The 17 Best Rooftop Bars in New York City

The Fleur Room at The Moxy Chelsea

The Fleur Room, located on the 35th floor of The Moxy Chelsea, is one of New York City's highest rooftop bars, where you can get 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline (including the Statue of Liberty). The bar is floral-themed and many of the cocktails include real flowers bought from the flower market downstairs. The rooftop's glass walls are retractable so the bar stays open regardless of the weather, but there's something extra special on warm summer evenings with walls fully open to feel the breeze.

Serra by Birreria at Eataly

The seasonal rooftop at the top of Eataly in the Flatiron District has everything you could want from a roof: homemade beer, delicious cocktails, and food flown in straight from Italy. The roof is decked out in elaborate floral displays that make for eye-catching pictures, whether you're a professional photographer or just uploading to Instagram. The botanical theme continues on with the cocktails, as many of the drinks are infused with exotic flowers. This roof gets busy so arrive early or make reservations well in advance. If there are no free spots available, walk around the Eataly food market to kill time while you wait for a table.

Harriet's Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is a LEED-certified, sustainable hotel located alongside Brooklyn Bridge Park. From the property's 10th-floor rooftop you get unbeatable views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn and Manhattan bridges. The already beautiful views are made even more so at night when the city is illuminated. The bar serves old-fashioned craft cocktails with innovative twists, like the "Al Pastor" with pineapple-infused tequila and serrano pepper bitters. DJs play popular hits all night long.

As a side note, there is a stunning pool on the roof but it's strictly reserved for hotel guests. If you want to swim, you'll need to book a room.

Lemon's Rooftop at Wythe Hotel

It wouldn't be summer in New York City without a visit to Lemon's, the Wythe Hotel's rooftop bar in trendy Williamsburg. Lemon's evokes Italy in summer with Manhattan skyline views. You can snack on grilled calamari, sugar snap peas, and tuna carpaccio while drinking fine Italian wines surrounded by plants. To cool off order the spiked lemonade (mixed with fresh lavender) that comes in a vintage pitcher.

The Press Lounge at Kimpton Ink48 Hotel

You have to trek from the subway through all of Hell's Kitchen to get to the Press Lounge, but the journey is well worth it. This lounge offers some of the most dramatic views of the city's skyscrapers, bridges, and rivers, which are especially scenic at sunset. This swanky bar offers beer, wine, and cocktails at a high price, even by NYC standards, but the views compensate for the final bill. There is a dress code at the Press Room: no beachwear (including sandals), baseballs caps, logo t-shirts, exceedingly ripped clothing, tank tops, or athletic clothing allowed.

Summerly Rooftop Bar at The Hoxton, Williamsburg

The Summerly Rooftop Bar in Brooklyn opened in 2019 and it immediately became one of the city's summer hot spots. It is one of the more intimate bars and a perfect place to cozy up with a loved one or a small group of friends. The decor is soft and floral and the food and drink is everything you'd want for the season: think lobster rolls and as much rosé as you can drink. The views, overlooking the East River and the Manhattan skyline, provide a perfect backdrop to your evening.

St. Cloud Rooftop Bar at The Knickerbocker Hotel

St. Cloud Rooftop Bar is located high in the sky overlooking Times Square. With the hustle and bustle of the city far below you, you can enjoy the chaotic neighborhood without being physically in it. You can rent one of the three sky pods that overlook the city's vast skyscrapers, or you can mingle with patrons at the indoor/outdoor bar. If you're feeling peckish, order the St. Cloud Crisps: a specialty appetizer of root vegetable chips with broccoli cheddar dip. The entire food menu is concocted by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer, so you can't go wrong with anything on the menu.

Good Behavior at Made Hotel

Good Behavior is a New York City rooftop bar that encourages a bit of bad behavior. With tiki-themed cocktails, craft beers, and giant cocktails meant to share, this is a recipe for a good time. The bar is covered in greenery and with indoor and outdoor space, it's open year-round. This rooftop bar tends to be less crowded than others and is one of Midtown's best-kept secrets, but it's still a good idea to make reservations to guarantee that you can get a table.

Brass Monkey New York City

Brass Monkey is a neighborhood bar in the Meatpacking District with a stellar roof. It's super casual with wooden picnic tables arranged in a row that strangers often share—an ideal atmosphere for socializing and making new friends. Here you can order a burger and a pint and spend the day staring at the Hudson River. It gets crowded on weekday evenings as neighborhood employees clock out and grab a drink with coworkers, so arrive early if possible to beat the rush. If you happen to be in the area on a weekend, the bar turns into a giant dance floor.

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Moxy Times Square

The Moxy Hotel chain is all about playfulness and this rooftop is the epitome of that. Magic Hour is one of the largest rooftops in the city and the theme is "urban amusement park." At every turn, you'll find games, toys, even statues that amuse (or shock) you. It's a feast for the senses. The food reflects the theme with items like the mouthwatering disco waffle fries (topped with nacho cheese and pickled jalapeños). Save room for the boozy cupcakes for dessert or the Float my Boat cocktail made with Don Julio Blanco tequila, caramelized pineapple, and fiery jalapeño syrup.

Bar 54

For the best views, nowhere in the city beats Bar 54, the tallest rooftop bar in New York City. The sweeping views and signature cocktails are so good that even locals will brave going to Times Square to enjoy an evening at this sumptuous bar. It sits on top of the Hyatt Centric Times Square hotel and is tall enough that you'll get views of both the Hudson River and the East River. Unsurprisingly, having a drink on NYC's highest rooftop comes with a premium and cocktail prices are nearly double what you'll pay for a drink at ground level.

Gallow Green at the McKittrick Hotel

The urban jungle of Manhattan doesn't seem like the kind of place where you'd find a forested oasis, but Gallow Green on top of the McKittrick Hotel—ranked as one of the best bars in the city—is just that. Located among the many art galleries of Chelsea, when you enter, it feels like you're stepping into a mystical wooded fairyland with trees and shrubbery stretching overhead. It's a bar and restaurant so be sure to arrive hungry as you won't be able to resist ordering something off the menu with items like lobster rolls, pork belly bahn mi sandwiches, or grilled corn elotes.

Rooftop Reds

The name of this hip Brooklyn wine bar tells you everything you need to know. Rooftop Reds isn't just a bar, but rather an urban vineyard. The owners use innovative growing techniques to grow their own grapes and produce their own wine right on top of the building (in the industrial Navy Yard, of all places). You probably assumed you had to go upstate to the Finger Lakes or Hudson River Region to visit an actual working winery, but thanks to Rooftop Reds, you just need to take the subway over to Brooklyn.

Top of the Standard

One of New York's sexiest hotels is also home to one of its sexiest rooftop bars, the Top of the Standard at the Standard Hotel. Considered one of the most romantic hotels in the city, you don't need to spend the night at the Standard to bask in its luxury. The bar has three different seating times: afternoon to enjoy tea and drinks with the daytime views, evening to watch the sunset while listening to live music, or nighttime when it turns into an after-hours club. A "smart casual attire" dress code is enforced, so be sure to have appropriate clothing and footwear.

Refinery Rooftop

The Refinery Rooftop at the Refinery Hotel stays open all year long and is a favorite among travelers and locals. Come for the breathtaking views of New York's tallest skyscrapers, but stay for the delectable food menu and signature cocktails. Whether you come for lunch, dinner, or brunch, the food is always incredible and the drinks are prepared by trained mixologists who focus on natural ingredients and creative infusions.

Westlight

This Williamsburg bar is perched on top of the William Vale Hotel and at 22 floors up, the view is nothing to scoff at. The open-air terrace looks out over the East River and the Manhattan skyline with cozy sofa seating to kick back and enjoy your drinks; there are even observation binoculars conveniently placed so you can get a closer view of the city's skyscrapers. Apart from the premium cocktails, the eclectic food menu is based on "global street food," with highlights like shrimp dumplings, duck carnitas tacos, and charred octopus skewers.

Dear Irving on Hudson

Dear Irving on Hudson is another rooftop bar within the vicinity of Times Square, but this 41st-floor bar sets itself apart from the others with its retro design, curated drink menu, and cocktail classes. All of the signature drinks feature New York-made spirits to celebrate local distilleries, but you can learn to make them yourself at one of the regular workshop events. In-person classes held at the bar are led by one of the expert mixologists, and attendees will learn how to create—and then enjoy—their own delicious libations.