The Top 12 Most Unique Rooftop Bars NYC Has to Offer by Area
By David Bolaños on Dec 02, 2021
New York City has a vibe like no other place in the world. The iconic sites, the residents’ party spirit, and the vibrant atmosphere around the clock make it one of the most high-energy cities on the planet. Branded the city that “truly never sleeps,” if you want to see the world from a rich lens of diversity and feel the buzz whatever your travel style, the Big Apple is where you want to be.
If you’re a creative person looking for that spark, NYC is the perfect spot for you. There’s inspiration everywhere and it’s no surprise that New York City is seen as a beacon of light for both travelers and locals with a passion for chasing their dreams. For tourists looking to break off from monotonous travels, New York City is your PLUG. From mind-boggling landmarks to history-rich museums and stellar events, life in the Big Apple is one to experience.
No description of this electrifying city would be complete without touching on the cocktail culture that’s so prevalent throughout the city. If you’re visiting NYC anytime soon look no further than the NYC rooftop bars ranked as the best in the country. As well as sipping from glasses mixed by world-class mixologists, taking in the sizzling view of NYC’s skyline as you do makes the experience one to remember. .
In this eye-opening guide, we’ll be running through the following areas:
In this guide, we'll take a look at:
1.
Chelsea New York
2.
Brooklyn
3.
Lower Manhattan
4.
In Conclusion
5.
NYC FAQs
At the end of this read, you should know where to go on your next visit to the beautiful city of New York. Here are some of the best and most unique rooftop bars NYC has on offer and where you’ll find them:
Chelsea New York
Chelsea sits on the West Side of Manhattan borough in New York City. It’s marked by picturesque brownstones and tree-lined streets bound to capture your imagination. This eclectic neighborhood combines New York’s vibrancy with an artistic, cultural feel. Regardless of your persona, this corner of the city has a knack for convenience and overall satisfaction making it one of the best locations to stay at while visiting The Big Apple.
The art galleries (over 200 of them), unique museums, upscale Italian restaurants, and the famous Madison Square Garden make Chelsea NYC an ever-attractive place to discover.
There are tons of things to do here. Explore the famous flea markets for fantastic deals on vintage items, enjoy the elevated promenades as you walk the High Line, or dive into the thrilling nightlife that Chelsea has to offer. The speakeasy bars and cool rooftops around provide guests with the ultimate NYC experience.
Selina Chelsea Hotel, New York, operates one of the few hotels with rooftops in NYC. Selina’s expansive rooftop bar is nestled in the city’s art district, featuring a restaurant and bar where guests can sample countless flavors, share endless stories, and connect with people from different parts of the world.
Get stunning views of the High Line, Hudson Yards, and NYC skyline as you enjoy aesthetic, bold cocktails when you visit The Rooftop at Selina Chelsea.
Opening Hours: 16:00 – 23:00, Wednesdays through Sundays.
Monarch Rooftop
Monarch Rooftop offers stunning views of the Empire State Building and Manhattan as you go up to their 18th-floor penthouse. Besides being a top view NYC rooftop bar, Monarch also boasts an indoor and outdoor place, with floor-to-ceiling windows and cozy deep couches.
The in-house mixologist provides fresh, inventive cocktails for guests to enjoy while taking in top views of the NYC sunset. Monarch rooftop offers a corporate and casual atmosphere with a delightful tapas menu made from fresh seasonal ingredients.
Versa is a sleek rooftop bar and events place atop the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel. The spacious indoor restaurant and lounge offer one of the best views in NYC as it features the Empire State Building and the Midtown skyline.
Versa offers a trendy rooftop bar with creative cocktails and excellent American gastro food forms, including flatbreads, salads, burgers, and pasta. Whether you’re up for a date night, catching up with old acquaintances, or celebrating a big win, this stylish rooftop bar is the perfect fit.
Castell rooftop bar is nestled 21 stories atop the AC Hotel in Times Square and brings some of the most dramatic top views NYC has on offer.
At Castell, you get a cozy living room-style bar designed to provide guests an intimate setting where they can enjoy drinks and gaze upon the Empire State Building. The Castell rooftop bar is sophisticated and perfect for parties, corporate gatherings, and even weddings.
Price: $31 to $50
Location: AC Hotel, 260 W 40th St, New York NY 10018, USA
Opening Hours: 16:00 – 22:00 Mondays to Thursdays, 16:00 – 00:00 Fridays, 12:00 – 15:00 and 16:00 – 00:00 Saturdays, 12:00 – 15:00 and 16:00 – 22:00 Sundays.
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is New York’s most populous borough, and it’s a slight departure from the glitz you’ll normally associate with Manhattan. This borough is famed for its tree-lined streets, music, fantastic art, and sensory delights. There is something compelling about this borough that draws people from far and near.
In recent years, more and more people, especially young professionals, have chosen to call Brooklyn home, you’ll see why when you get there. Startups and growing companies litter the landscape, providing opportunities for people to explore their potential without reservations.
The greenery and diversity make it a choice place to raise a family. The parks are spacious, serene, and great for family picnics. Brooklyn neighborhoods are charming and diverse, so they cater to varying budgets. Like most parts of New York, Brooklyn has a majestic skyline and some of the best New York City rooftops to provide a perfect way to explore the view from above.
Here are the top rooftop bar mentions attached to Brooklyn:
Westlight
Touted as one of the best hotels with rooftops in NYC, Westlight is in the trendy Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn atop the William Vale Hotel overlooking Manhattan and the East River. The view from this rooftop bar is astonishing, and patrons might need some time to get used to them.
The 22nd-floor place quickly stakes a claim as one of the best rooftop bars NYC or any other city has to present. It offers an artistic collection of cocktails, wine, craft beer, and small plates cuisine inspired by global street food. Westlight accommodates indoor and outdoor seating and is also open to guests in winter. This rooftop bar works well for a classy date or a memorable timeout with colleagues or friends.
Price: $30 and under
Location: 111 N 12th St 22 Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Opening Hours: 17:00 – 00:00 Mondays to Fridays,13:00 – 00:00 Saturdays and Sundays.
Rooftop Reds
Rooftop Reds prides itself as New York’s only vineyard and the world’s only rooftop vineyard. One of the most innovative New York rooftop bars, Rooftop Reds, has a wine bar, hammocks, rows of grapevines, and a splendid view of the skyline in the Brooklyn Navy Yard neighborhood. Rooftop Reds is always hosting all kinds of events, and there is always something to see and enjoy when you come around.
Price: $31 to $50
Location: The Brooklyn Navy Yard, 299 Sands Street, Building 275, Brooklyn. NY 11205
Llohi is a sprawling rooftop bar in the industrial part of East Williamsburg that promises endless summer vibes all year round.
This rooftop bar offers a tempting menu of bar food and mixed drinks, a ton of beer selections, and a special tagged the “frozen cocktail of the day.” Llohi’s enormous space makes it ideal for large celebrations. So, if you’d like to host a birthday or private event, Llohi has got you covered.
Night of Joy is a small, cozy rooftop bar in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn. While the exterior exudes simplicity, there’s a surprisingly stylish interior on display.
Aesthetics-wise, the owners of this place went for a golden-dark vintage interior that gives a “quirky granddad” vibe. They serve creative value-for-money cocktails and some cheap beers. Night of Joy is a relatively small bar ideal for private gatherings or a night out with pals.
Price: $30 and under
Location: 667 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211 (at the corner of Meeker Avenue)
Opening Hours: 17:00 – 02:00 Sundays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, 17:00 – 04:00 Fridays and Saturdays.
Lower Manhattan
Lower Manhattan is the charming part of New York you commonly see in movies and TV shows. As residents like to call it, Downtown Manhattan is home to giant skyscrapers, global financial corporations, and the cultural landmarks that make the Big Apple the global hub it is today. Lower Manhattan’s skyline is instantly recognizable and exudes a distinct vibe that attracts tourists each year.
There is so much to enjoy about this part of New York City. Whether you are exploring Lower Manhattan on a guided tour, taking a matchless view from the Freedom Tower, or casually strolling across the Brooklyn Bridge, there’s something about Downtown that makes it irresistible.
Lower Manhattan also has an unrivaled nightlife, with an ever-increasing number of restaurants, music venues, and bars. Downtown rooftop bars provide some of the most spectacular views you’ll see anywhere.
If you’re planning a visit to Lower Manhattan anytime soon, checking out these rooftop bars should be part of your “to-do” itinerary:
The Delancey
The Delancey is a rooftop garden perched atop The Yard on Lower East Side Manhattan. It’s one of the downtown rooftop bars that offer a panoramic view of the Manhattan side of the Williamsburg Bridge. Besides these noteworthy features, The Delancey features a retractable roof and is open for use in all weather.
If you’re looking for a rooftop bar with an ambiance that’s perfect for private parties and special events, The Delancey is worth the try.
Opening Hours: 17:00 – 04:00 Thursdays through Sundays.
JIMMY SoHo
JIMMY SoHo is perched on the ModernHaus SoHo Hotel with a panoramic view of Midtown, Wall Street, and the Hudson River. One of the trendy downtown rooftop bars, JIMMY SoHO seeks to deliver fine bar food and expertly crafted cocktails to customers.
Besides being one of the hotels with rooftops in NYC, JIMMY SoHo is decked with comfortable, vintage chaise lounges and a rooftop swimming pool to boot. The rooftop bar is open year-round and is ideal for pool parties and after-work get-togethers. It also provides a fantastic night in New York City experience.
Price: $30 and under
Location: 15 Thompson St. (at Grand St), New York, NY 10013
Opening Hours: 17:00 – 01:00 Mondays to Wednesdays, 17:00 – 02:00 Thursdays, 15:00 to 02:00 Saturdays, 17:00 – 01:00 Sundays.
The Crown
The Crown rooftop bar is on the roof of the Hotel 50 Bowery in Lower Manhattan, Chinatown. This lively rooftop bar offers an enthralling view of downtown Manhattan across the Hudson River.
Mingle with the diverse crowd here to have fun and enjoy globally-inspired bar food and seasonal cocktails. The New York City nighttime view from The Crown is genuinely magnificent, making it a perfect place for intimate dates or private events.
The Ready Rooftop Bar on the Moxy NYC East Village Hotel recreates a casual backyard garden of murals, planters, and milk crates. Although the view might not be that thrilling to blow you away, The Ready has a unique vibe and a chill ambiance that gets to you instantly.
This rooftop bar has a retractable glass roof making it weather-safe and open year-round. Enjoy frozen cocktails, wine, canned beer, and classic bar snacks in this cozy backyard in the sky. That said, if you’re to spend a night in New York City, The Ready Rooftop Bar is “ready” to cater to your varying needs.
Viewing New York from the sky is magical and never gets boring. The rooftop bars scattered across the city give residents and tourists the chance to revel in the sparkling skyline, water vantages, and world-renowned pieces of real estate. If you want to enjoy the New York City nighttime in its full glam, these rooftop bars offer spectacular views while you’re partying or bonding.
What’s more? Some of the best rooftops in NYC operate year-round, so you get to enjoy the incredible sights whenever you are in the city. The best rooftop bars in NYC also offer delicious bar bites and creative cocktails drawn from different parts of the world.
If you’d like to immerse yourself in the ultimate New York experience, you might want to consider a rooftop bar like the one attached to the Selina Chelsea Hotel. Although the other alternatives on our listing make the cut, Selina’s ticks every box for the average NYC tourist.
NYC FAQs
Are Rooftop Bars Open in Winter NYC?
Not all rooftop bars are open in the winter. While some are decorated for the seasons, others are available all year round with indoor options that deliver a stellar ambiance despite the winter season. Some rooftop bars feature retractable roofs that make them suitable for use in all weather forms.
Can You Smoke on Rooftop Bars in New York?
New York City has an “anti-smoking” law that prohibits smoking in most public places, including bars, to protect the public and workers from the dangers of second-hand smoke. Thus, you’re unlikely to find a rooftop bar in New York that permits smoking.
Which Building Has the Best View in NYC?
The One World Observatory is located atop the Freedom Tower, the tallest building in New York. While the building with the best views in NYC may be a matter of opinion, the One World Observatory offers panoramic views of the city that’s considered next to none.
Which Is the Highest Rooftop Bar in NYC?
Located on the 54th floor of the Hyatt Centric Times Square Hotel, Bar 54 is NYC’s highest rooftop bar. This bar provides one of the top views NYC has to offer. Bar 54 also ranks high in reviews based on its cocktail list crafted by mixologist Julie Reiner.
How Many Days Do I Need to Explore NYC?
There is so much to do and see in New York. However, if we’re to give a definite timeline on how long you’ll need to explore some of NYC’s highlight venues, we’ll say at least three to five days to accomplish this venture without rushing.
Is NYC Safe at Night?
New York City nighttime movement is safe for the most part. Crime rates are low, and the city consistently ranks among the world’s safest big cities. Consequently, if you’re up for an exciting night in New York City, you can patronize the rooftop bars on our listing without any reservations whatsoever.
What Is the Most Famous Street in NYC?
The most famous street in New York is Fifth Avenue. The street nicknamed “millionaire’s row” connects the whole of Manhattan from north to south. It is the city’s most expensive and best shopping street. Also, there are sightseeing venues like The Metropolitan and the Museum of the City of New York.
How Much Does It Cost to Get in the Empire State Building?
Depending on your preference, tickets to the Empire State building range from $36 for an open-air observation to $460 for an all-access tour. That said, it’s pertinent to note that individuals that buy a “VIP Express Pass” ticket have some special privileges.
