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The Best NYC Rooftop Bars to Bring Your Friends to
photo:
The William Vale
Every summer, we go through the ritual of rounding up the best rooftop bars in New York. And every year, we marvel at all the ways the Big Apple manages to brim over with so many next-level options. Case in point? This year’s list includes sipping cocktails inside an actual glass-walled water tower, an amusement park-themed al fresco bar, a discotheque with a plunge pool, and many more. Cheers!
Reporter: Dylan Essertier
Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Brooklyn Heights, New York, New York
Harriet’s has one of the most panoramic views of Manhattan you’ll find this side of the Brooklyn Bridge. It’s seriously a perfect spot to come watch the sun melt into the skyscraper-filled horizon (aka Instagram gold) after exploring New York’s DUMBO neighborhood. Insider tip: there’s a $20 entrance fee.
Photo:Adrian Gaut
Last Light at Sister City
Bowery, New York, New York
When the beverage director’s resume includes stints at the perennially popular ABC Kitchen and ABC Cocina, you know the cocktails are going to be great. You can thank Josh Hanover for dreaming up quirky libations like the “glow stick,”made with cachaça (a Brazilian spirit), sherry, and berries. The less adventurous sippers will also appreciate Last Light’s frozen slushies, wines, and extensive craft brew selection.
Photo:Wythe Hotel
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Lemon’s at The Wythe Hotellearn more
Lemon’s at The Wythe Hotel is not only charming--it serves up delicious libations too. Try the Shake Shake Senora (Milagro tequila, guava, pear, orange, jalapeño, and lime) or the Second Holiday (Italicus bergamot, Carpano Antica, peach, lemon, and tonic) as you take in the scene at one of Brooklyn's most iconic hangouts.
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profile Photo:Kimberly Motos
Broken Shaker at The Freehand
Flatiron District, New York, New York
With some of the best views of the city, Broken Shaker is a trendy, tropical-inspired bar with a memorable cocktail menu that features drinks inspired by New York, top-selling cocktails from the original location in Miami, and a mix of beverages from the Chicago and LA outposts. While there, be sure to cop the Avocado Tostada for a perfect New York brunch outing with your friends.
Photo:Eataly USA
SERRA by Birreria
Flatiron District, New York, New York
On the 14th floor of Eataly you’ll find SERRA by Birreria, a seasonal rooftop restaurant created to resemble a flowering greenhouse. Quick language lesson: ‘Serra’ means greenhouse in Italian. Come here for the extensive Spritz menu and delizioso bites such as basil pesto-topped gnocchi and broccoli rabe burrata. In other words? It’s the perfect spot to spritz, savor, and repeat all summer long.
Photo:Castell Rooftop Lounge
Castell Rooftop Lounge at AC Hotel New York Times Square
Midtown, New York, New York
We like any bar whose homepage explicitly states that it has an ‘extreme emphasis on martinis’. If you want your summer shaken not stirred head to Castell’s for some of the best tinis in town in a luxe, handsome setting.
Photo:The Hoxton, Williamsburg
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Summerly at The Hoxton, Williamsburglearn more
Panoramic views? Check. Delicious lobster rolls? Check. Dreamy cocktails? Check, check, check. Williamsburg newcomer Summerly has all of the above so don’t be surprised when it absolutely invades your Instagram feed in the coming months. You’ve been warned.
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profile Photo:Warren Jagger
Magic Hour at Moxy NYC Times Square
Midtown, New York, New York
The TAO Group has transformed the 18th floor of the Moxy hotel into an “urban amusement park concept with adult sensibility.” What does that mean exactly? Well, you’ll not only find a rotating antique carousel here, you can also play a tipsy game of miniature golf on Magic Hour’s putt-putt course.
Photo:The William Vale
Westlight at The William Vale
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York
Take a walk on the chic side with a visit to The William Vale's indoor/outdoor rooftop bar, Westlight. While the 360 degree panoramic views of Manhattan, Queens, and Brooklyn are certainly nice, so is the drink menu, which includes masterfully blended beverages like the Spring Fling, featuring cachaça, St. Germain, vodka, and lime. Insider tip: reservations are strongly recommended.
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Photo:Melissa Hom
The Lookup
Midtown, New York, New York
Located atop the Kixby Hotel in Midtown, The Lookup is an indoor-outdoor rooftop where you'll literally want to "look up" at the Empire State Building. Serving an array of creative bar bites like rosé infused Meyer Lemon shrimp cocktail and whipped green chile beer cheese, you'll have plenty of options for munching as well as drinking.
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learn morePhoto:50 Bowery
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The Crown at 50 Bowerylearn more
With cheeky cocktails like Resting Peach Face featuring bombay sapphire gin, fresh strawberry, lime, peach, and green chartreuse, you just know this Chinatown hangout is going to be a great time. And it is, especially thanks to the tequila lime tacos that are also not to be missed.
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profile Photo:Ophelia
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Ophelialearn more
What do you get when you combine elegance, history and remarkable drinks? Ophelia at the architectural marvel also known as the Beekman Hotel. Keep your summer cocktail crawl interesting by opting for Ophelia’s Ascension with smoked Jamaican pepper infused with Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, Makers Mark, and Sri Lanka Palm sugar or The White Lightning with Manhattan moonshine whiskey and lychee liqueur cointreau.
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profile Photo:Francesco Sapienza
A.R.T. NoMad at Arlo NoMad
NoMad, New York, New York
Another day, another reason to love New York’s up-and-coming NoMAd neighborhood. Enter A.R.T NoMad located on the 31st floor of the Arlo Hotel. Stop by here to enjoy Froze aplenty as well as Middle Eastern-inspired snacks as you take in #views.
Photo:Liz Clayman
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The Water Tower at The Williamsburg Hotellearn more
The Water Tower is a swanky, reservations-only bar atop Brooklyn’s Williamsburg Hotel. If you’re looking to ball out while there you can even try the $150 ‘Heart of Gold’ cocktail featuring Patron Gran Platinum, Carpano Antica, and white-truffled infused Aperol. If you’re looking for something slightly less glitzy below the tower is The Roof, a bar and pool that’s open to the public, with reservations starting at $65.
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profile Photo:Refinery Rooftop
Refinery Rooftop
Midtown, New York, New York
With its central Midtown location, Refinery Rooftop is the place to watch the sun go down and grab a cocktail after work, which also means you should be advised that it gets packed. Fast. The vibe is casual, with a creative cocktail menu that includes a drink list dedicated to Academy Award Winning films. Last time we were there we had ‘A Star is Born’ with Maker’s Mark, angostura bitters, and orange bitters, and just like the movie it did not disappoint.
Le Bain at The Standard, High Line
Greenwich Village, New York, New Yor
Clubby vibes and delicious, innovative cocktails that go down way too easy (we’ve heard) are the staples of Le Bain, the trendy discothèque inside The Standard, High Line. Warning: after one too many martinis you might be tempted to jump in Le Bain’s indoor plunge pool. Don’t.
Photo:Noah Fecks
Gallow Green at The McKittrick Hotel
Chelsea, New York, New York
After seeing ‘Sleep No More’ (if you haven’t seen it yet, book your tickets asap) head up to The McKittrick Hotel’s rooftop to experience Gallow Green’s outdoor garden party meets cocktail bar vibes. Take in the lush scenery while sipping on a Summer Bees ( tequila, watermelon, vanilla, kaffir and lime). You won’t be sorry.
Photo:230 Fifth
230 Fifth
Flatiron District, New York, New York
Touristy? Yes. But also the largest rooftop garden in New York. And always a good time thanks to its large selection of beer and bites. Try the macaroni and cheese sampler with truffle, bacon, and cheddar. #summerbody
Photo:MADE Hotel
Good Behavior at MADE Hotel
NoMad, New York, New York
Zero pretension and epic Empire State Building views is the name of the game at Good Behavior, a tropical-themed bar with two balconies that’s perched on the 18th floor of the artsy MADE hotel. Come to kick it with the creative set while you enjoy cocktails like the Dirty Finery featuring morita-infused tequila, mezcal, red bell pepper juice, passion fruit, and a splash of pomegranate.
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Photo:Mr. Purple
Mr. Purple
Lower East Side, New York, New York
From the creative minds behind the popular Irvington and Kingside comes Mr. Purple, a 15th-floor bar perched on the Lower East Side’s Hotel Indigo. There’s plenty of space here (it’s 6,000 square feet!) which means it’s perfect for rounding up the squad for a summer night on the town.
Photo:The Skylark
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The Skylarklearn more
The Skylark is classy. How can you tell? You have the option to top your Froze with a selection of seasonal fruits like strawberries and blueberries, as well as rosé gummies, or edible flowers. It’s basically the equivalent of a Farmers Market in your drink.
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profile Photo:Daniel Krieger
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Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Roomlearn more
Bar SixtyFive sits on New York City’s highest outdoor terrace space (it’s a whopping 65 stories above Rockefeller Center). Come here for a fancy shmancy New York evening replete with $20 Manhattans and Crispy Oysters "Rockefeller.” One word: iconic.
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profile Photo:Jimmy at the James
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Jimmy at the Jameslearn more
Expect 1970s vibes and a sunny roof deck you’ll never want to leave during a visit to Jimmy at the James. You’ll also find a memorable cocktail menu featuring refreshing creations by mixologist Johnny Swet such as the ‘Warhol Vesper’ consisting of Plymouth Gin, Zu Bison Grass Vodka, and Lillet Rosé. Oh, and there’s a pool so bring your bikini if you’re going full summer send.
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profile Photo:Conrad New York Downtown
Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar at the Conrad New York Downtown
Battery Park City, New York, New York
They have a prosecco & ice pop cocktail here. We repeat, an ice pop (blueberry, peach, strawberry, lemongrass, or empire apple flavored) topped with chilled prosecco or rose. They also have views of the Hudson River and a Fuggedaboutit Lemonade (small batch gin, thyme, lemonade, cucumber) that will make you forget winter even exists.
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