Quietly, while Jamie Oliver's flagship restaurant in Adelaide was creating a stir below, work on a new rooftop bar – eight floors up in the same building - was being completed. Meet the team behind 2KW.

When Martin Palmer, owner of Palmer Hospitality, was approached to inject life into the beautiful Westpac building at the corner of King William Street and North Terrace (where Jamie’s Italian is), he wanted to create a space that would attract all walks of CBD life; university students, corporate careerists and tourists-alike.

“We want it to be the kind of place where we can meet the food experience you’re looking for, whether it be bite-sized food in the bar, a beautiful meal in the restaurant or a cold beer and pizza,” says Martin.

When CityMag first visited, the rooftop space was a construction site -precariously poised on the very top of Colin Hassel‘s first design. This week 2KW flung open its elevator doors (you need to take two separate elevators to get to the top) to the public.

The most impressive of the venue’s features is inevitably the view, with the outdoor area boasting a panorama that takes in Adelaide from East to West Terrace – down into the lush gardens of Government House, across the river to the new Adelaide Oval and St Peter’s Cathedral and the southern edge of the beautiful SAHMRI building. But once you get acclimatised up top you’re eye will also be drawn to the details of yet another sterling interior by Claire Kneebone and the deft touch of Studio Band on the graphic identity (their second rooftop brand).

As Martin explains, he hopes the site will become a reference point for the CBD, “if you come to Adelaide from interstate or overseas, this will be on your list of things to do”.

And with a location perched above an international brand like Jamie’s Italian, this seems likely, with Martin saying the two venues will work closely together.

Also working alongside Martin is Simon Adami (pictured top right in slide 12), previously from The Highway Hotel. With more than 20 years experience, much of that in Sydney with groups such as Merrivale and ING Hospitality, Simon is adopting the role of Venue Manager at 2KW Bar and Restaurant.

Fellow former Highway staffer, Nick Finn (pictured bottom right in slide 12), has joined as Executive Chef, taking his experience in kitchens around Europe to assist in creating a menu focusing on casual, clean food, with an emphasis on local produce.

But of course, equally as prominent, are the drinks. Martin has enlisted Sommelier James Parham (slide 4), previously from Chianti Classico, to ensure a comprehensive list of wines are matched to the venue’s stunning views.

Whilst there will be a focus on all categories from beer, spirits and cocktails, Martin says it’s the wine list which will really be a stand-out.

“We think we’ve got a pretty fantastic wine list, which is going to be pretty unique and offer things that I’d be surprised if they were available anywhere else in Australia.

“Though there will always be a reference point back to local – a nice little sub-theme for us is showcasing the best of local against the best of the world.”

With the city set to become abuzz with the delights of festival season, a rooftop bar is just what the public ordered, and one with pretty sweet views at that.