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A rooftop bar is always the most glamorous place to get a drink. An al fresco spritz with wish-you-were-here kind of views is precisely the energy we seek from a hospitality experience, particularly during the warmer months of the year when lingering outdoors enjoying a sip and small bites is a permanent fixture on the weekend agenda.
The best rooftop bars in NYC, more specifically, are of a notably high caliber thanks to the city’s iconic skyline and community of world-renowned talent, from celebrated design firms to sought-after bartenders. Perhaps you’re on the hunt for somewhere you can enjoy a refreshing herbal cocktail with a view of the Empire State Building? Or a glass of bubbly overlooking Central Park? At the 17 rooftop bars ahead, no vantage point is too extravagant.
Overstory
A bar so high it deserves its own zip code, Overstory is located an astonishing 64 floors up inside a striking Art Deco skyscraper in the Financial District. Bar director Harrison Ginsberg oversees the cocktail program at this quintessential New York rooftop bar, with drinks that lean on classic ingredients elevated by innovative techniques. Upon arrival, guests are escorted up a travertine stairwell and seated within this intimate bar space that offers a wraparound terrace with 360-degree views of the city skyline.
elNico at The Penny
If one skyline isn’t enough to satisfy you, head for this vibrant rooftop offering views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan cityscapes. The menu was created by executive chef Fernanda Serrano and takes cues from her upbringing in Mexico, with cuisine highlights like a mole tasting and chile relleno. When you get thirsty, order from beverage director Caleb Russell’s assortment of refreshing drinks, like the pisco sour, then sink into one of the many stylish seating nooks surrounded by prickly cacti and decor awash in saturated hues.
Roof at 66 Park
After a years-long renovation, New York City’s first Japanese-owned luxury hotel makes its debut in a storied building once owned by the Rockefeller family, and includes a rooftop bar on the 18th floor with wraparound terraces and an impressive list of rare Japanese whiskeys. Johnny Marsh of atelier marsh spearheaded the look and feel of the space, which positions guests up close and personal with views of the Empire State Building.
Nubeluz at The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad
A remarkable addition to the New York City bar scene, this glimmering space sits on the 50th floor of The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad, and is helmed by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés. With interiors by Martin Brudnizki and a menu of bites that hark back to the chef’s native Spain (think: boards of jamon, queso, and embutidos), the experience is nothing short of immersive. For drinks, try the Foggy Hill cocktail crafted with Del Maguey Vida mezcal, Yzaguirre 1884 Gran Reserva vermouth, Cynar, Aperol, and an orange-thyme aromatic cloud.
Panorama Room at Graduate New York
Hop aboard the scenic aerial tramway (opened in 1976) to Roosevelt Island for an afternoon of atmospheric cocktails. Located high up on the 18th floor of the Graduate New York hotel, the Panorama Room offers some of the city’s most jaw-dropping skyline views. If you’re feeling peckish, there’s a raw bar and seafood-forward menu of small bites.
The Cantor Roof Garden Bar
Pop into The Metropolitan Museum of Art to pay a visit to your favorite Rembrandts and Renoirs, then escape up to the museum’s hidden rooftop garden bar (open for the season starting April 24). Order from a selection of classic cocktails and snacks and settle in with cinematic views of Central Park.
RH Rooftop
Top off an afternoon of shopping at Restoration Hardware with a cocktail atop the 90,000-square-foot design gallery in the heart of the Meatpacking District. To enter, an all-glass elevator takes guests up to a garden oasis complete with trickling fountains and memorable views. Order prosciutto and crispy artichokes for the table, topped off with a glass from their extensive American and European wine list.
THE ROOF at PUBLIC Hotel
Ian Schrager’s Lower East Side hotel features a rooftop bar with uninterrupted 360-degree views of the city. Keeping in line with his sophisticated signature look, the space offers an industrial, minimalist backdrop but with the added comforts of plush seating and enveloping greenery for a setting you could easily spend all afternoon in.
Gansevoort Rooftop
With its cobblestone streets and picturesque architecture, the Meatpacking District’s distinct look provides a unique vantage point for a bar with a skyline view. The Gansevoort’s rooftop features a stunning glass enclosure and a brass-framed blue onyx-topped bar, with colorful details like Moroccan tiled floors and custom patterned seating. Enjoy coastal European-inspired bites alongside classic cocktails. (Who could resist their rooftop spritz?)
Darling at Park Lane New York
A Central Park fixture in a historic building, the Park Lane Hotel’s rooftop bar on the 47th floor confidently delivers on sweeping views and a well-curated menu of indulgent bites like shrimp toast and lobster rolls. The space is designed with a wraparound outdoor porch, lending the ideal environment to enjoy a refreshing spritz or tropical libation on a warm afternoon.
Starchild at Civilian Hotel
If you’re venturing to the theater district to catch a show, begin or end your evening with a rooftop drink at this panoramic bar offering vistas of the skyline all the way to the Hudson River. Two fully outdoor patios allow visitors to bask in the sun (or sunset) and the entire space is wrapped in a trellis, encircling a bamboo bar finished in blue lacquer.
Ophelia
Enclosed in a gorgeous 360-degree greenhouse terrace on the 26th floor of Beekman Tower, Ophelia is an elegant cocktail lounge housed within a 1928-era Art Deco building. Decor accents like vintage flapper hats and century-old tarot cards cement the historic mood of the space, and an indoor-outdoor wraparound patio will keep you coming back. Be sure to plan a visit on Tuesday when they host live jazz from 6 to 9 p.m.
Harriet’s at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Ranking among the best views of the Manhattan skyline, this waterfront rooftop bar leans on reclaimed and sustainable materials for its refined design scheme. Asian-influenced cuisine and regionally-inspired drinks are at the core of their offerings, working with farmers across New York and New Jersey and serving from a sustainable cocktail list. (Order the Brooklyn Garden, made with Hendricks Gin, Moet Ice, Brooklyn Green Juice Home-made, and Fever Tree Yuzu Lime Soda).
LilliStar at Moxy Williamsburg
Relish in unobstructed skyline views of the Williamsburg Bridge, East River, and Lower Manhattan at this indoor-outdoor lounge and cocktail bar perched on the rooftop of Moxy Williamsburg. The menu follows a similar energetic tone as the interior design, with playful riffs on favorite flavors, like the Elote Twisted Tea and Jazzy Jerk Margarita.
The Rooftop at The Manner
This swanky SoHo hotel admired for its opulent design and at-home atmosphere unveiled a rooftop bar just in time for the summer season. Architect Hannes Peer designed the al fresco space, which taps into Athenian-meets-Italian aperitivo culture to inform the decor scheme. As for the views, guests can take in Manhattan skyline icons such as Herzog de Meuron’s pixelated high-rise at 56 Leonard Street, and even the soaring One World Trade Center.
Bar Tontine at The Wall Street Hotel
Nestled in the heart of the Financial District, Bar Tontine sits atop The Wall Street Hotel, a new hotel which opened in the landmark Tontine building by The Paspaley Group. Bar Tontine boasts unparalleled views of Lower Manhattan and the East River – and imaginative cocktails, of course. The perfect place for an after-work cocktail or first date, the bar features a 180-degree terrace ideal for al-fresco dining. With spritz season upon us, it s worth a visit.
The Flower Shop at The Walker
The Flower Shop—a cult favorite watering hole in the Lower East Side—is reopening for its second season on the roof of The Walker Tribeca this spring. It will retain its hidden gem aesthetic with a floral-forward rooftop bar overlooking the Manhattan skyline including 360-degree views, and serve from a menu of South American share plates like crudos and ceviches. To cool off, order one of the refreshing cocktails on offer, like the classic frozen margarita or cucumber gimlet.
JIMMY at ModernHaus SoHo
A destination where you can find not only a rooftop with panoramic views but also an outdoor pool deck and working fireplace? Sold. This scenic bar is located 18 stories up and was inspired by Picasso’s blue period, with vintage and contemporary furniture accents scattered throughout. Order a refreshing bubbly with light bites like crispy zucchini chips and savor the views of Midtown, Wall Street, the Hudson Rivers, and the bridges stretching across the East River.
Electric Lemon
From restaurateur Stephen Starr, this 24th-floor oasis located in the Equinox Hotel was designed by the Rockwell Group and features an expansive 8,000-square-foot terrace overlooking the Hudson River. Jaume Plensa sculptures and a tranquil herb garden add to the restaurant’s hidden gem ambience, and a menu of seasonal cocktails and fresh bites sourced from local farmers, fisheries, and artisans makes it the perfect spot for a summer afternoon.
Dear Irving On Broadway
Catching a show in the theater district? This rooftop bar is the best new spot for a pre (or post) performance cocktail. The 1930s vibe sets a glamorous tone for the evening, with skyline views accompanied by a menu from bar director Meaghan Dorman (drinks include a classic Gibson and other Broadway-inspired beverages and bites).
Westlight at The William Vale
This Williamsburg hotel offers one of the most sweeping views of the New York City skyline, best enjoyed from its rooftop bar, Westlight, which is located 22 floors up. During the warmer months, there’s a seasonal pop-up called Turf Club, which in addition to seasonal cocktails also offers lawn games.
The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel + Spa
Escape the city for the weekend to this Rockaway Beach hotel, beloved for its views of both the Manhattan skyline and the Atlantic Ocean. The Rooftop is an indoor-outdoor bar located on the 6th floor that offers thematic cocktails, like the Shark Bite (crafted from ghost pepper tequila, cucumber, watermelon, lime, and tajin).
Leonessa at Conrad New York Downtown
Opening spring 2025, this new Italian-inspired cocktail bar is on the rooftop of Conrad New York Downtown and resembles a Positano terrace with its lemon trees and gurgling fountain. The menu is in collaboration with Ariel Arce, who is a partner at famed destinations like Tokyo Record Bar in Greenwich Village. And because Leonessa takes cues from Italy, expect a rotating menu of complimentary aperitivo-style snacks and a cocktail list full of spritzes, bitters, martinis, plus plenty of amari, vermouth, and cordials.
Bar Blondeau at Wythe Hotel
Set atop this historic Williamsburg factory-turned-hotel, Bar Blondeau is a sophisticated rooftop bar open all year-round. Sip on a Cremant du Jura while gazing out at views of the Manhattan skyline, or step out onto the wraparound terrace adorned with oversized umbrellas and lush planters (opening May 5).
