Peak rooftop season might be on pause until next summer, but panoramic skyline views can still be enjoyed from indoor and heated rooftop spots across New York City. Cozy restaurants and bars across the five boroughs offer the perfect way to scratch that skyline itch without braving the chill of the fall and winter weather. From heated terraces to glass-enclosed lounges, here are some of the best rooftops to sip a cocktail and take in the view.
The Ready Cantina Rooftop
Moxy East Village, 112 East 11th Street
Perched atop the Moxy East Village hotel, the Ready Cantina is a lively rooftop escape perfect for after-work gatherings, weekend get-togethers, and nights out. Featuring a retractable glass ceiling, the laid-back spot stays open through every season, pulling back for breezes in summer and sealing in the warmth during winter. With a menu of Mexican-inspired fare, creative cocktails, happy hour deals, and a vibrant energy, the Ready Cantina is a great option for those seeking skyline views while staying warm.
Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Moxy Times Square, 485 Seventh Avenue
Located on the 18th floor of the Moxy Times Square hotel, Magic Hour is one of the city’s largest all-season indoor and outdoor rooftop bars. The expansive venue features multiple bars, live DJs, seasonal pop-ups, and stunning views of the Empire State Building. Guests can enjoy bar bites, cocktails, happy hour specials, and a vibrant energy year-round. The rooftop also offers 10,000 square feet of multi-purpose space, frequently hosting special events ranging from parties to exclusive nightlife gatherings.
Haven Rooftop
Sanctuary Hotel, 132 West 47th Street, Midtown
The Haven Rooftop at Midtown’s Sanctuary Hotel offers an elevated retreat in the heart of Manhattan. Just steps from Times Square and the Theater District, the rooftop destination features a robust food and drink menu and hosts a variety of specials and events, from happy hours to pre-Broadway prix-fixe dinners. Haven transforms with the seasons, with decor that evolves throughout the year to create a picturesque setting for date nights, family dinners, and everything in between. The space is also available for private events.
Bella Union Rooftop
411 Third Avenue, Kips Bay
With panoramic views of the Empire State and Chrysler Buildings and a fully winterized, glass-enclosed setting, the Bella Union Rooftop offers a cozy retreat from the cold. Visitors can indulge in a wide range of food and drink specials, including half-off bottles of wine, $10 burgers, pizza, wings, and more.
Mr. Purple
180 Orchard Street, Lower East Side
Offering sky-high style in true Lower East Side fashion, Mr. Purple’s rooftop bar and lounge sits on the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo. From its perch above the skyline, patrons can take in sweeping city views while sipping craft cocktails, locally sourced bites, and refreshing artisanal beverages. The menu includes small-batch spirits, regionally brewed craft beers, global wines, and a rotating selection of Gerber Group’s signature and contemporary cocktails made with market-fresh ingredients.
230 Fifth
1150 Broadway, Midtown
One of the city’s largest year-round indoor and outdoor rooftop venues, 230 Fifth offers a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere only blocks from the Empire State Building. Embracing spontaneity, the bar welcomes walk-ins at any time, inviting guests to take in its lively ambiance and sweeping skyline views. The space also features private rooms for birthdays, corporate gatherings, and other special occasions, as well as regular events like rooftop parties and Thursday disco nights.
PHD Terrace
Dream Midtown, 210 West 55th Street
Set 16 stories above Midtown’s Dream Hotel, PHD Terrace is a rooftop bar and lounge highly regarded for its elevated bar bites and laid-back vibe. The venue transforms with the seasons, featuring indoor lounges and open-air terraces across multiple levels. Open year-round, it offers sweeping skyline views and a lively atmosphere in any weather.
Somewhere Nowhere
Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel, 112 West 25th Street
This winter, cozy up in your own private rooftop igloo at Somewhere Nowhere. Located atop the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel, the popular rooftop lounge and nightclub transforms into a warm, glittering escape during the colder months. Each teardrop-shaped igloo fits up to five guests and can be rented for two hours, complete with a complimentary bottle of Champagne and the option to order additional food and drinks.
Lost in Paradise
11-01 43rd Avenue, Long Island City
Stay toasty all season at Long Island City’s Lost in Paradise. Fully enclosed and heated, this tropical rooftop keeps summer energy alive even as the days get shorter and the temperatures drop. The lounge hosts weekly events and specials, from $4 Taco Tuesdays and Thursday karaoke to bottomless brunch every weekend.
Vintage Green Rooftop
The Shelburne Sonesta, 303 Lexington Avenue, Murray Hill
Located on the roof of the Shelburne Hotel, the Vintage Green Rooftop is an all-season destination offering both indoor and outdoor seating beneath a retractable glass atrium. Enjoy craft cocktails, curated wines, and gourmet small plates amid a lush, nature-inspired setting. Spanning 11,000 square feet, the venue is also ideal for events, complete with an in-house sound system, customizable lighting, a sushi bar, and more.
Vue 180 Rooftop Bar & Lounge
DoubleTree by Hilton New York, 525 Eighth Avenue, Midtown
With 180-degree views stretching from the Empire State Building to the Hudson River, Vue180 Rooftop Bar & Lounge offers a serene year-round escape to sip, unwind, and take in the city from above. Visitors can savor handcrafted cocktails and elevated bites curated by the in-house chef, with offerings ranging from small plates to heartier dishes. Vue180 also hosts a mix of free and ticketed events throughout the year, from live music nights to open-bar parties.
Refinery Rooftop Bar
Refinery Hotel, 63 West 38th Street, Midtown
One of the most sought-after rooftops in the city, the Refinery Rooftop is a favorite among both New Yorkers and visitors alike, celebrated for its breathtaking skyline views and standout food and drink. By day, diners can indulge in a full lunch menu curated by Chef Jeff Haskell; by night, they can sip signature cocktails expertly crafted by the In Good Company mixologists. You can even take a virtual 3D tour to explore the rooftop’s vibrant atmosphere before visiting.
Starchild Rooftop
Civilian Hotel, 305 West 48th Street, Midtown
Atop Midtown’s Civilian Hotel, Starchild Rooftop features a retractable roof that transforms the venue from an open-air lounge to a climate-controlled, glass-enclosed space, keeping the energy high year-round. With outdoor terraces offering panoramic skyline views and a custom “Funktion-One” sound system, Starchild delivers an immersive rooftop experience that doesn’t stop during the cold.
Panorama Room
Graduate by Hilton New York, 22 North Loop Road, Roosevelt Island
For those seeking a rooftop experience beyond the familiar confines of Midtown, Roosevelt Island’s Panorama Room offers a distinct experience with 360-degree views spanning three boroughs and the Queensboro Bridge. At the Graduate Roosevelt Island—the island’s first hotel—the 18th-floor cocktail lounge features a glass-enclosed bar with soaring ceilings and an open-air terrace that allows visitors to move easily between indoors and out. Designed by Parts and Labor Design, the space accommodates 168 people and centers around a striking red marble bar with ample seating. The drinks menu reimagines classic cocktails, with highlights like a lychee martini, an amaretto sour, and a Long Island Iced Tea named after the Queens neighborhood visible from the bar, Long Island City, as the New York Times reported.
Castell Rooftop Lounge
260 West 40th Street, Midtown
Just a short walk from Times Square and Bryant Park, the AC Hotel’s Castell Rooftop Lounge is a great way to cap off your winter outing with a comfortable overlook above Midtown. Warm up with craft cocktails and bar bites on a heated, covered patio or at the sleek indoor granite bar. The classy space channels the feel of a classic lounge, featuring $9 martinis on “‘Tini Tuesdays” and weekday happy hour specials from 4 to 6 p.m., including $12 classic cocktails, $10 select wines, and $6 beers.
RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge
Hard Rock Hotel New York, 159 West 48th Street, Midtown
This glass-enclosed venue atop the Hard Rock Hotel in Midtown puts guests above the glittering lights and billboards of Times Square. The 34th-floor venue serves handcrafted cocktails amid live DJ sets and sweeping skyline views. A main bar with plush green velvet seating flows into two outdoor terraces with north- and south-facing vistas, while a private lounge offers space for more intimate gatherings. An extensive menu of cocktails and shareable bites is also available.
Ophelia
3 Mitchell Place, Midtown
The historic Beekman Tower’s top-floor cocktail lounge remains a favorite rooftop destination for the holidays. Nestled on the 26th floor, Ophelia offers sweeping views of the East River and beyond, along with creative interpretations of classic cocktails and a thoughtful culinary menu by Chef Antelmo Ambrosio.
Nubeluz
The Ritz-Carlton New York, Nomad, 25 West 28th Street, Midtown
Rising 500 feet above NoMad atop the Ritz-Carlton, José Andrés’ Nubeluz captures the luxury of the iconic hotel below. Described as a “glittering jewel box,” the romantic rooftop bar opened in September 2022, becoming part of the skyline while offering 270-degree city views.
Envisioned by the late architect Rafael Viñoly and completed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio, the 50th-floor space pays homage to New York’s glamorous past with jewel-toned interiors, two outdoor terraces, shimmering textiles, and onyx bar tops. The drink menu features inventive twists on classic cocktails, the bar’s signature drinks, wine and spirits, and alcohol-free libations, while bar bites include oysters, grilled cheese, a bagel and lox with cream cheese, caviar service, “sweet cones,” and more.
elNico
The Penny Williamsburg, 288 North 8th Street, Williamsburg
Located at the pinnacle of the Penny Williamsburg hotel, elNico is a lively rooftop restaurant and bar serving imaginative Mexican fare with sweeping views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines. This season, the restaurant’s greenhouse will transform into a festive “Winterhouse,” complete with holiday decor and a cozy atmosphere ideal for a winter night out. The menu showcases dishes like the signature mole tasting with tostones, esquites, and a selection of tacos, while the cocktail program highlights agave-forward spirits and seasonal drinks made with locally sourced ingredients.
Highwater Rooftop
Indigo Hotel, 120 Water Street, Financial District
A standout among downtown’s rooftop destinations, the Indigo Hotel’s Highwater Rooftop pairs panoramic skyline views with refined hospitality and modern elegance. The one-of-a-kind venue offers an elevated dining and nightlife experience, featuring curated cocktails, seasonal small plates, and unforgettable vistas. Weekday happy hour runs from 5 to 7 p.m., featuring $10 espresso martinis and flavored margaritas.
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