5 Favorite Rooftop Bars in New York City (and 1 in New Jersey)
When the weather gets hot, it’s time to head to the roof. Far from the “Tar Beach” of your apartment rooftop, some of these rooftop digs are downright posh.
Mé Bar Everything leading up to this bar seems lame. It’s in Koreatown, on the 14th-floor of the La Quinta hotel. But once there, you can easily see why this place is one of the best. The Empire State Building dwarfs you as you sit at the tables, under the outdoor lights. Only drinks are served but you can order food for delivery from one of the nearby restaurants. 17 West 32nd Street, 14th floor, 212-290-2460, mebarnyc.com
The Delancey The excessive foliage and fountain may cover up the fact that there is no real view from this Lower East Side rooftop. 168 Delancey Street (between Clinton and Attorney) 212-254-9920, thedelancey.com
Sushi Samba 7 Don’t get confused with the other Sushi Samba’s in New York City (and around the world), Sushi Samba 7 is the one with the rooftop. Rio de Janeiro-meets-Tokyo on the menu which features a raw bar as well as churrasco. Cocktails flirt with the $10 mark. 87 Seventh Ave South, 212-691-7885, sushisamba.com
Roof Garden Café Enjoy spectacular views of Central Park from the rooftop of the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the Roof Garden Café. Enjoy the light fare, beverages, and cocktails as you admire Jeff Koons sculpture exhibition, Jeff Koons On the Roof. Admission to the Met is “a suggested amount” of $20. But if you’re just stopping by to have a drink, forget the “suggested amount” and pay what you want. 1000 Fifth Avenue (at 82nd Street), 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org
230 Fifth This rooftop bar is known for two things: its very strict door policy and the fact that it is the largest rooftop bar in New York City. Spectacular city views, palm trees, a limited menu, and pricey drinks wait for you as you arrive at the 20th floor. Open from 4pm until 4am. 230 Fifth Avenue, 20th floor, 212-725-4300, 230-fifth.com
The Dubliner A true Irish bar in Hoboken, New Jersey is a great way to escape the bar scene in Manhattan. Three floors of fun, but The Dubliner may just have the only rooftop bar in all of Hoboken. No view, but there are good drinks, poured well, and friendly service, just blocks from the PATH station. 96 River Street, Hoboken, 201-656-7731, dublinerhoboken.com
BONUS: Mad 46 I just went to this new lounge and had to make it a late add to this list. The sparse surroundings located on the roof of the Roosevelt Hotel near Bryant Park, is great for weekday happy hour (it is closed Saturdays for private parties). The menu is beverage-only but boasts 12 martinis as well as bottle service. Mad 46 just opened in June 2008, so go before it becomes the city’s worst kept secret! 646-495-9511, theroosevelthotel.com
Photo credit (top to bottom): view from Mé Bar, personal collection; view from Rooftop Garden Café, personal collection.
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2 Comments
Excellent choices… 230 Fifth is beautiful, what a view of the city.
Hi Yannis, Yes, I like 230 Fifth as well.
I just added Mad 46 to the list because it is what 230 Fifth was before it got so popular. Check it out!