25 best rooftop bars in New York City

The city’s rooftop bars and restaurants provide some of the best views of iconic landmarks, all while enjoying delicious food and drinks with the skyline as a backdrop. Ahead, find a rooftop watering hole that checks all of the boxes, whether you’re looking for a swanky terrace to impress out-of-towners or a more relaxed seaside bar with views of the Atlantic.

Photo courtesy of Broken Shaker at Freehand New York

Broken Shaker
23 Lexington Avenue, Gramercy
On top of the Freehand Hotel in Gramercy is a tropical escape offering fresh cocktails and small bites on a wraparound outdoor terrace. As a James Beard Award finalist, Broken Shaker, which also has locations in Miami, Chicago, and L.A., brings its alcoholic beverage A-game, with innovative drinks like “New Fashioned” (Bulleit Rye, Yuzu Lemongrass Syrup, Angostura Bitters), “Rice & Shine” (Vida Mezcal, Nigori Sake, Rice Syrup Kalamansi), and “The Wizard of Park Ave” Tarragon Apple Infused Angels Envy Bourbon, Cointreau, Honey, Aquafaba, Lemon, Red Wine Float).

Photo courtesy of Berry Park

Berry Park
4 Berry Street, Williamsburg
Berry Park will make both your sports- and skyline-obsessed friends happy. Located just off McCarren Park, the pub features an expansive rooftop with lots of spaced-out seating and impressive views of Manhattan. Soccer matches will play on a big screen, with earlier openings on game day. The bar offers an eclectic mix of drinks on the menu, from Limoncello spritz for brunch to a long list of German beers.

Elsewhere
599 Johnson Avenue, Bushwick
An industrial warehouse turned music venue and bar, Elsewhere offers an eclectic experience much like the neighborhood where it’s located. The massive, multi-level Bushwick space hosted a wide range of live performances, concerts, and events. The rooftop opens every summer, with open-air live shows and dance parties set against the city skyline.

Photo courtesy of The Ready at Moxy East Village

The Ready at Moxy East Village
112 East 11th Street, East Village
Developed by Rockwell Group and Lightstone, The Ready Rooftop at Moxy East Village provides a low-key backyard vibe thanks to its green wall, hand-painted murals, and casual seating. Resembling a house party, the bar even boasts a beer pong table and canned drinks served in table-side coolers. Retractable glass walls and a roof make its rooftop accessible year-round. Menu offerings include bar snacks and tacos, frozen drinks, and a decent beer and wine selection. A daily happy hour offers $1 tacos and $9 margaritas. 

Overstory
70 Pine Street, Financial District
Situated high up above the city on the 64th floor of Art Deco tower 70 Pine Street, Overstory offers guests sweeping 360-degree views of the Manhattan skyline from its wraparound terrace. Their menu offers cocktails, beers, wines, non-alcoholic beverages, and a selection of savory and sweet snacks.

Courtesy of Cantina Rooftop

Cantina Rooftop
605 West 48th Street, Hell’s Kitchen
Thanks to a retractable glass rooftop, Cantina Rooftop offers a fun dining experience all year round. With executive chef Saul Montie at the helm, the restaurant serves up modern Mexican cuisine. Wash it all down with one of the many margaritas, Pina Coladas, or mojitos on the menu.

Panorama Room
22 North Loop Road, Roosevelt Island
Take in stunning views and enjoy good drinks from the 18th floor of Roosevelt Island’s Graduate Hotel. Designed by Parts and Labor Design, the Panorama Room offers creative drinks and bar bites amidst a vintage-themed interior, with expansive views of the city skyline from the middle of the East River. Their menu features a raw bar with plenty of seafood options, as well as vegan options and small plates.

Courtesy of Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co.

Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co.
1150 Manhattan Avenue, Greenpoint
Even those who have never ventured this far north in Brooklyn will have no trouble spotting the Greenpoint Beer & Ale Co. On top of its sprawling outdoor roof deck is a green glass water tower sculpture designed by Tom Fruin. Expect lots of craft beer options that go well with the Belgian fries, Bavarian pretzels, Bratwurst, and Nashville hot chicken sandwiches on the food menu.

Daintree Rooftop
25 West 38th Street, Midtown West
Located on the 29th floor of Midtown’s Hotel Hendricks, Daintree offers patrons a relaxing rooftop experience with a floral backdrop and breathtaking views of the city. Daintree’s drink menu includes a variety of martinis, beer, wine, and creative cocktails. Reservations can be made here and walk-ins are welcome.

Courtesy of The Standard, High Line

Le Bain at The Standard, High Line
848 Washington Street, Meatpacking District
If you’re looking for a more swanky rooftop experience, head to Le Bain, the trendy bar located at The Standard High Line Hotel. The outdoor area features a grass-covered terrace and wraparound glass barriers, allowing for stunning Hudson River views.

Mr. Purple
180 Orchard Street, Lower East Side
Located on the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo on the Lower East Side, Mr. Purple has two outdoor terraces, both with incredible panoramas of the skyline. There’s even a small swimming pool to enjoy during the warmer months. The menu offers both specialty and classic cocktails with lots of beers on tap, wines by the half-bottle, and giant cocktails fit for eight to 10 people.

The Crown
50 Bowery, Manhattan
Considered to have one of the best rooftop views in all of NYC, the Crown is located on top of the Hotel 50 Bowery in Chinatown. The rooftop is one of the few places with unobstructed views of both the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines, with 360-degree views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building, One World Trade Center, and more. Operated by the hospitality company Gerber Group, the Crown offers a rotating selection of classic and seasonal cocktails as well as a long list of small-batch spirits, regional craft beers, and wine offerings.

Photo courtesy of Eataly

SERRA by Birreria
200 5th Avenue, Flatiron
The constantly evolving 14th-floor rooftop bar of Eataly is another fun option for elevated dining. SERRA by Birreria changes with the seasons, with its latest iteration being a blooming greenhouse. As 6sqft reported, the restaurant’s lush design was created and installed by Less Than 3 Studio and was inspired by Southern Italy’s countryside. The current features a fresh take on traditional Italian cuisine with a focus on vegetable-based dishes and a broader selection of piattini, or small plates.

Nubeluz
25 West 28th Street, Nomad
Soaring 500 feet above Nomad, Nubeluz was opened by chef José Andrés in September 2022 on the rooftop of the Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad. Envisioned by the late great architect Rafael Viñoly and completed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the 50th-floor cocktail bar offers patrons an intimate night out with two outdoor terraces and jewel-toned interiors. The bar’s design honors “New York’s glamorous past,” with mirrored details, onyx bar tops, and shimmering textiles. The menu’s items are priced between $16 and $24 and include classic cocktails, signature drinks, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as bar bites like oysters, caviar, grilled cheeses, and more.

The Heights Bar & Grill
2867 Broadway, Morningside Heights
With a retractable roof, the Heights Bar & Grill in Morningside Heights makes for a great rainy-day outdoor dining option. Since opening in 1997, the neighborhood staple has served a mix of Tex-Mex and Cal-Mex cuisines alongside a wide range of beverages, including a whole section dedicated to tequila, and awesome happy hour deals.

Photo of A.R.T. NoMad courtesy of Arlo Hotels

Arlo Hotels
231 Hudson Street, Soho
11 East 31st Street, Nomad
At both of Arlo Hotels’ New York City locations, the rooftops are a major draw. A.R.T. NoMad sits 31 stories in the sky and offers panoramic views of the Empire State Building, signature cocktails, and Middle Eastern-inspired snacks. Book a spot on Resy.

Downtown, A.R.T. Soho is open all year round and features both indoor and outdoor space, which comes in the form of a massive patio. Take in the view of the Hudson River and the Freedom Tower, all while munching on a wide range of snacks and sides and sipping one of the many beverages on the bar’s menu.

Photo by Kyle Knodell, courtesy of The Rockaway Hotel

The Rockaway Hotel
108-10 Rockaway Beach Drive, Rockaway Beach
Few things are better than an iced cold drink by the beach. At the Rockaway Hotel, which opened in 2020, guests and beachgoers alike can enjoy a 6,000-square-foot light-filled rooftop that boasts views of the Atlantic Ocean, Jamaica Bay, and the Manhattan skyline. Drinks are reasonably priced, with cocktails starting at $15 and beers at $7. For food, menu items include snacks, sharable plates like charcuterie and ceviche, classic sandwiches, and raw bar options. Make a reservation here.

Rooftop Reds
299 Sands Street, Brooklyn Navy Yard
Definitely among the most unique options on the list is Rooftop Reds, the first commercially viable rooftop vineyard in the world. Taking up 14,800 square feet at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the urban winery produces between 20 to 25 cases of wine per year at the site, with most of the wine they serve hailing from the vineyards in the Finger Lakes. In addition to its extensive wine list (they offer more than just red!), Rooftop Reds sells beer, cider, and some non-alcoholic options. While food is limited to chips or a cheese and cracker spread, local pizzeria Il Porto will deliver a pie right to your table. Reservations are required for the rooftop and there is a $15 cover charge per person.

Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge
60 Furman Street, Brooklyn Heights
If you want to impress out-of-towners with the magic of New York City, take them to Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge. The spacious bar sits on the 10th floor and rooftop of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge on the waterfront in Brooklyn Heights and has some of the best views of any watering hole. Enjoy hand-crafted cocktails and fresh, seasonal snacks, all with a pretty spectacular backdrop of Lower Manhattan and the Brooklyn Bridge. Book a table here.

Photo credit: Noah Fecks, Dan Kocsis, Thais Aquino & Andrew Boyle

Westlight at The William Vale
111 North 12th Street, Williamsburg
Found on the 22nd-floor of The William Vale, Westlight, with its unparalleled skyline and water views, is a perfect special occasions bar. Expect refreshing cocktails, an extensive wine and bubbly list, and tasty bites. In pre-pandemic times, the long line to get into the bar was notorious. Make a reservation online to secure a slot for both the outdoor terrace and the indoor dining room.

Jaffa Cocktail and Raw Bar
97 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg
Jaffa Cocktail and Raw Bar offers a taste of Israel in Brooklyn. Jaffa’s drink menu features frozen cocktails, buckets of beer, $40 pitchers, and boxes of wines. Many of the bar’s creative cocktails are crafted using oranges, an ode to the primary export of the ancient Israeli city of Jaffa. Their food menu offers a wide selection of seafood, including oysters, shrimp, mussels, scallops, and more.

Alma
187 Columbia Street, Carroll Gardens
Although Alma is a three-story establishment, patrons have fallen in love with its rooftop thanks to its clear views of downtown Manhattan. Open year-round, the rooftop offers guests a casual, welcoming space to observe signature Mexican fare, including tacos, flautas, guacamole & chips, and a vast selection of margaritas, specialty cocktails, beers, wine, and non-alcoholic beverages. Reservations for Alma’s rooftop can be made here, but be wary, they go fast!

Photo courtesy of Vista Sky Lounge

Vista Sky Lounge
27-05 39th Avenue, Long Island City
For a different perspective of the Manhattan skyline, head to Long Island City’s Vista Sky Lounge. Located on the roof of the Four Points by Sheraton, this hotel bar features covered outdoor seating with views that appear endless. The Sky Lounge offers relatively affordable menu items and craft cocktails, which start at $16. Reservations can be made via OpenTable or by calling 347-536-3640.

Zona De Cuba
558 Grand Concourse, South Bronx
With its live music and island vibe, Zona De Cuba brings the Caribbean to the Bronx. The huge outdoor terrace is decked out with potted palms and the seats are spaced out and covered by umbrellas. The restaurant is open for weekend brunch and dinner, with delicious fruity cocktails available by the pitcher. Online reservations are encouraged and can be made here.

LoHi
314 Scholes Street, East Williamsburg
While only on the fourth floor, LoHi’s rooftop still provides expansive views of East Williamsburg. Now in its third year of operation, LoHi has beers, wines, spirits, cocktails, and bar bites like burgers, chicken sandwiches, tacos, salads, and much more. The bar’s happy hour runs Wednesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Night of Joy
667 Lorimer Street, Williamsburg
Open seasonally in the spring, summer, and fall, Night of Joy’s cozy rooftop patio is a beloved spot for New Yorkers on a night out. The bar is known for its fresh lime frozen margaritas, which come in a variety of flavors and are served from Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. In addition to refreshing margaritas, Night of Joy offers botanically-inspired cocktails, beers, and other alcoholic beverages.

Editor’s note: The original version of this article was published on April 29, 2021, and has since been updated.