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NYC Rooftop Bars: The Complete List

Posted by Josh Friedlander | 28 Comments

New York City Rooftop Bars: Rare View at the Shelburne Murray Hill

The definitive American Madness list of New York City rooftop bars. Obviously, if we’re missing any, please let us know!

(Last update: April 25, 2010.)

A spreadsheet of the bars listed below is available at American Madness NYC Rooftop Bars: The Spreadsheet.

230 Fifth
230 5th Ave (26/27)
Review: This is the most expansive and beautiful rooftop bar in the city. It was also a great bar for about 2 weeks after it opened when the drinks were served in real glasses and the appetizers were cheap, and then reality set in…. Now the drinks are served in plastic, which annoys me but I suppose it’s an insurance issue (or perhaps it’s just more of the Nanny State mentality at work). Everything is overpriced, but you’re paying for the view. If you get cold, you can sit in the bizarre indoor lounge area.

A60
60 Thompson (Spring/Broome)
www.60thompson.com

Ava Lounge at the Dream Hotel
210 West 55th Street (7th/Broadway)
http://www.avaloungenyc.com

Bar 13
13 East 13th Street (at University Place)
http://www.bar13.com/bar13/html/index.htm

Bookmark’s Rooftop Lounge at the Library Hotel
299 Madison Avenue (& E 41st St.)
(212) 983-4500‎
www.libraryhotel.com

Rooftop Lounge at the Empire Hotel (opening 4.30.08)
44 West 63rd Street (btw Columbus and Broadway)
http://www.empirehotelnyc.com/pooldeck.html

Hotel Metro Rooftop Bar
45 West 35th (5/6)
www.hotelmetronyc.com
Great view of Empire State Bldg.

Hudson Sky Terrace
356 W. 58th. (8th/9th)
www.ianschragerhotels.com

Jade Terrace
268 W. 47th (Broadway/8th)
www.chinaclubnyc.com

mad46 Rooftop Lounge at the Roosevelt Hotel
19th Floor.
Madison Avenue at 46th Street
212.885.6095
http://www.mad46.com
Review (April 11, 2010): Was here just the other night. You need a reservation to get up and those are acquired via an email to mad46@rooseveltnyc.com. My friend just talked his way up on a Thursday at 5:30 and the place wasn’t particularly crowded. They have reserved seating and the waitresses are all very uptight about people buying their own drinks from the bar if they are seated. It’s the usual snobbery and uptight attitude one expects from downtown places, but if mad46 is going to succeed they’ll have to drop the pretense. This place isn’t anywhere near as nice as 230 Fifth and after the buzz dies down (what little there is), they’ll have to get hip to being an after work spot for suited plutocrat douchebags and the women who love them. Not recommended.

Patroon Rooftop
160 East 46th Street (Lex/3rd)
http://www.patroonrestaurant.com/rooftop.html

Pen-Top Bar & Terrace at the Peninsula Hotel
700 5th Ave (at 55th)
newyork.peninsula.com

Plunge at the Hotel Gansevoort
18 9th Ave (at 13th)
www.hotelgansvoort.com

Rare View Rooftop Garden at the Shelburne Murray Hill
303 Lexington Avenue (at 37th)
(pictured)

Red Sky Lounge
47 East 29th Street (Park/Madison)
www.redskynyc.com

Ritz Carlton Battery Park
Two West Street (Battery Place/1st Place)
http://www.ritzcarlton.com/en/Properties/BatteryPark/Default.htm

Roof Garden Café at the MET
Ffith Ave at 82nd Street
www.metmuseum.org

Rooftop at The Bently Hotel
500 E 62nd St. (at York)
http://nychotels.com
Amazing view of the queensboro bridge
Review (April 16, 2010): I was here for one drink on a drizzly evening. The bartender was a weirdo and the wine was awful. The view is great, but there was a ton of junk from the window washing gear (and some kind of scaffolding) blocking most of the wraparound terrace, so I didn’t get the full experience. The decor is as if someone designed a great lounge in 1983 and never changed it. If that’s your thing and you can stick with beer, maybe this place is for you.

Sun Roof at La Quinta Inn
17 W. 32nd (Broadway/5th)
www.laquinta.com
Cheap beer. If the Empire State Building falls, it will crush you.

The Delancey
168 Delancey Street (Clinton/Attorney)
http://www.thedelancey.com

The Heights Bar & Grill
2867 Broadway (111th/112th)

The Park
118 10th Avenue (17th/18th)
www.theparknyc.com

Rooftop Bar at The Ravel Hotel
8-08 Queens Plaza South, LIC, NY, 11101
(718) 289-6101
http://www.ravelhotel.com

The Terrace at Sutton Place Bar and Restaurant
1015 2nd Avenue (53/54)
www.suttonplacenyc.com

Tonic East
411 Third Ave. (at 29th Street)
www.toniceast.com

Comments

28 Responses to “NYC Rooftop Bars: The Complete List”

  1. MattC
    June 14th, 2007 @

    You missed at least 2-
    Bar 13 (I think it is called) on 13th off of University
    The Delancey on Delancey off of Clinton

    Actually another good resource for finding out where there are bars with outdoor seating is New York Magazine.

    Also, just for general outdoor seating.

  2. Show Me Gratitude « Squishy Sexy
    June 15th, 2007 @

    [...] Fri 15 Jun 2007 Show Me Gratitude Posted by kristinasepulveda under Outings  List of Rooftop Bars [...]

  3. BillyB
    June 15th, 2007 @

    How can there be a list of Rooftop Bars without Patroon being included???

  4. Josh
    June 15th, 2007 @

    BillyB: I am adding it forthwith.

  5. Erika Strum
    June 17th, 2007 @

    you forgot about the Ava lounge at the Dream hotel. Great list though!

  6. American Madness » Blog Archive » Get Your Drink On
    June 18th, 2007 @

    [...] up on Josh’s Thursday post on New York Roof Top Bars. I have a few more resources for thos looking to score a drink after work one [...]

  7. American Madness » Blog Archive » NYC Happy Hours: the list (a brief sampling)
    June 19th, 2007 @

    [...] (From the same people who brought you NYC Rooftop Bars: The List. [...]

  8. Rebs 55
    June 21st, 2007 @

    You left off Tonic and Red Sky, both in Murray Hill. Although Red Sky is covered right now due to construction next door.

  9. Josh
    June 21st, 2007 @

    Thanks, Rebs. I will add soon.

  10. MPar
    July 6th, 2007 @

    Josh, any ideas for a romantic rooftop? Perhaps one where a guy could ask a gal to marry him?

  11. MattC
    July 6th, 2007 @

    Hi MPar,
    I’d recommend the roof at the Hudson Hotel.
    Though Josh might have a better idea.

  12. Jagerman
    April 14th, 2008 @

    There’s a new one opening this month on top of the Empire Hotel near Lincoln Center.

  13. Josh Friedlander
    April 16th, 2008 @

    Jagerman: right you are! It’s opening on 4.30.08. I’m adding it now.

  14. American Madness » Blog Archive » Empire Hotel to open rooftop bar on April 30, 2008
    April 16th, 2008 @

    [...] The full list: American Madness Guide to NYC Rooftop Bars. [...]

  15. Frederik
    January 9th, 2009 @

    I’m visiting New York next month (February) and I’m wondering if these rooftop bars will be open this time of the year? I’m also wondering if these rooftop bars are open for public or are these bars only available for the people that are currently staying in the hotel that own the bar?

  16. Josh Friedlander
    January 9th, 2009 @

    Frederick: I imagine all of the open-air bars are closed in the winter, however some of them may have covered portions that are open. You would have to call/check out their web sites.

    Typically, all of these bars are open to the public, but some are easier to get into than others, much like private clubs.

  17. Alfred
    July 2nd, 2009 @

    There are rooftop bars open in February. How do I know? I live across the street from one and it sometimes keeps me up at night…

  18. Vanity Fair Summer Guide | American Madness
    July 2nd, 2009 @

    [...] Comments Alfred on NYC Rooftop Bars: The Complete ListAdam Ri on Clearly It’s A Sea PigMichelle on Clearly It’s A Sea PigRicki, I can’t [...]

  19. Antoinette
    April 4th, 2010 @

    hi!!! i wanted to go into the city and defff go to a roof top bar, never been!! it’s for my good friends birthday, and i took on the task of finding it. only thing is, i wanted to be semi close to penn station. for transportation reasons.. if you could just give me 3 names, and i’ll do the rest of the workk.lol please help!!!!!!!! help!!!!! casual dress???

  20. Josh Friedlander
    April 4th, 2010 @

    Antoinette:

    The two rooftop bars that are closest to Penn Station are:
    - Hotel Metro Rooftop Bar at 45 West 35th (5/6)
    http://www.hotelmetronyc.com

    - Sun Roof at La Quinta Inn
    17 W. 32nd (Broadway/5th)
    http://www.laquinta.com

    Both allow casual dress.

  21. Josh Friedlander
    April 11th, 2010 @

    Just added mad46 to the list.

  22. Antoinette
    April 13th, 2010 @

    thank you sooooo much!!!!!

  23. Vanessa
    April 14th, 2010 @

    Just a rebuttal to the mad46 review as I have been going there for the past two seasons and love the place! First, you do not need a reservation to get in, however they do recommend making one if you want a table, and yes, as with any restaurant or lounge, if you are seated at a table you are required to order from your server. I find the staff very friendly and accommodating, regardless if I am with men or women. I happened to be there on Wednesday and Thursday night and the place was PACKED with a very attractive and fun after work crowd. Tehy play great music and it’s a great spot for me to bring clients or meet up with friends after work. They just added another indoor lounge so there is a lot more seating, and the roof has awnings that can be brought out in case of rain….what’s not to love?

  24. Josh Friedlander
    April 25th, 2010 @

    Vanessa: Thanks for your comments. I’m sure it’s possible to have a good time there, but I won’t be going back to find out. First time, shame on you. Second time…

  25. Ken
    May 11th, 2010 @

    One more rooftop bar not on the list.

    HIGHBAR! new to midtown.

  26. Antoinette
    June 9th, 2010 @

    hi again. so my night out has arrived june 12th sat night and i picked bar 13. and tonic east.(A LIL BAR HOPPING) is there anything i should know or advice you’d like to give me. thank you!

  27. Josh Friedlander
    June 10th, 2010 @

    Antoinette: Can’t think of anything. Have fun!

  28. Josh Friedlander
    June 21st, 2010 @

    The latest from NYMag (will update our list soon): http://nymag.com/guides/summer/2010/66746

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