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Top 10 New York rooftop bars
Get away from the hustle and bustle of New York’s streets and escape to a rooftop oasis at one of the city’s many rooftop terraces.
New York is vibrant city home to some of the world’s best restaurants and bars, many of which come with a Manhattan-sized skyline to enjoy while sipping on cocktail or two.
In the summer months the city’s hotel’s and well-positioned bars throw open their doors and welcome guests onto their sun-soaked sky-high terraces.
Take a cab across the river to view Manhattan from afar or set yourself up with a Martini at one of Manhattan’s urban-chic terraces.
Just don’t forget to bring a wallet full of cash.
Scroll through to see some of the Big Apple’s most spectacular rooftop terraces…
230 Fifth
Rock up to this trendy city spot and take in the city’s most famed landmarks including the Empire State and Chrysler buildings while sipping a margarita. 230 Fifth claims to be New York’s largest outdoor rooftop garden complete with a fully enclosed penthouse lounge and spectacular views of the New York skyline. Spread over two floors with a funky 1940’s style interior, 230 Fifth is open 365 days of the year from 4pm to 4am serving a full bar and food menu.
230 Fifth Avenue, corner of 27th street
Salon De Ning at the Peninsula Hotel
Mixing New York urban chic with a taste of the Orient, this mid-town Manhattan bar, which overlooks Fifth Avenue, boasts stunning views of the city’s skyline which can be enjoyed from the bar’s luxurious day beds while snacking on Asian-inspired bites and signature cocktails.
Berry Park
Based in Brooklyn’s Williamsburg district, Berry Park boasts spectacular views of the Manhattan from across the river. Perfect for sports fans, this 3,000 square foot rooftop deck has a retractable roof, 14 beers on a tap and a theater-sized projection screen. During the 2010 FIFA World Cup, Berry Park laid claim to being Williamsburg’s premier soccer bar, serving up traditional American and German fare including bratwurst and sauerkraut.
4 Berry Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211
The Hudson Sky Terrace
Set to re-open for the season in May 2014, the Sky Terrace is located on the hotel’s 15th floor offering stunning, unobstructed views of the Hudson River and Statue of Liberty. Its waited bar serves 10 speciality sangrias including red and white Wine, French rosé, Pear-Limoncello and Kaffir Lime-Sake. Guests are advised to make a reservation before turning up to this sophisticated sky-high bar.
356 West 58th Street, New York, NY 10019
The Ides at the Whythe Hotel
The Ides Bar, located on top of The Wythe’s Hotel, boasts spectacular views of the Empire State building from its Brooklyn location and is a hot spot for the well-heeled New York set. Open to the public seven days a week, this trendy bar does not have a dress code, but one would not advise arriving in your ripped jeans and trainers.
80 Wythe Avenue, between North 11th and 12th Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Hotel Chantelle
With its laid back vibe and trendy decor, the rooftop terrace of Hotel Chantelle regularly attracts hoards of New Yorker’s who line up to take advantage of its super-value drinks brunch deal serving up cocktails including mimosas, bellinis and mint juleps alongside blueberry and ricotta pancakes and bacon-topped burgers.
92 Ludlow Street between Broome and Delancey Street on the Lower East Side
Empire Hotel Rooftop
Located on the 12th floor of The Empire Hotel this rooftop lounge spans 3,000 square feet and features three separate terraces boasting views of the Lincoln Center, Central Park and Broadway, and a menu of speciality cocktails.
44 West 63rd Street | New York NY 10023
Bookmarks Rooftop Lounge at the Library Hotel
This upmarket lounge bar is a haven for book lovers housed on the 14th floor of New York’s Library Hotel which has more than 6,000 books organised throughout the hotel based on the Dewey Decimal System. Each floor is dedicated to a particular literary classification be it art, fairytales, music or architecture. Soak up some culture in the hotel’s Poetry Garden Terrace while sipping on a Champagne and rum Hemingway cocktail.
299 Madison Avenue, New York City 10017
Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Roof Garden Cafe and Martini Bar
Open from May, the Zagat rated café and Martini bar at the Metropolitan Museum of Art is well worth a visit, if simply for its unobstructed view of Central Park. Accessed via the museum’s fifth floor elevator in the European Sculpture and Decorative Arts galleries, this hidden oasis offers the art lovers the chance to take in panoramic views of the city and fine art over a chilled Martini.
1000 5th Avenue, New York
Ava Lounge
You will need to smarten up to visit Ric Addison’s Ava Lounge, located on the Penthouse terrace of the Dream Hotel. Offering panoramic views of the Hudson River to Times Square, its owners describe this 2,500 square foot chic rooftop terrace as “part Riviera, part Rome with inflections of South Beach”.
210 west 55th Street NYC 10019