colleagues for lunch at the Imperial at their rooftop dining area which has uninterrupted views of the Victorian State Parliament Building. Great Melbourne CBD location of the hotel which is well fi…

Wendy Phillips

2 months ago

We were visiting from the Gold Coast and enjoyed lunch at this hotel before our show. The atmosphere was great. Food was amazing. Honestly best steak sandwich I’ve ever had … and it wasn’t mooing as I requested!! Perfect…

Alana

3 months ago

We recently held a work dinner at the Imperial Hotel, and it exceeded every expectation. From our very first enquiry, the entire process was seamless, and the team was an absolute pleasure to work with. Planning the eve…

David

4 months ago

Lovely experience at the Imperial Hotel. We visited the Imperial on Mother's Day at about 3:30pm, following a performance of The Book of Mormon, on at the Princess Theatre which is just a few steps away on Spring Street.…

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