16 Best New York Rooftop Bars With Stunning Views
New York City’s skyline is a masterpiece, and there’s no better way to soak it in than with a drink in hand, high above the bustling streets.
These top rooftop bars in New York City will have you raising your glass to the city that never sleeps.
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1. 230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
230 Fifth claims the crown as NYC’s largest rooftop bar, planted right in the Flatiron District just a short distance from the Empire State Building. It’s open year-round, and you can wander in without a reservation—choose between indoor lounges or the sprawling rooftop.
You can sip drinks at one of several bars while a DJ spins, or dig into a menu that’s way more than just fries and wings. Dress code is smart casual, ideal for post-work hangs or lazy weekend afternoons.
Location: 1150 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
Website: Visit Website
2. Vintage Green Rooftop
Sitting 16 floors up at The Shelburne Sonesta Hotel in Murray Hill, Vintage Green gives you a sweeping 360-degree view—Empire State to One World Trade Center.
Thanks to a retractable glass atrium, you can settle in no matter the weather. Lush greenery everywhere makes it feel more like a secret garden than a city rooftop.
The menu offers craft cocktails and gourmet small plates, all designed to go with that skyline backdrop. There’s an American dining vibe, a touch of dinner theater, and plenty of lounge seating.
Location: 303 Lexington Ave 16th Floor, New York, NY 10016
Website: Visit Website
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3. Refinery Rooftop
The Empire State Building and the Manhattan skyline are front and center at the Refinery Rooftop; it’s no surprise crowds flock here year-round.
Industrial-chic details, featuring repurposed water-tower wood, brick walls, and a glass-roof atrium, make it feel like a world of its own. Fairy lights overhead, terra-cotta tiles underfoot, a fountain, and a fireplace all add to the cozy vibe, whether it’s July or January.
As for the food, there are options for every appetite, from the Whacked Up Steak to double-patty burgers and shareable towers of pizza and dips.
Location: 63 W 38th St, New York, NY 10018
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4. Monarch Rooftop
Set on the 18th floor above Herald Square, Monarch Rooftop serves up 5,000 square feet of city views, with the Empire State Building always in the background.
Floor-to-ceiling windows frame the whole scene, whether you’re stretched out on a couch inside or catching the breeze on the terrace.
The bar’s mixologist shakes up creative cocktails that go way beyond the basics. You’ll find seasonal tapas that play nice with the drinks menu; nothing too heavy, just right for sharing.
Location: 71 W 35th St, New York, NY 10001
Website: Visit Website
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5. Spyglass Roxtop Bar
Spyglass is perched on the 22nd floor of Archer Hotel, so close to the Empire State Building you’ll swear you could reach out and tap it. The view sweeps across Midtown, giving you that classic New York moment.
Sophisticated cocktails and shareable plates are meant for lingering while you take in the sights. The vibe is polished but not uptight; it’s easy to fit in whether you’re dressed up or just stopping by.
Weekend brunch is open to all ages, so you can bring the crew for daytime skyline gazing. Weeknights, it’s 21+ for cocktails. Rain in the forecast? No stress—the covered sections keep things cozy year-round.
Location: 47 W 38th St 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10018
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6. Top Of The Strand Rooftop Bar
Top of the Strand is 21 floors up in Midtown, offering up-close Empire State Building views and a cityscape that feels like a movie set. The lounge at the Marriott Vacation Club keeps things intimate, with a retractable roof so you can visit any time of year.
The bartenders here know their stuff, mixing up classics and seasonal cocktails. The mood is chill and unpretentious; definitely not one of those see-and-be-seen rooftops. Heart of Midtown location means it’s easy to swing by before or after dinner.
Location: 33 W 37th St, New York, NY 10018
Website: Visit Website
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7. Hide Rooftop
Hidden on the 20th floor of the Artezen Hotel, Hide Rooftop is a calm alternative to the Financial District’s usual noise. This cocktail lounge is perfect for escaping the chaos, with an atmosphere made for real conversation instead of shouting over a DJ.
The drinks are thoughtful, the snacks are well-matched, and the whole place feels like it was designed for unwinding. There’s a bit of mystery, but it’s never unwelcoming.
Details matter here—cocktails show real care, and the food complements them rather than overpowering. Being in the Financial District keeps it a little off the usual tourist radar. Locals and in-the-know visitors mix here, and that’s part of the charm.
Location: Artezen Hotel Lobby Entrance, 24 John St 20th Floor, New York, NY 10038
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8. The Skylark
High above 7th Avenue in Midtown, The Skylark serves up sweeping views of the Empire State Building, Hudson Yards, and Times Square from its cocktail lounge.
Between the open-air deck and the cozy indoor space, you get a spot that feels a little glamorous and a little relaxed.
Bartenders here like to riff on the classics, using fresh ingredients and a bit of flair. Whether it’s an old fashioned or a spritz, the drinks are familiar but never boring. The “dinner by the bite” menu is loaded with small plates—sliders, flatbreads, and other snacky things that could easily turn happy hour into a full-blown night out.
Location: 200 W 39th St, New York, NY 10018
Website: Visit Website
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9. Dear Irving On Hudson Rooftop Bar
Dear Irving on Hudson crowns the Aliz Hotel in Midtown, mixing up craft cocktails with some serious style. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a plush cocktail parlor set the scene, with the Manhattan skyline stretching out as your backdrop.
The drinks get creative without going overboard—every cocktail has a little story, and half the fun is just seeing what shows up in your glass. Small plates are in the mix too, perfect for sharing or hoarding, depending on your mood.
Location: 310 W 40th St, New York, NY 10018
Website: Visit Website
10. Haven Rooftop
Haven Rooftop floats above the Times Square frenzy, dishing out French-inspired bites and skyline views that steal the show. Glass walls and a heated enclosure keep you cozy year-round, so you can watch the city whirl by from your own little perch.
Cabanas are up for grabs if you want a private slice of Midtown. The cocktail list is inventive but not intimidating, pairing nicely with upscale bar food that leans French.
The location puts you right in the heart of the theater district, making it easy to swing by before a Broadway show or just settle in for a night of people-watching and city lights.
Location: 132 W 47th St, New York, NY 10036
Website: Visit Website
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11. Bella Union
Bella Union brands itself as an upscale American Saloon, and the three floors give you options—though the rooftop is the main event. Up there, it’s all about Empire State Building views and a laid-back vibe.
Menu-wise, it’s American bar classics, with wings getting a shoutout. Pop in for happy hour, brunch on weekends, or book out the space for a private bash.
Murray Hill might not be the flashiest, but with that rooftop angle, Bella Union punches above its weight. Reservations are a breeze, but walk-ins work too—just expect the rooftop to fill fast when the sun’s out.
Location: 411 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016
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12. Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Magic Hour takes over the 18th floor of the Moxy Times Square, calling itself New York’s biggest indoor-outdoor rooftop bar. Multiple bars, live DJs, and Empire State views keep things buzzing both inside and out.
The East Terrace is more chill, with TVs and an after-work vibe. As for the main area, that’s where you’ll find the current Magic Hour Mountain Lodge pop-up—western theme, carousel, and a rotating cast of cocktails and photo ops.
They like to switch up the decor and menu with the seasons, so you never really know what you’ll get, but it’s usually fun. Right in Midtown, you’re steps from Madison Square Garden, Penn Station, and Times Square. Walk-ins are fine, but a reservation helps.
Location: 485 7th Ave 18th floor, New York, NY 10018
Website: Visit Website
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13. The Empire Rooftop
Sitting atop the iconic Empire Hotel on West 63rd, The Empire Rooftop is all about those Lincoln Center and skyline views.
Spanning over 8,000 square feet, you’ve got options—West Terrace with a retractable roof for year-round hangs, and when the weather’s good, the open-air East Terrace or Sun Deck for soaking up the city breeze.
The crowd tends to dress up a bit, matching the space’s polished vibe, but it’s not unwelcoming. Order their Empire Sunset cocktail and just take in the view—it’s a classic pre-theater spot or a solid late-night hangout if you’re in the neighborhood.
Location: 44 W 63rd St, New York, NY 10023
Website: Visit Website
14. St. Cloud Rooftop
Perched on the 17th floor of The Knickerbocker Hotel at 6 Times Square, St. Cloud Rooftop gives you a front-row seat to Times Square and Midtown. The name nods to a 19th-century hotel that once stood here, so there’s a little history mixed in with all the neon and bustle below.
Living garden walls wrap the wraparound terrace, adding a bit of green to the scene. Indoor and outdoor seating flex with the seasons, and the cocktail list is just adventurous enough.
You’ll spot craft beers and seasonal small plates that keep things interesting without overcomplicating the night.
Location: 6 Times Sq 17th Floor, New York, NY 10036
Website: Visit Website
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15. Vue 180 Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Vue 180 tops a Times Square building, handing you views that stretch from the Empire State Building to the Hudson River. No need to worry about the weather; heating and cooling systems mean the rooftop’s open year-round.
Handcrafted cocktails headline the menu, with small plates and crowd-pleasers coming out of the in-house kitchen. It’s comfortable, unpretentious, and right in the thick of Manhattan’s skyline.
Location: 525 8th Ave, New York, NY 10018
Website: Visit Website
16. ART SoHo
High above the bustle, ART SoHo sprawls across the 11th floor of the Arlo SoHo Hotel, serving up skyline views that sweep from the Hudson River all the way to the Freedom Tower.
Indoors or out, you’re covered; the rooftop’s got a mix of lounge seats, high-tops, and just enough space to wander with a drink and not bump elbows every five seconds.
The menu is straightforward: tacos, shareable snacks, and small plates. Drinks are seasonal, with local beers, wine, and cocktails. The atmosphere manages to stay chill but not sleepy, especially when DJs show up on weekends and things start to buzz.
Location: 231 Hudson St 11th Floor, New York, NY 10013
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