Garden State Hotel to add 300-seat rooftop garden above Flinders Lane

One of Melbourne CBD’s busiest pubs is set to grow upwards, with Garden State Hotel unveiling plans for a new two-level rooftop venue overlooking the city.

The Garden State Rooftop will sit above the hotel’s Flinders Lane home, delivering a 300-seat, all-season open-air space designed as a natural extension of the venue’s upbeat, social energy.

With construction due to begin in February and completion slated for spring 2026, the project adds another major rooftop to Melbourne’s already competitive hospitality landscape.

According to the venue, the rooftop has been conceived as a relaxed garden escape in the heart of the CBD, aimed at after-work crowds, long afternoons and easy weekend sessions. A retractable roof will allow the space to operate year-round, responding to Melbourne’s famously changeable weather while preserving the open-air feel when conditions allow.

The design, led by Melbourne-based architect Telha Clarke, features layered greenery, banquette seating and soft lighting to create a more intimate garden atmosphere above the laneway bustle below. A mezzanine upper level will be available for private events and seasonal activations, positioning the rooftop as both a casual drop-in space and a flexible function venue.

Drinks will lean into the garden theme, with a cocktail list inspired by herbs and florals, alongside craft beer, approachable wines and a considered range of non-alcoholic options. A full pub menu will also be offered, ensuring the rooftop complements rather than competes with the existing Garden State experience downstairs.

Venue manager Scott Woods said the rooftop was designed to build on what patrons already enjoyed about Garden State, rather than reinventing it.

“The rooftop will be a true extension of what people already love about Garden State,” he said. 

The announcement comes amid continued demand for rooftop venues across the CBD, as operators look to maximise underutilised airspace and offer differentiated experiences in a crowded market.

For Garden State, which already attracts strong weekday and weekend trade, the addition represents a significant expansion of capacity without altering the venue’s street-level footprint.

It also reflects a broader trend of established pubs investing in rooftop gardens that prioritise greenery and comfort over high-energy nightclub formats, catering to an audience seeking social spaces that can shift seamlessly from day to night.

With works set to begin shortly, patrons can register interest to receive updates ahead of the opening as the Garden State Rooftop takes shape above Flinders Lane.