Manhattan is truly one of the top spots around the globe for anyone looking for a great variety of rooftop bars. Here you can find all kinds of rooftops – everything from super luxurios rooftop lounges, to more relaxed poolside terraces.
There are literally hundreds of great rooftop bars on Manhattan, which makes it hard to find the very best ones. Therefore, we have assembled this list of the best of the best among the Manhattan rooftops. A list made by the world’s leading experts on rooftop bars – The Rooftop Guide.
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Elevated above the bustling streets of the Garment District, Castell Rooftop Lounge recaptures the spirit of a classic cocktail lounge, sprinkled with amazing views.
From the 21st floor of the AC Hotel by Marriott New York Times Square, you can enjoy panoramics over the city, both from the lush outdoor terrace and from the stylish indoor lounge, aslo showcasing abstract art.
Serving craft beers, wine, non-alcoholic spirits and shareable plates, the Castell menu's main focus is on the iconic Martini. Shaken, stirred, dry, twisted or neat, it is up to you.
Open nightly during weekdays for fine drinks and bites in a sophisticated but comfortable atmosphere, and from mid day during weekends, when live DJs also picks up the vibe a few notches.
CASTELL
Created by award-winning NYC-based hospitality group Apicii, Bar Cima invites to an elevated setting that evokes polished Mexican luxury.
Found on the 28th floor of the new Grayson Hotel, high above Manhattan, the rooftop blends an elegant, sleek and intimate interior lounge with a beautiful outdoor terrace, all surrounded by breathtaking views of New York City.
A rooftop tequileria and cocktail bar, the Bar Cima menu mix agave spirits with authentic Mexican ingredients, housemade bitters and tinctures, fresh juices and signature salt rims to create classic and innovative cocktails.
Sophisticated, cool and upscale, Bar Cima is a prime spot to enjoy the best of drinks and views, before, during and after sunset.
BAR CIMA
Located at 1717 Broadway, right in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, Dear Irving on Broadway invites to a luxe and speakeasy-inspired cocktail parlor, overlooking the Theater District.
Reachable via a glass elevator, the 5th floor indoor/outdoor rooftop is inspired by films like Babylon and Nightmare Alley, and transports you back to an elegant 1930s setting.
Filled with opulent decor, velvet barstools, large orange sofas, and comfortable armchairs, you can get cosy by the lavish rectangular bar inside. Or venture out to the lush and garden-like terrace, with both a subdued pergola bar and a lovely bird’s eye view of the surrounding neighborhood.
Open every evening, Dear Irving on Broadway invites you to indulge in expertly-crafted cocktails paying tribute to Broadway legends past and present, and nibble on elevated light bites, all served in a sophisticated and celebratory atmosphere.
DEAR IRVING ON BROADWAY
Twenty-five stories up, near Bryant Park, you find the lavish Elsie Rooftop, an all-season destination with sophisticated indoor and outdoor seating options.
Paying homage to Elsie de Wolfe, the world's most famous decorator and one of society’s most renowned doyennes, this rooftop really brings a slice of fashionable 1920s cocktail bar to the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
Upscale and glamorous all around, surrounded with majestic views over the Manhattan skyscrapers, here you can indulge in bespoke cocktails, a fine selection of wine and champagne, complemented with a seasonally-focused light fare menu.
Visit Elsie Rooftop for elevated after-work drinks with a view, weekly special events, or a bottomless brunch to really start the weekend right.
ELSIE ROOFTOP
Thirty stories above Manhattan, Upstairs at the Kimberly invites to a relaxed luxurious setting, with great views of the iconic Chrysler Building and the surrounding cityscape.
Perched on top of the Kimberly Hotel, an express elevator will take you up to elegant, intimate and sensual rooftop, equipped with carefully curated furniture, living green walls and a retractable glass roof.
High above the buzz, here you can indulge in a fantastic list of specialty cocktails & martinis, and a fine selection of wines, perfect to pair with the eclectic array of small plates created by Executive Chef Cristian Flores.
Truly a sophisticated urban oasis, Upstairs is a perfect spot for elevated evenings with friends, high above Manhattan. During weekends, you can also enjoy an impressive and savory brunch.
Best of all, the rooftop is open all-year-round, thanks to the retractable glass roof.
UPSTAIRS
Bar 54 is Manhattan's highest hotel cocktail bar, perched on the 54th floor of Hyatt Centric Times Square.
Part stylish interior lounge and part breezy outside terrace, here you can enjoy superb river-to-river views, including the Chrysler Building and all of lower Manhattan.
A prime and elevated spot to sip and mingle, the rooftop bar offers a selection of craft cocktails, fine wines, and local small plates.
For an elevated evening high above Manhattan, Bar 54 is hard to beat.
BAR 54
On top of the Sanctuary Hotel, one of NYC's favorite boutique hotels, you find Haven Rooftop, an elevated retreat in the heart of Manhattan.
Surrounded by fantastic views of the city, the spacious and charming rooftop features lush greenery, complemented by custom-built cedar wood furnishings.
Offering something for pretty much any occasion, Haven is open for lunch, dinner, drinks and weekend brunch, serving delicious American cuisine with a twist, and perfectly crafted cocktails.
Seasonally themed, you can visit for sunny summer celebrations, or cosy sessions during the colder months, when the entire rooftop is enclosed and heated.
HAVEN ROOFTOP
Found in heart of Midtown West, Vida Verde brings the taste, sounds and smells of Mexico to Manhattan.
Colorful, vibrant and creative, the tri-level venue features a street level dining room and bar, a spacious mezzanine, and best of all: a buzzing outdoor rooftop patio.
Called a 'Rooftop Margarita Market', the Vida Verde rooftop is in full swing during the warmer months, and surrounded by impressive hand painted murals and lush greenery, this is really a sparkling and hidden treasure in the middle of Manhattan.
Here you can enjoy 10 flavors of Margaritas, tequila & mezcal inspired signature cocktails, and Mexican beers, all served in a buzzing and fun-filled atmosphere.
Drinks at the rooftop is first come, first served, but you can make reservations to for lunch, dinner and bottomless weekend brunch indoors.
VIDA VERDE
Overlooking the Hudson River and the High Line, STK Rooftop is found elevated above the heart of the Meatpacking District.
Set on the 4th floor of STK Steakhouse Downtown, the stylish, lush and intimate rooftop is a venue where chic lounge meets modern steakhouse.
Here you can indulge in STK signature dishes, ranging from raw bar selections and Surf & Turf, to a beef program that focuses on the highest quality, delicious and craveable steaks..
Complementing the food you find crafted signature cocktails, top shelf spirits and a fine selection of wine and bubbles.
Filled with an infectious high energy vibe, you can visit STK Rooftop for hot happy hours, memorable dinners under the stars, vibrant DJ nights, or an elevated weekend brunch.
Best of all, you can do so year-round, thanks to the rooftop's retractable glass enclosure.
STK ROOFTOP
Steps from Bryant Park, at the second floor of the modern Grayson Hotel, Bar Harta invites to an energetic and social setting, inspired by the convivial wine culture of the Western Mediterranean.
Connected to the New American brasserie Harta on ground level, the lush, natural and stylish indoor / outdoor rooftop is accessible via a spiral staircase.
Open from April to November, here you can enjoy a casual rooftop menu, featuring 16 wines on draft, as well as refreshing cocktails, sparkling spritzes, beer on draft, and all the classic sips you love.
The drinks are paired with wine-friendly snacks and small plates, inspired by the Mediterranean and perfect to share with friends.
BAR HARTA
Inclusive, immersive and impressive, The Dickens is a 'one-stop shop' in the iconic Hell’s Kitchen.
Featuring four unique floors, and six different spaces, here you find everything from a first floor cocktail bar and restaurant and a sexy second floor lounge, to a colorful, lush and charming outdoor rooftop.
So no matter if you are in the mood for dinner, drinks or dancing, a visit to The Dickens is always a great idea.
Especially during summer, when you can savour crafted cocktails on the rooftop, where happiness, acceptance and vibrant celebrations come together.
THE DICKENS
The Ainsworth is a multipurpose and diverse venue, comprised of a full scale restaurant, bar, lounge, event space and rooftop terrace, and perfectly encompassing sports bar, modern American brasserie and local social hall.
Located in New York City’s Midtown neighborhood, here you find a stylish interior with chic paisley wallpaper and antique pine wood, complemented with lush, trendy and comfy rooftop terrace, in full swing during the warmer months.
Open for lunch, weekend brunch, dinner, and drinks in between, The Ainsworth offers a new take on classic American fare favorites, as well as signature cocktails and a fine array of beers and wine.
Try the iconic 'Mac & Cheeseburger', or go for an all inclusive boozy brunch. Whenever you visit, you can expect a casual yet sophisticated atmosphere, perfect to eat, drink and celebrate above E 33rd Street.
THE AINSWORTH
Elevated high above the heart of Times Sqaure, Interlude Rooftop Lounge is an upscale and modern sanctuary in the sky, promising a memorable, high-quality experience that is as inclusive as it is unique.
The 38th floor rooftop blends a stylish interior lounge with a breezy outdoor terrace, surrounded with unbeatable panoramic NYC views.
Filled with a refined yet playful ambiance, here you can indulge in exquisite and hand-crafted cocktails, as well as a fine selection of wine, brews and premium spirits.
A respite from the city's bustle, for both tourists and local businesses, Interlude Rooftop Lounge is open every evening for drinks and bites with a view.
INTERLUDE
Vue 180 Rooftop is a refreshingly unique rooftop bar and lounge, perched on top of the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square South in the heart of Midtown Manhattan.
The modern space is aptly named for its amazing and panoramic views of NYC's most iconic landmarks, including the Empire State Building as impressive focal point.
Open daily to everyone, the Vue 180 rooftop menu includes a curated selection of refreshing shareables, classic and specialty cocktails, and a local and rotating selection of beer and wine.
Working on a first come first served basis, Vue 180 Rooftop is pretty much the perfect spot to stop by for a great and elevated night out.
VUE 180 ROOFTOP
Named after its location on West 33rd Street, and the bold blue neon and cascading blue flood lighting that illuminates the space, BLU33 Rooftop is a prime spot to soak up the Midtown Manhattan scene.
Set on the top floor of the Fairfield by Marriott Midtown Penn Station, right next to Madison Square Garden, the clean and sleek rooftop is reminiscent of the Greek Isles.
Part beacuase of the rich blue seat coverings and white planters glowing with soft blue lighting, and part beacuase of the amazing and sweeping views, stretching from midtown to lower Manhattan, Madison Square Garden, Hudson Yards, and the iconic Penn Station.
Open from early afternoon to late evening, BLU33 Rooftop serves light fare and a fully stocked bar, filled with everything from a signature cocktails, local beers, and a nice selection of wine and bubbles.
BLU33
Found right by the Hudson River, the five star Conrad New York Hotel offers an equally five star rooftop experience, with the Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar.
Open during spring and summer, there is a sense of exclusiveness to the 16th floor terrace, where you can enjoy fantastic views of both the NYC and New Jersey skyline's, as well as the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty and New York Harbor.
Known for their refreshing signature Poptail drink, Loopy Doopy also serves plenty of other creative coktails, along with spirits, wines, beers and a fresh and seasonal menu of small plates.
Stylish and modern in décor, the quite intimate Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar is a perfect spot for elevated and memorable summer afternoon and evenings.
LOOPY DOOPY
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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