ESCA Hospitality Group will open Loa, a late-night music room, on Friday 23 October. Hidden below Oxford Street within the heritage-listed 90 Oxford Street building, Loa blends neo-classic cocktails, a rotating music program and a moody atmosphere to bring late-night energy back to one of Sydney’s most renowned precincts. Loa is located beneath Amé, ESCA Group’s newly opened Nikkei restaurant.
“Loa has been part of the vision from the very beginning,” says Ibby Moubadder, co-founder and creative director of ESCA Group. “Oxford Street has such a rich history of nightlife, music and self-expression, and we wanted to create a space that carries that forward. Loa is a room for everyone, where the music comes first, the drinks are flowing and the night builds to a full dance floor.”
The beverage program, led by Jerom Morris (formerly of Los Angeles’ Gwen by Curtis Stone, and Accomplice Bar), features a range of neo-classic cocktails that bring back familiar classics with a modern twist. Cocktail highlights include the Cobalt Cosmo (Absolut, Cointreau, blueberry, tarragon and lavender); the Skinny Colada (Havana Club, cream sherry, pineapple and coconut water, finished with a strawberry rim); and the Perfect Cadillac (Los Altos, lime and agave, served with an orange-infused reposado shot). The bar also features a soft serve machine pouring a reimagined Gimlet, made with house Gin with lime soft serve. The beverage list is rounded out by non-alcoholic cocktails, a selection of Australian and international wines, and beer on tap.
“We wanted the drinks at Loa to feel as fun as the music and the atmosphere,” says Jerom Morris, beverage director of Amé and Loa. “We have the cocktails everyone knows and loves, but we’ve given each one a new shape with fresh ingredients and refined technique. They’re drinks you’d order again and again, made to keep the night moving.”
The Loa food menu is curated by executive chef Erik Ortolani, who also leads the kitchen at Itō, Jōji, and Amé. Given its proximity to Amé, Loa shares a natural synergy with the restaurant upstairs, drawing on the same Japanese-Peruvian flavours in a relaxed, late-night format. Menu highlights include: golden curry empanada with green herb sauce; chicken karaage with rocoto honey and sesame dip; and a Wagyu burger with American cheese, caramelised onion and tsukemono.
The 100-capacity venue was designed by ESCA’s longtime collaborator, Matt Darwon. Low-set red ceilings and timber seating are punctuated by chrome accents to create an intimate and moody atmosphere.
The room centres around a DJ booth fitted with a state of the art, custom-built Martin Audio sound system. Some of the city’s most inspired live acts will move through Neo Soul, R&B and eclectic grooves on Wednesday and Thursday nights, before resident DJs and special guests take over the LOA booth from Friday to Sunday connecting the dots between disco and house.
Loa forms part of Oxford & Foley, the Darlinghurst precinct also home to the recently opened Mecca Coffee and Aenza, with Soho House set to open next door in 2028.
Loa is walk-in only and will open Wednesday and Thursday from 5pm until 12am, Friday and Saturday from 5pm to 2am, and Sunday from 5pm to 12am. Loa will also run a happy hour from 5pm to 7pm Wednesday to Sunday, featuring small plates, as well as cocktails, house wines and lager.
