Summertime Means Rooftop Vibes!

ViDa Verde

I think this might possibly be my favorite rooftop. The whole restaurant is filled with music, art, and good vibes!

The food and drinks are AH-MAZING! Omg, and you absolutely MUST get the guac! Don't make the mistake of only getting one avocado like I did. Be sure to get 2!

The price point is great, and no matter when you go it’s always a good time.

Address: 248 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel

I love Upstairs! The location is central in midtown and just a few doors down from the subway.

Sophisticated chic vibes with great cocktails and decor. It is a more upscale in comparison to other rooftops, but the great thing is it isn’t snobby. The DJ was awesome the last time I went and truly catered to the crowd. Great Saturday evening/night location if you are looking something upbeat but don’t want to go to a club. Also, it’s a great location for a romantic evening or girls night out.

Address: 145 E 50th St, New York, NY 10022

Mondrian Terrace

Mondrian Terrace offers chill vibes overlooking midtown. It’s a great venue, moderately priced, and good crowd.

This rooftop hosts various events with an open bar, and they occur quite frequently. I attended one on national Rose day with a Rose open bar and it’s one of the highlights of my summer.

Address: 444 Park Ave S, New York, NY 10016

Sir Henri Penthouse

Don't let the small interior fool you. Sir Henri Penthouse gives off big vibes! Spectacular specialty cocktails and a very relaxed atmosphere.

I totally recommend it for a date spot. It’s dimply lit which sets a nice romantic tone once the sun goes down. I will admit that if you’re looking for a nice rooftop with a view, this wouldn’t be the best per say. But if you just want a nice venue to grab a drink and chill, Sir Henri Penthouse is a contender. The price point is a bit higher than average.

Address: 37 W 24th St 18th floor, New York, NY 10010

Moxy/Magic Hour Rooftop

Magic Hour Rooftop at the Moxy is unquestionably a fun rooftop bar and one millennials can get down with. It is an Instagramable experience. From the presentation of the cocktails to the numerous photo opportunities, you will certainly have a good time!

Drinks and food are moderately priced. When I went for Sunday brunch, there was a live band and aerialist. Total turn up vibes for brunch by the way!

Address: 485 7th Ave 18th floor, New York, NY 10018

PHD Terrace Dream Hotel

PHD Terrace is great for after work vibes. It doesn’t really get crowded until about 8pm. Drinks are pretty pricey, but the atmosphere, food, and views are great. It’s one of the more spacious rooftops in NYC.

Midtown Address: 210 W 55th St, New York, NY 10019

PHD Downtown has a pool and is vibey. It’s very similar to the midtown location but I would say the crowd is younger. The penthouse actually turns into a night club during the late hours. It’s not my favorite club but most people enjoy it.

Downtown Address: 355 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011

230 fifth

230 fifth is a penthouse lounge that features a rooftop bar. The brunch is really good! Its brunch buffet has almost all your brunch favorites for $29 per person. Drink prices are decent averaging about $14 for a cocktail.

You’ll find the perfect view of the Empire State Building here.

Address: 230 5th Ave, New York, NY 10001

Mr. Purple

Mr. Purple has fun eclectic decor which is the real appeal to me at this rooftop. There is an indoor and outdoor portion with the outdoor section having a pool. It has beautiful views of some of NYC’s skyline. The crowd is mixed, and the music is good. Mr. Purple It gets packed here, as it is a popular location, but it’s totally worth the visit.

Address: 180 Orchard St 15th floor, New York, NY 10002

Jimmy at the James Hotel

This Soho rooftop bar offers great view of the city, a calm setting, and chill vibes. It’s super trendy with an indoor lounge and outdoor portion that has a pool. Cocktails are priced on the higher end of the spectrum which is common considering the area. A plus is that they have froze!

Address: 15 Thompson St, New York, NY 10013

Monarch

Monarch is a popular NYC rooftop. My recommendation is to make reservations before going or you could potentially find yourself waiting on a line. Drinks are good and moderately priced. The music and crowd are good— the crowd is mixed but more so on the younger end of the spectrum. The rooftop has a great view of the city from all directions. It’s a bit smaller than depicted online but a decent size venue none the less. This rooftop has both a rooftop bar and indoor lounge.

Address: 71 W 35th St, New York, NY 10018

The Roof

The Roof has a calm relaxing feel. It’s a great place for cozy conversation or to relax while enjoying a cocktail. Drinks are a on the expensive side as they are considered “high-end cocktails”. Dress code is casual.

Address: 124 West 57th Street, 29th floor 29th floor, New York, NY 10019

Gitano Garden of Love

This isn't a rooftop but it's a great outdoor space. Based on the original restaurant in Tulum, Gitano truly brings the essence of the marvelous Mexican city to NYC.

Now let's get to the nitty gritty. The menu is okay, and the food is mediocre. The watermelon salad was refreshing but the quesadilla was bland and lackluster. However, the guacamole was good.

This location is more so for ambiance than anything else needless to say it is expensive. It's a pop-up restaurant and only open for the summer. Their main location is 23 Grand St, New York, NY 10013.