There’s something about Sydney in spring that makes you want to swap your laptop for lipstick, shut down Teams and lean into a well-earned after-work drink to enjoy the extended daylight hours. And just in time, Chophouse Sydney – yes, the Matt Moran-owned temple to perfectly broiled steak – has launched its Spring on the Terrace series. Spoiler alert: it’s deliciously dangerous for your ‘just one drink’ resolve as you wind down from the weekday. Perfect for either your post-work debrief group or your pre-dinner girl gang.
The Arrival
Nestled on Bligh Street, the Chophouse Terrace has had a seasonal glow-up. Think lush greenery, twinkly lights, and a vibe that encourages you to stay for one more round. From 5–6pm, it’s officially Chop O’Clock, with $10 Asahi or Peroni beers and $10 Americano or Aperol Margarita cocktails. (Yes, you read that right – Aperol Margarita. You’re welcome.)
Drinks Menu
Let’s talk about the good stuff. The Aperol Margarita was the perfect start – bright orange, fresh and very drinkable. This was quickly followed by a second one – purely for research purposes, of course….! I had the Tommy’s Margarita which had just enough citrusy kick to revive even the most meeting-fatigued soul and definitely hit the spot for transitioning from day to night.
The Menu & Dining Experience
Matt (not Moran!) heads up the front of house team and has been there almost since it opened and has remained passionate about the Chophouse experience ever since. The rest of the team are equally attentive and happy to share their menu suggestions with us. Post-cocktails, the A.P. Focaccia was perfect for mopping up the excellent EVOO and balsamic vinegar. The King Prawn arrived drenched in garlicky butter with chilli, while the Wagyu Beef Tartare came complete with bone marrow and a crisp potato base and was every bit as indulgent as it sounds. The Gougère filled with LP mortadella and onion jam was slightly sweet and light, with the bread just a bit eggy and overall was more than a little addictive. We can imagine many of these get sent out to the Terrace each night!
After these, we moved onto the charcuterie and vino. The Duck and Pistachio terrine was nice and meaty, surrounded by salty streaky bacon and partnered with a sticky cumquat marmalade that hit the perfect sweet-savoury balance. We also had the Wild Venison salumi which was infused with gin and had the right ratio of meat to fat. To drink alongside, a Save Our Souls Grenache from Victoria was a wonderful surprise with fun, lush, jammy notes that paired beautifully with the charcuterie, while the Margaret River Ashbrook Cabernet Sauvignon brought a more refined, structured edge.
And can we talk about the branding? From the ‘Chop Chop’ etched on the wine glasses to the butcher’s knife motif on the plates, it’s all cheeky, cohesive and a little bit badass – much like the crowd that gathers here when the office lights switch off. So whether you’re sealing a deal, debriefing the week, or just reclaiming your Thursday, Spring on the Terrace is your cue to clock off and get your Chop O’Clock on!
What were we Addicted to? Well, those Aperol Margaritas were pretty hard to pass by, especially at $10, making it a very Happy Hour indeed! And the selection of s(ch)nacks were delicious.
What we need to be More Addicted? The only gap for us was that the menu was missing those all important fries that are critical for a post-work evening debrief with a delicious drink in hand!
Spring on the Terrace at Chophouse, 25 Blight Street, Sydney CBD
Chop O’Clock is from 5-6pm every weeknight