Red Hat Bistro Irvington
Red Hat Bistro on the River, One Bridge Street, Irvington-on-Hudson, Greenburgh, New York 10533. +1 914 591 5888. On the waterfront 20 miles North of Manhattan. On the Metro-North Hudson Line. email
The River Cafe Brooklyn
The River Cafe, 1 Water Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. +1 718 522 5200. Absolutely THE BEST view of Manhattan.
45th Street Rising
The View Revolving Restaurant
The View, 47th floor, New York Marriott Marquis, 1535 Broadway (bet. 45th & 46th Sts), Manhattan, NYC. +1 212 704 8900. Enjoy the breathtaking 360 view from the heart of the Times Square area overlooking the lights of Broadway from the Broadway Lounge. Excellent.
Mad 46
Mad 46, 19th floor, The Roosevelt Hotel, Madison Avenue at East 46th Street, Manhattan, New York, NY 10017. +1 212 885 6095. +1 646 495 9511. Near Bryant Park.
Rooftop Garden Bar and Lounge, Hudson Terrace, 621 West 46th St, New York. +1 212 315 9400. ph
The Rooftop at Patroon, 160 E. 46th St, nr. Third Ave, New York. +1 212 883 7373.
Highbar, 16th floor, 251 W. 48th St (Between 8th Avenue & Broadway), New York 10036. +1 212 956 1300. If the rooftop is overrun you can take a break in the downstairs lounge, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and full bar. With outdoor and covered seating areas, Highbar offers views of the sun setting over the Hudson River. Very strict door policy.
Press Lounge, 16th floor, Ink48 Hotel, 653 Eleventh Ave (48th St), New York. +1 212 757 2224 360-degree views of downtown Manhattan and Jersey City. Sun to Wed 5.30pm till − 12 Midnight. Thurs to Sat 5.30pm till 2am. Midtown West.
Top of the Tower, 26th floor, Beekman Tower Hotel, 3 Mitchell Place (49th Street and First Avenue), Manhattan, NY 10017. +1 212 980 4796. +1 212 355 7300. In east Midtown at the top of this art deco hotel. Top floor is bar area with windows on one side looking onto Midtown and on the other side overlooking the east river. A great view. Rooftop bar. Excellent views.
Upstairs, 30th floor, Kimberly Hotel, 145 E. 50th Street, between 3rd and Lexington Ave, New York 10022. +1 212 755 0400. Daily 5pm till 1am. Retractable glass ceilings and walls and heated floors keep the bar open year round. 360-degree view of midtown Manhattan. email
Cafe S.F.A., (Saks), 8th floor, 611 Fifth Ave (bet. 49th & 50th Sts), Manhattan, New York. +1 212 940 4080. Saks Fifth Avenue.
Larry Flynt's Hustler Club, 641 W. 51st St, at Twelfth Ave, New York. +1 212 247 2460.
Terrace, 7th floor, Novotel, 226 W. 52nd Street, New York. +1 646 459 5820. Fantastic city views. Bar.
The Terrace Bar and Restaurant at Sutton Place, 1015 Second Avenue, between 53rd and 54th Streets, New York. +1 212 207 3777. Long rooftop patio bar.
Salon de Ning, Peninsula Hotel, 700 Fifth Avenue (55th Street), New York, NY 10019. +1 212 956 2888. The view is what makes it as you have a drink, cosmopolitan or beer, at the rooftop bar. +1 212 903 3097.
Ava Lounge, Dream Hotel, 210 W. 55th Street, New York. +1 212 956 7020. Panoramic views of Times Square, Columbus Circle and sunsets over the Hudson River.
BG Restaurant, 7th floor, Bergdorf Goodmann, 754 5th Avenue (bet. 57th & 58th Sts), New York. +1 212 872 8977. Central Park views.
Sky Terrace, 15th floor, Hudson Hotel, 356 W. 58th Street, New York 10019. +1 212 554 6000 / +1 212 554 6317. This super chill rooftop bar is a mini urban oasis. From an air conditioned game room to a hammock with a view of the river the Hudson. Hotel guests.
Robert Restaurant, Floor 9, Museum of Arts and Design, 2 Columbus Circle (59th Street), Midtown, NY. +1 212 299 7730. Lunch 11.30am till 3.30pm. Small Plates 3.30pm till 5.30pm. Dinner 5.30pm till 12 Midnight. Excellent views. email
Asiate, 35th floor, Mandarin Oriental, 80 Columbus Circle (60th St. at B'way), Midtown West, New York. +1 212 805 8881. Not the top floor but pretty high! Features floor-to-ceiling views of Central Park and the Manhattan skyline.
Bentley Rooftop Restaurant, 500 E. 62nd St, New York 10065. At York Ave. +1 212 644 6000. Magnificent 360 degree views of New York City. ($$$) Bar and Dinner. Closed Sun.
The Pool Deck, Empire Hotel, 44 W. 63rd St, nr Broadway, New York. +1 221 265 7400. Overlook Central Park.
Empire Hotel Rooftop Bar and Lounge, 12th floor, Empire Hotel, 44 W. 63rd St (between Broadway & W Central Park), New York 10023. +1 212 265 7400. Magnificent views of Lincoln Center.
Central Park Boathouse
The Central Park Boathouse, E. 72nd St. & Park Drive North, New York 10021. +1 212 517 2233. Mon thru Fri: Lunch 12 Noon till 4pm. Dinner (April – Nov) 5.30pm till 9.30pm (last seating or reservation). Sat and Sun: Brunch 9.30am till 4pm. Dinner (April-Nov) 6pm till 9.30pm. World famous. email
Boat Basin Cafe
The Boat Basin Cafe, 79th St, New York. +1 212 496 5542. An open air patio that overlooks the Marina and the Hudson River with breathtaking views of the sunsets over New Jersey.
Roof Garden Cafe, 5th floor, Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1000 Fifth Ave (81st Street), New York. +1 212 535 7710. Reservations recommended: +1 212-570-3975. View of Central Park. Entrance by the elevator in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts Galleries. Roof Garden Cafe. Seasonal. Closed Mondays.
Heights Bar and Grill, 2867 Broadway, between 111th and 112th Streets, New York. +1 212 866 7035. Near Columbia University. Rooftop. Third floor rooftop deck with a retractable roof.
42nd St falling.
Restaurant Above, 25th floor, Hilton Hotel, 234 W. 42nd Street (7th & 8th Ave), Manhattan, New York. +1 212 642 2626. Offers bird's-eye views of the city. Pinnacle Bar is at 21st floor lobby.
Bookmarks Rooftop Garden Lounge, 14th floor, Library Hotel, 299 Madison Ave, at 41st Street, New York 10017. +1 212 983 4500. +1 212 204 5498. The lounge is open to the public Mon to Sat from 4pm till 12 Midnight, but can also be booked for private evening corporate, social receptions as well as wine tastings. On a rooftop garden that accommodates smoking (and is covered in winter).
The Sky Room
The Sky Room, 33rd and 34th floor decks, Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites Times Square, 330 West 40th Street, Manhattan, New York 10018. +1 212 967 9494. Boasts 360 degree views of Manhattan and the Hudson River from the city's highest rooftop lounge. The bi-level ultra lounge offers five distinct spaces: the Times Square Lounge, the Cube balcony, the Private Salon, the North terrace with its retractable roof, and the South Terrace with its private cabanas. Mon to Wed 4pm till 2am. Thurs to Sun 4pm till 4am. +1 212 380 1195.
Top of the Strand Rooftop
Top of The Strand Bar, The Strand Hotel, 33 W. 37th St, nr. Sixth Ave, New York. +1 212 448 1024. Clever use of a retractable glass roof to keep guests comfortable. Retractable roof panels also slide open to let the breeze in. Views of the Empire State Building four blocks away. No food currently available. Mon to Thurs 5pm till 12 Midnight. Fri to Sun 5pm till 2am.
Rare View, Affinia Shelburne, 303 Lexington Avenue, at 37th St, Murray Hill, New York. +1 212 481 1999 ext. 9. The relaxed Rare View rooftop bar offers views of the Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline from this rooftop garden.
Sky Lounge, Wyndham Garden Hotel, 341 W. 36th St, New York, NY 10018. +1 646 329 3210. NYC views from the rooftop Sky Lounge. Video
Metro Rooftop Bar, 14th floor, Hotel Metro, 45 W. 35th St, near 6th Avenue, New York. +1 212 279 3535. Roof deck. You can't beat the stellar Empire State Building view. Weather permitting. Closed Weekends.
Local West, 1 Penn Plaza at Eighth Avenue and 33rd Street, New York. +1 212 629 7070. Across the street from Madison Square Garden.
Mé Bar, 14th floor, La Quinta Inn, 17 W. 32nd Street, New York. +1 212 290 2460. It's in Koreatown. The Empire State Building dwarfs you as you sit at the tables, under the outdoor lights. Only drinks are served but you can order food for delivery from one of the nearby restaurants. Open Sun to Wed 5.30pm till 12 Midnight. Thurs and Fri 5.30pm till 1am. Sat 5.30pm till 3am.
The Crow's Nest, 500 E 30th St (at FDR Drive), New York. +1 212 683 3333. Perched atop the Water Club restaurant, the Crow's Nest has an absolute great view of the East River.
Red Sky, 3rd floor, 47 E. 29th Street (betw. Park and Madison Aves), New York. +1 212 447 1820. Third floor roof deck.
Riverpark
Riverpark Restaurant, 1st floor, Alexandria Center, 450 E. 29th Street (between 1st Avenue and the East River), New York 10016. Reservations: +1 212 729 9790. Overlooking the East River at Kips Bay. Mon to Thurs 12 Noon till 10pm. Fri 12 Noon till 11pm. Sat 5.30pm till 11pm. Sun 5.30pm till 10pm. email
Tonic East, 411 Third Avenue, at 29th Street, New York. +1 212 683 7090. +1 7398 0436. 11am till 4am.
Rare View Chelsea, Fashion26, 152 W. 26th St, nr. Seventh Ave, New York. +1 212 807 7273. Cocktails. Overlooking the lights of Broadway and the Empire State Building. Daily 5pm - 1am.
The Frying Pan, Pier 66, at 26th St and the West Side Highway, New York, NY 10001. In the Hudson River Park, three blocks north of Chelsea Piers. Seasonal Bar and Grill. May to Oct. email
230 Fifth, 20th floor, 230 Fifth Avenue, Flatiron District, New York. +1 212 725 4300. This rooftop lounge is known for two things: its very strict door policy and the fact that it is the largest rooftop bar in New York City. The owner has installed a massive array of outdoor heaters. Spectacular city views and palm trees. Straight-on look at the Empire State and Chrysler buildings, as well as the golden domed New York Life Building and purple crowned Met Life Building. Look up the Hudson River and see the Statue of Liberty. Open from 4pm until 4am.
The Private Roof Club and Garden, Gramercy Park Hotel, 2 Lexington Avenue (E. 21st St), NYC. +1 212 920 3300.
Penthouse, The Park, 118 Tenth Avenue, between 17th and 18th Sts, New York. +1 212 352 3313. Rooftop penthouse with hot tub.
Cabanas Roof Bar, Maritime Hotel, 88 Ninth Avenue, between 16th and 17th Streets, New York. +1 212 835 5537.
PH-D Rooftop, 12th floor, Dream Hotel, 355 W 16th St (8th and 9th Ave), New York. +1 212 247 2000. Meatpacking District. Opening July 5.
Plunge
Plunge Rooftop Bar, 15th floor, Gansevoort Hotel, 18 Ninth Avenue (West 13th Street), New York. +1 877 426 7386 / +1 212 206 6700. The Gansevoort, in the Meatpacking District is a celebrated rooftop bar. There is a 45-foot long outdoor heated pool with underwater light and music show, and the Bar gives 360-degree views over lower Manhattan and west across the Hudson River to New Jersey. The expansive events Loft boasts soaring 20-foot ceilings, richly landscaped roof garden and lounge area with breathtaking 360 degree city views of dramatic skyscraper spires and sunsets over the Hudson River.
Bar 13, 35 E. 13th Street at University Place, New York. +1 212 979 6677. Downtown rooftop only a few steps from Union Square.
Le Bain, 848 Washington St (12th and 13th Sts), New York. +1 212 645 4646. A/C/E to 14th St; L to Eighth Ave.
STK Rooftop, 26 Little West 12th St, (4th Floor of STK) New York, NY 10014. +1 646 624 2400 facebook
Shushi Samba 7, 87 Seventh Avenue S, at Barrow Street, New York. +1 212 691 7885. Don't get confused with the other Sushi Samba's in New York City, Sushi Samba 7 is the one with the rooftop. Year round.
A60 at Thompson Hotel, 60 Thompson St, between Spring and Broome Streets, Soho, New York. +1 212 219 2000. View to kill for from the rooftop bar. Has a restaurant, a second-floor bar and the rooftop lounge. Hotel guests and members only.
Bar d'Eau, 7th floor deck, Trump SoHo, 246 Spring St, nr. Varick St, New York. +1 212 842 5500. Bar d'Eau's views aren't as spectacular as some. Private cabanas do provide for a tête-à-tête. Basic bar snacks. Daily, 4pm – 12 Midnight.
Tribeca Rooftop, 2 Desbrosses Street (between Hudson & Greenwich Street), New York, NY 10013. +1 212 625 2600. Penthouse which features panoramic views of the Hudson River, the Empire State Building, Soho and downtown Tribeca.
Rooftop at Hotel on Rivington, 107 Rivington St, between Essex St and Ludlow St, NYC 10002. +1 212 475 2600. View Brooklyn and the East River.
Above Allen, 190 Allen Street, New York 10002. +1 212 460 5300. Seven stories above New York's pulsing Lower East Side. The rooftop of the Thompson LES. An exclusive urban rooftop for hotel guests and members only.
Harbour Lights, 3rd floor, Pier 17, 89 South St (Fulton St), New York, NY 10038. +1 212 227 2800. +1 212 972 1001. Tall ships and seafood, while admiring the Brooklyn Bridge and the East River. Dine indoors or out on the deck.
Living Room Bar and Terrace, 5th floor, W New York, 123 Washington St, nr. Carlisle St., New York. +1 646 826 8600. +1 646 826 8646. Overlooks Ground Zero, the Hudson and Jersey City. Retro feel. Light meals from BLT Bar & Grill. Mon to Wed 4pm till 12 Midnight. Thurs to Sat 4pm till 2am. Sun 6pm till 12 Midnight.
Bark moves in June to a terrace cafe on Pier 6 with 200 seats and will start serving beers and wine. The terrace will be open Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays through Labor Day.
Il Tetto, Hotel Le Bleu, 370 Fourth Ave, Brooklyn, New York 11215. +1 718 625 1500. Take in a sweeping vista of New York from the rooftop restaurant that includes the marvellous Manhattan skyline, Brooklyn and the Statue of Liberty. +1 718 625 2177. A full menu from the downstairs restaurant (of the same owners). Mon to Thurs 5pm till 2am. Fri & Sat 4pm till 3am. Sun 11am till – 2am.
Alma
Alma, 2nd floor, 187 Columbia St, (Degraw St), Manhattan, New York. +1 718 643 5400. Terrific views of the harbor and skyline from this Brooklyn rooftop terrace restaurant and bar.
Rooftop Terrace at the Juliette, 135 N. 5th St, Brooklyn, NY 11211. +1 718 388 9222. Juliette's is a cute French place in Williamsburg with a nice rooftop bar open in the summer.
The River Cafe, 1 Water Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201. +1 718 522 5200. Absolutely THE best view of Manhattan.
Angelina's Ristorante, 399 Ellis Street, Staten Island, NY 10307. +1 718 227 7100. Waterfront panoramic views on the third floor.
Penthouse 808
Penthouse 808, Ravel Hotel Rooftop, 8-08 Queens Plaza South, Long Island City, NY 11101. +1 718 289 6101. Rooftop is now enclosed and heated. facebook email
Water's Edge, The East River at 44th Drive, Long Island City, N.Y. 11101. +1 718 482 0033. Great views.
42, 42nd floor, Ritz Carlton Westchester, 3 Renaissance Square, White Plains, New York 10601. +1 914 467 5500. The restaurant, 42, sits two floors below the summit. Panoramic views of Manhattan from high atop the tallest building between NY and Boston.
Templeton Landing
Templeton Landing, 2 Templeton Terrace, Buffalo, NY 14202. +1 716 852 7337. Tues to Thurs 11am – 9pm. Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm. Located right on the Erie Marina Basin, on the Buffalo Waterfront, right off Interstate 190 and just minutes from Downtown Buffalo. Lake Erie. Closed Sun and Mon.
Waterside New Jersey
Waterside Restaurant, 7800 B River Road, North Bergen, New Jersey 07047. +1 20 1861 7767
Quintessential NYC
Top of Page Suggestions Rooftop Restaurants and Bars