In the bustling heart of East London, Florattica Rooftop London stands out as a beacon of sophistication and innovation in the hospitality industry. Known for its stunning panoramic views, vibrant floral themes, and a cocktail menu that reflects the rich cultural tapestry of the area, Florattica has quickly become a premier destination for both locals and tourists. We had the pleasure of speaking with Eleonora Esposito, the General Manager of Florattica Rooftop London, to learn more about her journey in the hospitality industry, the unique aspects of Florattica, and the challenges and triumphs of managing a high-end rooftop bar.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW YOU BECAME THE RESTAURANT MANAGER AT FLORATTICA ROOFTOP LONDON?

My whole career has been working in hospitality. I’ve worked at some amazing places such as LSQ, The Trafalgar Hotel, and Xenia Lounge, then moved to Canopy by Hilton London City for the opening as Assistant Bar Manager at Florattica. It was a great time to join the team as the venue had just been completed, and the brand was starting to grow.

WHAT MAKES FLORATTICA ROOFTOP LONDON UNIQUE COMPARED TO OTHER ROOFTOP BARS IN THE CITY?

Florattica distinguishes itself with its incredible panoramic views; you can see as far as St. Paul’s Cathedral and Canary Wharf. The venue has a vibrant floral theme, an innovative seasonal cocktail menu, and a chic, modern design. Its exclusive, high-end ambiance and live music on certain nights in the week make it a standout destination for those seeking a sophisticated and unique night out in London.

CAN YOU DESCRIBE THE PROCESS OF CURATING THE COCKTAIL MENU AND HOW YOU ENSURE IT REFLECTS LOCAL FLAVOURS AND INGREDIENTS?

The process of curating the cocktail menu at Florattica begins with understanding our guests— their tastes and preferences guide the entire design of the menu. Being situated in East London provides access to a diverse array of global flavours, allowing us to experiment with different cultures and tastes freely. This location gives us the freedom to be a bit extravagant and adventurous with our offerings, rather than strictly seasonal. For instance, the inspiration for our Stardust cocktail came from learning about how star fruit is eaten with salt in India. By engaging with people and understanding their culinary experiences, we can recreate and incorporate these unique flavours into our cocktails. The more we interact with our guests, the better we understand their palates, enabling us to focus our concept and create a compelling story through our menu. This continuous feedback loop ensures that our cocktail offerings are not only diverse but also resonate with the local flavours and ingredients that our guests appreciate.

WHAT ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR DISHES ON YOUR SEASONAL SMALL PLATES MENU, AND WHAT MAKES THEM SPECIAL?

Florattica's food concept features small plates designed to perfectly complement the cocktail menu. There is an expectation from guests to have a food menu, providing diverse and appealing choices for today's health-conscious and eco-minded visitors, and to serve it late into the evening. Popular dishes are the prawns and lobster mini sliders, shellfish mayonnaise, pickles and baby lettuce and the crab tortelloni, mussels’ cream and celery cress.

CAN YOU SHARE MORE ABOUT THE LIVE ARTISTS AND DJS THAT PERFORM AT FLORATTICA? HOW DO THEY CONTRIBUTE TO THE BAR'S VIBRANT ATMOSPHERE?

This year, Florattica is moving into the entertainment market, introducing more live acts during peak times including DJs, vocalists, drummers, saxophonists and more. This will significantly raise Florattica's profile and customer experience, creating a more vibrant and appealing venue for both regular guests and new audiences. Doing this will also open up new opportunities for collaborations with artists and event organisers, leading to exciting partnerships and special events at Florattica.

WITH FLORATTICA BEING A PRIME SPOT FOR WEEKEND BRUNCHING, WHAT UNIQUE BRUNCH OFFERINGS CAN GUESTS LOOK FORWARD TO?

At Florattica, guests can look forward to a delicious weekend brunch experience that is especially popular during the festive periods and warmer months. Our brunch menu, available until 4pm, offers a variety of dishes and to enhance the experience, we offer the option to upgrade to bottomless Prosecco or Champagne. This upgrade option makes our Saturdays particularly busy throughout the summer, especially when the weather is good!

WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES YOU FACE AS THE RESTAURANT MANAGER OF A ROOFTOP BAR, AND HOW DO YOU OVERCOME THEM?

As the Restaurant Manager of a rooftop bar, I face several challenges, particularly in the areas of recruitment and establishing a luxury cocktail bar in a non-traditional area.

Recruiting skilled staff has been especially challenging post-COVID, with the hospitality industry facing significant workforce shortages. To overcome this, we focus on creating an attractive work environment and offer comprehensive training programs to develop talent in-house, ensuring our team is well-prepared to deliver exceptional service.

Additionally, bringing a luxury-style cocktail bar to an area not typically known for such venues presents its own set of challenges. To address this, we emphasise the unique aspects of our bar, such as innovative cocktails, amazing decor, and unrivalled views, to draw in guests seeking a sophisticated experience. By offering a distinct and high-quality experience, we gradually build a reputation that attracts both locals and industry professionals, establishing our bar as a premium destination in the area.

FLORATTICA HAS RECEIVED NUMEROUS POSITIVE REVIEWS. WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE KEY TO MAINTAINING SUCH HIGH STANDARDS OF SERVICE?

The key to maintaining high standards of service at Florattica lies in our approach to hospitality. While our staff are well-trained to LQA standards, we encourage them to adopt an effortless and less formal style of service. Our goal is for guests to feel relaxed and at ease through warm and friendly interactions. This genuine, approachable quality of service is memorable and sets us apart from other venues. It's this combination of professionalism and personal touch that prompts our guests to leave positive reviews and keeps them coming back.

As Eleonora Esposito shared, the success of Florattica Rooftop London is rooted in a deep understanding of its guests and a commitment to delivering a unique and high-quality experience. From the innovative cocktail menu and delectable small plates to the vibrant atmosphere created by live performances, Florattica continues to raise the bar in the hospitality scene. Under Eleonora's leadership, Florattica not only offers breathtaking views and exceptional service but also cultivates a memorable and sophisticated ambiance that keeps guests coming back. With her passion and dedication, Eleonora ensures that Florattica remains a standout destination in London's vibrant nightlife.