Rooftop Bars

As summer (slowly) approaches, the bar-going crowd is beginning to look for a warmer hangout. While most rooftop bars are still closed, opening later in May, I found a couple of spots that have already opened their doors. With the temperature hitting almost 75 last weekend, I decided to take a peek at the rooftop bar scene. The first place I checked out was Mé Bar, a rooftop bar on the top of the La Quinta in K-town which practically sits on the Empire State Building. The cheesy but charming set up of throw pillows on bamboo benches, tiki torches, and Christmas lights is a lot more fun at night, attracting a NYU crowd, the usual tourists, and young professionals. Drinks were reasonably priced and the bar had a very laid back, summer vibe.

Next, I did a drive by viewing of Local West Bar—a second story hangout across from Penn Station. From fifty feet away I could see that it was completely overcrowded with camera toting tourists and business commuters. Everyone looked like they were having a great time in the sun, but it looked so crowded that I worried about being shoved off the edge of the roof. I decided to skip Local West Bar and went on to my next destination.(picture courtesy of nymag)

Bar 13 is right off of Union Square, and has a separate entry for its roof top bar. Out of the three bars I checked out this weekend, Bar 13 gets my highest score. High above the traffic of Union Square, you would never know that this bar exists. I walked up the winding staircase to the rooftop to find a private party of young hippies and hipsters celebrating who knows what, complete with an open barbeque, animal crackers strung to the walls, and blow up animals dangling from rafters. It looked like a lot of fun. Unfortunately there wasn’t a lot of space for movement, so I had a quick drink and decided to return on the next sunny day!

Of course, there are also the more upscale rooftop bars. Those with 75 dollar gold martinis and exotic fruit cocktails were not on my short list, but for the right crowd, it looks like a swanky night out. These bars include:

A60: 60 Thompson, 60 Thompston St., between Spring and Broome Sts

High Bar: Gramercy Park Hotel, 2 Lexington Ave., at 21st Street

Hudson Sky Terrance: The Hudson Hotel, 356 W. 58th St., between Eighth and Ninth Aves

The Pen-Top Bar and Terrace: The Peninsula Hotel, 700 Fifth Ave., at 55^th

Plunge: 18 Ninth Ave., at 13th St.

Hotel Gansevoort: 18 Ninth Ave.

I was surprised to discover that there is no shortage of rooftop bars in Manhattan. In the 13 mile stretch, there are over 30 seasonal rooftop bars. Some of the favorites include:

230 Fifth: Located exactly where the name implies

The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden: 1000 Fifth Ave. 5th floor

The Park: 118 Tenth Ave.

Soho House: 29 9th Ave

Hotel Metro: 45 W. 35th St., between Fifth and Sixth Aves

For a more extensive list with short descriptions, visit New York Magazine….and hope for sunshine!