Forget the Central Park in mid-winter and the One World observation deck — New York looks its best when viewed through the bottom of a glass. From sunsets over the Manhattan skyline to landmark views you couldn’t otherwise enjoy without breaking into someone’s Midtown penthouse, New York’s hotels with sky bars offer one-of-a-kind vantage points.
With 400 million annual visitors to HotelsCombined, we’ve whittled the city’s abundant accommodation down to the hotels with sky bars for the best views and tipples to accompany them. Each of the high-rising hotels on this list packs its own little surprise, from old-Shanghai-inspired solariums to enchantingly vaudevillian circuses. We hope you’re thirsty because we’re about to take the Big Apple and press it into a martini glass.
1. The Peninsula New York
You don’t take first dates to Salon de Ning. This glamorous rooftop bar by The Peninsula is the kind of intimate ace up your sleeve you save for those really special rendezvous. What’s that? You’re head-over-heelsing through the honeymoon phase? Perfect. Take ‘em to Ning’s. Of course, you don’t have to be in the throes of a summer fling to swoon at the views of 5th Avenue. If you need to gather yourself for a minute, collapse onto the patio furniture and calm those agitated butterflies in your stomach with a Ning Sling — Hendrick’s Gin, lychee, crème de pèche, mint, and palette-piquing passion fruit. As the 1930s Shanghai interior will have already suggested to you, much of the cocktail menu is artfully Asia-centric. But for those sultry summer nights, there’s also a delectable offering of boozy icecreams to scoop into. We hear the stuff spiked with mezcal is particularly delicious.
Attractions Nearby:
- The Museum of Modern Art (300 meters)
- St Patrick’s Cathedral (450 meters)
- Rockefeller Center (550 meters)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 731 – USD 4,875
Guest Rating: 9.0
Address: 700 Fifth Avenue At 55th Street, New York, NY 10019, United States
2. Archer Hotel
As is to be expected of the Fashion District’s hotels with sky bars, the Archer’s top-floor hangout is copiously chic without getting pretentious about it. A rectangular central bar lit by overhead Edison bulbs invites guests to mingle glamorously over artfully crafted cocktails. We hear the Oaxacan Negroni and gin-based Tête à Têtes are particularly delicious. There’s also pretty decent bar bites to nibble on. Scallops on a stick, lamb kefta, chicken sliders — that kind of stuff.
When it’s time to cut out the crowds, head downstairs to your guest room. We recommend the Double Double Empire View. Sure, the name gives away what the main perk is, but the subway tile bathroom, premium bedding, and complimentary indulgences will also elicit a couple of excited gasps.
Attractions Nearby:
- Madame Tussauds New York (750 meters)
- Library Walk (800 meters)
- National Geographic Encounter (850 meters)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 210 – USD 382
Guest Rating: 9.1
Address: 45 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10018, United States
3. 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
Some New York hotels with sky bars let the views go to their heads — 1 Hotel Brookly Bridge is not one of those hotels. Located on the 10th floor, cozy rooftop bar Harriet’s is warm and welcoming, with cozy diner-inspired booths and farmhouse style barewood floors. The airy lounge’s ceiling-to-floor windows mean that no matter where you sit, you’ll have a front-row seat from which to enjoy its panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and Brooklyn Bridge. Enjoy it with a craft cocktail. The Old Fashioned and Ricky Rose are both great choices.
Of course, you’ll also be able to drink in the view from your guest room. Each one at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge features a boutiquey interior with design touches inspired by nature and New York’s industrial heritage. The Bamford Wellness Spa is another highlight, which peddles in eco-minded wellness rituals.
Attractions Nearby:
- Gran Eléctrica, regional Mexican restaurant (260 meters)
- Empire Fulton Ferry Park, (350 meters)
- Brooklyn Heights Promenade (850 meters)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 487 – USD 1,656
Guest Rating: 8.7
Address: 60 Furman Street, Brooklyn, NY 11201, United States
4. Refinery Hotel
Refinery Hotel’s upscale rooftop hangout couldn’t be more “New York” if it tried. We’re talking post-industrial Manhattan interior, Edison lightbulbs strung from wall to wall, and oh yeah — unbroken views of the Empire State Building. Space is split between a semi-exposed sunroom (with a retractable roof) and an open-air terrace. So, it’s fair game all year round. Be sure to book your table in advance, though. With about 1,000 office buildings in its immediate vicinity, the rooftop gets very busy, especially on weekends. Weekdays do still draw some crowds, particularly those looking to graze on chef Jess Haskell’s fabulous full lunch menu, which flip-flops indiscriminately between the Mediterranean and East Asia. If you’re looking for a drink suggestion, look no further than the eye-catching selection of specialty Old Fashioneds, each of which is inspired by a different type of classic headgear — did we mention that you’re standing in an old fat factory?
Attractions Nearby:
- Morgan Library and Museum (550 meters)
- Empire State Building (650 meters)
- Grand Central Station (1.1 kilometers)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 349 – USD 601
Guest Rating: 8.9
Address: 63 West 38th Street, New York, NY 10018, United States
5. The Knickerbocker
If you know of a better rooftop spot in Times Square, you let us know. St. Cloud, The Knickerbocker’s swanky terraced lounge, is quite literally on a level of its own. With enough outdoor space for a party (and then some) it’s unsurprising that St. Cloud also throws one of the best new year’s eve parties in the city. Toast this incredible atmosphere with a martini — they were reportedly invented downstairs.
If hunger starts panging, there’s plenty of well-balanced bar fare available. But our suggestion is that you head down to The Knick, on the fourth floor. There, chef Charlie Palmer serves delectably developed American classics in a memorable, elegant setting. It’s the perfect conclusion to an unforgettable evening before you head to your soundproofed guest room or suite for an evening of silent respite.
Attractions Nearby:
- Times Square (130 meters)
- LoL Times Square Comedy Club (550 meters)
- Le Bernardin, celebrated French restaurant (850 meters)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 323 – USD 1,341
Guest Rating: 8.8
Address: 6 Times Square, New York, NY 10036, United States
6. The William Vale
At most New York hotels with sky bars, “rooftop” means sipping level (or just below) the city’s busy skyline. Few hotels actually offer a vantage point over the concrete jungle. The William Vale, however, is one of those few. Westlight, it’s 22-story topping terrace bar and restaurant enjoys almost unparalleled views of Manhattan from across the East River. Come at lunchtime and enjoy the locally inspired menu of street-food-style bites by Chef Andrew Carmellini.
Downstairs, The William Vale’s premium rooms and suites are just as inviting. Featuring clean lines, trendy wall art, and “damn-that’s-soft” premium bedding, all have enviable views of the river or surrounding city. To really stretch out your panorama, opt for the Deluxe Corner Suite
with Wraparound Balcony, which features a spacious 309-square-foot terrace, complete with patio furniture.
Attractions Nearby:
- Beacon’s Closet (500 meters）
- Museum of Food and Drink (750 meters)
- Brooklyn EXPO Center (900 meters)
Star Rating: 5*
Price: USD 319 – USD 1,056
Guest Rating: 8.9
Address: 111 North 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
7. AC Hotel New York Times Square
AC Hotel is pretty proud of its European roots, and you can tell that at Castell, its upscale Spanish bar. With cozy booths and banquette seating tracing the outer edge of its outdoor patio, and windowed bar seating inside, you’ve got a good chance of getting a spot with a view. That’s also because fewer people know about Castell than you might expect. When it comes to the drinks menu, Castell keeps things classic, with a strong emphasis on martinis (shaken, stirred, the whole shebang). They also serve some pretty descent sharing plates. If you’re looking for something substantial though, hop in the elevator and head down to Boqueria. Everything goes on the plancha here, Barcelona style. So grab a table at the 40-seat patio, if the weather’s fair, and order yourself some freshly caught seafood or flavorful house-made chorizo.
Attractions Nearby:
- Playwrights Horizons, theater (600 meters)
- Minskoff Theatre (600 meters)
- Bar Centrale, speakeasy (650 meters)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 186 – USD 382
Guest Rating: 8.8
Address: 260 West 40th Street, New York, NY 10018, United States
8. Arlo SoHo
Every night should end with a good story, and you’re almost guaranteed one at A.R.T, the trendy terrace atop Arlo SoHo. Sure, the conversation might pause for a minute while you admire the fantastic views of the Hudson River and Freedom Tower that this well-perched patio enjoys. But the House Spritz of Frose (French rosé, strawberries, vodka) will almost certainly restart the dialogue.
There’s plenty to talk about downstairs, too. Arlo’s hip Scandi-inspired rooms are a great place to crash for the evening. With spacious, innovative interiors and clean, VSCO-loving decor. Request the City Queen for a private terrace with sun loungers and your own private slice of seventh heaven.
Attractions Nearby:
- Jacques Torres, renowned chocolate shop (400 meters)
- Children’s Museum of the Arts (400 meters)
- Skylight Clarkson Sq (600 meters)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 118 – USD 760
Guest Rating: 8.6
Address: 231 Hudson Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
9. The Standard, High Line
Don’t let the name fool you — there is absolutely nothing run of the mill about this lavish boutique hotel. Straddling the High Line, New York’s coolest park, this trendy hotel pulls in trendsetters from around the city with its two ultra-trendy rooftop venues. Top of the Standard is a sparkling superclub with live jazz in the evenings and artful cocktails. Real unrelenting hedonists will want to check out penthouse discotheque Le Bain. It boasts a lineup of international talent, and in summer, a plunge pool on the dancefloor. There’s also a grassy outdoor space where you can catch a breather. Like other hotels with sky bars in Meatpacking district, it enjoys great views of the Hudson River. Unlike other hotels with sky bars, though, it has its own creperie.
Attractions Nearby:
- Whitney Museum of American Art (260 meters)
- Artists & Fleas (350 meters)
- Chelsea Market (450 meters)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 386 – USD 1,048
Guest Rating: 8.8
Address: 848 Washington Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
10. PUBLIC
PUBLIC’s proletarian mantra is all about making luxury an everybody thing — and if you think that cheapens the deal, check out The Roof. Featuring a verdant outdoor patio and 360º degree views of the city (everything from Freedom Tower to the Empire State), there’s a lot to be said about its unique take on kindling the community spirit. Seating takes the form or banquettes, bleachers, and central bar seating; all aimed at making people mingle.
With accommodation, PUBLIC toes a tricky line, doing away with all the unnecessary fuss but somehow maintaining an air of exclusivity. The Queen Hi Floor, for example, is essentially a double bed packed into a deconstructed wooden crate. We’re getting Scandinavian sauna chic (without the steam, naturally). Meanwhile, the ceiling-to-floor and (very nearly) wall-to-wall windows will make you feel like you’re floating above the cityscape.
Attractions Nearby:
- New Museum (200 meters)
- International Center of Photography Museum (850 meters)
- Museum of Chinese in America (1.0 kilometer)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 305 – USD 2,335
Guest Rating: 8.4
Address: 215 Chrystie Street, New York, NY 10002, United States
11. Hotel Indigo Lower East Side
When you share the same address as the dive bars that birthed punk rock culture, you kind of have to embrace you alternative side. Luckily, this Hotel Indigo is all about period-appropriate counter-culture, the gloriously grungy raw brick lobby being the first you’ll pause to appreciate. Up on the 15th-floor, rooftop venue Mr Purple dresses in funky, 1970s-inspired violet tones. Staying level with the lateral-thinking vibe of the place, there are a fair few quirks shaken into the classic cocktails on the menu (10-person Moscow mule? Yes please).
Attractions Nearby:
- Ludlow House (160 meters)
- Tenement Museum (450 meters)
- The Back Room (450 meters)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 200 – USD 582
Guest Rating: 8.3
Address: 171 Ludlow Street, New York, NY 10002, United States
12. Moxy NYC Times Square
True to its name, Moxy isn’t one to shrink away into the wallpaper. Zany design touches, from bronze elephant head sconces to neon wall fixtures, scream “look at me!” along every corridor of this creatively decorated boutique. There’s twice the enchantment upstairs at Magic Hour, the glittering circus-style rooftop lounge. Much to the frustration of other hotels with sky bars, you’ll get great views of the Empire State Building here. Meanwhile, fairground-inspired bar bites add to the whimsy, with amusement-park-inspired names like Sausage & Peppers, Maine Lobster Roll, and the Carnival Burger. For the kids at heart, a put-put course, carousel, and oversized topiary garden provide plenty of squeal-inciting distraction. There’s plenty of naughty fun to be had on the cocktail menu. We particularly like the sound of the Float My Boat (tequila, caramelized pineapple, and temperature-pushing Jalapeño syrup). Feeling a little sleepy? Magic Hour also has discount room rates on the menu if you inquire after 11 p.m.
Attractions Nearby:
- Empire State Building (650 meters)
- The Museum at FIT (750 meters)
- NBC Studios (1.4 kilometers)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 198 – USD 341
Guest Rating: 8.5
Address: 485 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10018, United States
13. The Beekman Tower
When it was opened in 1928, THe Beekman Tower marked a milestone for New York. Then known as the Panhellenic, it was the city’s first and only hotel that was run by women. For years, this trailblazing tower was a clubhouse for New York’s pioneering women workers. Ophelia, the Beekman’s top floor, hints back to these historic origins with period-appropriate craft cocktails like The Flapper (vodka, Di Saronno, lemon, pineapple raspberries, angostura bitters, and champagne). If you still need convincing that this is an exquisite drinking experience, Frank Sinatra was once a regular here.
Attractions Nearby:
- The Woolworth Building (130 meters)
- New York City Hall (230 meters)
- Seaport District (600 meters)
Star Rating: 3.5*
Price: USD 207 – USD 1,037
Guest Rating: 207 – USD1,037
Address: 3 Mitchell Place, New York, NY 10017, United States
14. The James Hotel
The James is one of those hotels with sky bars that’s good to know; the kind of place that any discerning cool kid keeps in their back pockets for when the mercury starts to really climb. Head up to this fun-loving deck for unbroken views of the Freedom Tower, a trend-heavy drinks menu, and a splash in the rooftop pool. The accommodation is just as inviting, with retro-leaning contemporary decor, rainforest showers, and generous soaking tubs. Another highlight is the ground-floor terraced bar, which is housed in a luscious tropical garden.
Attractions Nearby:
- AIRE Ancient Baths New York (600 meters)
- Canal Street Market (650 meters)
- African Burial Ground National Monument (1.1 kilometers)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 241 – USD 1,106
Guest Rating: 8.2
Address: 27 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013, United States
15. Wythe Hotel
You know the adage — when life gives you lemons, turn it into a gorgeous French colonial bar space. We seriously cannot get enough of the canary-colored lounge atop the Wythe Hotel. Lemon’s bright and airy interior is packed to the coffered ceilings with all the rattan, wicker, and tropical botanicals. It’s sensationally summery, and that translates on the menu with playful pours like the Rhum Rum Away and Capri, Son.
While Lemon’s might be chasing the sun, the hotel on which it sits has its foundations firmly planted in Brooklyn. Housed in a 117-year-old factory building, Wythe boasts arresting postindustrial good looks. The rooms are a minimalist marriage of clean lines and raw brick that looks almost too good you’ll be unsure whether to unmake the bed. Massive floor to ceiling walls give you plenty of natural light and a lookout over Manhattan. For those chilly winter visits, the stone floor is underheated and as a thoughtful extra, there’s boutique toiletries in the bathroom.
Attractions Nearby:
- Bushwick Inlet Pop-Up Park (170 meters)
- Music Hall of Williamsburg (450 meters)
- McCarren Park (650 meters)
Star Rating: 4*
Price: USD 285 – USD 721
Guest Rating: 8.9
Address: 80 Wythe Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249, United States
Hotel Location
Which of New York’s Hotels with Sky Bars Should You Sip At?
Few cities around the world can compete with the Big Apple’s diversity of hotels with sky bars. Venues range from glittering LA-style cocktail lounges to edgy factory-topping terraces each of which put their own special twist on the rooftop drinking experience. If unbroken Manhattan skylines are your thing, we suggest opting for the Brooklyn hotels that line the East River. That being said, if what you crave is to be nestled in amongst the concrete jungle, exquisite cocktail in hand, fairly lights strong overhead, Empire State towering above you, make sure you save yourself at least a couple of nights to explore the bars in Midtown Manhattan. You are guaranteed one thing no matter where you wind up though; your rooftop experience will set the bar to new highs.
Which of New York’s hotels with sky bars have you visited? Let us know in the comments below?
