Opening a rooftop bar sounds like a dream. Panoramic city skylines, expertly crafted cocktails, and an atmosphere that transports guests beyond the ordinary. But anyone who has built one, from concept to opening night and beyond, knows that the dream is only as strong as the operation behind it.
That is the story of Soho Hospitality, the Bangkok-based F&B management company behind Above Eleven, Southeast Asia’s first Peruvian-Japanese rooftop bar. Over the past decade, Soho Hospitality has refined more than a successful restaurant brand. It has developed a repeatable, scalable operating model that now powers venues across Bangkok, Dubai, and Phnom Penh, with global expansion firmly on the horizon.
For hotel owners, property developers, and investors exploring rooftop bar franchise opportunities, the real value lies not only in the concept itself, but in the proven system that supports it.
From Bangkok to the World
When Above Eleven opened in Bangkok in 2012, founder and CEO Rohit Sachdev brought with him years of experience immersed in the global hospitality industry. Inspired by his time in Manhattan, he envisioned something far beyond another rooftop bar with a spectacular view.
The concept was a boutique sky garden inspired by New York’s Central Park, elevated above Bangkok’s vibrant cityscape. It combined lush greenery, panoramic views, innovative cocktails, and a distinctive Peruvian-Japanese Nikkei dining experience.
The response was immediate. International publications including Lifestyle Asia, and, The Rooftop Guide praised the venue for its originality and atmosphere. The Nikkei menu, led by Lima-born Executive Chef Omar Frank Maruy, whose experience includes working alongside renowned Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio at Astrid y Gastón, quickly attracted global attention.
Yet great reviews and media coverage are only part of the story.
While guests enjoyed the experience, Soho Hospitality was quietly building something even more valuable behind the scenes: a fully documented operational model capable of supporting expansion into multiple markets while maintaining consistency, quality, and profitability.
What Operational Support Really Means
When Soho Hospitality speaks about operational support, it refers to far more than guidance or consultation. It is a comprehensive, end-to-end system designed to help partners launch and operate successful hospitality concepts with confidence.
The framework covers every stage of development and operation, covering nine dedicated categories: Interior Design and Architecture, Brand and Design, Launch Strategy and Planning, Pre-Opening Operations, PR and Marketing, Technical Services, Digital Support, Ongoing Operational Support.
Interior Design & Architecture
Every Above Eleven venue carries the brand’s signature identity, from custom structural trees and open-air layouts to immersive spaces that balance urban energy with the calm of a sky garden.
The design team works closely with each partner to adapt the concept to local architecture while preserving the brand’s essence. While the Bangkok flagship spans 7,000 square feet, the Dubai location required a completely different spatial approach to maximise views of Palm Jumeirah and the Burj Al Arab. Each venue is unique, yet unmistakably Above Eleven.
Brand & Design
A memorable hospitality experience extends far beyond food and drink. From menus and coasters to uniforms, signage, and merchandise, every touchpoint contributes to how guests perceive a brand.
The Above Eleven visual identity, defined by its vibrant palette of cobalt, magenta, and terracotta, is carefully applied across all guest-facing materials. Consistency at this level is intentional. Every detail is designed to strengthen brand recognition and create a cohesive experience.
Launch Strategy & Planning
One of the most challenging stages of any hospitality project is bridging the gap between concept approval and opening day.
Having launched venues across different countries, regulatory environments, and cultural landscapes, Soho Hospitality understands the complexities involved. Its launch planning process covers staffing, supplier onboarding, operational timelines, marketing strategies, soft launches, and every critical milestone required for a successful opening.
Pre-Opening Operations
The weeks leading up to opening day are often the most demanding. Small oversights can have significant consequences once guests begin arriving.
Soho Hospitality’s pre-opening support ensures that every operational component is thoroughly tested and ready to perform. This includes kitchen workflows, front-of-house procedures, POS integration, service standards, and staff training.
The result is a seamless transition from construction site to fully functioning hospitality venue.
PR & Marketing
Above Eleven’s success has been amplified by strong organic media coverage across hospitality, travel, design, and lifestyle publications worldwide.
Rather than relying solely on paid promotion, the brand has built a reputation through a compelling concept and memorable guest experiences. Soho Hospitality brings this expertise to new projects through tailored PR strategies, media outreach, influencer engagement, content creation, and social media support.
For venues designed to be shared and celebrated, effective storytelling is essential.
Technical Services
Behind every successful rooftop venue lies a complex network of technical systems.
From HVAC solutions that maintain guest comfort in open-air environments to kitchen equipment specifications and bar infrastructure, technical planning plays a crucial role in long-term performance. Soho Hospitality manages these details to ensure that operational efficiency supports the guest experience.
Digital Support
Today’s hospitality brands must perform just as well online as they do in person.
Soho Hospitality supports partners through reservation systems, reputation management, social media assets, digital marketing, and online visibility strategies. In an increasingly experience-driven economy, digital presence is a critical part of a venue’s success.
Ongoing Operational Support
Perhaps most importantly, the relationship does not end once the doors open.
Partners receive ongoing support across service standards, menu development, staff performance, operational efficiencies, and brand compliance. This continuous involvement helps venues maintain consistency while adapting to changing market conditions and guest expectations.
Why the Above Eleven Model Works Across Markets
Rooftop bars continue to thrive because they deliver something guests increasingly value: memorable experiences.
The combination of breathtaking views, elevated dining, and a sense of escape creates a powerful emotional connection that few hospitality concepts can replicate.
What makes Above Eleven particularly adaptable across markets is its foundation in universal experiences rather than highly localised themes.
The sky garden concept resonates internationally. The Nikkei menu, born from the fusion of Japanese and Peruvian culinary traditions, appeals to a broad range of tastes and cultures. The signature panoramic bar provides a striking focal point at every location, while the overall atmosphere remains sophisticated, energetic, and approachable.
This is why Above Eleven Dubai feels as authentic as Above Eleven Bangkok.
The surroundings may change, and local influences may shape certain elements of the experience, but the core identity remains consistent. The design language, culinary philosophy, service culture, and guest experience are all supported by a framework that has been tested and refined across multiple markets.
A Global Partnership Opportunity
Today, Soho Hospitality is actively seeking partners to bring Above Eleven to new destinations around the world.
This is far more than a licensing agreement. It is a collaborative partnership backed by more than a decade of operational expertise and real-world experience.
For hotel owners, developers, and investors, the opportunity is straightforward: a proven rooftop dining and nightlife concept with established operational systems, international credibility, and a demonstrated track record of success.
Under the leadership of Rohit Sachdev, Soho Hospitality has developed and operated multiple award-winning hospitality brands while delivering commercially successful projects across Southeast Asia and the Middle East. His experience spans both creative concept development and financial execution, providing partners with confidence that the model works in practice, not just on paper.
The combination of Nikkei cuisine, world-class mixology, distinctive sky garden design, and a highly shareable guest experience creates a concept that naturally generates word-of-mouth marketing, social engagement, and media attention. This can significantly accelerate brand awareness and reduce the time required to establish a strong market presence.
The Foundation Behind Every Great Night
Guests enjoying a sunset over Bangkok with a ceviche and Pisco Sour in hand are not thinking about operational systems.
They are simply immersed in the experience.
They are enjoying the atmosphere, the food, the service, and the feeling of being somewhere memorable.
What they do not see is the infrastructure that makes it all possible. The training programmes that shape service excellence. The menu development that balances authenticity with accessibility. The design standards that create a familiar sense of place across multiple cities. The operational expertise that ensures consistency, night after night.
That invisible foundation is what Soho Hospitality has spent more than a decade building.
Today, it is ready to share that expertise with partners around the world.
Partner With Soho Hospitality
If you are a hotel owner, real estate developer, or F&B investor exploring rooftop bar franchise opportunities, hospitality partnerships, or lifestyle-driven dining concepts, Soho Hospitality offers a model that is proven, scalable, and built for long-term success.
Contact
Rohit Sachdev
Chief Executive Officer, Soho Hospitality
info@sohohospitality.com
+66 81 172 3590
aboveeleven.com
Soho Hospitality is the Bangkok-based F&B management company behind Above Eleven, Southeast Asia’s first Peruvian-Japanese rooftop bar, with locations in Bangkok, Dubai, Phnom Penh, and Colombo(2027). The company provides end-to-end hospitality, operational, design, and management solutions for F&B concepts worldwide.
