Drink · Rooftop bars · 2026
The best rooftop bars in New York.
Every one from my own visits, updated September 2026. 9 places.
I’m going to be honest with you. Most rooftop bars in NYC are overpriced tourist traps where you pay $25 for a mediocre cocktail and fight for a spot near the railing. The “view” is often a brick wall and someone’s AC unit.
But some of them? Some of them are genuinely worth it. The kind of place where you walk out onto the terrace and your brain short-circuits for a second because you forgot a city could look like that from above.
- 230 FifthBar · Flatiron DistrictBut 230 Fifth has a direct Empire State Building view that is genuinely spectacular, and in winter they set up heated igloos on the rooftop that are honestly kind of magical.
- Berry ParkBar · Williamsburg, BrooklynIt’s a casual rooftop bar in Williamsburg with solid Manhattan skyline views and beers that cost what beers should cost.
- ManhattaBar · Financial DistrictThis is the bar I send every single person to when they visit New York.
- SkylarkBar · MidtownSkylark exists for one reason and that reason is the Empire State Building sitting right there, close enough that you feel like you could touch it.
- St. CloudBar · MidtownIt’s surprisingly well-run and the crowd is more hotel guests and after-work drinkers than tourists.
- The Met RooftopBar · Upper East SideThe Met rooftop is free with museum admission ($30 for adults, pay-what-you-wish for NY residents).
- The Roof at Public HotelBar · Lower East SideThe Roof is sleek, the crowd is attractive, and the views of downtown Manhattan and the East River bridges are legitimately great.
- Time Out Market DUMBO RooftopOther · DUMBO, BrooklynThis might be the best view-to-dollar ratio in the entire city.
- WestlightBar · WilliamsburgOn the 22nd floor of the William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, this is the Brooklyn rooftop bar that actually lives up to the hype.
230 Fifth
Bar · Flatiron District · 230 5th Avenue, Flatiron District
But 230 Fifth has a direct Empire State Building view that is genuinely spectacular, and in winter they set up heated igloos on the rooftop that are honestly kind of magical.
Berry Park
Bar · Williamsburg, Brooklyn · 4 Berry Street, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
It’s a casual rooftop bar in Williamsburg with solid Manhattan skyline views and beers that cost what beers should cost.
Manhatta
Bar · Financial District · 28 Liberty Street, Financial District
This is the bar I send every single person to when they visit New York.
Skylark
Bar · Midtown · 200 W 39th Street, 30th floor, Midtown
Skylark exists for one reason and that reason is the Empire State Building sitting right there, close enough that you feel like you could touch it.
St. Cloud
Bar · Midtown · 6 Times Square, Midtown
It’s surprisingly well-run and the crowd is more hotel guests and after-work drinkers than tourists.
The Met Rooftop
Bar · Upper East Side · 1000 5th Avenue, Upper East Side
The Met rooftop is free with museum admission ($30 for adults, pay-what-you-wish for NY residents).
The Roof at Public Hotel
Bar · Lower East Side · 215 Chrystie Street, Lower East Side
The Roof is sleek, the crowd is attractive, and the views of downtown Manhattan and the East River bridges are legitimately great.
Time Out Market DUMBO Rooftop
Other · DUMBO, Brooklyn · 55 Water Street, DUMBO, Brooklyn
This might be the best view-to-dollar ratio in the entire city.
Westlight
Bar · Williamsburg · 111 N 12th Street, Williamsburg
On the 22nd floor of the William Vale Hotel in Williamsburg, this is the Brooklyn rooftop bar that actually lives up to the hype.
Best rooftop bars in New York, 2026
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The full guide, with the ones that didn't make it and why: The Best Rooftop Bars in NYC. Where the Views Are Actually Worth It..