Ovolo The Valley unveils its luxe new Mediterranean-inspired escape, Above Rooftop
Perched high above terra firma, Above Rooftop is Ovolo The Valley’s dazzling new Mediterranean-inspired bar and dining destination. Boasting citrus-toned lounges, sparkling pool views and share-style plates that blend Australian, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavours, the elevated oasis is shaping up to be Brisbane’s go-to rooftop escape this summer.
Rooftop spaces don’t just magically appear – at least, not typically. Ovolo The Valley’s new sky-high venue, Above Rooftop, is one of those rare exceptions.
The hotel’s crown-jewel addition, which officially opened to the public on Friday October 17, is a venue that no one expected. When the Ovolo team closed its long-running ground-floor restaurant, ZA ZA TA, back in March after six years of trade, locals might have wondered what the crew was planning. As it turns out, those behind the accommodation spot had a secret ace up their sleeve.
Over the past few months, Ovolo has been quietly transforming its rooftop recreational area – previously equipped with a gym, a sauna and a pool – into a Mediterranean-inspired oasis overlooking Fortitude Valley’s northern end. It’s a savvy move from the hotel operator. With summer looming and Brisbaneites looking to maximise golden afternoons and balmy evenings, the decision to transform Ovolo’s top-floor amenities into a relaxed, open-air sanctuary was a no-brainer.
“I feel like that was the missing piece in the Ovolo puzzle,” says general manager Daniel Sprange. “By repurposing a space within the building, we were able to elevate our guests’ experience from a hotel journey perspective, and then also give the Fortitude Valley area a new environment to escape to.”
Known for delivering polished and inventive food and beverage outlets, the Ovolo brains trust (which operates on a philosophy of being fabulous, unconventional and never boring) has devised a concept that meshes Brisbane’s subtropical splendour with a European-inspired twist.
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Working in collaboration with BSPN Architects, Ovolo The Valley has crafted a venue that evokes coastal Mediterranean charm via texture and tone. Above’s 60 seats are split between casual orange-hued lounges, high-tops and green-striped banquette seating – each perch affording a view of open skies and the glittering water and mosaic tiles of the rooftop pool, which is the venue’s centrepiece.
“We made a decision to reline the pool and go with a completely different colour that matched the space,” reveals Daniel. “We’ve gone with this speckled darker tile that we feel really fits in and flows through.”
To help design Above Rooftop’s menu and cocktail offering, the Ovolo team has recruited the esteemed talents of a pair of industry veterans. Consulting chef Justin North and head chef Kya Knights have worked on a spread that meshes Australian and Mediterranean dining with trace influences of Middle Eastern cuisine – think share-style eats that work marvellously when divided up among a crew.
“What we have on site already is that Middle Eastern flavour – we didn’t want to completely remove it. There’s a little bit of a blend,” explains Daniel, who references Ovolo The Valley’s existing nosh spot, Bar Kazba. “There are some nods back to ZA ZA TA there, too – but first and foremost, it does stand on its own.”
The offering includes the likes of stone-baked pita with linseed and garlic oil, kingfish ceviche with avocado and pickled cucumber, beetroot and burghul spread, and old-school hummus coated in crunchy chilli oil.
Above’s cocktail list has been crafted by award-winning bartender Jake Down, who has penned a list featuring bright, expressive concoctions that incorporate ingredients like pistachio, saffron and lemon myrtle. The venue’s signature serve, the Mirage, blends Belvedere vodka with passionfruit, rose water and desert-lime soda to refreshing effect.
“We wanted something that was different and not something that you would find in Brisbane,” says Daniel. “We reached out to Jake, provided the brief and he came back and presented some really, really cool concepts.”
Though rooftop bars are often framed as sunset party spots, Daniel believes that Above has the potential to become a multifaceted venue, one capable of catering to an array of vibes. Yes, guests will often be greeted by live-music performances and DJs, but the venue’s x-factor might be its deceptive cosiness.
“I feel that where we stand out is that sense of intimacy,” says Daniel. “A lot of the venues that I’ve been to within Brisbane can be quite large and daunting. [Above] has got that intimacy and we want to play on that – you can really sink into the space.”
Above Rooftop is now open to the public – head to The Directory for operating hours and other important details.