A bold new culinary and lifestyle destination is set to transform the skyline and energy of downtown Pensacola. Internationally acclaimed, Michelin-starred chef Akira Back will bring his signature, boundary-pushing cuisine to a stunning rooftop restaurant atop the Reverb by Hard Rock Pensacola—introducing an elevated dining experience that will reverberate throughout Pensacola and beyond. Set to open in conjunction with the Reverb by Hard Rock Hotel in 2029, the rooftop restaurant is poised to become the city’s most coveted reservation—and its most unforgettable night out.

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A New Culinary Icon Rises Above Pensacola: Michelin-Starred Chef Akira Back to Debut Namesake, Akira Back Rooftop Restaurant at Reverb by Hard Rock. Photo Credit: One & Only Moonlight Basin

Perched high above the city with sweeping, unobstructed views of Blue Wahoos Stadium and the shimmering waterfront beyond, the restaurant promises a seductive blend of high design, vibrant nightlife, and world-class cuisine. This is not just a meal—it’s a moment.

With a global portfolio of award-winning restaurants with 28 locations from Paris to Hong Kong, Chef Akira Back is known for redefining modern Japanese cuisine with global influences with a fearless inclusion of Korean heritage, contemporary technique, and artistic presentation. His arrival in Pensacola signals an turning point in the Pensacola dining scene—one where culinary excellence meets coastal cool.

An Experience Above It All

Guests will be transported the moment they arrive. The rooftop will pulse with energy—from golden sunset cocktails to late-night DJ sets at the pool under the stars. Inside, sleek architecture and dramatic lighting create an atmosphere that is both intimate and electric. Outside, the open-air terrace invites guests to indulge against a backdrop of Blue Wahoos stadium, bay breezes, and panoramic views.

The menu will feature Chef Back’s signature dishes—bold, unexpected, and visually stunning—paired with a curated cocktail program and premium sake selections. Every detail is designed to ignite the senses. The menu will showcase an array of Chef Back’s greatest hits including the international favorite AB Tuna Pizza, consisting of a wafer-thin crunchy crust, umami aioli made with ponzu sauce, tuna sashimi, micro shiso and the 48 Hour Short Ribs, Australian wagyu cooked for 48 hours in a traditional galbi jjim marinade and the Nazo 9, a mystery box experience featuring nine chef-selected dishes, revealed tableside for an element of surprise and delight.

“Pensacola has an incredible energy and authenticity that immediately inspired me. Bringing this concept to the rooftop at Reverb is about more than food—it’s about creating an experience that people feel. The combination of the waterfront, the stadium, and the vibrancy of Maritime Park gives us a canvas to do something truly special—something that blends flavor, music, and atmosphere into one unforgettable destination,” said Chef Akira Back.

A Vision Realized

“This is more than a restaurant—it’s the culmination of a vision to create a destination that captures the energy, creativity, and future of Pensacola,” said Tamara Bowens, President & COO of The Dawson Company. “By bringing a globally celebrated chef like Akira Back into the heart of Maritime Park, we are elevating not just the culinary scene, but the entire experience of what downtown Pensacola can be.”

The Maritime Park development jointly owned and developed by The Dawson Company and Corporate Contractors Inc., led by renowned business leader Diane Hendricks, represents the next evolution of the downtown Pensacola waterfront where culture, community, and commerce come together. This development builds on the momentum of Palafox Street and extends it to the bay, creating a destination that will attract visitors, support local businesses, and enhance quality of life for our residents.

The Heartbeat of a New District

Located within the music-driven, culture-forward Hard Rock family, Reverb Pensacola is redefining hospitality for a new generation—where music fans receive front row tickets and a backstage pass to an experience where all things music, art, and social connection collide further building upon the history of music in Pensacola. The addition of Akira Back’s rooftop concept cements the property as a must-visit destination for locals and travelers alike.

“We are thrilled to include Akira Back in the Reverb by Hard Rock Pensacola,” said John Rees, SVP Hotel Operations Hard Rock Hotels. The Akira Back brand is synonymous with excellence and will be synergistic with the experiences our brand delivers. Together we are bringing a level of energy, sophistication, and global relevance to Pensacola that will resonate far beyond the Gulf Coast.”

Where the City Meets the Water

Maritime Park is more than a development—it’s a natural evolution of Pensacola’s cultural heartbeat. Long celebrated for its vibrant dining, nightlife, and walkable charm, Palafox Street has defined the city’s social core. Now, that same spirit is being reimagined and expanded—flowing seamlessly into a new, activated waterfront district.

At the center of this vision is a 21,000-square-foot public plaza—an open-air gathering space designed to pulse with life throughout the day and into the evening. In the morning, yoga classes unfold on the terrace as hotel guests pick up coffee from the ground-floor café. By afternoon, visitors arriving from Blue Wahoos Stadium stroll through the plaza’s shaded seating areas and public art installations. As evening falls, the energy shifts again—live music drifts across the plaza to the waterfront, Foo Foo Fest programming activates the plaza and rooftop diners gather above the bay for sunset reservations at the Akira Back restaurant.

Rising above it all, the Reverb by Hard Rock hotel introduces a new, music-driven hospitality experience, while a thoughtfully designed residential offering brings a full-time community into the mix—creating a true live-work-play ecosystem. Together, these elements form a destination that is as immersive as it is magnetic.

The Future of Pensacola, Elevated

With its seamless integration of public space, residential living, hospitality, and world-class dining, Maritime Park is set to become one of the most exciting new districts on the Gulf Coast. And at its peak—both literally and figuratively—will be a rooftop that captures it all: the energy, the views, and the unmistakable feeling that something extraordinary has arrived.

From game-day glamour overlooking the stadium to intimate evenings under the stars, this is where Pensacola rises.

About Akira Back

The Akira Back brand is a diverse portfolio of restaurants and lounges around the globe which pride themselves on creating innovative culinary experiences combined with a social atmosphere and elegant ambiance. The mission statement is to make unforgettable memories for our guests by revolutionizing the dining experience through one-of-a-kind dishes and gracious service.

Seoul native and former professional snowboarder, Chef Akira Back spent his early years appearing in extreme sports movies and garnering praise from the sport’s top trade publications. Back eventually retired from snowboarding and took his need for speed and desire for adventure to the kitchen.

Chef Back has since brought his culinary expertise and artistry across the globe. He currently operates 28 locations under his banner in cities such as Paris, Hong Kong, Dubai, Delray Beach, Singapore, Toronto and more. He plans to open 10 more over the next 2 years including: Pensacola, Rome, Taipei and Manila for a global footprint that is unmatched. For more information visit: www.akiraback.com.

About the Dawson Company

The Dawson Company dba Inspired Communities of Florida is a second-generation managed, Pensacola Florida-based real estate company founded in 1969 in Atlanta, GA by Harold Dawson, Sr. With a history rooted in "doing well by doing good," The Dawson Company has developed, renovated, and/or managed 5 million square feet of office, 1.5 million square feet of retail and 15,000 + units of attached and multifamily housing. Drawing on its in-house expertise, The Dawson Company has evolved into a boutique development firm that immerses itself into niche tertiary markets to create impactful, enduring, catalytic mixed-use developments that grow, strengthen and enhance cities, towns and communities. For more information visit: www.thedawsoncompany.com.

About Corporate Contractors, Inc. (CCI)/Hendricks Holdings

CCI is a respected general contracting firm based in southern Wisconsin and a member of the Hendricks Holding Co. family of companies. For more than four decades, CCI’s team of dedicated professionals and skilled craftspeople has successfully delivered innovative construction solutions and valuable insights across a wide range of projects—including mixed-use, multi-family, industrial, commercial, educational, hospitality, healthcare, and more. Whether building new or transforming an existing structure, CCI is driven by a passion for excellence and a commitment to providing collaborative, client-focused services. For more information visit: www.cciwi.com.

About Hard Rock^®

Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies with venues in nearly 80 countries spanning more than 300 venues including owned/licensed or managed Hotels, Casinos, Rock Shops^®, Live Performance Locations and Cafes. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's largest and most valuable collection of authentic music memorabilia with more than 88,000 pieces displayed at locations around the globe. The Unity^™ by Hard Rock global loyalty program rewards members for doing the things they love across participating properties. In addition, Hard Rock Digital spotlights the sports betting and iGaming experience with products remixed in the spirit of Hard Rock for players worldwide.

HRI has received numerous industry, destination and workplace awards across the travel, hospitality, gaming, entertainment and food & beverage sectors. HRI currently holds investment grades from primary investment-grade rating agencies: S&P Global Ratings (BBB), Moody's Investors Service (Baa2), and Fitch Ratings (BBB). For more information on Hard Rock International, visit www.hardrock.com or shop.hardrock.com.

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