Best Rooftop Bars in Manhattan, NYC

Manhattan's rooftop bars run from hotel terraces staring straight at the Empire State Building to downtown decks over the Hudson and Times Square perches dozens of floors up. The picks range from relaxed downtown lounges to lively, crowded decks and a bar more than fifty floors above Times Square.

1. 

   Rank 1Daintree

   Koreatown

   4.7 out of 5 on Google4.7 GooglePrice level $$

   Sits face-to-face with the Empire State Building, and visitors come up for crafted cocktails and a sunset view across Midtown.

2. 

   Rank 2ART Midtown - Rooftop Bars Midtown, NYC (Arlo Midtown)

   Hudson Yards

   4.6 out of 5 on Google4.6 GooglePrice level $$

   Up on the 26th floor of the Arlo, this open-air bar looks toward Hudson Yards; mini mango margaritas and warm service from the staff keep coming up.

3. 

   Rank 3Cantina Rooftop

   Hell's Kitchen

   4.4 out of 5 on Google4.4 GooglePrice level $$

   A two-level Mexican rooftop with live DJs, where Taco Tuesday crowds end up dancing and servers get named again and again for attentive care.

4. 

   Rank 4230 Fifth Rooftop Bar

   NoMad

   4.3 out of 5 on Google4.3 GooglePrice level $$

   Indoor and outdoor space a few blocks from the Empire State Building makes this a year-round, walk-in option with views reviewers rave about.

5. 

   Rank 5St. Cloud Rooftop

   Times Square

   4.3 out of 5 on Google4.3 GooglePrice level $$

   Above Times Square in the Knickerbocker, a wrap-around terrace lined with living garden walls surrounds big indoor and outdoor bars.

6. 

   Rank 6ART SoHo - Soho Rooftop Bars, NYC (Arlo Soho)

   SoHo

   4.3 out of 5 on Google4.3 GooglePrice level $$$

   Sofas, armchairs and well-tended plants set a relaxed tone for downtown views stretching from the Hudson River to the Freedom Tower.

7. 

   Rank 7Spyglass Rooftop Bar

   Koreatown

   4.3 out of 5 on Google4.3 GooglePrice level $$$

   On the Archer Hotel's 22nd floor, the Empire State Building looms close, with partly covered seating for cocktails and weekend brunch.

8. 

   Rank 8Bar Hugo Rooftop

   SoHo

   4.3 out of 5 on Google4.3 GooglePrice level $$$

   After-work groups climb to this duplex hotel bar for a sweeping 270 view over Manhattan and the Hudson, quick finger food and staff who clearly enjoy the job.

9. 

   Rank 9Bar SixtyFive

   Midtown

   4.3 out of 5 on Google4.3 GooglePrice level $$$$

   Sixty-five floors up at Rockefeller Plaza, floor-to-ceiling windows and an open-air terrace frame the Empire State Building; reviewers suggest going at sunset.

10. 

    Rank 10Highwater Rooftop

    Financial District

    4.3 out of 5 on Google4.3 GooglePrice level $$

    Twenty-five stories over FiDi, a popular birthday spot with espresso martinis, fruit margaritas and staff praised for going above and beyond.

11. 

    Rank 11A to Z Rooftop on Fifth

    Midtown

    4.3 out of 5 on Google4.3 GooglePrice level $$

    For a relaxed dinner-and-drinks rooftop, this Hyatt perch near Grand Central offers direct Empire State views and American-Italian plates.

12. 

    Rank 12Bar 54

    Times Square

    4.2 out of 5 on Google4.2 Google

    Fifty-four floors over Times Square, bartenders mix custom drinks and wagyu sliders soak them up, though tall glass walls now partly block the view.

13. 

    Rank 13The Cantor Roof Garden Bar

    Central Park

    4.1 out of 5, 119 Google reviews4.1(119) GooglePrice level $$

    Atop the Met, museum-goers grab a cocktail and a bite with a rare angle on the skyline, though seating is mostly low wooden benches.

14. 

    Rank 14The Rooftop at Club Quarters World Trade Center

    Financial District

    4.0 out of 5 on Google4.0 GooglePrice level $$

    Visitors downtown can skip the towers: this hotel rooftop looks out over the 9/11 Memorial with friendly service and solid drinks.

15. 

    Rank 15Azul on the Rooftop

    SoHo

    4.0 out of 5 on Google4.0 GooglePrice level $$$$

    Crowning Hotel Hugo, this roof draws fans of the Sandia Fresca and comfortable seating; bring cash, since cards are not taken.

16. 

    Rank 16The Delancey Rooftop

    Lower East Side

    4.0 out of 5 on Google4.0 GooglePrice level $$

    Three floors on Delancey Street pair a rooftop garden with a lounge and live bands downstairs, making it a big-group night out.

17. 

    Rank 17Haven Rooftop

    Times Square

    4.0 out of 5 on Google4.0 GooglePrice level $$

    Bar seats are the draw here, where a bartender named Cansu wins over hotel guests with cocktails, warmth and tips on the city.

18. 

    Rank 18Artie's Backroom & Rooftop

    Murray Hill

    3.9 out of 5 on Google3.9 GooglePrice level $$

    Red-brick pillars and vines surround a 360-degree city view at this Pod 39 roof, with Italian comfort food from next door.

• Koreatown6 spots
• Midtown6 spots
• SoHo5 spots
• Times Square4 spots
• Lower East Side4 spots
• NoMad3 spots
• Financial District3 spots
• Hudson Yards2 spots
• Murray Hill2 spots
• Chinatown2 spots