The Most Unique Rooftop Bars in NYC
At these rooftop bars in NYC, you can watch planes take off, dip in a pool, see a concert, and more!
It’s easy to find a cool rooftop bar with sleek decor and an amazing view in New York City. In this list, we’ve compiled some more off-the-beaten-path options with special features like pools, unique architecture, and fun activities…in addition to great views! Check out our picks for the best rooftop bars in Manhattan and the outer boroughs:
1. Overstory, 70 Pine, Manhattan
Visitors are surrounded by Art Deco architecture at Overstory, a cocktail bar on the 64th floor of 70 Pine (one level above the restaurant SAGA). 70 Pine was the tallest building in Downtown New York when it was constructed in 1932. It held that title for 40 years until it was surpassed by the original World Trade Center. There are more than 100 terraces throughout the building, thanks to zoning laws that required buildings of a certain height to have setbacks.
To get to Overstory, a dedicated elevator whisks passengers from the red-marble lobby of the building up to the 63rd floor where you then ascend a flight of stairs to get to the bar. Out on the wrap-around terrace, you are treated to 360-degree views of the New York City skyline. On the menu, there are inventive cocktails like the Pink Tuxedo, a mix of vodka, cherry blossom, vermouth, strawberry, and absinthe, alongside non-alcoholic options like the Jasmine Sour with jasmine kombucha, celery, and lime. Small bites like oysters, popcorn, and a cheese plate are on offer for snacking.
2. TWA Hotel Pool Bar at JFK Airport, Queens
The rooftop Pool Bar at the TWA Hotel has a one-of-a-kind view. You couldn’t get closer to a taxing plane unless you were on it. As you lounge beside the infinity pool with a drink, you can watch planes land and take off from the runway at JFK Airport. In the summer months, reservations are needed for hotel guests and non-guests alike, and there is a cover charge. This rooftop bar is open all year round. In the winter, the pool is heated up to 95 degrees and turns into a “pool-cuzzi.”
3. The Water Tower at Arlo Williamsburg, Brooklyn
It’s not unusual to see a water tower perched at the top of a building in New York City, but it is unusual to go inside one. Atop the Arlo Hotel in Williamsburg, visitors can climb up a spiral staircase and gain access to a steel water tower structure that overlooks the rooftop pool. The Water Tower is covered in panes of glass so you can see views of Manhattan and Brooklyn while you enjoy a cocktail and some shareable bites. Inside, this rooftop bar is decorated with vintage-style pop art by a local artist and colorful velvet couches. Access to the space is first come first serve and it opens at 6 pm Tuesday through Sunday.
4. Rooftop Reds at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, Brooklyn
You might not liken the streets of Brooklyn to the hills of Sonoma County, California, but it turns out, wine grapes grow in both places. At Rooftop Reds, the “world’s first commercially-viable urban rooftop vineyard,” a custom urban planter system allows grapes to grow in 42 rooftop planters at the Brooklyn Navy yard location. These grapes are used each year to produce 20 to 25 cases of wine. Make a reservation to try some of the local vintages for yourself!
5. Cantor Roof Garden Bar at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Manhattan
Your experience at the Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden will be different every year. Each spring the museum unveils a new, monumental art installation on top of the museum. Past installations have included a swinging Big Bird sculpture, a giant LA-inspired Egyptian temple, and a haunted house. Until October 2024, the installation on view will be Abetare by Petrit Halilaj, an installation that brings children’s doodles to life. While you admire the art, you can also take in incredible views over Central Park. Sandwiches, snacks, cocktails, and desserts can be ordered from the Cantor Roof Garden Bar. A perfect way to cap off a day at The Met Museum!
6. The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel, Queens
If you’re looking for less of an urban feel and want something more beachy, The Rooftop at The Rockaway Hotel might be worth a visit. The seaside rooftop bar offers serene views of Jamaica Bay, the Atlantic Ocean, and a distant Manhattan skyline. While catching a sea breeze, you can dig into the raw bar, a shareable charcuterie board, or some mushroom tacos and wash it all down with a refreshing cocktail.
7. Zona de Cuba, The Bronx
Zona de Cuba sits atop the Post Office building at 558 Grand Concourse in The Bronx. Built in 1935, the post office building earned landmark status in 1975 and was designated a rare interior landmark in 2013 thanks to a series of WPA murals in the lobby. After sending off your letters at the post office that still operates on the ground floor, head up to the roof for an exhilarating dining experience. Zona de Cuba’s decor is inspired by the baroque architecture of Havana and the flavors on the menu reflect New York’s multicultural culinary scene. On the rooftop patio, bright red umbrellas mix with potted palm trees and rattan bistro chairs to bring a tropical feel to the city’s uppermost borough.
8. The Rooftop at Pier 17, South Street Seaport, Manhattan
The Rooftop at Pier 17 at the South Street Seaport is many things. Sitting in the East River, it primarily functions as a rooftop concert venue and outdoor movie theater (Seaport Cinema) during the summer. When shows aren’t playing, the space is activated by all kinds of fun activities. In the past, the rooftop has transformed into a winter holiday village, tennis courts, and rentable lawns. Designed by SHoP Architects and wrapped in a “Lightband” of color-changing panels, the rooftop boasts waterfront views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges.
9. Harriet’s Rooftop and Lounge at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Directly across the river from Pier 17 is 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. The lounge on the 10th floor is surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows, out of which you can view the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan skyline. One floor up on the rooftop, you can enjoy the views while lounging by the pool. We also love the pool and views from Brooklyn’s DUMBO House, but you’ll need a membership to gain access (or know someone who has one!).
10. The Allerton Bar and Rooftop at Pod 39, Manhattan
The brick walls, warm string lights, and green, flowering ivy at the Allerton Bar and Rooftop give it the feel of a secret garden in the sky. Located atop the Pod 39 Hotel, within walking distance of Bryant Park and Grand Central Terminal, the rooftop bar boasts views of Manhattan through brick archways and terra cotta columns. The building was constructed in 1918 and originally served as a men’s-only club hotel. It has been the Pod 39 Hotel since 2012 and now all are welcome to stay, enjoy the food and drinks, and take in the views!
Next, check out The Best Bars and Restaurants on the Water
