Even with the rainy spring showers this year, we’re gearing up for the warm summer in a couple of months. This means turning on your AC units again, eating outside under a dining shed, and also going to a rooftop bar to enjoy a night out and watching the city glow without a heavy-duty parka. The biggest question is: where are we going? There are so many rooftop bars in NYC that it may seem impossible to choose. From lower Manhattan digs to new joints to explore, the 15 spots on our list will give you an easier choice if you’re looking to take fun Instagram photos or just to enjoy a one-of-a-kind ambiance.
Best Decorated Rooftop Bars in NYC
1.) VERSA NYC
View this post on Instagram
Where: 218 West 35th Street, inside the Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel
When: Monday: 8 am – 9 pm, Tuesday-Thursday: 8 am – 11 pm, Friday-Saturday: 8 am-12 am, Sunday: 8 am – 7 pm
This up-scale rooftop bar above a hotel serves trendy cocktails with fun names and amazing American gastropub foods like sandwiches, fries, burgers, and pasta. A partially indoors area is offered along with the outdoors, featuring leafy plants, and modern tables and chairs. Plus, it doesn’t hurt that this rooftop offers a beautiful view of the Midtown skyline.
2.) Castell Rooftop Lounge
View this post on Instagram
Where: 260 West 40th Street, inside AC Hotel New York Times Square
When: Monday-Thursday: 4 pm – 10 pm, Friday: 4 pm – 12 am, Saturday: 12 pm – 12 am, Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm
This bar will make you feel like you’ve just stepped into a romantic, modern, cottage-core space on the outside, and in a comfortable 1960s living room-style bar on the inside. This rooftop bar is perfect for dates or parties. With fancy cocktails, craft beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks, you’re bound to enjoy a classy evening here.
3.) Mr. Purple
View this post on Instagram
Where: 180 Orchard Street, Hotel Indigo’s 15th Floor
When: Monday-Wednesday: 5 pm – 2 am, Thursday-Friday: 5 pm – 4 am, Saturday: 2 pm – 4 am, Sunday: 2 pm – 2 am
While Mr. Purple is known for its winter chalet theme, they’re still one of the best rooftop bars to check out year-round. With amazing views of the LES, locally sourced food, craft cocktails, and cold-pressed juices, you will love how vibrant this spot feels.
4.) Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge
View this post on Instagram
Where: 485 7th Avenue, inside Moxy NYC Times Square 18th floor
When: Monday-Wednesday: 3 pm – 12 am, Thursday: 3 pm – 2 am, Friday: 3 pm – 4 am, Saturday: 11:30 am – 4 am, Sunday: 11:30 am – 12 am
This bar is known for their pink and rose themes during spring. Fans of Schitts Creek, hey have a Moira Rose cocktail complete with an ice rose! With pink desserts, flowers, carousel seating, this is the perfect place to go for weekend brunch with the girls or for a couple of cute pictures while enjoying drinks and treats.
5.) Night of Joy
View this post on Instagram
Where: 667 Lorimer Street
When: Sunday, Wednesday, & Thursday: 5 pm – 2 am, Friday and Saturday: 5 pm – 4 am
This bar’s rooftop patio is open during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. They are known for their frozen margaritas that feature different flavors and have cozy, vintage décor. It’s a pretty small bar, but perfect for a small group of friends. Plus, their cocktails look old-timey, taste delicious, and are decently priced.
6.) Talk Story
View this post on Instagram
Where: 160 12th Street, at the McCarren Hotel
When: Monday-Sunday: 3 pm – 11 pm
Wanting to recreate a Hawaiian vacation, Talk Story has open air breezes and tropical cocktails. They are named after a phrase originating from Hawaii that roughly means “hanging out and creating memories.” Their tropical cocktails include ingredients like pineapple, yuzu, mango, and toasted coconut. They have a lot of seafood options when it comes to food and even daily sushi handrolls.
7.) The Ready Rooftop
View this post on Instagram
Where: 112 East 11th Street
When: Wednesday-Friday: 4 pm – 10 pm, Saturday and Sunday: 12 pm – 10 pm
The Ready Rooftop probably has some of the most unique décor on this list. With bright blue colors, floral on stripes, assortment of chairs, and a plastic milk crate bar, this place gives off the vibes of a trendy backyard-party. For food they have chips and guac or fresh tacos. For drinks they have frozen, classic, and canned cocktails along with beer and wine.
8.) Gallow Green
View this post on Instagram
Where: 542 West 27th Street
When: Wednesday-Monday: 5 pm – 11 pm
Considered a hidden treasure or speakeasy, guests will find themselves in a lush green hall after an elevator ride. The Gallow Green is on top of Sleep No More’s McKittrick Hotel and is great for a romantic evening. There is musical entertainment and cocktails named after Sleep No More. Reservations are recommended for this spot, especially if you’re planning on going during the weekend.
9.) Brooklyn Crab
View this post on Instagram
Where: 24 Reed Street
When: Wednesday and Thursday: 4 pm – 9 pm, Friday and Saturday: 12 pm – 10 pm, Sunday: 12 pm – 9 pm
This popular Red Hook restaurant is a gem if you’re looking for somewhere very casual. The Brooklyn Crab serves a lot of different seafood dishes, and an assortment of cocktails and beer. They even have a beer garden with games like corn hole and mini golf that add a lot to the experience. Their space is really big, so big parties are allowed and encouraged.
10.) Ophelia
View this post on Instagram
Where: 3 Mitchell Place, 49th Street and 1st Avenue
When: Sunday-Wednesday: 5 pm – 11 pm, Thursday-Saturday: 5 pm – 2 am
Ophelia has the vibe of a fancy Sunday brunch. One of the classier rooftop bars in NYC, this place has a menu with fancy dishes from truffle fries to ribeye. With elegant sounding cocktails, wine, and beer, you will even feel dashing while looking out onto the East River. The walls are a beautiful deep blue with high windows to bring in plenty of natural light before the sun sets.
11.) Panorama Room
View this post on Instagram
Where: 22 North Loop Road
When: Thursday: 5 pm – 12 am, Friday: 3 pm – 2 am, Saturday: 11 am – 2 am, Sunday: 11 am – 12 am
With décor that looks like it was inspired by The Shining’s Gold Room, this bar one of the most beautiful rooftop experiences in the city. On top of the Graduate Hotel on Roosevelt Island, this space has retro lighting, fancy seats, and a pleasant ambiance. You can drink cocktails named the Night Hawk while snacking on oysters while looking out at one of the many tall windows into the skyline. It’s the perfect bar for a night out with friends or for a cozy weekend brunch.
12.) The Crown Rooftop
View this post on Instagram
Where: 50 Bowery, 21st floor of Hotel 50 Bowery
When: Sunday-Friday: 4 pm – late night, Saturday: 2 pm – late night
This is a popular go-to rooftop bar in downtown Manhattan. Guests can enjoy classic and seasonal cocktails while taking in the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines. The décor is simple, but also sophisticated with round lights hanging above the bar. So, while this bar is more crowded than what you’re used to, take a look at the décor and out at the skyline. This might just become your go-to as well.
13. ) Broken Shaker
View this post on Instagram
Where: 23 Lexington Avenue
When: Tuesday-Thursday: 4 pm – 12 am, Friday and Saturday: 4 pm – 2 am
The original Broken Shaker is in Miami, but that doesn’t mean the NYC location isn’t just as exciting. They serve tropical cocktails, wine, and beer. But if you’re not in the mood for an alcoholic drink, they also have mocktails. Their outdoor patio includes a charming little garden and the inside bar is decorated with colorful art and tropical furniture. This bar is great for a casual outing.
14.) Elsie Rooftop
View this post on Instagram
Where: 1412 Broadway, 25th floor
When: Wednesday and Thursday: 5 pm – 12 am, Friday: 5 pm – 2 am, Saturday: 1 pm – 2 am, Sunday: 1 pm – 10 pm
Elsie Rooftop pays homage to one society’s most renowned artists, Elsie de Wolfe. She is hailed as the first female interior designer and is known for replacing dark Victorian décor with a lighter, more feminine style. The bar itself is as sophisticated as Elsie. With white marble countertops and gold and blue accented seating, this bar really does exude classic femininity. Sip on an Old Fashioned while eating a Truffled Grilled Cheese.
15.) Cantina Rooftop
View this post on Instagram
Where: 605 W 48th Street
When: Tuesday-Thursday: 5 pm – 9:30 pm, Friday and Saturday dinner: 5 pm – 10:30 pm, Saturday brunch: 11 am – 3:30 pm, Sunday: 11 am – 6 pm
If you are searching for a fun, party vibe, Cantina Rooftop is the one for you. Offering a modern Mexican menu and specialty tequila and mezcal cocktails, the décor at this bar is colorful and loud. The bar has a climate-controlled retractable glass roof and it’s usually decorated with rainbow umbrellas or dangling flowers. They also have a greenery wall for photo opportunities. The food is a combination of Mexican street food and small family-run restaurant styles. This bar is a great option for date night and with a group of friends.