Six Best Rooftop Bars in NYC

The Big Apple never sleeps. Every second this city breathes with life, sparkles with energy. Getting caught up in the bustle and excitement of New York at day is any city-lovers dream, but this city is even more vivacious and alluring at night.

Cocktail in hand, breeze brushing past your skin, a spectacular view of grandeur skyscrapers, buzzing crowds and dazzling city lights. Let this city literally whisk you off your feet and be transported to your own little floating haven.

Here are some of the most decadent rooftop bars you can’t miss!

230 Fifth
230 Fifth Avenue
212.725.4300
www.230-fifth.com

230Fifth

This place was such a delight to discover. It’s a real oasis, a space of calm and decadence amongst the buzz of New York. Palm trees and fairy lights line the edge of NY’s largest outdoor rooftop garden, with a view in front of the Empire State Building. Downstairs is an enclosed ‘Penthouse Lounge’ with plush, deep-red tones creating a romantic and chic atmosphere.

230 Fifth is open all year round, with brunch offered at the weekends.

The Plunge at the Gansevoort
18 Ninth Avenue (at 13th Street)
212.206.6700
Photo credit: thedailyobsession.net

Photo credit: thedailyobsession.net

Located in the popular Meatpacking District, visit this exclusive rooftop bar at the Gansevoort Hotel for a seriously stylish night out. The hotel;s modern purple glow and architecture, standing tall and proud amongst its neighbours is certainly a cut above the rest. Just walking towards the entrance is enough to get anyone’s hedonistic juices flowing. Expect to rub shoulders with some of NY’s most stylish partygoers. This is one heck of a chic retreat with stunning 360 views over the Hudson River and NYC’s skyline. It isn’t easy to get in to, meaning don’t even bother if you don’t have guestlist, or aren’t wearing your most killer heels!

Ph-D at Dream Downtown
346 W. 17th St.
800.336.4110
Photo credit: nytimes.com

Photo credit: nytimes.com

Nothing short of indulgence, this nightclub at the top of Dream Downtown hotel will be a night to remember. Described from a New York Times review as ‘a glittering room of celebrities, beautiful women and cresting credit-card bills..(one of the many) successful playgrounds for the well heeled.’ The decor is unrivalled, decked with Italian Porto marble and Venini glass chandeliers. Pair this perfectly with cocktail in hand and panoramic views of a glittering skyline. It’s no wonder this place attracts the most beautiful and wealthy crowds of NYC.

The Hudson Sky Terrace
621 West 46th Street
212.315.9400
hudsonterracenyc.com

Photo credit: hudsonterracenyc.net

Photo credit: hudsonterracenyc.net

An ‘unparalleled entertainment destination,’ this rooftop bar is popular for a reason. Located along the Hudson River, it’s a seductive and opulent venue. Again, it isn’t easy to get in to, however it is worth the effort. With an extensive cocktail menu, sip on champagne cocktails while taking in spectacular views of the Hudson and skyline surrounding you.

60 Thompson Hotel
60 Thompson Street
212.431.0400
Photo credit: thompsonhotelgroup.com

Photo credit: thompsonhotels.com

This trendy, luxury-driven rooftop bar at the well-known boutique 60 Thompson Hotel in SoHo is not to be missed. The A60 terrace-bar is open to hotel guests, members and private parties only. Enjoy gorgeous views of the Hudson, TriBeCa and the Empire State Building. Mingle with the rich and famous (frequented by Sienna Miller and George Clooney) in one of New York’s most exclusive watering holes – dress to impress!

Le Bain
The Standard Hotel
848 Washington Street
 212.645.4646
Photo credit: vogue.com

Photo credit: vogue.com

This is NY’s hottest rooftop bar and nightclub in the Meatpacking district. It is the place to be seen. Ultra-cool and chic, complete with indoor jacuzzi and outdoor retro garden-terrace, it is another invite-only and exclusive venue, especially at the weekends. Attracting a very hip crowd, expect musicians and artists being entertained by world-class DJ’s in this unique space.

About Veronica

World traveler + foodie. Sharing travel stories, tips & advice as I seek adventure around the globe.

35 comments on “Six Best Rooftop Bars in NYC

  1. I love rooftop bars!! Just posted today myself about the Vertigo Bar on the roof of the Banyan Tree Hotel in Bangkok, coincidentally :). Great suggestions here – now I just have to plan a little trip to New York!

  2. I have some sort of fetish for rooftop bars so loved reading this, especially with how badly I want to go back to NYC. I’m on a mission to find the best rooftop bars in London at the moment!

  3. I just got back from NYC on Monday!! I went to “Upstairs” at the Kimberly, which was a little crowded when I was there but still amazing. I’s have to say that “Bookmarks” was my favourite!

  4. I spent a great autumn evening at 230 Fifth – wrapped up in blankets under the heaters after the sun went down. Will bookmark this for some other ones to try next trip!

  5. I love posts about NYC rooftop bars! I bookmarked this post for future dates or just a fun night out with friends, I live less than 2 hours away in NJ, so it’s fairly close to go now and then to NYC. Which roof bar would you recommend for a date and price? Hopefully, I can go to one of these and blog about it. Great post! Oh, and thanks for the follow! 😀

    • Lucky you living so close. I miss NY a lot! I think they all would be perfect places for a date! But to start with perhaps not Le Bain or phd, they are more nightclubs and would probably be too noisy to actually talk. 230 Fifth was just gorgeous, not too loud and it’s easy to get in to, you don’t need guestlist, so I would recommend that one :). Cocktails are probably around $14-$16. Hope you have fun!

  6. Bookmarked to my ”to do in ny” folder; I’m hoping to go there next summer so an evening out on a rooftop sounds perfect! If I can get into one, that is! Will probably start with the 230 Fifth too…

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