Rooftop Disuko in Melbourne

Disuko: a Japanese rooftop terrace on Bourke Street

1980s Tokyo in the theatre district

At the eastern end of Bourke Street, in the theatre district, Disuko occupies the entire third level of a building that once housed Madame Brussels. The venue claims the spirit of Tokyo's 1980s nights: red woodwork, cherry-coloured leather banquettes, disco balls and a long orange bar set against a vinyl collection, on which DJs play on Friday and Saturday nights. Several spaces follow one another: the izakaya lounge, the vinyl bar, an eight-seat counter for a temaki omakase and, on a mezzanine above the roof, a private room seating 30 and facing the neighbouring rooftops.

The Terracotta Rooftop

Outside, the rooftop terrace comes in shades of terracotta under large scalloped parasols, with woven armchairs, high tables and a tiled outdoor bar. There is no plunging view here: you are on the third level, among the plane trees and neighbouring façades, with the towers of the centre as a backdrop. The spot is aimed above all at after-work drinks and sunny late afternoons, and it operates on a walk-in basis only; the rest of the venue can be booked online.

Izakaya cooking and sake cocktails

The menu is made for sharing: salmon or yellowtail sashimi, pork gyoza, chicken meatball skewers, chicken karaage, wagyu tataki, spicy crab udon or tonkatsu curry. On the roof, a shorter menu of snacks (spicy edamame, maki, fries). The house cocktails, often based on sake, umeshu or shochu, cost A$23 to A$25, the great classics A$23 and the spritzes A$18; a long list of sakes completes the cellar.

Practical information

Open Monday to Thursday from 4pm to 11pm, Friday to Sunday from noon until late. A surcharge applies at weekends and on public holidays. The venue is at 59-63 Bourke Street; it is reached by a small staircase, so it is not wheelchair accessible. Parliament station is a few minutes' walk away and Bourke Street trams stop close by; parking is scarce in the area.