Rooftop Bars NYC

Discover which rooftop bars in NYC you MUST visit

Rooftop Bars NYC

If you’ve ticked the Top of the Rock and the Empire State Building off your New York sightseeing list but you’re still hungry for a view of the Manhattan skyline, it’s time to discover the best rooftop bars NYC has to offer. There are a large number of cool rooftop bars in NYC – from exclusive enclaves with a velvet rope outside to quirkier, more intimate gathering spots. Although some can admittedly be hard to get into and you can expect to fork out $15 for a cocktail, the atmosphere and views are priceless. If you’re looking for an NYC nightlife tour, check out Take Me Out NYC’s rooftop bar tour.

The Best Rooftop Bars in NYC

Here is our pick of the best rooftop bars in New York

1. The Refinery

Tucked away on top of the chic Refinery Hotel, this Garment District favorite is fashion-forward but friendly. Kitted out with French terracotta floors, a fountain and a fireplace to cosy up to in the cooler nights, the atmospheric Refinery bar has a retractable glass ceiling so, even if it’s raining, you can sip your Perfect Pear cocktail in style. The Refinery is one of top rooftop bars in New York so dress to impress.

2. Berry Park

Imported beers, a fun photo booth, long picnic tables and addictive French fries are all part of the Berry Park experience. Nestled right on the Greenpoint border in Williamsburg, this Brooklyn bar gives you a sweeping backdrop of the Lower Manhattan skyline. Be warned: it gets crowded at the weekend so our advice is to stop here for your first brew, watch the sunset and move elsewhere for the rest of the night.

3. Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar at The Met

When putting together a list of the best rooftop bars NYC has to offer it’s hard to overlook this gem. OK, so technically this is not a rooftop bar but the Met’s Garden Café serves alcohol (the Martini Bar opens at 5.30pm) and the whopper views across the lush green Central Park make it the perfect post-art treat. Less formal than other rooftop bar spaces, this fifth-floor haven offers light snacks and desserts and currently houses an eye-catching installation by Pierre Huyghe. Throw in a to-die-for panorama across the city and you couldn’t ask for more. It’s the perfect way to relax after a tour of the Met or a day exploring NYC.

4. Rooftop at Pod 39

Pod hotels are easy on the budget without scrimping on style and this rooftop bar in NYC is no different. Pod 39 is handily located in Midtown, the hip décor and exposed brick walls make it a bit more laid-back than its slicker rooftop counterparts. Resident mixologists are on hand to stir you up a craft cocktail (they’re around $12 which is cheaper than more high profile bars) and, at 17 floors up, you can get an eyeful of the iconic Chrysler Building.

5. VU rooftop bar

Undoubtedly the best rooftop bar in New York for an Empire State Building selfie. Above the revamped La Quinta Manhattan, a hotel near Herald Square, this cosy Koreatown rooftop bar is surrounded by twinkling skyscrapers and, even though it can get overcrowded fast, it’s a strictly no-frills affair. Perched on the 14th Floor, the view is hard to beat and the daily happy hour where you can bag a shot for $3 is legendary.

What better way to get to grips with New York and its amazing bars than on a Walks of New York guided tour – book your place on one of the many exciting New York tours today.

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