There is an abundance of fantastic NYC rooftop bars. Which is great, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming. To help you narrow it down, we've visited over 50 rooftop bars in New York and researched among locals, to find 5 that stands out this year.
For each rooftop, this article comes packed with:
Ambiance: Harriet's Brooklyn is a rooftop bar that is always tweaking and evolving, it's well worth to visit again if you have been here before, and a must if you haven't. Decorated with reclaimed and sustainable materials, the natural-chic rooftop blends an interior lounge with a seasonal outdoor terrace, so no matter if it's early, middle or late 2025, Harriet's is open for business. But the best time is of course during the warmer months, when the al fresco terrace up top, which feels like a luxurious roof garden, is in full swing. Not only a year-round venue, Harriet's Rooftop is also pretty much an all-day venue, and you can come to enjoy sunny sips, cosy evenings or vibrant weekends, with DJ sets and a party-prepared crowd.
Drinks and Food: The rooftop bar 'preserves the values of an old-fashioned cocktail lounge' and offers a great selection of craft cocktails. There is also a menu of fresh and very tasty bar bites - light bites spotlighting local and seasonal ingredients.
What we think: We love everything about Harriet's Brooklyn. The vibe, the view (one of the most spectacular in the world) and the delicious bar bites and cocktails. Our top recommendation is to book a table (you should definitely book in advance) right before sunset. Watching the sun go down behind the Manhattan skyline is quite a magical experience. Perfect to pair with some innovative and sustainable signature cocktails and Asian-inspired light bites from the rooftop menu. In other words "A MUST VIST IN 2025!"
Dress code: The Harriet's Rooftop dress code is smart casual, towards relaxed. In other words, you don't need to put on your favorite suit or party dress to blend in. If you're not going to visit the pool where a more relaxed "pool chic" atire is recommended.
Tip: Adjacent to Harriet's you'll find 1 Hotel's glittering rooftop pool and pool deck. While this area is mainly exclusive for registered hotel guests, a new option for outside visitors are the Sky Swim Lounge tables. Or you can book your stay at the hotel here: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge.
HARRIET'S ROOFTOP
Ambiance: Perched on the 54th floor of Hyatt Centric Times Square, the rooftop has a modern and chic decor, which is nice but nothing out of the ordinary. The same cannot be said about the views, which are truly spectacular. From the Chrysler Building, over all of lower Manhattan, and out towards the Hudson River. With both interior lounge and al fresco terrace, Bar 54 is open year round. If possible, we would recommend that you save your visit to the warmer season, when you can enjoy all of the views outside, with a warm breeze.
Drinks and Food: Inviting to 'Sips and Skyline', which is pretty much what you want from a NYC rooftop bar, Bar 54 offers a great selection of seasonal and creative craft cocktails, worth coming back for again and again. Presented in an Instagram friendly way, and made with products sourced from local vendors, distillers and wineries, we are pretty sure there will be a 'new favourite' for everyone.
What we think: Bar 54 has been one of our favorite rooftop bars in NYC for many years. And 2025 is no exception. It’s all about the view up here. On the left side of the terrace you’ll get the best as you can see downtown Manhattan between the skyscrapers. Expect intimate yet vibrant afternoons and evenings, with a variety of both tourists and locals. When you offer the tallest rooftop cocktail lounge around Times Square, the city's most famous area, that is to be expected.
Dress code: The dress code at Bar 54 is casual. Leave the flip flops and swimwear at home, otherwise you’ll be fine with most outfits.
BAR 54
Ambiance: During 2023, Overstory was named as No. 17 among The World’s 50 Best Bars and No. 7 among North Americas 50 Best Bars. In 2024, it was named as No. 15 among The World’s 50 Best Bars and No. 3 among North Americas 50 Best Bars. With this trajectory, a visit here during 2025 will probably give you bragging rights at the end of the year to say you have been to one of the top 10 bars in the world, and the very best in North America. Overstory features a retro-chic and plush interior lounge, surrounded by a wrap-around outdoor terrace.
Drinks and Food: Not only a premier destination for views, an awarded cocktail bar is of course also a premier destination for drinks. Botanize among the great selection of cocktails crafted by bar director Harrison Ginsberg, where the intense 'Chai Spot' (bourbon, cognac, ginger, assam, and clarified chai milk) is our favourite.
What we think: What’s not to like about Overstory. We love the cocktails, we love the service and we love the view! If you want to make your visit even more special, turn it into your pre- or post dinner cocktail spot in connection with a meal at either Crown Shy on the ground floor of the building, or at the fine dining sister restaurant Saga one floor below. While walk-ins are both accepted and encouraged at Overstory, the venue is small, so we would recommend booking well in advance. Just note that reserved seating requires a minimum spend of $75 per person.
Dress code: The Overstory dress code is smart casual. Smart casual attire is a professional dress style that blends trendy pieces with a clean, semi-formal appearance.
OVERSTORY
Ambiance: A lush and sexy oasis during the warmer months, and a sleek and cosy respite during the colder season. Found on the 18th floor of the exclusive yet inclusive PUBLIC Hotel, high above the Lower East Side, the Roof holds a glassed-in interior lounge, and the vistas you get through the panoramic windows are more than enough. But as soon as the weather allows, the landscaped outdoor terrace is where we all want to go.
Drinks and Food: The rooftop bar offers an extensive and varied menu full of delicious and creative cocktails, craft and commercial beers, as well as wines and popular spirits. There is also a selection of bites, and in summer usually a weekend BBQ. Shifting with the season, and also shifting throughout the evening, this is a venue great for relaxing sips and bites with friends earlier, turning into a nightlife hot-spot later on. From Wednesday to Saturday you can expect sounds from buzzing DJs, transforming The Roof into a dancefloor in the sky.
What we think: Of course Public Hotels rooftop is one of our favorites in the city. The view speak for it self, but what we like most is the atmosphere. So while it depends on what kind of vibe you are looking for, our favourite time to visit The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel is during Sunset Happy Hour (Mon-Fri 5pm-7pm). Good deals on drinks and sliders is never wrong, and for us, the views over a glowing skyline beat all other.
Dress code: The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel dress code is smart casual. Athletic wear, flip-flops, sweatpants nad bathing suits are not permitted. Fashion shorts are permitted before 10pm.
Tip: Looking to work in style? During daytime, there are daypasses available to purchase, and you can use The Roof as what must be one of the most beautiful offices in the world. Free if you stay at the hotel, but also accessible to the general public.
Ambiance: At the Graduate Roosevelt Island 18th floor, you’ll find the island's first rooftop bar available to the public. Floating above the East River between Manhattan and Queens, the location is not the only thing unique here. The views are also something out of the ordinary, with 360° panoramas over the Manhattan skyline, the river, the bridges and the boroughs.
Drinks and Food: If you are looking to sip a cocktail and get some pics that would make anyone jealous, you can just walk into Panorama Room and grab a standing spot on the curved outdoor terrace. But if you plan to stay and explore the menu more, reserve a table at the dramatic interior lounge, hopefully by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Then you will have plenty of time to dive into the selection of both creative and classic cocktails, and the seafood-forward food options. Order caviar nachos or an impressive seafood tower, add good friends and amazing vistas.
What we think: What we like most about Panorama Room, is the unique location and view. No other rooftop in NYC offers a view like this. A tip is to take the aerial Roosevelt Island Tramway from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island, and then head up to Panorama Room. A four-minute panoramic ride, followed by sips with panoramic views. Pretty much a perfect afternoon or evening.
Dress code: The Panorama Room dress code is elevated chic. No sweatpants, cargo shorts, slides or flip flops, athletic wear or tank tops.
PANORAMA ROOM
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.
Browse all the cities & articles at The Rooftop Guide
Follow The Rooftop Guide