Rooftop Bars in Upper West Side & Central Park, NYC
Courtesy of Le Jardin Rooftop
Food & Drinks

4 Best Rooftop Bars in Upper West Side & Central Park, NYC

Sip & savour above the world's most famous park.
Guide last updated:June 6, 2026

If you are looking for Manhattan spots with lush views, look no further than to the best rooftop bars in Upper West Side NYC and Central Park. Looking out over the urban park and the NYC skyline with a drink in hand is an experience hard to beat.

  • What this expertise guide includes

    Our complete and up-to date guide to the Best Rooftop Bars in Upper West Side & Central Park, NYC feature all info you need about each rooftop at the same place, so you don’t have to scroll around on several different sources finding it.

    For each rooftop, this guide presents:

    • Photos
    • Videos
    • Insider tips
    • Booking links
    • Dress codes
    • Prices
    • Food & drinks
    • When to visit
    • Views
    • Map
    • Ambience
    • Our own personal thoughts

  • Why you should listen to us

    We are full-time rooftop reviewers and content creators. Since launching The Rooftop Guide in 2015, we’ve visited over 1 200 rooftop venues worldwide.

    Except from our own experiences and insights, we also work closely with thousands of rooftops and local reviewers, so we can secure correct and updated content for all our guides & articles.

    With our vast experience and exclusive focus, we can present you with the most complete and up-to date guides about rooftop venues. And with our insider tips and knowledge, we can guide you to the best and most suitable rooftops for your own needs.

    Whether you’re looking for an upscale rooftop dinner, a laid-back rooftop brunch, a vibrant rooftop party or a luxurious hotel rooftop pool, we’ve got you covered.

Best Rooftop Bars in Upper West Side & Central Park, NYC

1

Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill

13th Floor
·
Columbus Circle
·
Indoor / Outdoor
Hidden rooftop gem for sushi lovers in the heart of Columbus Circle

Overview:Nestled within the stylish 6 Columbus Hotel in the heart of Columbus Circle, right next to Central Park, Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar & Grill offers an impressive fusion of elevated Japanese cuisine and a cozy rooftop experience, at the seasonal Hi-Bar up on the 13th floor.

View:From the intimate rooftop terrace you get a majestic view of the Manhattan skyline, with Central Park as impressive background.

Menu:The Blue Ribbon menu, fully available at the rooftop when it's open, showcases authentic Japanese cuisine and classic Blue Ribbon signature dishes, paired with an extensive selection of exciting sake and shochu cocktails, zero-proof mocktails, sake flights and Japanese beers.

Price:Cocktails: $18-22

Why visit:For high quality Japanese flavors in an upscale yet comy setting, high above Midtown.

The Rooftop Guide
Our insider tip
  • For extra special occasions, check out the prix fixe menus, served family style.
2

The Empire Rooftop

12th Floor
·
Lincoln Center
·
Indoor / Outdoor
Year round rooftop with iconic location

Overview:Set on top of the iconic Empire Hotel, The Empire Rooftop features both an indoor lounge, along with East and West outdoor terraces and a seasonal Sun Deck. The West terrace is equipped with a retractable roof, creating a year round rooftop experience.

View:Adorable views over the close by Lincoln Center, Brodway and Central Park.

Menu:Specialty cocktails, all kinds of wines, beer, spirits and some American style small plates.

Price:Cocktails: $21 | Beer: $10

Why visit:The perfect place for an after-work or after-show drink.

The Rooftop Guide
Our insider tip
  • Order an 'The Empire Sunset'.
  • Don't miss the weekend rooftop brunch.
3

Darling at Park Lane Hotel

47th Floor
·
Billionaires' Row
·
Indoor / Outdoor
Elevated secret garden oasis

Overview:Spending time at the rooftop on top of Park Lane New York is like stepping into someone’s (whimsical) living room. Called Darling, and perched 47 floors above Billionaire Row, the rooftop blends an inside lounge area with wood paneling and elegant plush sofas with a garden-like and covered terrace.

View:Surrounded with amazing views over the Manhattan skyline and Central Park.

Menu:An elevated cocktail menu with thoughtfully curated creations, complemented with small bites.

Price:Cocktails: $24-35

Why visit:As a hotel guest: for breakfast with a view. As an outside visitor: for evenings filled with unique cocktails, curated entertainment and smashing views.

4

Le Jardin Rooftop

29th Floor
·
Central Park
·
Indoor / Outdoor
Breathtaking views of Central Park

Overview:At the penthouse level of the luxurious Le Meridien New York, Central Park you find Le Jardin Rooftop, a Paris-chic and stylish cocktail bar where sips and skyline meet.

View:Breathtaking views of Central Park, and 5th Avenue.

Menu:Perfectly crafted signature cocktails, a curated wine list, and soem light bites

Price:Cocktails: $21 | Bers: $11

Why visit:For elevated golden hour sips, pre-show drinks or an intimate dinner.

The Rooftop Guide
Our insider tip
  • The rooftop is fully enclosed during winter.
  • Try 'The Eiffel Tower' smorgasbord is you are a group.

Latest video

4 Hidden Rooftop Gems Around Central Park

Rikard Fredricson
By:Rikard Fredricson

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.

Hot Read

Explore

Browse all the cities & articles at The Rooftop Guide

Follow The Rooftop Guide

Elevated Stays

Accommodation

Great NYC Hotels with Rooftop

The perfect mix of fine accommodation and sky-high fun.

Read full guide

You may also like

Amazing hotels with rooftop bar
Accommodation
8 Amazing Hotels with Rooftop Bar
Highest rooftop bars in the world
Inspiration
Highest Rooftop Bars in the World
The 30 best rooftop pools in the world
Pools
The Most Amazing Rooftop Pools around the World
40 romantic rooftop restaurants worldwide
Food & Drinks
40 Romantic Rooftop Restaurants Worldwide
Rooftop Brunch New York
Food & Drinks
Food, Bottomless Mimosas and NYC-views? This is what you need!
Top 10 Party Rooftops in the World
Celebrations
Top 10 Party Rooftops in the World