Rooftops: In the era of the experience economy
Rooftop restaurants and bars are making a comeback, particularly in the era of the experience economy, where customers expect something beyond just good food and drinks. Thus, rooftop restaurants add value and help establishments stand out. Rooftops can be cozy and comfortable or can be designed for parties. Thus, they can cater to any need of the establishment.
Designing a rooftop bar is decidedly different from creating one on a lower floor. For example, a designer must be aware of the region’s weather patterns. In India, places with extreme weather conditions need special attention to make the rooftops comfortable for both winter and summer.
Both locals and tourists are attracted to rooftop restaurants and bars because they give them an experience beyond the food. With a drink in their hand or an amazing meal, they can gaze at amazing views and get a unique experience of the city.
Rooftops are inherently picturesque, thus making them great for the restaurant’s marketing and for customers to click pictures. The pictures posted by customers on social media platforms attract more footfall as people are always looking for hip places to visit. Thus, making rooftops worth the investment and time that goes into developing one.
Here is an example of a well-designed rooftop restaurant.
The Hollywood famous Sirocco Restaurant and Skybar is perched on the edge of the sky-scraping Lebua State Tower with breathtaking 360-degree views of the Bangkok skyline. Sirocco is the world’s highest alfresco restaurant.
The gastronomic experience is matched only by the architecture. The spectacular Sky Bar, made famous in Hollywood’s ‘The Hangover II’, juts out into space, while a gold-pillared dome lights up as the sun sets, setting the mood for a perfect dining experience.
Designed by dwp, a global architecture, and design firm known for its boundary-pushing cutting-edge designs. The hotel wanted to create an experience for its guests. They firmly believed that “ Experiences are always about emotion. Designing unexpected space, colors, and light that conspire to create lasting memories.”
The hotel saw an increase of revenue by 30% after they launched their Sky Lounge and restaurant. They were able to do that by developing a dead space into a restaurant.
A rooftop lounge can serve a lot of functions. But most importantly, your outdoor space can either complement or extend your brand, depending on how you use it.
If your restaurant's theme is casual elegance, for example, you could opt for a lighter, airier version of the same style to reinforce your appeal. You could also try creating a brighter, more casual theme to help draw in a younger demographic.
In the era of experience, if you have a rooftop space, developing it into an extra dining room, a roomier bar, a dance-centric club, or as a space for events that are too large to fit indoors, will help your restaurant or hotel stand out.
If you need help with designing your restaurant, email us at info@altarq.co or leave us a message here. We'll be happy to help you out.