Watching the NYC skyline turn from day to night is a beautiful show, and the prime spot to catch this natural wonder is (of course) from a rooftop bar, where you can blend tasty sips with panoramics over the magical sunset. We will take you to our New York favourites, offering views and photo-ops out of this world.
Not surprisingly, sunset hour is prime time for these rooftop bars, so arrive early or make reservations to grab the best spots.
Perched on top of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo, Harriet's Rooftop is a natural-chic and beautiful rooftop, blending an interior lounge with a seasonal outdoor terrace. Pretty much an all-day venue, and you can come to enjoy sunny sips, cosy evenings or vibrant weekends, with DJ sets and a party-prepared crowd.
Thanks to the location, Harriet's Rooftop offers some of the best views you can get over Manhattan. Amazing and unobstructed panoramas, complemented with lovely vistas over Brooklyn Bridge. And the display that appears when the sun starts to set behind the skyline, creating a glowing NYC, is truly spectacular.
We love everything about Harriet's Brooklyn. The vibe, the view (one of the most spectacular in the world) and the delicious bar bites and cocktails. Our top recommendation is to book a table (you should definitely book in advance) right before sunset. Watching the sun go down behind the Manhattan skyline is quite a magical experience. Perfect to pair with some innovative and sustainable signature cocktails and Asian-inspired light bites from the rooftop menu.
The Crown rooftop bar is set on top of the fantastic Hotel 50 Bowery in Chinatown NYC, just by Lower East Side, and features both indoor lounge and two outdoor rooftop terraces.
Outside, you get absolutely fantastic 360° views over the Big Apple. Brooklyn Bridge, Empire State Building and One World Trade are all included sights, and The Crown is actually one of few places in the city that offers unobstructed views of both the Manhattan and Brooklyn skylines. These majestic vistas are something truly special during golden hour.
Open daily, you should visit The Crown rooftop bar early afternoon for a more relaxed lounge-vibe, sipping a cocktail and taking in panoramics on display. Later on the atmosphere turns more vibrant (and more full), with a trendy crowd enjoying nice beats and drinks.
A lush and sexy oasis during the warmer months, and a sleek and cosy respite during the colder season. Found on the 18th floor of the exclusive yet inclusive PUBLIC Hotel, high above Lower East Side, the Roof holds a glassed-in interior lounge, and the vistas you get through the panoramic windows are more than enough. But as soon as the weather allows, the landscaped outdoor terrace is where we all want to go.
Offering amazing and panoramic 360° views over the city, the vistas are for sure one of the main attractions at The Roof. Secure one of the tables right by the edge, and when it's time for golden hour, it will feel like it's only you, the sunset and all of the Manhattan skyline.
Of course Public Hotels rooftop is one of our favorites in the city. The view speak for it self, but we actually like the atmosphere just as much. So while it depends on what kind of vibe you are looking for, our favourite time to visit The Roof at PUBLIC Hotel is during Sunset Happy Hour (Mon-Fri 5pm-7pm). Good deals on drinks and sliders is never wrong, and for us, the views over a glowing skyline beat all other.
From daytime poolside celebrations, to nightime vibes under the stars.
The best winter rooftop bars in NYC.
Westlight is a year-round rooftop lounge, located on the 22nd floor of the William Vale in the trendy Williamsburg area in Brooklyn.
From the rooftop you get sweeping city views over the famous Manhattan skyline, East River and the surrounding buildings in Brooklyn. Always incredible, and more so when the sun sets behind the iconic skyscrapers.
This is a perfect spot for some early evening cocktails, with a mixed crowd trying to catch the amazing sunset views. As the night wears on the atmosphere usually rises to more vibrant, with a younger and chic crowd enjoying Brooklyn under the stars.
At the Graduate Roosevelt Island 18th floor, you’ll find the island's first rooftop bar available to the public. Blessed with a uniqe location, Panorama Room is dressed in a luxurious and dramatic suit, with plenty of velvet, marble and chrome, and both the interior lounge and the outside terrace lives up to the 'panorama' name.
Floating above the East River between Manhattan and Queens, the location is not the only thing unique here. The views are also something out of the ordinary, with 360° panoramas over the river, the bridges, the boroughs and the Manhattan skyline, which really glows during the golden hour.
What we like most about Panorama Room, is the unique location and view. No other rooftop in NYC offers a view like this. A tip is to take the aerial Roosevelt Island Tramway from Manhattan to Roosevelt Island, and then head up to Panorama Room. A four-minute panoramic ride, followed by sips with suset views. Pretty much a perfect start to any evening.
Rikard has spent the last 10 years exploring, enjoying, researching and working with rooftop venues. During these years he has visited more than 700 rooftops across the globe. The experience he has gained is used to create helpful, in-depth and accessible content, and to share his knowledge and rooftop expertise with fellow rooftop-lovers.
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The perfect mix of fine accommodation and sky-high fun.
A waterfront retreat right by the Brooklyn Bridge.
Rooftop Features:Harriet's Rooftop + Rooftop Pool
Close to all major NYC attractions.
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