This past winter in New York City was a humdinger—blizzards shut down the MTA, sidewalks stayed slick with greasy ice, and it was still chilly in early May. But a punishing winter has a silver lining: we relish balmy weather all the more once it arrives. At long last, picnic baskets have returned to Domino Park, miniskirts to the West Village, and revelry to our fair city’s rooftops.
I’ll grant that some rooftop bars are gimmicky, relying on views to sling overpriced drinks and mediocre food to hapless tourists. But others would be destination-worthy even if they weren’t perched half a mile above Manhattan. In sky-high sanctuaries like Overstory and elNico, the mixology is elite, the kitchens hold their own, and the ambience compels you to linger. Skyline vistas are a bonus, not the main point.
Little darling, it’s been a long, cold, lonely winter. But here comes the sun. There’s no better place to greet it than from a penthouse perch with a refreshing libation in hand.
Overstory
Getting to Overstory is half the fun: first, an elevator ride up 63 stories, then an ascent up a travertine staircase to the wood-paneled crow’s nest of the American International Building, an Art Deco skyscraper in FiDi. Ranked No. 6 on North America’s 50 Best Bars, Overstory serves cocktails as visually striking as the tower’s Jazz Age flourishes. Order an In the Clouds, clarified milk spiked with whiskey and Earl Gray tea, and sip it on the wraparound terraces overlooking Lower Manhattan, the East River, and Brooklyn’s skyline. The bar serves light bites, but if you need heartier fare, head downstairs to Saga or Crown Shy, two of FiDi’s best restaurants.
Elsie
Long before Wall Street had its wolf, Park Avenue had Elsie de Wolfe. An actress, boulevardier, and interior designer to Gilded Age aristocracy, Elsie left us with gems like, “Be pretty if you can, witty if you must, but be gracious if it kills you.” (Pretty and witty are out for me, but I do aspire to graciousness.) She richly deserves an elegant bar named in her honor.
Elsie Rooftop sits in the 25th-floor penthouse of a Midtown tower overlooking Bryant Park. Adorned with velvet banquettes, crystal chandeliers, and gilded mirrors, it pays homage to the inimitable style and panache of its namesake. Order the Elsie de Wolfe—a sparkling blend of cucumber vodka, mint, lemon, rose water, and rosé—then settle in to watch the Empire State Building glow in the sunset.
Guardian at the W
The Guardian Life Building, a Beaux-Arts gem crowned by a red neon marquee, is one of my favorite buildings in New York. Following a $100 million renovation, Marriott reopened the Union Square landmark as a W Hotel, one of its luxury brands.
Tucked behind the famous illuminated sign, the indoor-outdoor Guardian at the W feels like a secret clubhouse above one of Manhattan’s busiest crossroads. Mercer Hospitality, the team behind Lure, Fishbar and Bowery Meat Company, oversees the food and beverage program. The tuna tartare, Maine lobster rolls, and prime beef sliders are menu highlights. On a warm summer evening, it’s one of the finest perches in Manhattan to sip a cold martini and watch rush hour melt into twilight.
Refinery Rooftop
The Refinery Hotel was once a hat factory in the Garment District, and the building still carries that same blend of old New York grit and glamour.
Few rooftops frame the Empire State Building better than the Refinery Rooftop. Pair a Paloma or Espresso Martini with truffle fries and sliders, then settle in as Midtown’s lights begin to flicker on. After a few rounds above the skyline, duck downstairs to Winnies Jazz Club to enjoy virtuosic live jazz in a gorgeous, speakeasy-like room.
Ophelia Lounge
The historic Beekman Tower has been a Midtown East landmark since 1928. Its rooftop bar, Ophelia Lounge, is an Art Deco sanctuary suspended above the East River. Brass fixtures, velvet banquettes, and black-and-white harlequin tile evoke the Roaring Twenties, while cutting-edge mixology keeps things firmly in the present. For the full shebang, order the Omacocktail tasting menu, an indulgent procession of miniature cocktails paired with luxurious bites like caviar bumps and tuna tartare spoons.
Somewhere Nowhere
Somewhere Nowhere
With tropical cocktails and a rooftop pool, Somewhere Nowhere feels like a Miami–New York fusion experiment. The indoor-outdoor venue, 39 stories above Chelsea, draws a crowd that is young, hot, and eager to celebrate. Order a frozen margarita, claim a seat by the pool, and enjoy the spectacle.
On Fridays, Sinatra Under the Stars brings live jazz to the rooftop, while weekends ratchet up the energy with EDM DJs. For a party with a view, look no further.
elNico
If you’re unconvinced that Brooklyn’s skyline views can rival Manhattan’s, spend an evening at elNico, the penthouse of The Penny Williamsburg. It’s a superb date spot, even beyond the sweeping views of the East River and Williamsburg Bridge. The noise level hits that elusive Goldilocks zone—lively enough to feel like New York, quiet enough to sustain a conversation.
For agave devotees, the bar is practically Valhalla. Primo tequilas share shelf space with mezcals that can be difficult to find even in CDMX. Sample a flight of neat pours, but don’t leave without trying the boozy horchata, creamy enough almost to be dessert.
