It may seem like we’ve been saying this for months, but summer is actually, factually almost over. But in NYC, rooftop bar season never has to end. The local weather forecast indicates that we’ve still got plenty of time between now and jacket season, and even once the temperature starts to drop, covered, enclosed, and heated rooftop spots abound in this town.
This is the time of year when trade swimming pools for fireplaces, frozés for hot toddys, and beach combing for apple picking. Autumn’s crisp air, beautiful foliage, and cozy sweaters come with certain superficial sacrifices, but your elevated cocktail, wine, and beer consumption needn’t be one of them. Here is everywhere you can enjoy outdoor-adjacent views and booze this fall and beyond.
Jimmy at the James
Tribeca
It’s not always easy to get into the rooftop bar at Tribeca’s James Hotel (bouncer, clipboard, all that), but it’s worth a try -- and often enough, you’ll be welcomed to the covered 18th floor rooftop to indulge in $19 grilled pineapple mojitos on a velvet sofa. Every seat in the house offers panoramic skyline views, and you’ll want to cozy up to the fireplace once the temperatures really start to drop.
Leaf Bar and Lounge
Flushing
When its balcony doors close on cooler nights, Leaf transforms from summertime hangout to cozy cocktail den. Curl up on a tufted leather sofa in the appropriately foliage-filled interior, or head straight to the bar for autumnal tipples like the barrel-aged Manhattan. Visit from 5pm-8pm daily for $5 draft beer, $7 wine, and $9 cocktails.
The Skylark
Midtown West
Spending time near Herald Square may strike you as an inadvisable, wrong, and bad choice, but this 30th floor bar elevates you out of the Midtown chaos to a 360-degree view of Manhattan and the Hudson River. Though the indoor rooftop stays open past midnight, plan to visit at sunset for the best westward facing views and #nofilter selfie opportunities. Cocktails are neither cheap, nor spectacular (stick to beer), but the location is perfect to delay your commute and hunker down on a rainy work day.
Bar SixtyFive at the Rainbow Room
Midtown West
Though a meal at the Rainbow Room may be out of your budget, the iconic venue’s neighboring cocktail bar will fill you with New York nostalgia without the massive price tag (or at least, a slightly less massive one). The views of Central Park, Midtown Manhattan, and Downtown are almost worth the price of drinks (a gin and tonic will definitely set you back $20). Spring for the $85 per person minimum for an outdoor spot when you’re feeling flush and it’s still warm out.
Lemon’s at Wythe Hotel
Williamsburg
Williamsburgians pining for views of Manhattan should head up to Lemon’s, the scene-y Wythe Hotel’s rooftop bar, which gets crowded quick on weekend nights. Up top, you’ll find skyline views, DJ sets, and plenty of cocktails. This season’s offerings include half-a-dozen $16 spritzers like the perky Lemon’s Squeeze, made with vodka or gin, Luxardo bitter bianco, lavender, club soda, and -- you guessed it -- lemon.
Refinery Rooftop
Midtown West
Exposed brick walls and industrial-style furniture allegedly paying homage to the Garment District’s history welcome you to the retractable glass-covered rooftop at the Refinery Hotel. Note the looming Empire State Building above the bar, as well as the cold-weather appropriate fireplace (should you be lucky enough to earn a spot near the flames). There are plenty of small bites, but you’re really here for the drinks, which you can order by the four-serving caddy. Pick from their takes on the standards, like the martini thyme, yuzu margarita, and coco Old Fashioned.
Bookmarks
Midtown East
Just a short walk from the New York Public Library, Bookmarks is a literary oasis where you can toast to a day of reading (or taking advantage of the NYPL’s free Wi-Fi) on a roof filled with bookish drinkers. Sunlight pours in during the day, and the place stays quiet even after rush hour, so you can discuss that riveting New Yorker feature with whomever you’re trying to impress in peace.
Penthouse 808
Long Island City
You’ll have to leave Manhattan for some of the best city views. This Queens clubsteraunt offers sweeping views of the east side skyline and the 59th Street Bridge. The 9,500-square-foot lounge doesn’t really attract the commuter crowd native to Midtown rooftops, but rather Queensians visiting from all over the borough (who aren’t always immune to the temptations of a sushi boat and bottle service).
Mr. Purple
Lower East Side
This 15th-floor lounge plays to the Lower East Side going-out crowd with cocktails carbonated and bottled in-house, punches made with small-batch spirits, and Irving Roasters coffee to keep partiers awake throughout the night. Keep warm with a side of fries, flatbread, or kale Caesar salad (naturally).
Westlight
Williamsburg
Located high up on the 21st floor of Williamsburg's The William Vale hotel, Westlight is home to some pretty spectacular city views, in addition to fancy cocktails and equally fancy bar bites from Chef Andrew Carmellini. Sip an autumnal bourbon libations, stay warm inside on one of the upholstered loungers, or brave the outdoors for its semi-ironic Top of the Rock-style standing binoculars.
230 Fifth
Flatiron
Expect to meet plenty of tourists at this indoor penthouse/partially heated outdoor roof deck. Once we start creeping closer to winter (watch out -- it’s right around the corner!), the space is adorned with artificial igloos that fit up to eight. The place fills up fast, and, like most rooftops, it skews spendy, so swing by on weekdays from 2pm-7pm for $7 beers, $8 wine, and $9 well cocktails.
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