Here’s the Inside Scoop on Rooftop LOA, Atlanta’s Newest Rooftop Pool, Bar, & Restaurant

Ready to take a leave of absence from all of life’s stresses? Rooftop L.O.A, located in West Midtown at 1115 Howell Mill Rd, is the newest and most unique rooftop in Atlanta. Unlike other rooftops in Atlanta where the rooftop is a part of a hotel, a restaurant, or a club, L.O.A creates something unique. Located atop the Interlock complex, here you’ll find an exquisite food menu, a cocktail menu with fresh ingredients, and a heated pool perfect for relaxing.

Background

Mandy & Kelvin Slater, founders of Slater Hospitality, are not new to the “rooftop business”. They are also the geniuses behind The Roof at Ponce. Mandy had the vision, “Wouldn’t it be great if there was a place we could go and have this resort-type experience where people bought you drinks and food and you didn’t have to jump on a plane [to get there]”. Fascinated with the “what if?” Kelvin and Mandy set their sights on creating a space where adults 21 and up could get this resort experience without leaving Atlanta.

Although L.O.A is in Atlanta, they want to distinguish themselves from others and keep with the coastal European theme throughout even down to the music, so if you’re looking for hip-hop or country music you’ll have to check out other spots around town. This is not to say you won’t hear the instrumental to “So Fresh, So Clean” remixed but there is a curated music program that is done by a local Atlanta artist so, don’t worry too much.

The heated pool reaches 4 feet deep and is accompanied by a giant LCD TV screen and cabana that transforms into a DJ booth. There are lockers for you to use and the bathroom has 2 showers that can be used for you to freshen up afterward. Cabanas and loungers are available to rent. 

The Drinks

Their Beverage Director, Randy Hayden, is an Atlanta native who is very passionate about what he does. Behind the scenes, there is a state-of-the-art juicer, fruit dehydrator, 4 different types of ice machines, and a water filtration system that dispenses your choice of complimentary sparkling or still water. 

Cocktails are culinary-focused meaning they use ingredients from the kitchen like fresh beets and celery. The Celery French 75 was only made one time while constructing the cocktail menu so you know it’s good. The signature cocktail has fresh celery juice, a drop of basil oil on top to add color, and a lemon peel expresses on top for the aroma. Instagrammable cocktails were important for Randy to put on the menu. The Whim-Sicles take Jello shots to another level, they’re so fun and tasty. The blueberry whim-sicle features coconut nitro cream on top and a blueberry gel vodka shot underneath. Perfect to squeeze and enjoy poolside!

The Cuisine

Seafood is big on the various food menus, fitting in with the European coast theme L.O.A is trying to achieve. Poolside you can nosh on a lobster roll made with a green goddess dressing that’s made in-house, filled with succulent lobster and topped with a a grapefruit supreme slice on top to garnish.

In the restaurant, be sure to try the caviar and gougère choux pastry. The pastry is filled with whipped crème Fraiche on the inside and Baerii caviar on top. This is perfect if it is your first time trying caviar because it’s bite-sized and the gougère along with the crème slightly subdue the oceanic taste caviar is known for.

The yuzu cremeux is a fun dessert that is nicknamed “the rock” due to the base that is shaped and colored like a rock. Inside the rock is where the yuzu cremeux is, and on top is a fluffy matcha sponge cake.

Rooftop L.O.A is perfect if you’re looking for a getaway without actually getting away. The ambiance is something new and refreshing that Atlanta hasn’t seen before. L.O.A differentiates itself from other rooftops by not requiring membership or being an extension of a hotel. With skyline views of downtown and immaculate vibes, this is the only place to take a Leave of Absence!

Check out our TikTok video of our visit below for more!