#The best rooftop bars and restaurants in NYC for fun like summers of yore
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“#The best rooftop bars and restaurants in NYC for fun like summers of yore”
Many of the city’s popular rooftop spots — go-to hangouts in summers past, when revelers could sip cocktails shoulder to shoulder and chatter excitedly in each other’s faces without fear of the coronavirus — have reopened with new safety regulations.
Some of these upper-story outposts reinvented themselves with spaced-out seating, Plexiglass dividers and bans on walk-ins, all made more palatable by panoramic views of the Big Apple for folks who snag reservations.
Other places, however, have overhauled themselves with innovative setups for the pandemic era. Take the Greens at Pier 17. Formerly a concert venue that hosted hordes rocking out to acts from Billie Eilish to Steve Miller Band as recently as last summer, the vast expanse is now blanketed with roped-off mini grassy knolls with lawn chairs for gaming and lounging.
The vibes at these venues may be more muted, thanks to decreased capacity per local regulations, but they’re still celebratory.
The Greens at Pier 17
Owner Howard Hughes Corporation has transformed the former open-air concert venue, which boasts the Brooklyn Bridge as its backdrop, into the rooftop of your social-distancing dreams. On one end, find 28 micro backyards: 14-by-14-foot rectangles complete with lounge-y sling chairs, an umbrella, a built-in Yeti cooler and a USB port for charging devices. There are also lawn games up for rent, from bocce to giant Jenga. On the other end of the space, lounge areas provide extra space to sample classic seasonal fare like lobster rolls and corn on the cob. Toast to your urban oasis with refreshing cocktails, like jalapeño-watermelon margaritas, ordered contactlessly from your phone. Reservations are recommended. Check the website for upcoming theme nights featuring projected movies, live music or DJ sets.
89 South St.; 212-732-8257, TheGreens.Pier17NY.com
Harriet’s Rooftop
Relaxing with a glass (or pitcher, if we’re honest) of frosé at the bar atop 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge, with sweeping views of lower Manhattan and Lady Liberty, makes for an instant vacation. Add to that the vibe at the outdoor pool — available only to hotel guests, where social-distancing protocols are strictly enforced and DJs spin thumping tunes — and it may seem like summer as usual. COVID-19 protections include an app for contactless guest services, touchless hand-sanitizer stations and a thermal-imaging camera that administers temperature checks upon entry. Have a little too much to drink? Check in to the hotel for a staycation; its rooms have added Dyson air filtration systems.
60 Furman St.; 347-696-2505, 1Hotels.com/Brooklyn-Bridge
Westlight
The 22nd-floor deck at the top of Williamsburg’s William Vale Hotel has expanded to include the Turf Club one floor up, which means an extra level of open-air fun with delightfully squishy synthetic grass and nearly 360-degree panoramas of Manhattan, Queens and Brooklyn. Cocktails skew classic and strong, and are served up alongside fusion fare like tempura sea bass buns and spiced chicken empanadas. Make a day of it: The hotel’s Vale Pool offers day passes to the public, with seating assignments, mask-wearing and limited capacity enforced.
111 North 12th St.; 718-307-7100, WestlightNYC.com
Summerly
Even the name is enticing. The eatery at the top of the hip Hoxton hotel brings New England vacation vibes to Williamsburg and dishes out flatbreads, lobster rolls and more with views of the Manhattan skyline. The restaurant has its own dedicated elevator and offers digital ordering. In the hotel, all distancing protocols will be enforced, with sanitizing stations scattered throughout. Bookings can be made through Resy.
97 Wythe Ave.; 718-215-7150, TheHoxton.com
The Press Lounge
A wraparound terrace perched at the top of the Ink 48 Hotel provides ample space for elegant social distancing with unobstructed sightlines onto the Hudson River and the West Side of Manhattan. (The perch is especially breathtaking at sunset.) For safety purposes, the venue is limiting guests to 90-minute reservations in assigned seats — which might actually be an improvement, considering how packed it’s been in past summers. There’s a table deposit of $40 per guest, which will be applied toward food and drink purchases made after arrival. Order the Happy Feet, a cocktail made with two types of rum and dehydrated pineapple: It’s a tropical getaway in a glass for all of us stuck in the city.
653 11th Ave.; 212-757-2224, ThePressLounge.com
Top of the Box
The sprawling rooftop of the Box House Hotel in Greenpoint was previously dedicated to wedding parties and their guests. No everyday partyers allowed! But with large-scale nuptials on hold for now, last month the venue transformed itself into a bar and restaurant — the only one in NYC with a retractable rooftop for revelry rain or shine. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, Top of the Box fits plenty of separated seating, including cozy hanging chairs. While there may be fewer elaborate flower arrangements on display, there are small bites and booze in the form of frozen cocktails, wine and bottle service, all delivered to your table via contactless ordering. Temperature checks are required for entrance. Reservations can be made via Resy.
77 Box St.; 718-383-3800, Instagram.com/TopOfTheBoxNYC
Cantina Rooftop
A delightful installation of rainbow umbrellas that form a canopy artfully floating overhead? That’s just one way this far West Side Mexican joint can lift spirits this summer. Another way is Cantina’s signature drink: the massive, potent Don Julio Skull Margarita ($30, plus you get to keep the cool mug). Pair the marg with Mexican entrees that nicely mix traditions from both street food and upscale cuisine — or perhaps, more fittingly, with the menu’s giant 14-pound taco. Temperature checks are administered, and hand sanitizer stations are available. Make a reservation through the website.
605 W. 48th St.; 212-957-1700, CantinaRooftop.com
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