Best Rooftop Bars, Lounges & Clubs in NYC
Finding a place to enjoy a drink in NYC isn’t difficult. After all, the city is filled with bars, restaurants and lounges that give visitors their pick of places to enjoy an experience they’ll never forget. While you could always pop into one that lines the streets, it’s even more exciting to head to a rooftop where you can enjoy a sky-high view of the skyline. Here are the top rooftop bars and lounges to explore during your adventures in NYC.
Top Rooftop Bars in New York City
Narrowing down your options of the best rooftop bars in NYC is easy when you use this list to hit the hot spots around the city.
1. Bar 54
If you’re wondering what is the highest rooftop bar in NYC, then you’ll want to add this beauty to your bucket list. Bar 54 gets its name from being 54 floors high. While the bar has both indoor and outdoor bar seating, you’ll want to check ahead to make sure the outside is open. Reservations are also a must if you want to make absolutely sure that you have a seat for one of the most amazing views in the city.
2. Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar
With a name like Loopy Doopy, you won’t forget where you’re heading as you seek out this well-known bar that’s located near Rockefeller Park. From the rooftop, you can enjoy seeing both the New Jersey and New York skylines along with breathtaking views of the Hudson River. If you choose to go here, then make sure to try a “Poptail,” which is a prosecco and ice pop cocktail that will have you cooling off fast when you’ve enjoyed a lovely day basking in the sun.
3. Iron Monkey
Technically, this rooftop bar is in Jersey City, but it has to be included as one of the top spots to visit after Sea the City’s Hot Tub Boat Tour. After spending a day on the water, you’re bound to be hungry, and the Iron Monkey serves up an amazing array of drink-friendly foods that include wings and sliders. While the food is good, the beer menu is the biggest attraction. With over 30 beers on tap, you’ll have a wide range of brews to sample as you gaze out at the skyline.
4. Skylawn Rooftop Bar
Skylawn might not have the highest views of the city, but it earns its spot on the top rooftop bars on this NYC list because of its low-key atmosphere that feels like you’re finally stepping away from all of the hustle and bustle that exists on the street. As its name suggests, the bar has an outdoor grassy area with cozy seats where you can chat with your friends or enjoy one of their famous Movie Nights.
5. Panorama Room
The Panorama Room is on the 18th floor of the Graduate Hotel, and it is best known for providing an extensive menu of fresh seafood along with drinks for a lovely way to enjoy the panoramic views.
6. The Gansevoort Hotel
If you’re visiting, learn the best time of year to go to New York City. The Gansevoort Hotel in the Meatpacking District has one of the top West Village rooftop bars. There, you can enjoy perfectly crafted drinks while taking in one of the best rooftop views in NYC. The combination of the breathtaking scenery, opulent décor, sick music, and the amazing crowd make it an unforgettable experience.
7. Salon de Ning
Situated within the Peninsula Hotel, Salon de Ning is an upscale establishment among the rooftop bars close to Central Park. It boasts an elegant ambiance adorned with 1930s Shanghai-inspired decor and offers a delightful selection of small bites.
Rooftop Bars in Manhattan
The Manhattan skyline is an amazing sight to behold, and you’ll find that the rooftop bars here give you views that extend for miles.
8. The DL
The DL is high on the list of the top bars Manhattan has to offer, and you’ll be able to see why as soon as you walk through the doors. The luxe bar has one of the largest retractable rooftops that you’ll find in New York, and you can enjoy stepping into the adjacent restaurant portion of the venue when you’re ready to dine on gourmet dishes that tantalize your palate.
9. Vue180 Rooftop
Located in the heart of Manhattan, Vue180 gives you panoramic views of the city’s most iconic landmarks. The enclosed indoor lounge provides you with a sleek and stylish place to enjoy the views at any time of the year, and you can also step outside to take a peek at the skyline when the weather is gorgeous.
10. Nubeluz
This small bites restaurant and rooftop bar offers 270-degree views of NYC that can’t be beaten. Cocktail attire is required to enter the beautifully designed lounge, and you’ll be treated to caviar, small sandwiches and oysters as you imbibe in delicious handcrafted drinks while being illuminated in light and dazzled by the opulence that surrounds you as you and your loved ones share your favorite things about your day in NYC.
11. Overstory
Is it one of your dreams to enjoy a 360-degree view from a Manhattan rooftop? If so, then Overstory makes it possible to write your own amazing story about your visit to the Big City as you sip on one of their signature cocktails that are made by some of the state’s top mixologists.
Rooftop Bars Midtown
Midtown is known for its bustling streets that tend to draw diverse crowds of people, but you can always find a spot at some of the trendiest bars in the area. As you stroll through midtown, consider popping into one of these rooftop attractions that will more than meet your expectations for the ideal NYC experience.
12. Freehold Rooftop
The Freehold Rooftop offers NYC visitors a casual place to enjoy the view without the formal setting that you’ll find in many other bars. While it’s a popular destination for locals to drop in for happy hour after work, you’ll also find lots of other people who are new to the area. If you opt to go here, then you’ll want to enjoy their famous frozen margaritas that offer the perfect way to cool off after your Harbor tour.
13. Elsie Rooftop
Midtown rooftop bars are definite hot spots for tourists, and stepping into the Elsie Rooftop will make it clear why so many people flock to the area for skyline views. Elsie happens to be designed with the 1920s in mind, and you’ll love being able to enjoy one of their progressive mixology cocktails while you enjoy the glamorous indoor lounge. You can also explore the wraparound terrace for even clearer views of the skyline.
14. 230 Fifth
If you’re looking to find a NYC bar with a view that also checks off all of your boxes for enjoying a drink in NYC, then 230 Fifth is the place to go. This bar offers both indoor and outdoor rooftop seating, and it’s known for being the largest bar and event space that’s open year-round.
15. Spyglass Rooftop Bar
The Spyglass gives you one of the closest rooftop views of the Empire State Building that you’ll find around. After seeing the skyline from the New York Harbor, enjoying the view from up close gives you an even deeper understanding of just how spectacular the architecture is in NYC. If you’re a fan of Alfred Hitchcock, then you’ll also love the way that the bar matches the theme.
16. BLU33 Rooftop
With its blue neon lighting and decor, BLU33 is hard to miss. Once you arrive for your elevated view and grab a drink, you’ll be treated to views of the Hudson Yards along with the majestic Manhattan skyline. If you put this rooftop bar in NYC on your itinerary, then get ready to snap the best photos since it’s known for being the most photographic place to enjoy the sky-high view.
Rooftop Lounges
Lounges in NYC range from being upscale to having a casual vibe that you can enjoy day or night. Here are a few of the top ones that guarantee an enjoyable visit and breathtaking views.
17. Dear Irving on Hudson
If you are searching for the best lounge in NYC, you may want to consider frequenting Dear Irving. It is a favorite rooftop lounge among NYC locals, and the upscale atmosphere gives you the opportunity to throw on your favorite cocktail dress or suit after spending a day on the water. With both indoor and open-air seating, you can choose your own adventure as you sip on carefully crafted cocktails. If you happen to have the time, you can add a cocktail class to your itinerary that allows you to recreate your favorite drink once you go home.
18. Porta
Porta might have a casual atmosphere during the day due to the pizzeria vibes, but it transforms into a classy lounge once the evening comes around. Located in Jersey City, you’ll find that it’s only a short distance from other NYC hot spots. If you visit this restaurant bar in the evening, then you can enjoy live music and DJs that create the ideal scene for enjoying your view.
19. Castell Rooftop Lounge
The Castell Rooftop Lounge in NYC is one of the best rooftop bars in Midtown East. The venue has a traditional cocktail lounge setting that also happens to be one of the best places to grab a martini in The Big Apple. This also happens to be one of the top NYC bars for viewing the Empire State Building, and the refined atmosphere makes it easy to relax after a long day seeing the sights from the ground.
20. Azul Rooftop Bar
Known as one of the top NYC rooftop bars to visit, the Azul makes it feel like you just stepped onto the streets of Old Havana. The Cuban vibe makes it easy to lounge on one of the comfy sofas as you sip on a cocktail. During the week, the Azul has a small, sociable crowd, but the weekends bring even more fun when the live DJs appear to play their songs.
21. The Press Lounge
The Press Lounge oozes with style, and you’ll want to make sure to switch out of your swimsuit to fit their elegant casual dress code. The scaled-down menu here focuses on quality over quantity, and you can enjoy a glass of wine or your favorite cocktail as you enjoy a post-dinner drink while gazing out at the Big Apple.
22. Harriet’s Rooftop
Harriet’s is designed to feel exactly like a classic cocktail lounge with classy yet laid-back vibes that take your experience to a whole new level. Here, you can enjoy some tasty cocktail bites to go with your drink. If you happen to be staying here, you can also enjoy the small pool when you aren’t staring out at the skyline.
Rooftop Clubs
Sometimes, you just need a slightly more energized vibe than you’ll find in a lounge. From dancing the night away to live music to enjoying a comedy show, you’ll find it all in this list of the top rooftop clubs in NYC.
23. Elsewhere Rooftop
This massive rooftop club in NYC is known as one of the hottest spots to enjoy some live local NYC tunes. Their open-air terrace offers panoramic views of Brooklyn and the Manhattan skyline, which you can enjoy while enjoying one of the many dance parties that the venue hosts throughout the summer months. When you love live entertainment, make sure to check out the current calendar to see who you might get the chance to see during your visit to NYC.
24. Cantina Rooftop
The Cantina Rooftop Bar and Restaurant really sets the scene for fun with colorful décor, a Mexican-inspired menu, and the best rooftop drinks in NYC. Cantina mixologists at this club will really add a pop of flavor to your frosty margarita, too. During the day, the rooftop has low-key, casual dining vibes, but it transforms into a dance party at night with live DJs who know just what song to play to put everyone in the mood for an enjoyable evening.
25. Slate Rooftop
You can find Slate Rooftop at the top of the Pod Brooklyn in Williamsburg. The Slate stands out from other NYC rooftop bars with its massive 16,000 square feet of space that includes dance floors, game rooms and a 20-foot slide that you can take to travel between levels. On top of live music, you can also catch comedy shows here that give you a memorable experience during your visit to the Big City.
26. Westlight NYC
Of all the fun rooftop bars in NYC, this outdoor rooftop experience never fails to impress. In fact, the nightlife at this bar gets hopping even before the sun goes down! During the warm months of the year, you can enjoy dancing the night away to beats from local musicians with the skyline as the perfect backdrop.
Indoor Rooftop Bars
After spending a long day in the gorgeous sunshine, it’s also nice to head inside for a nighttime view of the NYC skyline. Checking out these indoor rooftop bars gives you a luxurious experience that you’ll always remember.
27. St. Cloud Rooftop Bar
Although you can find outdoor seating at the St. Cloud, it’s important to note that the indoor rooftop views are just as gorgeous when you prefer to enjoy them in a cozy, luxurious setting. You can also reserve a private room for larger parties when celebrating a special occasion is also on your itinerary.
28. Rooftop at Exchange Place
This multi-level bar in Jersey City offers views of the Statue of Liberty along with the skyline, and the retractable roof allows for both outdoor and indoor lounge experiences. While the overall vibe here leans upscale, you’ll find that the casual dining menu complements the drink selection perfectly.
29. The Sentry Penthouse Lounge & Bar
You’ll find the Sentry Penthouse at the top of Hotel Henri in the Flatiron District, and you’ll know it’s the right place when you feel like you just stepped into a speakeasy. The bar has a retro-inspired interior where you can lounge indoors as you sip on spirits from an extensive list of fine liquors. When you’re ready, you can step out to the terrace to enjoy your skyline view.
30. The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel
While you might be indoors, sitting on the roof at the PUBLIC hotel feels like you are floating in the sky. You’ll love the energized atmosphere at this bar that invites you to soak up the views while watching the sunset over the New York Harbor.
31. Electric Lemon
The Electric Lemon offers an al fresco outdoor patio, but the real claim to fame lies within the beauty of the indoor views. The private dining room can seat up to 72 guests, where you can all enjoy the gorgeous views of the skyline as you dine on fresh, clean and local cuisine in a stylish environment.
32. Highwater Rooftop
When you’ve enjoyed exploring the Hudson Bay on the water, this rooftop bar fits the theme of the day. The Highwater Rooftop floats high above the Financial District, and its known for being one of NYC’s most attractive bars.
Plan the Perfect Way to See NYC
We hope you enjoyed our roundup of cool rooftop bars in NYC. Of course, the perfect NYC itinerary should include a list of experiences that allows you to enjoy the city from every angle. While you already know that you’ll be moving along the bustling streets, you’ll also want to pick out a rooftop bar or lounge that lets you see the city from up high. Here are some more great restaurants to sit down and eat. As you make your plans, don’t forget to also include an aquatic experience. Taking a hot tub boat tour allows you to float along and soak up the views of the skyline and Statue of Liberty from an angle that you just can’t get on the shore, no matter how high you gaze out from a rooftop.