Sydney CBD gets a new Japanese-accented rooftop bar

Sydney is set to get a new rooftop bar with a Japanese accent. 

Located on top of the Cartier flagship store on the corner of George and King Street, JŌJI is the newest venture from ESCA Group - and is aiming to be a hotspot in Australia's biggest city. 

I'm told it will "merge creative harmony of Shibui, Wabi Sabi, and Datsuzoku principles" in its "lively" cocktail menu with food featuring "playful riffs" on reimagined Japanese-inspired dishes.

JŌJI's creators aim to seamlessly shift from tranquil afternoons to lively evenings featuring live DJ sets and vinyl sessions. 

The 310sqm rooftop venue features a cocktail lounge, a dining space and a panoramic terrace with views of Sydney’s CBD. 

Inside is a cocktail lounge, while there is also a dining room and guests can also choose to take a seat at either the kitchen or the bar counter. 

At the concept-driven cocktail menu reflects the Japanese principles of simplicity (Shibui), imperfection (Wabi Sabi), and creativity (Datsuzoku). 

“Our cocktail philosophy at JŌJI is rooted in these principles where we honour tradition but aren't afraid to experiment with ingredients and flavour pairings that challenge the ordinary,” says Kerry Burgess, the group bar manager for ESCA Group.

“Every cocktail is crafted to offer guests something fresh and exciting without losing that sense of familiarity.” 

Executive chef Paul Farag presents a menu with dishes designed to share that balances traditional Japanese ingredients with a contemporary approach. Central to the kitchen is a 2-metre Robata grill, where dishes are cooked over hot charcoals, giving them a rich, beautiful flavour.  

“We’ve designed the menu to be versatile, and utterly delicious, so whether guests are dropping in for a light snack, a full meal, or a late-night bite, JŌJI offers something that fits every occasion," says Faraq. "It’s about creating a space where you can come for any event, any kind of outing, and feel at home.”  

JŌJI opens tomorow (October 31). See jojisydney.com.