Australian Open announces new courtside bar as 'new, elevated perspective' for 2024

A new two-story bar is set to offer a literal and figurative "new, elevated perspective" at the 2024 Australian Open.

Nestled next to Court 6, and announced by Tennis Australia earlier this week, the AO Courtside Bar is expected to offer more than 400 fans refreshing drinks and delicious food from Sydney chef Joel Bennetts.

“The new AO Courtside Bar will literally ‘raise the bar’ in our food and beverage offerings and we know fans will love the wining, dining and tennis from this new, elevated perspective," Cedric Cornelis, Tennis Australia's chief commercial officer, said in a press release.

"Presenting new and exciting ways for fans to enjoy the AO, and creating memorable moments is a signature of our event, it’s a big part of our point of difference and we can’t wait to deliver more terrific experiences in 2024."

Tournament director Craig Tiley added that the event hoped to use the model across the site in the future.

"We expect this will quickly become known as the ‘party court,'" he said.

The bar is just one of several fan-focused initiatives announced by the Australian Open in 2024, the most notable of which being that the tournament's main draw will now start on a Sunday.

Qualifying week, which the Australian Open branded as Opening Week in 2023, will be expanded for next year, and will include a rotating cast of DJs spinning fresh beats around the grounds. Other fan experiences have also been reimagined, including the iconic Garden Square adjacent to Rod Laver Arena and home to the Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.