Summer is upon us, and in New York, that means one thing: rooftops. Take advantage of the warm weather with a cocktail atop a sexy rooftop bar in the city that never sleeps. Read on for the best rooftop bars in NYC in 2019.
Ophelia
Ophelia Bar NYC
Ophelia, The Grand Terrace at 3 Mitchell Place, on the 26th floor is part of the Art Deco tower first built in 1928 and rebranded as the Beekman Tower in 1934. It has a 360-degree greenhouse terrace with views of the Manhattan skyline and a five-star food and cocktail menu to match. This year-round restaurant revives its Art Deco history through its ultra-sleek design. The velvet couches, exposed brick, black-and-white tiled floors, gold fixtures and dramatic windows are perfection. opheliany.com
Salon de Ning at The Peninsula New York
It might not be new, but Salon de Ning at Peninsula New York allows you to feel the energy and life of the city in the heart of Midtown Manhattan. For hotel guests and non-hotel guests alike, take to the rooftop for world-class cocktails and views over Fifth Avenue. The bar has Shanghai-style decor circa the 1930s and serves small bites. peninsula.com
Lemon’s at The Wythe Hotel
If you want to experience a slice of Italy, all you have to do is head to Brooklyn. The newly opened Lemon’s bar on the rooftop of The Wythe Hotel is transports you to the Italian Riviera with bold pops of yellow wallpaper on the bar’s interior, verdant greenery, colorful chairs and sofa on the outdoor patio and, of course, aperol spritzes and Italian-inspired cocktails. It’s bright, airy and provides the ultimate summertime vibes. wythehotel.com
The Surrey
This posh Upper East Side hotel recently opened a seasonal Dom Pérignon rosé garden on its roof in celebration of the launch of Dom Pérignon Rosé Vintage 2006. Enjoy bites from Daniel Boulud’s restaurant Café Boulud while you soak up all the views over Manhattan with a glass of vintage bubbly in hand. The rooftop is only available for hotel guests or The Surrey’s Patron’s Club members. thesurrey.com
Cantor Roof Garden Bar at The Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art is a can’t-miss for art and history buffs, but after hours meandering around the museum’s seemingly endless halls (including the most recent fashion exhibit, Camp: Notes on Fashion) take to the Cantor Rooftop at sunset to view contemporary art installations and sip on a glass of bubbly while watching the sun fade behind the Manhattan skyline. metmuseum.org
ART NoMad at Arlo NoMad Hotel
The Arlo NoMad Hotel’s ART NoMad rooftop serves inventive cocktails in a lounge atmosphere with dramatic views over the city. It’s casual and contemporary (a string of lightbulbs cord dangle loosely over the low couches) and there’s a glass-floor installation dubbed the ‘sky walk’ if you’re craving an Instagram moment. arlohotels.com
Bar SixtyFive at Rainbow Room
Rainbow Room is an iconic New York City landmark on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center. It opened just a year after Prohibition ended in 1934 and since then has remained one of the most upscale and coveted cocktail reservations in the city. There are few NYC buildings you can’t see from this high vantage point. Delectable bites such as east coast oysters and aged beef are available to pair with your cocktail. rainbowroom.com
The Roof at Public Hotel
publichotels.com
Ian Schrager’s The Roof at Public Hotel is ideal for after-work drinks, a casual workday or a late-night haunt filled with music and dancing. We recommend heading to the roof just before sunset (and right before the crowd intensifies) to get front-row views of Manhattan’s cityscape. The wraparound terrace has chic white loungers, dimly lit candles, fragrant floral arrangements and a fantastic cocktail menu. Order a tasty drink and clink glasses when the sun sets. publichotels.com
