Discover the best rooftop bars in New York from Manhattan’s impressive views of the Empire State Building to Brooklyn with it’s sweeping views of the Hudson River to Queen’s and a rooftop over looking JFK! This is the city that invented the rooftop bar back in the 1880’s so expect some of the best views, quirky designs and stunning architecture… not to mention creative cocktails. New York really does have some of the best rooftop bars in the world. You just need to pick the one or more that suits you. So read on for the best rooftop bars in Manhattan, New York.
Monarch Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🥂🍸🍹
Location: On top of the Courtyard Hotel Marriott on 71st West 35th St
View: Empire State Building and Macy’s!
Vibe: Boujee
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Visited / photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes but indoor area too!
Rooftop review roundup: My first ever rooftop bar in NYC back in 2014 Certainly gave me the ‘I’m in NYC moment’! It’s had quite a change since then but remains a brilliant boujee spot. Perfect for drinks – including offering a happy hour (fully recommend the frose). Sofas to high tables and even a secret private spot to pop the question! Side note there’s a pretty strict dress code on the website but I went in white trainers and had no issue.
Website: Click here
Bookmarks Rooftop Bar
Location: At the library hotel, 299 Maddison Avenue – close to central station
View: A peak at the Empire State but it’s more just business buildings. It’s more about the cuteness of the terrace than the view.
Vibe: Very quiet till 11pm (on a Sat night) then was rammed!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Small plates
Booking available? Yes
Visited / photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes but there is an indoor area with large windows that still feels you get the rooftop feel.
Rooftop review roundup: This is a must for bookworms. The name gives it away! They have book themed cocktails! Fancy a Tequila Mockingbird or a Gone with the Gin! This is your spiritual home! A small intimate space that is very quiet – perfect for a date!
Website: Click here
230th Fifth Rooftop Bar
Location: As the name says! 230th Fifth Avenue – Midtown
View: Empire State Building & city
Vibe: FUN one for everyone
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾 🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Visited / photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: The largest rooftop bar in New York. Full of fun, insta worthy moments and all the summer vibes. This is also one of New York’s more famous rooftop bars and I can see why. Accommodates boujee insta queens through to families having dinner to date nights. It have a lively bustling vibe and all the views for all the pics. There have set up some great ‘insta’ photo ops around the rooftop using classic slogans like ‘the city that never sleeps’. When sunset hit so all the phones came out. Locals and tourists alike. Special mention goes to their candy floss obsession! We have the duck in a glass of it with Prosecco cocktail or the huge lit up tower served as a pudding to rival the Empire State Building for pics!! All in all this is an absolute must of a rooftop bar when in NYC.
Website: Click here
Daintree Rooftop bar
Best for: 🥂🍹🍷 🦘
Location: Above the Hotel Hendricks on 25 West 38 street
View: City skyline – Empire State Building
Vibe: Chilled but with a vibe
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes light bites
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes but down a floor is a beautiful indoor bar with all the views
Rooftop review roundup: Opened in 2021 this gorgeous little rooftop is inspired by Daintree rainforest in Australia, complete with kangaroo on the menu! Small and intimate decorated with fairy lights and flowers, it boasts amazing skyline views for all the photo ops. High tables for the perfect photos or date night and sofas for chilling. A lot of rooftop bars can be boujee with bouncers to match but this rooftop had a warm welcoming feel with kind, funny staff – big shout out to Sammi – fab host High praise to the bartenders too – one of the best Cosmo’s to date. This is a firm favourite for somewhere non pretentious, fun and – very aussie!!
Website: Click here
The Crown Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🥂🍹🍾
Location: By Little Italy on top of the Hotel Crown
View: All of NYC city
Vibe: City / after work
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes though there is an indoor bar
Rooftop review roundup: Sweeping views of the the city, this New York rooftop bar is a concrete space with sofas and takes scattered around to maximise the views. Though this is expensive however there is a ‘Wine down’ after work happy hour which can take the edge off the day and the bill!
Website: Click here
The City Vineyard
Best for: 🥂🍽️
Location: Pier 26, Tribecca Hudson River Park
View: City, river
Vibe: Chill by day, busy at sunset
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes though they have an open downstairs area that would be dry and shade proof!
Rooftop review roundup: A well placed little rooftop (just one floor up) with great views and vibe. Though it offers little shade for those that burn easily. Friendly and fast it was just a pit stop for me.They do have shows with live music and comedy nights and its one of the rare rooftops to be open from 12pm. Definitely pop in if you are in the area but i wouldn’t make a special visit.
Website: Click here
Loopy Droopy Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍹🥂
Location: On top of the Conrad hotel
View: Statue of Liberty and the city
Vibe: Chill good vibes. (Kids welcome till 6)
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? No
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No they have big covers but if it tipped down then no
Rooftop review roundup: This is definitely one if you are staying at the hotel, in the area or have an obsession with the Statue of Liberty! It’s quite far from the main rooftop bar area but has cute vibes, famed for their fun popsicle prosecco cocktails and even has that all important insta flower wall. But it’s rooftop bar crown goes to having views of Statue of Liberty – though quite hard to pick up in a photo but it’s there!
Website: Click here
Rooftop Park
Best for: 🪑
Location: Pier
View: River and city
Vibe: Dead!
Prosecco price: No booze allowed
Food available? Nope but it is above a food market
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2033
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Concrete jungle from the song lyrics is how I would describe this rooftop park. More industrial and quite cold in design. Perfect to escape the world with views over Little Island but I would recommend that over this!
Website: Click here
Somewhere Nowhere Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍹🥂
Location: On top of the Renaissance hotel in Chelsea – 112 W 25th St but not a part of the hotel
View: Manhattan skyline
Vibe: Quiet at sunset but heard doesn’t stay so!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes light bites
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No part covered but wouldn’t be that much fun in the rain!
Rooftop review roundup: Set a floor above the highest night club in NYC this is the pre party by day. Described as a daycation, I had read a lot of polarising reviews about this rooftop bar. There were hotel guests reviews who felt cheated unable to use the pool as it is not part of the hotel. There were some strong opinions of the staff, the bouncers, and discrimination. I couldn’t write this review without acknowledging them but I didn’t receive any real problems. Though I also fully acknowledge my white privilege. However I am also usually super friendly, polite and chatty. Especially if I am visiting a rooftop bar alone. I love to learn about the place and people. I have seen guests in my travels be rude to staff for no reason so I do always take reviews with a pinch of salt as I don’t know the person writing them. That said there are a lot for this rooftop. My only issue was I did feel a bit intimidated by the bouncer. He was pretty sullen and lacked any humour. And being fair I don’t know what he has had to deal with that day by drunken gaggles or abuse. But in over 400 rooftop bars I have been to round the world I have only encountered a couple of bouncers like this. So a bad day, maybe but not a great attitude. I also felt uncomfortable as he took a photo of my passport for the ID. If I said no, I didn’t go in and I wanted to go in! This happened to me once before – on a rooftop bar in Sydney so must be a thing in some venues but clearly not needed if no where else does it. (I was able to address this to the management later, who were brilliant.) So after assessing the reviews, navigating getting in and arriving at the top – it was then all worth it. The rooftop bar and pool had amazing views, it was very chill and not pretentious as I feared. The staff up on top were lovely, helpful and chatty but yet again very expensive drinks! But this is New York! .
Website: Click here or here for a pool pass.
Magic Hour Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🥳 🥂🍸👠
Location: Times Square at the Moxy Hotel
View: The city
Vibe: Young and party
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Snacks
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No there’s a retractable roof
Rooftop review roundup: This New York rooftop bar really reminds me of the The Golden Bee in Old Street. Dark sofas, insta staged moments and a young crowd. There’s even a revolving seating area! Flower walls and cheeky photo op signs this is definitely a hen do destination vibe! Though it was also attracting a lot of after work drinkers ready for some fun!
Website: Click here
Spy Glass Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍸🥂🏙️
Location: West 38th/ Broadway on top of the Archer Hotel
View: Empire State Building
Vibe: Vibrant and a bit boujee!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No has retractable roof
Rooftop review roundup: I really liked the vibe here. It’s a small space with the perfect perching places for this Empire State Views. Great tunes and more a place to be seen without being too pretentious.
Website: Click here
Refinery Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
Best for: 🍽️🥂
Location: West 38/Broadway on top of the Refinery Hotel
View: The city and Empire State Building
Vibe: Bustling
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – recommend salmon tar tar
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: Fun fact! This rooftop bar is only 3 minutes walk from where the original rooftop bar in 1800s was! Its view is slightly blocked by their structure by equally they have a greenhouse area with an open rooftop that is quite spectacular. I’d fully recommend this New York rooftop bar especially for lunch and lots of solo diners too. Had a great vibe without being too boujee! If you can sit in the sun then a spot at the bar is a great drink spot!
Website: Click here
Freehold Rooftop
Best for: 🍸🍾🥂
Location: On top of Pod 39 Hotel
View: City
Vibe: After work drinks, quiet on weekends
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? No
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: This is a walk out and be wowed venue. Not just it has great views although not the best in NYC. This is all about the actual venue. It’s stunning. I was so pleased to have arrived for opening to be able to capture the architecture before it filled up. Just breathtaking. Really friendly staff and definitely one for vibes and Dj in the week and more chill on weekends.
Website: Click here
The Ready Rooftop
Best for: 🌮 🍸
Location: On top of the Moxy Hotel in East Village
View: The city
Vibe: Bustling and fun
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Tacos and nachos
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: With $1 tacos and $9 margaritas on a Friday happy hour you can see why just half an hour after opening this is a go to rooftop bar in New York. With a fun insta spot for ‘out of office’ photo op – this is definitely after work drinks and catch ups. It also was a different vibe and space to many New York rooftop bars – understated and pretty. Plus retractable roof so the fun can be all year long!
Website: Click here
Top of the Strand Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍸🥂🍾
Location: West 38th/ Broadway on top of the Strand Hotel
View: Empire State Building
Vibe: Cute, electric, date night
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: Really cute welcoming vibe. With the perfect positioning for the Empire State Building views. Definitely an informal but wow views date option.
Website: Click here
Royalton Hotel Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🥂🍾
Location: 5th Avenue on the Royalton Hotel
View: The city
Vibe: holidays!
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: One of the rare rooftop bars to open early so I was a keen bean! However despite emailing to confirm opening times I arrived and the rooftop ‘sundeck’ was closed till 3z there was however terraces – including their hugely overly populated little pool!! You’ll need to be here super early if you wanted a spot as a guest!!!
Website: Click here
Empire Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍹🍸🍷
Location: On top of the Empire Hotel left of Central Park.
View: The city
Vibe: Boujee
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No – there’s is a covered area
Rooftop review roundup: First came to this New York rooftop bar 9 years ago when in its hay day the line to get in on weekend was round the corner of the hotel. Famed by ‘Gossip Girl’ TV series ask the character ‘Chuck Bass’ hotel there was even a whole cocktail menu including ‘The Chuck Bass’ cocktail which has disappeared but the ‘The XOXO Gossip Girl’ cocktail. There’s 3 floors of the rooftop. One has a pool for hotel guests. One where you can’t take any glass ware and has some great sofa areas to chill down on and the lower level – all with the views though less iconic as others in the city but still a worthy contender for the rooftop bar scene!
Website: Click here
Jimmy Rooftop Bar & Pool
Location: In Chelsea, on top of ModernHaus Hotel .
View: Skyline of Manhattan, Hudson river
Vibe: Boujee
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Snacks – yes
Booking available? Yes
Visited / Photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes – though there is an area inside
Rooftop review: This New York rooftop bar and pool has one of the best views over the Hudson River. Small and exclusive this space feels very elite – like you have found a hidden treasure in the city. Set away from other rooftop bars this is a destination so make sure you book and try the frozen salted caramel martini on a hot summer day!
Website: Click here
Cantor Garden Rooftop Bar
Location: At the Met museum, right by Central Park.
View: Skyline of Manhattan
Dress code: Anything 👚👖👕👗
Vibe: Chilled, more a pop up and have a drink while visiting the museum so a complete mish mash of people
Prosecco price: (just by the glass) 🍾🍾
Food available? Snacks – yes
Booking available? No – not tables more for standing
Visited / Photos taken: 2018
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review: Aside the fact the Met is a must to see some amazing exhibitions the bonus is treating yourself to a pit stop with these views. It was ridiculously hot the day I went so no one was out on the terrace (all taking rest in the shade) but I imagine when it’s less intense heat the roof would be full – like a daytime cocktail party but in any attire! There’s a few benches but this felt very much like a quick stop (no bottles sold) rather than destination. Though fully worth it for view though they now have introduced a charge which considering it gains you entry to the museum is fair.
Gallow Green Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
Location: McKittrick Hotel , West 27th – between midtown and Chelsea Market
View: Random NYC buildings one side and the infamous skyline the other
Dress code: Casual or dressy – whatever you feel 👕👖👚👗
Vibe: Bustleee
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Visited / photos taken: 2018
Warm/dry weather only? It’s says it’s a summer venue but it had rained prior to my visit and was fine!
Rooftop review roundup: Garden view, shared tables for dinner in the main area which is waiter service. The bar area is cute wooden tables for private quieter chats – self service. Fun and vibrant and part of a very arty venue. Two pointers would be – being british I got bitten alive as was super summer humid and just rained! 🤦♀️ And we booked but my friend was running late and despite the booking still had to queue to gain entry – which I understand is a NYC thing. Still as rooftop bars started as rooftop garden bars this was a must!
Website: Click here
Le Bain Rooftop Bar
Location: The Standard Hotel, Meat packing district
View: The Hudson and sky line
Dress code: Smart 👗👠
Vibe: We went in the day and was super glam and chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Visited / photos taken: 2014/ 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Decadent, gorgeous and a perfect pit stop when shopping or visiting the high line. It’s famed for its partying being a club at night with DJ’s starting at 10pm most evenings. This is boujee at its best. Sunday sunset sessions are the vibe.
Website: Click here
Time Out Rooftop Bar Garden
Best for: 🥂🍽️🍱🍣🍜🍝🥘
Location: Above Time Out Market on the water in Brooklyn
View: Brooklyn bridge
Vibe: Chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes – all the choice! Highly recommend the sushi!
Booking available? No
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: A cute little informal rooftop located on the 4th floor of the time out building. Great views over the river though not that high up. Perfect to grab some lunch if exploring the area but I wouldn’t make it a destination unless in the neighbourhood. Just above it is another rooftop – that’s owned by a private members club – now that looked nice! So don’t be fooled thats this one! There are also some concrete gardens on the rooftop you can enjoy.
Harriet’s Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🏙️🌃🥂🍾🍹
Location: On top of One Brooklyn hotel
View: Manhattan skyline
Vibe: Boujee
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: I had been dreaming of this rooftop bar view and it did not disappoint. This is your wow views of the city that never sleeps. But it does come at a price tag. This is one of the most expensive rooftop bars I’ve ever been to. $48 for a glass of rose champagne! So if you are on a budget but want to enjoy the boujee vibes and all the views it’s time to have to a soft drink that lasts you a while!! But if you are flush then this place is your new best friend. The sofas, the cute wooden seating, it’s carries the hotels chic design through the to the rooftop bar. And if you are staying at the hotel… you also get access to the rooftop pool (much smaller than it seems). Add this to your bucket list!
Website: Click here
Rooftop Reds Rooftop Bar and Vineyard – Nov 2024 now closed permanently
Best for: 🍷🥂🍷🥂🍷
Location: Brooklyn navy yards
View: The city!
Vibe: Super chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Essential
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: Now closed: Nov 2024
Firstly just getting booked was hard – the system wasn’t intuitive at all. The verifying the phone number had me fail. I tried DM, emailing but no response. If it wasn’t for the fact this was one of my top 3 must do’s this trip I would have not bothered especially as it had an entrance fee of $15 – thankfully I finally figured it out and they had Apple Pay! But the stakes were now even higher for this to be a great rooftop! The next stumbling block was finding it. I got off the subway at York Street and followed google maps to the Navy Yard. No one was about (would not recommend at night on your own). I entered and aimlessly wandered forward when a very lovely security guard called out and knew where I was headed and I was lost! So booking is essential as I was sent a QR code via email but I hadn’t checked my emails that morning. It’s a naval yard so actually hot on security! So the guard got me to check them where I found I’d been sent a QR code to scan. I then walked round the red building to another number 27. Keep going and you will finally see a sign and open door!!! Then there’s stairs! So many stairs. With funny signs and a lady with water for you at the top!
And now it was worth it all!!! It was gorgeous! Stunning views, so many wine tasting ‘flights’ to choose from! From ”leave ’em on red’ for a chose of red wines!!! To Bubble or nothing – no prizes for guessing which I did!!
The food options are informal – cheese, meats and crudités that come in a basket Aka picnic vibe! Or pizza!! This felt hassle but it was so worth it. They also do movie nights and events…. this is one for your New York list! (And yes they do a few beers and cocktails for those who (shock) hate wine!!)
Website: Click here
Westlight Rooftop Bar and Restaurant
Best for: 🍸🍷🥂
Location: On top of The William Vale hotel in Williamsburg
View: The city
Vibe: Low key boujee
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: This is a must rooftop. Sweeping views of the city, a gorgeous interior that show cases the view but then when you walk out. It’s that wow moment. Sofas and high tables it’s an electric mix of people. Sunday after vibes for sure.
Website: Click here
Berry Park Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍸🍷🍹
Location: Berry lane, Williamberurgh
View: The city but not a great one for views
Vibe: Really chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾
Food available? yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? 2023
Rooftop review roundup: This New York rooftop bar really reminds me of The Big Chill in London. Not the best views or that big but great tunes, vibe and low key. Cocktails that actually aren’t too crazy expensive and a total mix of ages. Expected quite young but all were welcome! Lots of shade available too which as it was mid 30s when I visited was very welcome – I’d recommend the Limoncello Spritz!
Website: Click here
Rockaways Rooftop Bar
Best for: 🍹🥂🥃🍸
Location: On top of the Rockaway hotel, minutes from the ferry
View: Ocean (far in the distance)
Vibe: Quiet
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2033
Warm/dry weather only? No
Rooftop review roundup: I thought this place would be rammed as it was Labour Day weekend. Indeed the pool downstairs was packed but it was super windy one side so that was closed and the other had minimum spend for the good tables which was a bit cheeky. Cocktails were amazing though and the place was a nice pit stop before the ferry but definitely not a destination if visiting NYC.
Website: Click here
TWA Rooftop Bar and Pool
Best for: 🥂☀️🏊🏻
Location: On top of the TWA hotel at Terminal 5 JFK airport
View: The runway
Vibe: Busy and but chill
Prosecco price: 🍾🍾🍾
Food available? Yes
Booking available? Yes
Smoking allowed? No
Last visited /photos taken: 2023
Warm/dry weather only? Yes
Rooftop review roundup: This has been on my rooftop bar list for as long as I can remember – a rooftop pool and bar at the airport! The dream! I found it tricky to understand how to get to it but it’s actually pretty simple. You can get a taxi to drop you at the hotel or what I did was got the air bus from terminal 8 to 5 (took 10 minutes – you’ll need a metro card as I got the airbus from Jamaica station (read more on that) Get the air bus there. It goes back and forth every 4 minutes or so. Then you just follow the signs! You need to book a slot in advance though they were taking walk ins but they had to wait. It is very much a novelty. Small bar, packed pool and sun loungers to either kick start your holiday or end it by soaking up the last of the NYC sunshine!
Website: Click here
