Tis the season for rooftop bars and no one loves a rooftop bar like New Yorkers. A hip speakeasy may be the place to be during the frigid winter months but if you aren’t staring at the stunning New York skyline during sunset while sipping on an Aperol Spritz then you’re not living life to the fullest. But with so many choices, which ones are the best? Here are six we love.
The ROOF at Public Hotel (Lower East Side)
Public Hotel is already one of the swankiest places in town so there’s no doubt that the rooftop wouldn’t be the same. It’s perfect for sunset cocktails and a lite bite (the sliders and fries are delicious), and if you’re into clubbing this place definitely takes on that vibe by 11 pm (when the DJ starts). Be prepared to wait in line most nights (Hint: make a reservation) but once you’re up there the 360-degree view is totally worth it. Another amazing perk is the outdoor mirrored structure designed by Herzog & de Meuron that reflects the skyline (and keeps you dry if it starts to rain). www.publichotels.com
Ophelia Lounge (Midtown East)
Now, First Avenue and 52nd street may not sound like the location for a hotspot (unless you want to check outthe action at the United Nations) but the views at the newly revived Ophelia are worth the trek. Formerly a women’s boarding house in the 1920s and the 1930s it eventually turned into a hotel, then a restaurant that drew the likes of Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. Merchants Hospitality, Inc. has truly captured the essence of old New York with interior design loaded down with beautiful heirlooms adorning rich blue walls (you’ll feeljust like you are in a jewelry box!). Snack on delicious apps and exquisite cocktails by head bartender Amir Babayoff. His new summer menu includes the Aegean Paloma with ouzo, grapefruit rose, pink peppercorns, and rosewater, and the A La Espanola with Nolet’s gin, Edinburgh rhubarb & ginger gin liqueur, strawberries, lemon, juniper berries, rhubarb, and fever tree tonic. Wow! www.opheliany.com
A.R.T. SoHo, (SoHo)
If you’re looking for the quintessential New York boutique hotel, Arlo Soho is where it’s at. From their super hip lounge with coffee bar and a mini-Dylan’s Candy Bar to their courtyard installations (currently a greenhouse) there is so much to see and do here even if you don’t get to the rooftop. But you really should because A.R.T. Soho has sweeping views of the Hudson and they just launched their new summer menu which features boozy ice-pops, perfect for beating the heat. A.R.T. Soho has a laid back neighborly vibe so you can just sit back and chill but be sure to get there early as it closes at midnight. www.arlohotels.com
The Terrace at EDITION (Times Square)
Why have just one dining venue in a hotel when you can have four? That is exactly the idea Ian Schragerembraced with his new EDITION, Times Square? The four venues: 701West, Paradise Club, The Terrace and Lobby Bar are all so exquisite the place has practically become a celebrity haven. After all, it takes courage to go to Times Square so you know it’s gotta be good. If you want the true rooftop full monty then The Terrace, on the ninth floor, is your spot. Grab a little French brasserie-inspired snack and a drink (named after a Broadway show of course), and soak in the spectacular views. www.editionhotels.com
The Polynesian (Midtown)
If you’re thinking to heighten your rooftop experience with a theme then Major Food Group’s The Polynesian is the way to go. You’ll feel like you’re on a tropical island … in the middle of Manhattan! They just rolled out 25 new cocktails to celebrate their one-year anniversary. So, bask in their lush foliage while admiring the midtown views. The new menu’s cocktails include a tikified Last Word and Old-Fashioned, a Banana Daiquiri-Pearl Diver mash-up, all your favorite classics like the Mai Tai, as well as big punches for groups to enjoy (this rooftop fits up to 200 by the way). www.thepolynesiantiki.com
LEMON’S at Wythe Hotel (Brooklyn)
Manhattan has some great spots but we all know the cool people are in Brooklyn. And there’s no place cooler than the Wythe Hotel and their new coastal Italy-themed rooftop bar, Lemon’s. You can forget Italy because you’re getting a view of the New York skyline, but hey, that ain’t too bad! Snack on grilled calamari and tuna carpaccio while you sip delicious aperitivos. And don’t worry about a sudden downpour or the sun setting as they have a retractable awning complete with fairy lights and umbrellas. Or step inside and sit on the brightly colored cushions while you admire the citrus walls because, remember, you are supposed to be in Italy! www.wythehotel.com