It might only be March, but we got spring weather on the brain. We’re over the après ski scene and the “hot cocktails.” Give us a frozen margarita or give us death! Or we could just go to any of these rooftop bars in NYC. That works too.
With the help of Travel + Leisure, we picked out some of the best rooftop bars in the city to enjoy in the upcoming warm weather.
1) Refinery Rooftop
Their extensive cocktail menu was developed by German booze alchemist, Alex Ott. Located on top of the Refinery Hotel, you can sip vibrant drink and enjoy a savory meal created by Jeffrey Forrest (winner of Food Network’s Chopped) while gazing at the Empire State Building. The terrace is lined with porch swings and has a retractable glass roof (drinks are flowing rain or shine) and fireplaces for those chilly nights. This rooftop bar is hopping long after summer fades.
2) The Rooftop Lounge at Pod 39
Tacos and tequila, baby. Spotted Pig veterans April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman bring their taco expertise to this beautiful, brick-swathed courtyard. International hipsters crowd around soaring terra cotta columns with delicious, fresh fruit drinks in hand. With soaring views and lots of tequila, you really can’t go wrong.
3) Bar 54 at Hyatt Times Square
Bar 54 towers over Times Square creating breathtaking views of the cityscape. The views also stretch to downtown’s One World Trade Center. It’s New York’s highest cocktail lounge (as of now).
4) Loopy Doopy
Don’t let the name fool you, this place is legit. The name comes from Sol LeWitt’s massively psychedelic art installation festooned over the Conrad Hotel’s lobby. We have three important words for: Prosecco. On. Tap. With views of Lady Liberty, sailboats and the Hudson River, this sundeck bar has it all.
5) Penthouse 808
We’re thinking this might be the only penthouse we can afford to spend time in. It’s located in Long Island City’s Ravel Hotel with views of the Queensboro bridge, the Silvercup Studios sign, Manhattan’s cityscape and East River. Sushi and Pacific-inspired cocktails create a Euro-pop vide. And they have live DJ’s and clubby banquettes.
6) Level R
Located at the Empire Hotel across from the Lincoln Center, it’s a Fashion Week hot spot. With cabana style furnishings spread over two terraces, you’ll feel like nothing less than a super model. The menu was created by the famed China Grill and their state of the art sound system is put on full volume by house music DJ’s each weekend.
7) Skylark
Sweeping views of the Hudson River, Empire State Building and Times Square make this bar unforgettable. Plus, mixologist Johnny Swet puts a fun twist on Prohibition-era drinks and there’s a “Mad Men”-mod lounge downstairs. And even more importantly, they serve summertime approved frozen margaritas.
8) The Jane Rooftop
Formerly RuPau’s crash pad at Jane Hotel, it was opened to the public in 2014 (it was formerly a private event space only). Unlike the clubby after-hours lounge downstairs, the brick-clad terrace is must for daytime revelers. A Georgian-style bar with checkered floors and Persian rugs is exactly what you need to switch up your rooftop bar game. But make sure to call first, it’s reservations only.