We won't call this list definitive, because rooftops are, after all, all about spontaneity. And, with three summer months to get your toes wet (literally and figuratively), there's just enough time to dabble in all of the different vibes this city's sky-high spots have to offer. Spend the rest of June drinking fancy cocktails and dancing the night away by a moonlit pool. In July, consider an elevated brunch, where the Benedicts and Bloodys only rival the views. By August, we'll all be ready to cut the frills, grab a seat, and chow down on tacos on a terrace in the clouds.
Allow these 22 spots to satisfy your deep-diving, fun-loving, hard-partying summer cravings. Cheers to raising the bar — on the roof.
Pod 39 Rooftop
Perfect for: Mingling with the post-work, Midtown Manhattan scene. Once you've had your fill of string lights, margaritas, and open air hanging, feel free to head inside and order up some chips and guacamole (or a couple quesadillas).
Soak in views of: The middle of the Big Apple.
Signature cocktail: "Salvation Margarita" — pueblo viejo blanco, combier, agave nectar, lime, chili salt.
Pod 39 Rooftop, 145 E. 39th Street (between 2nd and 3rd Avenues); 212-865-5700.
Photo: Via @improspecta.
The Met Roof Garden Café & Martini Bar
Perfect for: Those looking for a cultured buzz. Check out the galleries below or head straight up to the Met's rooftop for a cocktail and some sculpture sightseeing (currently a Psycho -inspired house). The fresh breeze and green expanses of the park below make the crowds worth braving.
Soak in views of: Views of Central Park and Manhattan.
Signature cocktail: "A Mother’s Love" — Corralejo Tequila, Grilled Pineapple Juice, Tarragon, Lemon Juice.
The Met, 1000 5th Avenue (at East 82nd Street); 212-535-7710.
Photo: Via @ritzbitz218.
The McCarren Hotel Rooftop
Perfect for: A boozy weekend darty (a.k.a day party) or an even boozier night with live DJ sets and a sizzling crowd. And if you've had enough of the rooftop bar, just pop on down a few levels and check out the colorful pool deck.
Soak in views of: Views of Williamsburg's McCarren Park set against Manhattan's skyline.
Signature cocktail: "Hipster Reviver" — Dorothy Parker gin, cocchi americano, cointreau, lemon, St. George absinthe mist.
The McCarren Hotel, 160 N. 12th Street (between Bedford Avenue and Berry Street); 718-218-7500.
Photo: Courtesy of The McCarren Hotel.
Gallow Green
Perfect for: Getting lost within the vines while sipping swanky punch and chatting with mysterious (and chic) strangers. This rooftop has major secret garden vibes — but it's only open in the sizzling summer season, so take the elevators up while you still can!
Soak in views of: Manhattan's West Side
Signature cocktail: "Something Wicked" — corralejo, tequila with fresh pineapple, peri peri & tamarind infused agave.
Gallow Green, The McKittrick Hotel, 542 West 27th Street (between 10th and 11th avenues); 212-564-1662.
Photo: Courtesy of The McKittrick Hotel.
Night Of Joy
Perfect for: A joy-filled night in the open-air with cocktails, beer, friends, and mixed modern antiques. This Williamsburg rooftop spot is comfortably and cooly situated above the BQE.
Soak in views of: Manhattan skyline and grafittied Brooklyn brick walls.
Signature cocktail: Night of Joy states that all cocktails are "inspired by the classics" with fresh twists of "botanical ingredients and herbal infusions". We're talking bison grass beverages with goji berries.
Night of Joy, 667 Lorimer Street (at Meeker Avenue) in Brooklyn.
Photo: Via @theartemuse.
The Ides Bar
Perfect for: Catching the sunset over Manhattan with a few of your closest (and coolest) pals. The Ides is an industrially chic rooftop bar space situated atop the Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg.
Soak in views of: Surrounding Brooklyn area and the island of Manhattan.
Signature cocktail: The "Brooklyn View" — Greenhook gin, velvet falemum, grapefruit, bubbles.
The Ides Bar, 80 Wythe Avenue (at N. 11th Street) in Brooklyn; 718-460-8006.
Photo: Courtesy of Wythe Hotel.
Hotel Chantelle
Perfect for: A weekend brunch OR late night table with a group of friends looking to pop bottles whilst the DJ spins. This Parisian-inspired hotspot boasts an ambiance that is both parts "elegant and comfortable". So stop on by for a climate-controlled seat beneath the stars.
Soak in views of: Downtown manhattan.
Signature cocktail: The "Saints & Ginners" — Bombay Dry Gin, St. Germain, basil, fresh lime, and orange essence.
Hotel Chantelle, 92 Ludlow Street (at Delancey Street); 212-254-9100.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Chantelle.
Berry Park
Perfect for: A day trip to a hip rooftop beer garden in Williamsburg — no frills, just fun. You'll find soccer games played across the big screens and DJs spinning music on the weekends.
Soak in views of: Brooklyn AND the Manhattan skyline.
Signature cocktail: The "Rum Away" — santa teresa añejo rum, suave, orange, lemon.
Berry Park, 4 Berry Street (at N. 14th Street) in Brooklyn; 718-782-2829.
Photo: Courtesy of Berry Park.
Azul On The Rooftop
Perfect for: Feeling like you've been transported out of NYC and right into a breezy lounge in Little Havana. Set at the tip top of the Hugo Hotel in Hudson Sqaure and inspired by "Cuban cantinas", Azul Rooftop is the perfect spot for a city staycation.
Soak in views of: Full views of the hudson river, Lady Liberty, and of course Manhattan.
Signature cocktail: The cocktails are all fantastic, but the signature staple here is all in the bar food — delicious Cuban bocaditos, tasty tacos, and more.
Azul On The Rooftop, 525 Greenwich Street (at Vandam Street); 212-608-4848.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Hugo NY.
Roof At Park South
Perfect for: Catching up with friends in a relaxed, less crowded but still lively bar scene — complete with plentiful (and strong) drink options, umbrellas to block out the hot summer sun, and fireplaces for those colder months or chilly nights.
Soak in views of: The unobstructed NYC skyline.
Signature cocktail: Any hand-crafted cocktail by the beverage director, Ted Kilpatrick, is sure to hit the spot.
Roof At Park South, 125 E 27th Street (between Park and Lexington avenues); 212-204-5222.
Photo: Courtesy of Roof At Park South.
Brooklyn Crab
Perfect for: Transporting you to a crab shack on the shores of Maryland. Crack some shells and a few cold brews on the upper deck or travel down into the sand underneath for a casual game of corn hole. Not your average NYC, sky high, rooftop — but it's a damn good time.
Soak in views of: Red Hook and the New York harbor.
Signature cocktail: The "Crab Cooler"— Critrus-Ade (lemon, lime, seasonal fruit and lemonade) mixed with either gin, bourbon or rosemary infused vodka.
Brooklyn Crab, 24 Reed Street, Red Hook; 718-643-2722.
Photo: Courtesy of Brooklyn Crab.
Mr. Purple NYC
Perfect for: Seeing and being seen. This new and entirely hip rooftop lounge is nestled atop the Hotel Indigo in downtown Manhattan. Hang inside or poolside with your purple house drink in hand.
Soak in views of: The whole NYC skyline, we're talking all 360 degrees
Signature cocktail: The "Mr. Purple" — Casamigos reposado tequila, cranberry liqueur, allspice dram, apple, and lemon.
Mr. Purple NYC, Hotel Indigo, 15th floor, 180 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002
Photo: Courtesy of Mr. Purple NYC
Cantina Rooftop
Perfect for: Pretending New York is far, far away. This Hell's Kitchen newcomer feels more spring break than summer Friday, making it the perfect escape in the middle of Manhattan. Head here for tons of DJ-headed events, copious tequila shots, and a pretty unbeatable happy hour deal — $6 margaritas from 5 to 7 p.m.
Soak in views of: The Hudson River
Signature cocktail: The "Cantina Margarita" — mezcal, lemon, lime, and agave with a tajín-spiced rim.
Cantina Rooftop, 605 West 48th Street (between Eleventh and Twelfth avenues); 212-957-1700.
Photo: Courtesy of Cantina Rooftop.
La Piscine
Perfect for: Design lovers. The Hotel Americano, the bar's nesting ground, has won numerous awards for its sleek, contemporary design. So, there's no better place to cool off, take a dip, and indulge in some Mediterranean cuisine once you've exhausted Chelsea's bustling gallery scene.
Soak in views of: The Hudson River
Signature cocktail: "Anna's Choice" — house-infused vodka, elderflower, white cranberry, and apple.
La Piscine, 518 West 27th Street (between Tenth and Eleventh avenues); 212-216-0000.
Photo: Courtesy of Hotel Americano.
Northern Territory
Perfect for: A boozy brunch outdoors and making friends with out-of-towners; the Australian fare — meat pies, burgers with eggs, kale, and baked beans — lends itself to a crowd of folks from down under. Our recommendation? Post up at the D.I.Y.-bloody bar, and spice up your life as you please.
Soak in views of: The East River
Signature cocktail: "Territory's Tea" — vodka, iced tea, and kiwi.
Northern Territory, 12 Franklin Street (between Meserole Avenue and Quay Street), Brooklyn; 347-974-7664.
Photo: Courtesy of Northern Territory.
Zona Rosa
Perfect for: Actually eating. Many rooftop bars have decent small-plates and bar snacks, meaning the focus on food tends to come second to the killer cocktail list. With house-made tortillas, killer guac, and six taco varieties to offer, Zona Rosa takes their grub just as seriously as their fresh mix of margaritas.
Soak in views of: Williamsburg
Signature cocktail: The Watermelon Jalapeño Margarita — enough said.
Zona Rosa, 571 Lorimer Street (at Metropolitan Avenue), Brooklyn; 917-324-7423.
Photo: Courtesy of Zona Rosa.
The Beach
Perfect for: Your staycation. If you're going to make the effort to get into any club at Dream, you might as well be in it for the long haul. Get a group of friends together and book a 10-person cabana to cut the lines. Then, dip your feet into some imported-from-Montauk-sand, and get a break from the sun.
Soak in views of: The Hudson River
Signature cocktail: The "Poolside Pitchers" — choose from sangria, the "Wet Dream" (black cherry vodka, cranberry, and St. Germain), "Edelweiss" (champagne, St. Germain, and lemon), or "Strawberry Fields" (tequila, strawberries, and basil).
The Beach at Dream Downtown, 355 West 16th Street (between Eighth and Ninth avenues); 212-229-2559.
Photo: Courtesy of the Dream Hotel.
Zerzura
Perfect for: A new spin on the Meatpacking. On sweltering nights, you'll feel refreshed to find yourself at Zerzura, the new, reportedly just-for-summer pop-up at the Gansevoort Hotel. We recommend you get there fast — Meatpacking lines are notoriously long, and the scene is bound to be packed — and bumping.
Soak in views of: The Hudson River
Signature cocktail: The "Coconut Cartel Coconut" — coconut water and rum served in, you guessed it, a real coconut.
Zerzura, 18 Ninth Avenue (between Gansevoort and West 13th streets); 212-206-6700.
Photo: Courtesy of the Gansevoort Hotel Group.
Refinery Rooftop
Perfect for: Shaking off Midtown. Life between 23rd and 59th streets has a way of wearing you out, which is why you need a strong cocktail list like Refinery's to take the pressure off. The decor and vibes are fun yet relaxed, plus, we have to put a plug in for the name.
Soak in views of: The Empire State Building
Signature cocktail: The "Baby Doll" — vodka, fresh watermelon, lemon, and pineapple.
Refinery Rooftop, 63 West 38th Street (between Fifth and Sixth avenues); 646-664-0310.
Photo: Courtesy of the Refinery Hotel.
The Gorbals
Perfect for: The happiest — and most patient — of New York hipsters. The Gorbals is located inside Space Ninety 8, a super cool concept venue from Urban Outfitters, but rumor has it that service here tends to be slow.
Soak in views of: The East River and Williamsburg Bridge
Signature cocktail: "The Pineapple Darby" — lime, pineapple, almond milk syrup, and cinnamon.
The Gorbals, 98 North 6th Street (between Berry Street and Wythe Avenue), Brooklyn; 718-387-0195.
Photo: Courtesy of the Gorbals.
Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar
Perfect for: Fraternizing with Wall Street bankers, in their buttoned-down moments. Remember, the Financial District is getting trendier by the second and jumping on the bandwagon is always best with waterfront views.
Soak in views of: The Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty
Signature cocktail: "Prosecco and Ice Pop" — an alcohol-infused People’s Pop served in a glass of Prosecco.
Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar, 102 North End Avenue (between Murray and Vesey streets); 212-945-0100.
Photo: Courtesy of the Conrad New York Hotel.
The Jane Rooftop
Perfect for: A members-only feel. In the past, The Jane's rooftop bar was only available by reservation. This summer, that's changed — the Jane now accepts walk-ins to its swanky, early 1900's inspired space. While you get down, you can try out abbreviated offerings from the famous Café Gitane downstairs.
Soak in views of: The Hudson River
Signature Cocktail: "The Summer Solstice" — bourbon, cider, ginger beer, orange juice, and ginger.
The Jane Rooftop, 113 Jane Street (between Washington and West streets); 212-924-6700.
Photo: Courtesy of the Jane Hotel.
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