Soleil Pool Bar

Soleil Pool Bar is a swanky balcony bar at South Bank's Rydges Hotel, a stylish poolside lounge with a view by day and, after sundown, a romantic venue for tapas style dinner and drinks.

The atmosphere at Soleil, which is open to both guests and the general public, is chilled, sophisticated and intimate with private lounges across the balcony's lower and platform levels.

Glass lanterns with tall lit candles line the featured blue pool with a chic white bar on either end, both well stocked with spirits and premium bottles of wine.

The creativity and passion from neighbouring Bacchus Restaurant shines right through to the food and beverage at Soleil Pool Bar.

The morning, noon and evening menu's offer unique concepts and flavours. The highlights of the evening menu include the Duck Flight served with innovative duck condiments in small jam jars, the Barramundi with delicate and well balanced spices and the Charcuterie with cured meats and cornichons (French gherkins).

Most dishes have been designed as sophisticated sharing accompaniments to the spectacular range of cocktails.

The upmarket pool bar delivers the concept of sharing through the cocktails as well as the food, with jugs of cocktails to serve two to six people a main attraction on the drinks menu.

With a focus on the extensive list of scotch whiskey and rum cocktails, Soleil Pool Bar offers a magnificent 'experience' drink, The Black Barrel Inquisition, which is served in a puff of smoke before your very eyes.

The pool bar is also a drawcard for fruity and sweet cocktail drinkers, with must try Passion Is The Colour Red with raspberry and rose sorbet served in a martini glass with a pour-it-yourself jar of prosecco, vodka and lemon and a red rose petal for the ladies.

Other highlights include Ra, The Egyptian Sun God and Monkey's Whisper, all of which go down a treat from an intimate lounge by the pool with beats from the DJ and tunes from the live music in the background.

by Katherine Lamont