10 best rooftops of New York

Contemplating the New York skyline at sunset, with a drink in your hand and in good company is a moment you won't forget on your trip. Do you like the idea? Then don't miss the 10 best rooftops in New York where you'll feel the city at your feet. This is definitely one of the things you have to do in New York.

Also, check out our guide to the best places to eat in New York to complete your cocktail in the heights with a good menu to satisfy your appetite.

Watching the sun fade away and thousands of light bulbs slowly turn on to illuminate the New York night is one of the best experiences I've had at Rooftop 93, located at the Wyndham Garden Chinatown hotel in the heart of Manhattan.

This is one of my favourite rooftops in New York because it has almost 360º views of the city. It revolves around the top two floors of the building: the first floor is glassed in all year round, which is perfect if it's cool outside, and the dim lights inside create an intimate atmosphere. The first floor is open-air and has a rustic-chic style, perfect for those seemingly endless summer mornings.

During Rooftop 93's happy hour between 5 PM and 8 PM, beers are $7 and cocktails are $12 Bogo 50%. In other words, if you order one cocktail you get another one at no extra cost (Bogo = buy one get one). If you fancy a bite to eat afterwards, check out this guide to the best places to eat in Chinatown.

Practical info

Williamsburg's hipster rooftop. If you're looking for a casual place to spend a nice evening with friends, whether it's watching a football game or enjoying spectacular views of the city, you'll love Berry Park.

It's located right next to McCarren Park in Brooklyn and despite being on the first floor of the building, the Manhattan skyline looks amazing. The huge rooftop is partially covered and air-conditioned, so it is open all year round. When the weather is nice, the open-air terrace is a good place to go for drinks and dancing or to listen to the DJ on Friday and Saturday nights.

I like the Berry Park rooftop because the atmosphere here is lively and relaxed at the same time. It also has a good Belgian beer menu and the food has German and American influences. For snacks, the BLT sandwich or a Bratwurst & Fries is delicious, although they also have a special brunch menu on weekends from 12PM to 3PM, if you feel like doing something different. Here is also the guide to the best places to eat in Brooklyn.

Practical info

Located on Fifth Avenue, 230 Fifth is one of New York's most glamorous rooftops and is named for its location at 230 5th Avenue. As soon as you enter, the panoramic terrace draws you in like a magnet to contemplate the most breathtaking views of the Big Apple.

It is a spectacular place. Outdoors it has the largest rooftop garden in the city, where you can sip a refreshing cocktail surrounded by palm trees and candles in front of the Empire State Building and enjoy the typical modern New York atmosphere.

Inside, there is a large glassed-in lounge, perfect for when temperatures are still cool. However, if you don't want to give up the terrace, during the winter and until May you can book a place in one of the igloos to stay warmer and not miss the views of Manhattan. In addition, at night you can enjoy a beautiful light show that adds to the magic of the moment.

I recommend going to 230 Fifth at dusk to see the spectacular Empire State Building illuminated in front of you in all its splendour - it's a marvel! However, going in the morning also has its charm because the garden of this rooftop is a beautiful orchard. On weekends there is a brunch from 10am to 4pm which is great if you're visiting New York as a family.

Practical info

Many New York rooftops look like nightclubs, but not Broken Shaker, located on the rooftop terrace of the Freehand New York Hotel. With its tropical and relaxed vibe, this bar decorated with wicker furniture and potted plants has become one of my favourite places to have an aperitif and a delicious cocktail on New York evenings.

Broken Shaker is located on the 18th floor of this Flatiron District hotel. If you're looking for a drink on a quality terrace, this place is worth a visit. What makes this bar unique is that it doesn't so much feel like an upscale rooftop as it does like a party at a friend's beachside flat to which you've been invited.

Upon entering there is a large indoor space with plenty of tables as well as a large wraparound terrace where you can also sit and order something to eat while you watch the scenery, such as the tasty chicken empanada or shrimp taco. The cocktails are delicious and are made with fresh fruits, aromatic herbs and exotic ingredients, which gives them a unique touch.

To go to the Broken Shaker I advise you to arrive early because the place is very popular and sometimes queues form. The good thing is that the wait at this rooftop is worth it.

Practical info

One of my latest discoveries is Westlight NYC: great background music, tasty cocktails and breathtaking panoramic views of Manhattan and the East River - you're on the highest rooftop in the area! To recover, there's nothing better than ordering something from the menu to nibble on. How about some chips with chipotle aioli or some crispy calamari? You'll enjoy yourself like a kid!

Speaking of kids, if you're travelling to New York with your family, you'll love this rooftop because the little ones are allowed in every day until 6pm. It's a great place to drop in after a long walk exploring the Williamsburg neighbourhood.

It's located on the 22nd floor of the elegant The William Vale hotel in Brooklyn. If you want to skip the line at the entrance, I advise you to book a table as many New Yorkers come here after work to have a cocktail with friends while relaxing and watching the sun set over Manhattan.

Practical info

What I like about this rooftop is its simplicity, as it reminds me of the common area of a flat block where you'd want to hang out and have a quiet glass of wine.

The Lookup is a place without artifice, frequented by locals and not so much by tourists. Perhaps that formula is where its charm lies. There and in its original cocktails in jugs, for which this bar is famous. It's a good option to share with friends if you're travelling to New York in a group and want to try different varieties. Pair them with a few servings of their unique popcorn - it's delicious!

One of the advantages of The Lookup is its location: it's on the rooftop of the Kixby Hotel and nearby is Bryant Park, the Empire State Building, Macy's department store and Madison Square Garden. Stop by when the weather is nice and enjoy the stars on a summer's night - you won't forget it!

Useful information

Exuberant, modern and chic, that's Harriet's Rooftop, the rooftop terrace of the Brooklyn Bridge Hotel in the DUMBO neighbourhood. The atmosphere of this rooftop is one of the liveliest in New York and the views are simply unforgettable.

From its large open-air rooftop you can see Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, the river and even the Statue of Liberty, which from here looks like a small souvenir you might find in any gift shop in Times Square or Chinatown The views from the indoor lounge are also magnificent, especially for enjoying New York at night when temperatures are still cool.

Although the cocktails at Harriet's Rooftop are not cheap at around $18, they are worth a try as they are handcrafted and delicious. To take in the sights of New York City from a place as cool as this without a glass in your hand to toast with your companion would be to leave the experience incomplete. There's also a tasty snack menu.

Harriet's Rooftop is open every day but the magic hour is at sunset, when the sun goes down and the city is transformed into a light show. This moment is something very special in advance so it's no wonder this rooftop gets crowded. If you can make a reservation, all the better - you'll save yourself the queues!

Practical information

I hope you're not afraid of heights because this is one of the rooftops that will test your vertigo.Sky Room is the highest rooftop in all of New York!

This bar is located on the 33rd and 34th floors of the Fairfield Inn and Suites Hotel, near Times Square in Midtown Manhattan. The views of Midtown from here are amazing with the Hudson River, Times Square and the Empire State Building as a backdrop.

What is striking about the Sky Room is that the rooftop has five distinct indoor and outdoor spaces: North Terrace, South Terrace, Balcony Cube, Times Square Lounge and Candlelight Lounge. It's fun to walk around the rooftop because the view is different from each level.

For example, on the 33rd floor is the North Terrace and is open all year round as it is glazed. On the other hand, on the 34th floor is the South Terrace and has many comfortable areas to relax and unwind.

If you get the chance, I recommend going to the Sky Room on a weekday from 5PM to 7PM when there is Happy Hour - cocktails and a glass of wine are only $7 and beers are only $5! It's a perfect way to enjoy New York evenings in a different way: great views, good company and late at night the party starts with a live DJ performance. Of course, you need to be well-dressed and carry your passport to enter the rooftop .

Practical info

One of the most beautiful New York rooftops I've ever seen is at the top of the Pod 39 hotel in Murray Hill. It's popular for its ivy-covered brick arches, glowing string lights and tiled tables that create a fantastic village square atmosphere on this little terrace with views of the Empire State Building and Chrysler Building.

With a Mexican-inspired restaurant open year-round in the hotel lobby called Empellón Al Pastor, the rooftop is open during the summer season. I recommend you head up to Pod 39 at sunset to enjoy the evening with a refreshing pitcher of Margarita, a delicious craft cocktail made with agave and some tacos to nibble on.

This rooftop has a vibrant and youthful atmosphere, especially at afterwork, so if you can, I recommend you go a little before the offices in the area close so you don't have to wait in line for a table.

Practical info

This is one of the biggest rooftop discoveries I've made in New York City. The perfect place to enjoy the views of the Brooklyn skyline and the pleasant New York temperatures among the vineyards.

A rooftop among the vineyards? That's right, you read that right. Rooftop Reds has its own vineyard planted in large, tall, elongated planters. Not surprisingly, wine is the star drink here, although if you're not a fan of the nectar of the gods, they also have an excellent beer menu.

This rooftop is located in the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which was one of the most active shipyards in America during World War II. In 2014, this area was declared a historic district and since then many young entrepreneurs are locating here to give it a facelift.

Rooftop Reds is a place to meet friends and hang out over drinks. Whether sitting on the artificial grass, at the tables or lying on one of the very comfortable hammocks scattered throughout the terrace. An idyllic place to disconnect and enjoy the views of the Big Apple in an original way. Reservations are required.

Practical information

---

The essential thing is to arrive, sit down at a table and order your favourite drink to enjoy the panoramic views from any of New York's rooftops. But to make your experience as complete as possible, here are some tips for visiting them:

If you fancy seeing New York from above, as well as having a cocktail or brunch on the rooftops we've just seen, you can climb up to one of its many observatories to get the best views of the city. Among the most popular in Midtown are the Top of the Rock and the legendary Empire State Building. If you prefer views of southern Manhattan, I recommend the One World Observatory and if you want to visit the newest parts of the city and you're not afraid of vertigo, try The Edge.

Comparison of the best viewpoints in NYC