10 Impressive NYC Hotel Rooftops to Visit Year-Round
No matter the season, New York City’s hotel rooftops are some of the best spots to soak in your surroundings. Check out the city skyline, enjoy inventive cocktails and snacks and maybe even take a dip in a heated pool at these nice gravity-defying bars and hangouts. Whether you’re a longtime local or a first-time visitor, these rooftops are not to be missed.
Photo: Ashley Sears
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Harriet’s Rooftop pairs views of the Brooklyn Bridge with an eco-conscious menu and decor that reflect the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge's larger commitment to sustainability. Set on the 11th floor, the space features reclaimed materials and a menu of Asian-inspired flavors crafted with responsibly sourced ingredients. The pool loungers and pool access are reserved for hotel guests, but all visitors are welcome to book a table at the adjacent Sky Swim Lounge for pool access and full food and drink service. Menu highlights include a raw bar, shareable plates like okonomiyaki fries and cocktails such as the Banana Silk, made with rum and banana liqueur, or a frozen watermelon margarita. On summer Sundays, DJs take over the rooftop for Sol at the 1 Hotel.
Courtesy, Castell Rooftop
AC Hotel New York Times Square
AC Hotel was founded in Madrid, Spain, by brand visionary Antonio Catalán. At its rooftop bar, Castell, you can enjoy classic NYC cocktails like martinis and Manhattans right in Times Square. Take in the lights and sounds of the City on the outdoor terrace among greenery-filled archways while you sip an Aperol spritz or warm up around the indoor fireplace and granite bar. With wood plank flooring and sleek, contemporary seating plus unforgettable views, the rooftop is ideal to visit any time of year.
Photo: Eric Medsker
Aliz Hotel Times Square
One of Manhattan’s best cocktail bars has set up shop on the 40th and 41st floors of the stylish Aliz Hotel. Dear Irving on Hudson is an offshoot of the deservedly famous Dear Irving cocktail bar in Gramercy. With 360-degree views and inventive craft cocktails, it’s a must-visit for those in search of a unique hotel bar experience. The decor is stylish and sumptuous, with jewel-toned velvet couches, mod chandeliers and an Instagram-worthy Mad Men vibe.
Photo: Lizzie Munro
Freehand New York
Broken Shaker brings elevated beach vibes to the rooftop of the Freehand Hotel, with open-air views, lush greenery and a tropical-inspired design that nods to its Miami roots. Ceiling fans and wicker furniture add to the feel of a Latin-inspired beach vacation. The globally influenced menu includes dishes like jerk chicken skewers, brown butter hummus and carne asada fries, plus house cocktails like the Oscar de la Hoya (which incorporates tequila, rum and Aperol) and a daily frozen drink special. Be sure to take advantage of their happy hour menu, on offer Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4 to 6pm.
Photo: David Mitchell
Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
After a multimillion-dollar renovation, the Gansevoort Meatpacking has become one of downtown Manhattan’s most luxurious hotels. With 360-degree views of the Hudson River and Manhattan skyline, the chic rooftop bar and lounge is filled with plant life, and offers plenty of seating including wraparound couches. Hotel guests and members can enjoy a heated pool, open until 9pm, with poolside drinks and food available. The bar—open to the public—serves inventive cocktails and farm-fresh dishes inspired by the Union Square Greenmarket.
Courtesy, Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York
Hotel Indigo Lower East Side New York
Mr. Purple captures the creativity of the Lower East Side from the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo, which weaves elements of the neighborhood’s artsy side throughout its design. The rooftop features industrial-style decor two open-air terraces with panoramic views of Manhattan and a seasonal pool reserved for hotel guests. A food menu of comforting favorites like burgers, avocado toast and caesar salad is complemented by signature cocktails like the Mr. Purple Cosmo and a frozen margarita. Brunch is served on weekends, and DJs take over in the evenings. Book a table via SevenRooms; the rooftop is open noon until late night.
Photo: Eric Hodgman
Ink 48 Hotel
What was once the very popular Press Lounge atop Ink 48 has been reborn as Hudson VU, a more culinary-focused, reservation-only space. The new spot opened in early May 2025 with many of the same aesthetic features as its former tenant, like the reflecting pools and panoramic views of Manhattan, but with updated decor, menu and cocktails. The kitchen is helmed by chef Samuel-Drake Jones, formerly of Michelin-starred Sweetbriar, and features an upscale menu that’s not too serious. Think masa croquettes, crab leaf wraps and the Birdcage, fried chicken served with mini cornbread, honey, salsa verde and harissa. The signature drinks are also fun, with offerings like the Matchatini, made with gin, coconut, yuzu liqueur, almond bitters and pineapple-vanilla syrup—and matcha, of course!
Courtesy, Moxy East Village
Moxy East Village
Designed by the Rockwell Group, the chic rooftop at the Moxy East Village pays homage to the neighborhood's artist vibe with eclectic decor and a bar built from colorful milk crates. A retractable roof creates a year-round oasis filled with plants and strung with Edison bulbs, making you feel like you’re at a garden party thrown by the chicest East Village resident you know. Tacos and other bar snacks accompany frozen cocktails, local beers and other boozy treats.
Courtesy, Versa Rooftop
Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel
Versa, atop the stylish Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, fittingly in the Garment District, has a retractable roof so you can feel you’re in a garden conservatory no matter the season. They offer a full menu of New American dishes for lunch and dinner. Dine on a wide variety of classic NYC fare while sipping a selection of craft cocktails, wine, beer or seltzer. The space overlooks Madison Square Garden.
Courtesy, TWA Hotel
The TWA Hotel
Quite possibly the most stylish airport hotel in the world, the TWA Hotel surprises guests and visitors with incredible architecture and unique experiences. Watch planes take off from JFK Airport while you relax in the heated rooftop pool or grab lunch at the Pool Bar and observation deck. The Pool Bar serves specialty cocktails, beer and wine as well as snacks like crudités and hummus alongside sliders, flatbreads and nachos. While you’re there, don’t miss Connie, the 1958 Lockheed Constellation aircraft that’s been converted into a mid-century cocktail lounge. Reservations are required for guests not staying at the hotel.
Courtesy, The Wall Street Hotel
The Wall Street Hotel
Visit Bar Tontine at the Wall Street Hotel for skyline views, a Latin-inspired menu and breezy, tropical decor high above the energy of Lower Manhattan. Named for the Tontine Coffee House, a late 18th-century trading hub that once stood on the site and served as an early home of the New York Stock Exchange, the 15th-floor bar now offers sunset dinners alfresco on a 180-degree terrace overlooking the East River. Sample dishes like oysters aguachile and have a build-your-own margarita experience where you can dream up your ideal flavor combinations.
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