After a particularly long and dreary winter, New York is finally making its way into decent weather, and it’s time to celebrate. Summer in New York is a special time. When you step outside, you can feel the buzz, and no one appreciates a good rooftop bar more than a New Yorker.
While many offer subpar, costly drinks with too many people crowding to take in the lackluster views, it doesn’t have to be that way. Here is a guide to seven beautiful rooftops and terraces serving delicious food and drinks for those easy, breezy summer nights.
Golden Child
Midtown East, 444 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016
Golden Child, run out of the artsy Hotel Park Avenue’s 15th floor, turns its rooftop terrace into an irreverent nod to childhood whimsy. Indoors, the vibe is like an elegant library, while their outside terrace is bold and sunny. Their cocktails tend towards fruity and fun flavors, perfect for blowing off steam after work. Be sure to order their lunch box, filled with a boozy Capri Sun and an elevated take on the school lunch, including a PB&J, chips, and a chocolate chip cookie. It will be the envy of every table.
Overstory
Financial District, 70 Pine St, 64th Floor, New York, NY 10005
Rooftops often lure people in and then forget that the food and drinks have to stand out on their own, too. Not here. Overstory is a luxurious experience by the same team behind the two-Michelin-starred restaurant Saga and the fine-dining establishment Crownshy. Overstory makes the most of its 64 stories without sacrificing attention to detail. Everything from the popcorn to their legendary tequila-based Terroir Old Fashioned gets it right.
Bar Blondeau
Williamsburg, 80 Wythe Ave, 6th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11249
On top of the Wythe Hotel, Bar Blondeau offers a more intimate space than the typical rooftop bar. With floor-to-ceiling windows, live jazz nights, a Southern European-inspired menu, and elegant cocktails, Bar Blondeau is best suited for moments of celebration, romantic evenings, and sophisticated affairs. They’ve even managed to make a fancy (and delicious) version of an appletini with their “Little Apple” cocktail made with local gin.
Westlight
Williamsburg, 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
It may sound counterintuitive, but for the best views of Manhattan, you want to cross the East River to Brooklyn for Westlight’s rooftop. Up 22 floors, Westlight’s 360-degree outdoor rooftop bar is the best place to really take in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the East River, with plenty of seating and a polished menu of classic cocktails and globally inspired small plates. Head here for a spritz, an order of duck tacos, and the best sunset experience in the city.
Dear Irving on Hudson
Garment District/Midtown, 310 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018
Two blocks from Port Authority, but it might as well be a world away. While Dear Irving on Hudson occupies the 40th and 41st floors, the latter is just for reservations. Their cocktail list has something for everyone, thanks to an extensive lineup that includes traditional options, seasonal concoctions, and a page dedicated to cocktails made with New York spirits. The perfect place to bring out-of-towners so they can catch their breath, order a cocktail, and take in the majesty of Midtown New York, removed from the frenzy.
Manhatta
Financial District, 28 Liberty St, 60th floor, New York, NY 10005
New York at its most Sinatra-esque sophistication with Manhatta, this luxurious restaurant by Danny Meyer is for the timeless New York feel. While the prix-fixe dinner options are perfectly pleasant, the real experience is their experimental take on classic cocktails, such as a vodka-based Negroni made topped with Ricotta foam and the peanut butter-washed rum-heavy Pad Thai Daiquiri, and their bar-food menu. The dry-aged beef burger, available exclusively at the bar, is worth a visit on its own.
Daintree
Midtown, 25 W 38th St, 29th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Named after the rainforest in Queensland, Australia, Daintree brings the foliage and calmness of the forest to its rooftop bar and lounge. The Aussies have mastered coffee, and yes, that does include coffee cocktails. Enjoy one of the city’s best espresso martinis, the “Brewtini,” made silky smooth and creamy with its addition of creme de banane, and a down-under food menu including sausage rolls and a kangaroo chopped cheese on this boho-chic rooftop.
New York City, New York, United States
