The 29 best rooftop bars in NYC

Now approaching three-years-old high in the sky downtown, Overstory is still a tough reservation to come by, but space can be had with a little patience and a lot of advance planning. Coordinate and you’ll be rewarded with truly out of sight skyline tableaus that even a hot air balloon pilot would admire. Overstory also allegedly accepts walk-ins, and the bar at Crown Shy downstairs is a lovely place to wait.  

One of 2021's best new rooftops, Panorarama Room has truly stunning views from the 18th floor of Roosevelt Island's Graduate hotel. It also has space inside and out, plenty to drink, seafood-forward snacks and somewhat larger plates. 

New to the 50th floor of the Ritz-Carlton Nomad, chef José Andrés’, Nubeluz has sweeping views of Manhattan. Classic and signature cocktails are joined by notable non-alcoholic options, and snacks include caviar, oysters and a smattering of sandwiches.  

A dedicated martini menu, plush upholstered seats inside and a lovely terrace beyond make Daintree a premier midtown perch. The colorful 29th-floor spot has some terrific style notes for those so-not-candid, ‘How’d the Empire State Building get there?’ snapshots. 

Jaffa opened this past may on the Hoxton hotel's mezzanine level, joining highly-regarded sibling spots Laser Wolf upstairs and K’Far below. Drink in the breeze, raw bar items, cocktails, beer buckets and wine by the glass or box at the lower-rise locale. 

Take the dedicated elevator 22 stories up to the industrially chic space that tops the neighborhood’s tallest skyscraper. A marvelous look at the Manhattan skyline is visible through huge wndows from inside the lounge-y space, and out on Westlight's large terrace. Sunset is a particularly nice (and popular!) time to visit. 

Laid back and relaxed, Red Hook’s Brooklyn Crab has three levels of good times, and our favorite is the rooftop. The supersized shack is very on-brand, with nautical decor, buckets of beer, tons of cocktails, fishbowl drinks and a menu overflowing with all manner of oysters, shrimp, lobster, and, of course, crab. It also boasts one of our lowkey favorite views across the East River that’s as enticing as a seafood tower. 

The seasonal terrace at Bar Blondeau, which itself only opened a couple of summers ago, is a lovely low-rise platform for the East River and NYC skyline landscape ahead. The sixth floor spot at the Wythe Hotel also has a lengthy cocktail, wine, beer and zero-ABV drink list and a better-than-rooftop bar selection of small and large plates. 

Night of Joy may not have the sprawling, multi-level rooftop, or over-the-top views that social media posts are made of, but its cozy space (open spring through fall) is still among the best. Its frozen margaritas are some of the city's finest, too. 

The 2019 follow-up to Dear Irving, this bi-level cocktail bar offers an “Ode to The Empire State” with spirits made in New York. And its surprisingly chic given its Times Square location. Velvet couches, brass finishes and rounded doorways seem straight out of the set design for a 1960’s James Bond movie. And after a couple of drinks, you might just get into your own espionage.

Ophelia is a place to trade conversation and maybe a few secrets, rather than shout over the soundtrack. Fashioned with soaring cathedral windows that look out onto the East River and jewel-toned blue walls, this is one of the most elegant rooftop experiences in town.

Beloved local minor league baseball team The Brooklyn Cyclones will reintroduce brunch on its Coney Island stadium’s rooftop on April 14, 2024. Spots are available all season long for day drinking with the pretense of an activity. Service starts at 1:30pm (games are at 2) and $60 tickets include fruit, yogurt, baked goods, sliders and unlimited bloody Marys, mimosas and beer. You’ll also glimpse the Atlantic ocean, Luna Park, and, of course, the game. 

Another Midtown beauty peacefully perched above the frenetic city, Bookmarks’ aesthetic competes with the majestic New York Public Library a stone’s throw below. Part of the Library Hotel, the literary theme is strong with this one. Grab a book and find a nook, or break out the Moleskine, follow the old adage “write drunk, edit sober,” and get to work on your own short story. 

Harriet's Rooftop and Lounge is on the 10th floor of the 1 Hotel adjacent to Brooklyn Bridge Park–one of the top lookout spots this side of the East River. Peep a panoramic view of the bridge and Manhattan beyond as you sip seasonally-themed cocktails.

Although it's only on the 4th floor, Lohi’s panorama stretches wide over surrounding East Williamsburg. Its twinkling backdrop is more understated than some corporate behemoths in the rooftop category, giving the space an incidentally beautiful feel. The “rooftop tax” that tends to inflate prices elsewhere is absent here, too, and Lohi’s beer, wine and cocktails are a few bucks cheaper than you’ll find at many Manhattan counterparts. 

The Ready has polished DIY-house party vibes on the top floor of the Moxy East Village. String lights glow and beer cans chill in coolers, but more elaborate cocktails and a retractable roof for those unseasonably cooler nights remind you this is no place like home. 

In addition to its two lowkey dining rooms, each with Manhattan views, Alma has a small bar area on its top floor. Sidle up to sip its standout margaritas, frozen or otherwise and often available in fruity varieties. (Alma is expected to reopen for spring, 2024 in the coming weeks.)

The sixth floor of The Rockaway Hotel has views of the Atlantic ocean and the NYC skyline, plus it’s close to the beach. Take it all in over large format margaritas or mezcalomas with pals, or order standard sizes to sip on your own. Big and small snacks like charcuterie, lobster sliders and raw bar platters are also on the menu. 

The rooftop at the ModernHaus hotel is open year-round, and it's especially festive this time of year. Up on the 18th floor, you’ll find poolisde seats and cocktails like the grilled pineapple mojito. 

Once you're warmed up from dancing at Elsewhere, you might want to feel the breeze on its rooftop bar. The fun continues upstairs with an outdoor stage where you can catch DJ sets; perfect for weekend nights with many acts.

This Broken Shaker follows the Miami original, and it’s still one of the best places in Gramercy for rooftop drinks. In addition to its indoor bar, the 18th floor terrace area is one of our favorite places to sip tropical cocktails in town. 

You don’t go to Our Wicked Lady for fancy cocktails or even a stunning view. But it’s still fun to hang out on its 1,300 square foot rooftop, where you can add well or premium booze floaters to your spicy margaritas. 

Magic Hour updates its look fairly frequently for photo ops that keep 'em coming back, and previous iterations spanning the Moxy hotel's 18th floor rooftop have included oodles of faux pastel blooms, disco balls and photogenic food and drinks. The hotel also opened an adjacent speakeasy concept a couple of years ago, for those keeping track.

Although it simply makes sense that The Bronx would offer some of NYC’s best views, this was the area’s first rooftop restaurant when it opened in 2019. Visit for brunch, dinner and of course drinks in the large, verdant outdoor space. 

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This real-deal vineyard is right in the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Vines thrive in dozens of planters across the rooftop’s nearly 15,000-square feet, soaking in the sunshine before fulfilling their destiny as your wine. Beer and cider are also available, but red, white, orange and sparkling wines on tap and by the glass and carafe are the wise move here. (Rooftop Reds is expected to reopen for the season in the coming weeks.)

This is not the kind of place we suggest for a casual pop in, but it does have its place in NYC nightlife as a Going Out destination. Expect wrap-around windows that spotlight the New York City skyline like it’s an enormous museum exhibit alongside celebritish sightings and late-night dancing. 

Located on the 21st floor above the Bowery, CloudM offers photo-ready views of surrounding downtown. It also accepts reservations to practically guarantee that Manhattan snap. 

If it took a little bit longer to get up to the 21st floor of Hotel 50 Bowery and if the crowd at the bar is a few more people deep than you’re used to after the past year and change, The Crown’s best-in-class view will remind you why you picked this bar, and this city, the moment it comes into focus. 

Elevate your drinking game at our favorite rooftop bars across the country, from elegant aeries to bare-bones patios