At last, both the weather and calendar say it’s summer. That means it’s time to be outside! You can work al fresco with tons of free Wi-Fi spots, but that’s no fun. Here now, we present a list of 32 rooftop retreats.
Some have pools, while others boast extensive food and drink menus. Some offer views of the city’s most iconic buildings, while others sport views from them. Many are in hotels, but that doesn’t mean you have to be a guest in order to enjoy. Please note: the fabulous options are listed below in no particular order. [Curbed]
1) Pod 39: On roof of the city’s three-year-old Pod 39 hotel sits this lovely bar & lounge. Plan your Midtown East foray for sunset, when you can stake out one of the colorful tiled tables along the bar’s perimeter, which is lined with atmospheric red-brick archways and rust-colored columns, all overhung with casual-cool strands of light bulbs.
2) Pod 51: It’s the sister hotel of Pod 39 and located, as you would expect, 12 blocks north. The roof deck is somewhere to veg out in bright Adirondack chairs or bring a picnic and take in the skyline. Not as ornate or full of amenities as its southern sister, but still a good spot.
[Via Hotel Americano.]
3) Hotel Americano: Designed by Mexican architect Enrique Norten, this West Chelsea hotspot is unabashedly contemporary. Find a bar, grill, and outdoor pool on its top, so whether you’re after cocktails in a cabana, a snack on a daybed, or a quick dip, you can have it all in ridiculously modern, Latin-infused surrounds with a stellar view. [More on Hotel Americano]
[Via Gansevoort Meatpacking.]
4) Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC: It’s hard to believe the hotel group’s first, flagship party-hard hotel is over a decade old. But the rooftop pool and buzzing bar haven’t lost their luster, oh no—though no longer edgily dubbed Plunge, the bar, now called Zerzura, serves up cocktails and light Mediterranean fare while making you feel like you’ve found an oasis in the desert. (Sorry, you’ll still have to deal with New York’s humidity.) Forget about the hotel’s dramatic history and prepare to chill—or, more appropriately given the well-coiffed hordes that pack the place, sweat.
[Via Gansevoort Park Avenue.]
5) Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC: Kim Kardashian’s hotel of choice (pre-Kanye, at least) has got to be good, right? It’s relaxation or a rager at this Gansevoort outpost (the group’s second in NYC), with former meant for the lounger-laden rooftop pool and the latter for the two-floor bar and lounge. The hotel once made headlines when it was slapped with an invoice by nearby residents for the hours of sleep they allegedly lost due to the rooftop’s noisy weekend parties. If that’s not a sign of a kickass party, we’re not sure what is. [More on the Gansevoort Park Avenue]
[Via Z Hotel.]
6) Z NYC Hotel: The best way to ogle Manhattan’s skyline, of course, is to get off the island. Opened in 2011, the Andres Escobar-designed hotel in Long Island City promises to deliver a “Gansevoort Hotel-like vibe” within its “razor-thin 75,000 square foot tower.” And atop that tower is the Z Roof Rooftop Bar, a 5,000-square-foot venue that boasts 360-degree views of the city. Expect the Queensboro Bridge, up close and personal. Plus, the hotel hosts yoga/fitness classes and seasonal picnic packages so that means more QT up in the air. [More on the Z Hotel]
[Via Le Parker Meridien.]
7) Le Parker Meridien: We knew that this iconic Midtown hotel was funny when, for the Christmas after Hurricane Sandy, its chef crafted a scene with the damaged One57 crane out of gingerbread and placed it in their lobby—but now we know it’s pretty sleek, too. Its enclosed 42nd-floor pool with an outdoor sundeck has views of Central Park and the skyline, offers a full food and drink menu, and sells membership and day passes for those who aren’t hotel guests. Dive in! [More on Le Parker Meridien]
[Via The Empire Hotel.]
8) Empire Hotel: Another one of the city’s most essential hotels has a stellar outdoor space. Bask in the glow of the Empire’s universally recognizable red sign on the pool deck (among the city’s best watering holes) while kicking back in a contemporary lounge chair. True, some neighbors have complainedabout the noise, but we just think that’s a telltale sign of a good time.
[Via The Hotel on Rivington.]
9) The Hotel on Rivington: Nordically nicknamed THOR, in the penthouse of the love-it-or-hate-it blue-ish building (no, not that infamous one) on the Lower East Side is a huge event space with three floors, 360-degree views, and a 900-square-foot open-air area. It’s just chilling, awaiting your birthday party, wedding, corporate event, or regular Tuesday night soiree. [More on THOR]
[Via The Standard.]
10) The Standard High Line: It doesn’t get trendier than Le Bain at this outpost of the Standard. Perch in one of the yellow chairs set atop the AstroTurf and take in the stellar views from the far West Side. Or dance the night away with “world famous DJs.” In the summer, a plunge pool and creperie ratchet the general discotheque ambiance up a notch. [More on the Standard]
11) The NoMad: Oh hi, Empire State Building. You’ll need to host (or attend) a private event to access this indoor/outdoor space atop one of the city’s most hip (and essential) hotels, but boy, will it be worth it. [More on the Nomad]
12) Wythe Hotel: The hot Brooklyn hotel has quickly become an indispensable part of the city’s hospitality scene, and that includes its rooftop bar, The Ides. The decor is pretty minimal, with simple metal tables on a gray-tiled deck, but that’s not deterring the crowds. Think of it this way: the space itself offers no distraction to the views of Manhattan, which are, naturally, the main attraction. [More on the Wythe Hotel]
[Via The Press Lounge.]
13) Ink48: Appropriately enough for a hotel located in a former printing house, Ink48 has got The Press Lounge at its apex. This Midtown nightspot doesn’t take reservations, so get there early to secure a spot amid the sexy, slender pool, pod-like chairs, and rattan couches. Ooh, pretty photos. [More on Ink48]
[Via Hilton New York Fashion District.]
14) Hilton New York Fashion District: At Rare View atop this Hilton outpost in Chelsea, you’ll be surrounded by a wooden fence and ensconced in plush red-and-black seats amid a smattering of plants. Tres classy, even if Hiltons aren’t always.
[Via Gramercy Terrace.]
15) Gramercy Park Hotel: What is it with this place? First it’s one of the New York’s most essential places to stay, then that it’s got a beautifully designed lobby, and now we’re telling you the rooftop is baller. Well, it is. Check out Gramercy Terrace for a sophisticated mix of tropical greenery and modern art by the likes of Warhol and Hirst. [More on the Gramercy Park Hotel]
[Via The James.]
16) The James New York: Eighteen floors above Soho’s streets, indulge at Jimmy, The James’s poolside bar. We’ve got another 360-degree view right here, and if you get sick of the classic leather, wood, and fireplaces, just try to cool off in the outdoor showers. That’s right, we dare you. [More on The James]
[Via Affinia Hotels.]
17) Affinia Shelburne: This rooftop bar and grill is also called Rare View. (Is a naming war with the Hilton in Chelsea afoot?) Extensive pillow menu aside, just be grateful you’re not among the plebes and collegiate types roaming the streets of Murray Hill below. Amen to that.
[Via W New York Downtown.]
18) W New York Downtown: W hotels are generally failsafe when it comes to cool, and this one is no exception—whether it’s mounting a fake ice-skating rink or serving as home to basketball prodigy Jeremy Lin. Though it’s not on the rooftop per se—apologies—the sleek fifth-floor Living Room Bar & Terrace does allow you to ogle the tallest building in the Western Hemisphere, One World Trade Center, in all its glory. Added bonus: front-row seats to the rest of the World Trade Center construction. [More on the W Downtown]
[Via Penthouse 808.]
19) Ravel Hotel: The apparently Miami-themed restaurant/bar/dance hall, Penthouse 808 atop the Ravel Hotel, welcomes all visitors to the fair land of Long Island City (with its previously touted Manhattan views). Based on the events lineup, expect lots of thumping DJ sets. [More on the Ravel Hotel]
[Via McCarren Hotel & Pool.]
20) McCarren Hotel & Pool: As befits a hotel housing an outdoor saltwater pool with $45 day passes, there’s also a rooftop bar in the picture. If the pool isn’t your thing, check out the Sheltering Sky lounge, featuring food, cocktails, and music under the stars. [More on the McCarren Hotel & Pool, previously known as the King & Grove Williamsburg]
[Via Bar d’Eau.]
21) Trump SoHo: Forget all about this hotel’s tumultuous history. Though its luscious pool is only open to hotel guests and condo residents, you can imbibe and pack away some grub on the deck at Bar D’Eau. Or just jump in when no one’s looking and hide under the waterfall. [More on the Trump Soho]
[Via the Refinery Hotel.]
22) Refinery Hotel: This two-year-old boutique hotel on 38th Street with steampunk-ish bent has a rooftop enclave, too. The Refinery Rooftop has vintage terracotta floors, artisanal cocktails, and indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate all seasons. A fountain and a fireplace, too. [More on the Refinery Hotel]
[Via NewYork.com.]
23) Holiday Inn West 57th Street: This hotel, marketed as midtown despite its close proximity to the Hidson River, does have a rooftop pool. It has food and drink. And you can buy passes to use it even if you’re not staying at the hotel. It’s not well-publicized—hence the lack of a photo—but we confirmed with the hotel.
[Via Northern Territory]
24) Northern Territory: This is not a hotel. It’s an Australian spot in southern Greenpoint. But it’s got some view, and a great burger—be sure to get pineapple on it.
[Via The Bentley]
25) The Bentley: This Upper East Side hotel boats a prime space (it’s actually called Prime at the Bentley) for you to gaze down the East River while eating and drinking. Fun fact: the entire menu is kosher.
[Via Alma.]
26) Alma: The building on Columbia Street along the Brooklyn waterfront where Alma is located isn’t big, but the view from the roof is. Take in the Lower Manhattan skyline and the ports’ cranes while munching on $18 guacamole.
[Via Roof at Park South.]
27) Park South Hotel: Want to take in the Chrysler Building from afar? Then this Flatiron District hotel‘s Roof at Park South is for you. The beverages come from Ted Kilpatrick, and the food from James Beard Award winner Tim Cushman.
[Via The Water Club.]
28) The Crow’s Nest: Located on the upper deck of The Water Club, which is docked in the East River around 30th Street, you really can’t get any closer to the East River. It’s got a nautical theme (of course) and also serves grill food. Remember, it’s closed on Mondays.
[Via 230 Fifth]
29) 230 Fifth: The view is fantastic at this rooftop bar, located at 27th Street and, you guessed it, Fifth Avenue. There is rooftop garden and a fully-enclosed penthouse lounge. You can just show up, but there is no guarantee you’ll get a table. However, if you agree to a food and beverage minimum or to bottle service, you can make a reservation. Be warned: it can get crowded.
[Via Upstairs at the Kimberly.]
30) Kimberly Hotel: Another midtown spot with a view of the Chrysler Building and stringed lights, Upstairs at the Kimberly not only has drinks but also food, both savory and sweet, in the evening and into the night. It also hosts brunch in the afternoon on weekends. At night, though, they turn up the music and there’s more of a party vibe.
[Via Sixty-Five]
31) Sixty-Five: Sit atop 30 Rockefeller Plaza, one of the greatest buildings in New York City, while sipping and noshing in business casual or better. At this “>bar and restaurant, your view includes both the Empire State Building and One World Trade Center.
[Via The Roof]
32) Viceroy Hotel: The Roof at the Viceroy boats views of Central Park, the Essex House, the Time Warner Center, and relative newcomer One57. It stays open until 4 in the morning.
Share this Post
All-Concrete House in South Korea Sports Two Concave ‘Moons’
June 26, 2015
Behold, 10 of the World’s Wildest New Interior Spaces
June 26, 2015
How It Feels to Stand Inside Jerry’s Apartment from Seinfeld
June 26, 2015
This New York City Map Will Offend Pretty Much Everyone
June 26, 2015