It's on 2 of my lists. Each entry below is what I wrote about it there, with my verdict on that list, the fullest first.
Rooftop bar season in New York is a real thing and it typically kicks off in late April or early May. After months of being cooped up in dark, cozy bars (which have their own charm), suddenly everyone wants to be outside and elevated.
My favorites that I go back to every spring. Westlight in Williamsburg has panoramic views that will make your jaw drop. The drinks are expensive but the views are worth it. Go at golden hour. Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is gorgeous and slightly less crowded than the Manhattan rooftops. Mr. Purple on the Lower East Side is fun and lively and has a great happy hour. And if you want the classic tourist experience, 230 Fifth has an enormous outdoor terrace with direct Empire State Building views.
The trick with rooftop bars is getting there early. By 7 PM on a Friday in May, every rooftop bar in this city has a line. Get there at 4 or 5, grab a spot, order a drink, and watch the sun go down. You will feel like the main character and that is the whole point.
Harriet’s Rooftop sits atop the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, and offers unobstructed views of Lower Manhattan’s skyscrapers. There are two distinct seating areas, Harriet’s Rooftop is the outside patio that has furniture made of reclaimed wood and a backyard vibe (only open in the spring + summer).
Harriet’s Lounge on the other hand is inside, on the hotel’s 10th floor. This experience feels swanky, with floor to ceiling window and plush velvet booths. The lounge was listed on Conde Nast’s Best Bars & Restaurants in the World in 2021, and is one of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn that’s open late (until 2am Fridays and Saturdays).