3 NYC Rooftop Bars Where You Can Enjoy a Drink with a View
Checking Out NYC’s Rooftop Scene? Better Add These 3 Spots to the List
When the weather is warm, New York City is all about its rooftops. Boasting impressive views, chilled cocktails, and enjoyable breezes you never thought possible in all this concrete, rooftops are where locals spend most of their time during the season. But this city is big and has a plethora of rooftops to try, so it can be a struggle to choose when looking for the right one to get your Frozé on. We have you covered. Between good vibes and strong drinks, we’ve rounded up the best spots for a killer view. Here are three unique rooftop bars to try in New York City.
ROOF at Park South
ROOF at Park South
Located atop this stylish boutique hotel in the NoMad neighborhood, you’ll have your choice of high-top tables or lounge chairs, sitting under a colorful umbrella while looking out to the Manhattan skyline and enjoying one impressive view of the Chrysler Building. With a frozen cocktail program, you’ll definitely be able to quench your thirst on even the hottest afternoons, sipping on a Spicy Margarita made with Hornitos Blanco Tequila and a spicy piri-piri infused agave, Smoky Melons mixed with watermelon-infused vodka, mezcal, and watermelon puree, or the signature Frozé made with rose, Singani 63 brandy and raspberry syrup. There’s food here, too, thanks to plates provided by James Beard Award-nominated Chef Bryce Shuman (Eleven Madison Park) that include eggplant fries and brisket sliders alongside sushi rolls straight from the roof’s sister restaurant GGTokyo near Murray Hill.
The roof at the PUBLIC
Make your way to the Lower East Side’s PUBLIC hotel, where you’ll always find a good time up on the roof. The outdoor terrace is lush and green, offering an almost tropical-like feel making for a relaxed vibe you don’t always get in the city. Claim one of the sink-in-your-seat comfy couches and enjoy the 360-degree panoramic views of Manhattan as you order one of the roof’s own signature cocktails or choose of a spritz. Those craving something on the lighter side can try the 11:11 made with Belvedere Blackberry Lemongrass Vodka, Whispering Angel rose, jasmine, and Peychaud’s bitters, while anyone craving the smokiness of mezcal can opt for the Pina Con Fuego mixed with Del Maguey Mezcal, pineapple, habanero, and cilantro.
The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel cocktails
But the real standout here is the Asi Es Esto made with Volcan De Mi Tierra Reposado Tequila and Amaro Montenegro. On the nose, you’ll get the sweetness of the creme de cacao and caramel syrup, but you’ll taste the juicy passion fruit with a hint of spicy bitters that lingers on the tongue. If you get hungry, there is a food menu to order from that includes tuna served in endives and lobster sandwiched between brioche buns. However, the plates are on the smaller side so they are better suited as a snack than a full meal. Come dark the rooftop transforms into a “Microclub” that features DJs, VIP table service, and dancing into the early morning hours.
Laser Wolf
Manhattan isn’t the only place offering killer rooftops. Brooklyn also gets it right. The Williamsburg’s Hoxton Hotel has one of the most sought-after rooftops around. Enter: Laser Wolf. More than just a cocktail bar, this space is a full-on restaurant serving up Israeli cuisine with views of the East River. Laser Wolf is unique as all the food is cooked over a charcoal grill rather than gas to help intensify the flavor. Choose your protein (vegetable, fish, or meat) and enjoy it served with hummus, babaganoush, and pita.
Laser Wolf Salty Lion Cocktail
To go alongside your skewers, there are strong cocktails with fun names. Take the frozen Get Shishlik’d, for example, made with Reyka Vodka, Aperol, and guava or the Salty Lion mixed with Bombay Gin, grapefruit, and mint. If you’re a Sazerac fan, the Saz-Arak made with Sazerac Rye, Arak, and fennel will do the trick. While Laser Wolf is the happening spot at this hotel, let’s not forget its new extension, Jaffa Cocktail and Raw Bar, located on the second floor terrace. The Hoxton, Williamsburg is nothing if not versatile.