Fortitude Valley’s latest addition, the rooftop bar ‘Above,’ promises to transform Brisbane’s nightlife with its unique blend of live entertainment, a curated Middle Eastern menu, and innovative cocktails. Opened atop Ovolo The Valley, this intimate venue is already creating a buzz among locals and visitors alike.
Expect live entertainment four nights a week, a Middle Eastern food menu from a celebrated chef, and cocktails and slushies by an award-winning bartender. The venue, which opened its doors on October 23, 2025, is poised to become a favorite spot for those seeking a unique rooftop experience.
A New Standard for Rooftop Bars
According to Daniel Sprange, the general manager of Ovolo The Valley, a good rooftop bar should offer more than just a view. “It’s about transportation, right?” Sprange explains. “It can’t be something run-of-the-mill. You want to be wowed and taken somewhere, maybe reminded of somewhere that resonates with you.”
Sprange emphasizes the importance of creating an immersive experience, stating, “It’s about being immersed in the space, but that’s supplemented by the food and the drinks, and finally the service. All that stuff should set it apart from a typical bar.”
Design and Ambiance
Unlike many of Brisbane’s expansive rooftop venues, Above aims for intimacy. Designed by BSPN Architecture, the seventh-floor rooftop pool deck accommodates just 60 guests. The Mediterranean-inspired space features textured elements and lush greenery, creating a cozy yet sophisticated atmosphere.
The transformation involved replacing the pool’s sun lounges with rattan tables and chairs, adding a long banquette, and converting a sauna and gym into additional seating and a compact bar. The pool itself has been retiled to enhance the venue’s aesthetic appeal.
“You can see the whole venue from every corner of that space,” Sprange says. “And that’s what we’re playing on. We want that intimacy.”
Culinary and Beverage Offerings
The food menu at Above is a collaboration between celebrated consulting chef Justin North and head chef Kya Knights. The menu shifts the hotel’s traditional Middle Eastern focus towards a more open Mediterranean style, offering dishes such as burrata with charcoal salt and sumac dukkah, and sticky honey harissa chicken wings with lime and labneh.
Drinks are crafted by award-winning bartender Jake Down, featuring a selection of signature cocktails alongside slushy, Margarita, and Negroni menus. The 30-bottle wine list is well-priced, with most options available by the glass, complemented by Balter XPA and Asahi on tap.
Community Reception and Future Plans
Since opening to the public, Above has received a warm reception. “We opened to the public on Friday night and the reception was really great,” Sprange notes. “We’ve had a lot of locals coming through, enjoying the space, which is satisfying. It looks and feels really good.”
Above is open Wednesday to Thursday from 3 pm to 8 pm, Friday to Saturday from 1 pm until late, and Sunday from 1 pm to 7 pm. Located at 33/1000 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley, the bar is set to become a staple in Brisbane’s vibrant nightlife.
For more information, visit aboverooftopbar.com.au.
Matt Shea is Food and Culture Editor at Brisbane Times. He is a former editor and editor-at-large at Broadsheet Brisbane, and has written for Escape, Qantas Magazine, the Guardian, Jetstar Magazine, and SilverKris, among many others.
