Warm weather means sitting outdoors to enjoy drinks and sometimes dinner, and nowhere is this more pleasurable than doing so at a rooftop bar. You get a spectacular view of New York City while still enjoying the sounds (although they are slightly more subdued since you're so high) that make the City so unique.
There are several places that have rooftop bars, and they are scattered all across the City. You're probably closer than you think to one of these, so take a look at the ones featured here and decide which one you're going to visit first.
Gansevoort Park Rooftop, 420 Park Avenue
Located on top of the Gansevoort Park Hotel, this is a combination pool deck and lounge area with three separate tiers. On the cooler nights, you can enjoy the outdoor fireplaces; on warmer evenings you can watch the hotel guests cavort in the pool. The rooftop bar is accessible by an express elevator that you can get to from Park Avenue South. This means you'll get up to the 20th floor faster, and start having fun immediately.
Sky Terrace, 15th Floor, Hudson Hotel. 356 West 58th Street
This hotel rooftop bar is usually open to Morgans Hotel Group Global Cardholders first. After they have been admitted, regular hotel guests, and (occasionally) members of the general public can access this very exclusive bar. If you do manage to get in, it will be well worth the effort. You'll have fantastic views of the Hudson River as well as the area surrounding the hotel, and enjoy drinks made from some of the finest liquor selections available.
Above 6, Six Columbus, 6 Columbus Circle
If you were most unfortunate to get a room at 6 Columbus Hotel that faces the drainpipe or alley, you'll be even happier when you get up to Above 6. Not only are you overlooking Central Park, specifically where all the music comes from, but you'll enjoy the 60's feel of this unique rooftop bar.
If your hotel room view does consist of the aforementioned drain pipe or alley, you may find yourself spending a lot of time up at Above 6. That's OK, the view of Central Park as well as the fun atmosphere of the bar, will make it all worthwhile.
Jimmy, The James New York, 27 Grand Street
The James New York, where Jimmy is located, is a very new hotel; it has only been open since 2010. This makes Jimmy a new rooftop bar, but one that is very different from others in and around New York.
To begin with, there's no happy hours, no special DJ appearances—in other words, nothing you'd expect from a regular rooftop bar. Actually, though, that's what makes it special.
It has a private, almost exclusive, feel to it, and you're able to enjoy both drinks and food that comes from David Burke Kitchen. Add to that the beautiful scenery that is in and around lower Manhattan (the SoHo district, to be exact) and you'll enjoy your visit to Jimmy.
Gramercy Park Terrace, Gramercy Park Hotel, 2 Lexington Avenue
There have been some recent changes to this rooftop bar, but don't worry, they're all for the better. More foliage means a more enjoyable atmosphere, and you can actually see where some of the ingredients put in your cocktail come from, because they're taken from the rooftop garden. You'll think you're in a country club rather than at a rooftop bar, but you'll still enjoy yourself. What's more, if you happen to go when a special event is scheduled at Gramercy Park Terrace, you're liable to see a celebrity or two.
