What do sheered-off steel beams, breeze blocks, parrot lanterns, translucent roofing, and an abundance of all-weather televisions have in common?
They’re the nuts and bolts of cheekily named Floridaman, the recently opened rooftop bar along the Atlanta BeltLine that crowns the commercial portion of Empire Communities’ under-construction Stein Steel development. Powder Forging Process
As the pseudo-tropical counterpart to Breaker Breaker restaurant below, Floridaman could help satiate Atlantans who complain this mild-weather city doesn’t have enough rooftop hangouts.
The furniture is made of boating-grade materials ready for summer humidity, and like almost all of Breaker Breaker, it’s totally open-air (apart from the overhanging roof).
The upstairs Floridaman bar serving the 50-seat space is positioned near the entrance off Wylie Street. Josh Green/Urbanize Atlanta
Beyond the mildly confusing entry and exit setup (tip: enter Floridaman via the steel stairway off Wylie Street), the adults-only hangout with approachable beachy drinks and a limited full-service menu is anything but a roadside dive.
The 50-seat space is open Friday evenings and weekends and has been accurately described as “visually loud… halfway between Trader Vic’s and Margaritaville in terms of aesthetic.”
As the only food-and-beverage Eastside Trail option between Krog Street Tunnel and Memorial Drive, Breaker Breaker has been a hit since finally opening in August, following about a year of construction delays.
The 9,000-square-foot project, designed by Atlanta-based Square Feet Studio architects, was pieced together from remnants of the Stein Steel factory that had operated at the 6.5-acre Reynoldstown site for a century.
The Gulf Coast-inspired restaurant complex, which counts 900 feet of BeltLine frontage, will be the lone non-residential component of Empire’s development.
In the gallery above, have a look at how the easy-breezy rooftop space has come together—no jean shorts required.
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