Image via Complex Original
We spent all winter secluded in our speakeasies, sports bars, or pubs, huddled over our drinks and wondering when the snowy mountains lining our sidewalks would finally melt? When we could go outside without wearing 27 layers of clothes to avoid frostbite? Yeah, it was a long teeth-chattering, soul-numbing winter, but we survived. So now it’s time to ditch those dimly lit bars, get outside, and enjoy a little fresh air with your drink. We have got just the places to do it, all with tasty libations, cool vibes, and scenic views ranging from the Empire State Building to bucolic Staten Island. Trade your wool scarf in for a T-shirt, grab a cocktail or a Corona, and kick back up on the roof. It’s summertime, baby. We finally made it.
JIMMY
Location: 27 Grand St., Manhattan
Jimmy was designed to evoke ’70s New York, but the style and the cocktails are thoroughly modern, with a seasonally changing menu, fresh-squeezed juices and top-shelf spirits—their Negroni with a lavender ice block is one super-classy libation, rooftop or not. The decor is class all the way, but you may not notice it due to the breathtaking views of the East River, Midtown, and the Financial District. The roof only holds 80 lucky guests, so be prepared to get there early or get shut out.
PH-D Lounge
Location: 355 W. 16 St., Manhattan
If you’re young, hot, and rich, or you just want to be near young, hot, and rich people, PH-D is the place to be. You’ll find a healthy sprinkling of celebs too; rappers, actors, athletes, and models congregate here for the bottle service and the DJs. The eats (including guacamole and lobster rolls) and drinks (a nice list of signature cocktails plus the usual assortment) don’t come cheap—but when you’re partying amidst the glitterati, you don’t want to look cheap, do you?
Refinery Hotel Rooftop
Location: 63 W. 38 St., Manhattan
The Freedom Tower may be the tallest building in NYC, but as far as romance goes it’s got nothing on the Empire State Building—the classy colossus that overlooks one of the classiest rooftop bars in Manhattan. The Refinery Rooftop is a combined 3,500 feet of indoor/outdoor space; the outdoor roof deck can get a little crowded at times, but the inside is so plush and inviting that you won’t mind circulating a bit. Despite the crowds, the mood is relaxed, mellow, and classy. The sophisticated cocktail list is as tasty as just about any bar that has, you know, a roof. The views of the Empire State Building add a little romance to any spring night, but if you can’t wait to get your roof on, it’s now open from noon to 3:00 p.m. for lunch on weekdays, too.
Gallow Green
Location: 542 W. 27 St. Manhattan
Clambering out of the ancient elevator that brings you up to Gallow Green is like stepping out of New York City and into a crazy enchanted garden party, lush and green, with only the view to remind you that you’re still close to home. This isn’t a place to hang with your bros: Better to bring a date here and impress her with one of their spectacular punches, some of them created/curated by famed cocktail historian David Wondrich. The bar bites are of the British finger food variety, with potted shrimp and crispy codfish bites adding to the offbeat charm of the place. To make it even better, check out the long running interactive show Sleep No More, which plays downstairs in the McKittrick Hotel, before or after a visit to Gallows Green. If you’re lucky, you might even find yourself face to face with a member of the cast.
SixtyFive Terrace
Location: 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan
A lot of people don't know that the modern cocktail revolution began back in the ’80s at the gorgeous tourist trap the Rainbow Room, when the legendary Dale DeGroff mixed magic behind the bar there. The Rainbow Room fell on hard times and was placed in mothballs for several years, but it reopened last year in all its opulent Art Deco glory. Its sister bar, SixtyFive, is a more modern and mellow sibling, though hoodies and sneakers are expressly prohibited. The creative cocktails, which range from tried-and-true classics to originals like the Salty Lassi featuring rum from New England and cumin, don't come cheap—and neither do bar bites like the potato chips with white truffle and potato espuma. But the amazing 65th floor view of Midtown NYC, including the Empire State Building, is free. And considering the Top Of The Rock observation deck runs $30, SixtyFive is almost a bargain.
Z Roof at Z Hotel
Location: 11-01 43rd Ave., Queens
You can’t get the best views of Manhattan when you’re in Manhattan. And that’s the facts. That’s why the Z Roof, in nearby but just-far-away-enough Long Island City, takes the honors for most gorgeous view in the five boroughs. The drinks aren’t quite up to NYC quality, but when you’re looking at the skyline at sunset (or at any other hour, in fact) it doesn’t seem to matter much. Weekends are dominated by the DJ’s beats; if you prefer downward facing dog to dancing, there's rooftop yoga classes starting in June. And of course, you can always just hang and look at that amazing view.
The Rock Shop
Location: 249 4th Ave., Brooklyn
When Park Slope’s got you down—all those strollers banging into your shins can be a real downer—hit the Rock Shop rooftop, located in between the Slope and Gowanus, and feel your troubles float away into the night sky. The view’s not much to speak of, but the vibe is chill and the prices are right. During their frequent happy hour specials, $5 will get you a beer or a Bloody Mary. The eats are reasonably priced too. There’s even a dartboard to while away the hours. And if you feel like checking out some live music, head downstairs. You’re at the Rock Shop, after all.
Night Of Joy
Location: 667 Lorimer St., Brooklyn
Located in one of the less fashionable areas of Billyburg (which ironically makes it one of the morefashionable areas amongst the hipsterati) this rooftop gem doesn’t have the most thrilling view, but it’s one of the best rooftop bars you can find. Killer drinks abound, like rosemary and ginger-infused bourbon or a cilantro Bloody Mary. And best of all, they’ve got a frozen margarita station starting at 5 p.m., seven days a week. Which of course makes it the perfect after-work spot, whether or not you’re a Brooklynite. The mood is romantic and mellow (with a little graffiti in plain view in case you forgot where you are), meant for kicking back and contemplating your cocktail rather than partying hearty.
Above Rooftop
Location: 1100 South Ave., Staten Island
The Forgotten Borough may not have the hip cachet of Manhattan or Brooklyn, but it's got a lot of folks who like to get their roof on just like anywhere else. And filling the void quite admirably is Above. It's only about 10 floors up, but Staten Island isn't known for it's skyscrapers, so that's plenty high to get some spectacular sunset and nighttime views. The craft cocktail movement hasn't yet migrated here, but hey, Appletinis and the like are still guilty pleasures. They've got DJs spinning on the weekends, and the whole vibe is surprisingly worth checking out if you're in the mood and in the area.
Pine Bar & Grill
Location: 1634 Eastchester Road, The Bronx
The Pine makes good use of the cheaper real estate in the Boogie Down—the rooftop digs are super-spacious, with an equally enormous restaurant downstairs. The cocktail menu won't make you think you're on the Lower East Side, but there are more than 40 wines available by the bottle, more than a dozen available by the glass, and a healthy selection of beers, too. The lack of a skyscraper view from the roof makes it feel like you're a lot further from the city than you actually are, but the expansive view of the night sky more than makes up for it. And the classic Italian eats available will remind you that you're in Da Bronx.