09 June 2026
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On Oct. 21, 1882, the Casino Theater flicked on its lights for the first time on 39th Street and Broadway. This was significant in the history of hospitality because of what was on the rooftop of this majestic building — a huge corner rotunda that opened onto a rooftop garden, where New Yorkers would flock to drink boozy concoctions and listen to a live orchestra.
It was the first in a long line of rooftop spaces, which — in this city of eight million where the streets are packed tight — has become a near prerequisite for every luxury and boutique hotel in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
So much so that now you can choose your own adventure: Do you want to do some sky-high drinking in a party atmosphere, or is a tranquil rooftop escape more your vibe? Do you want elevated dishes to go along with your literally elevated status? Do you prefer to gather with Gen Z and/or the trendy, “see and be seen” crowd?
The choice is all yours. There are more than 80 hotels in the MICHELIN Guide’s New York City selection. But here, we’ve highlighted the 20-plus that come with a rooftop — and exactly what you’ll find at each.
IF YOU'RE LOOKING TO LET LOOSE...
1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge: Young, energetic New Yorkers and visitors flock to Harriet's rooftop bar for Asian-inspired snacks and to chill-out by the rooftop pool at the Sky Swim Lounge, one of the most unique vistas in the city — level with the Brooklyn Bridge staring across the river towards downtown Manhattan.
Equinox Hotel: Upwardly mobile Gen Z’ers gravitate to the gargantuan, 8,000-square-foot space at Electric Lemon, 24 floors up, to blow off some steam and take in the all-encompassing views of the Hudson River on one side and Midtown skyscrapers on the other. A menu of tuna tabouleh and grilled carrots with yogurt and fresh herbs goes with the cocktails.
Gansevoort Meatpacking: When Gansevoort first flicked on its lights in 2004, it was the first property in the Meatpacking District to offer luxury hospitality, as well as a rooftop with stunning views of downtown Manhattan. Today the Rooftop Loft attracts a younger crowd who flock here for poolside cocktails by day or a 19-course omakase experience at the chef’s counter by night.
MADE Hotel: Eighteen floors above 29th Street and Broadway is Good Behavior, a nightly party in the sky with the Empire State Building looming nearby. A Gen Z dreamscape that includes feel-good fare plus signature tiki-inspired cocktails.
Wythe Hotel: Perched atop the sixth floor of the One-MICHELIN-Key Wythe Hotel in Brooklyn, Bar Blondeau offers panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline just across the East River. There also happens to be a menu of seasonal signature cocktails — plus French-accented pub grub that draw twenty-something Brooklynites here on a nightly basis.
IF YOU GO FOR THE VIEW, BUT NEED A BITE…
The Hoxton: The Williamsburg, Brooklyn outpost of London’s Hoxton Hotel features MICHELIN-selected Laser Wolf, where rooftop diners enjoy flavor-popping Middle Eastern and Israeli fare that goes way beyond your standard hummus-and-babaganoush plates.
The Dominick: Anchored on the corner of Spring St. and Varick in western SoHo, the Dominick Hotel features a top-floor event space with killer views. The seventh-floor terrace is where you'll find the pool and open-air dining, at chef Luis Pous' El Ta’koy and its Asian-accented Hawaiian fare.
Archer Hotel: The Spyglass Rooftop Bar atop the Archer Hotel was inspired by Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 classic film “Rear Window.” But don’t expect to be peeping into anyone’s window while you’re here, because the bar sits on the 22nd floor. Instead, you’ll be gawking at the nearby Empire State Building. That is, until Ritz cracker-encrusted calamari, deviled eggs with blistered shishito peppers and house-made pizzas arrive at the table.
The Penny Williamsburg: Atop the Penny in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood is the indoor and outdoor el Nico, where Mexican food accompanies views of Brooklyn, Queens, and, across the East River, the Manhattan skyline. The glass walls open up to make the space even more airy and refreshing on a warm day.
William Vale: Up on the 22nd floor in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, there’s competition at Westlight for your senses. The only thing detracting from stunning vistas of the Manhattan skyline across the East River is Andrew Carmellini’s menu, which deviates from the chef’s usual Italian accent, offering dishes like tempura bass buns paired with a Vietnamese nuóc chám aioli, chicken tikka masala and green chutney, and kimchi hot dogs.
IF YOU’RE GONNA PARTY LIKE IT’S 1999 FEET IN THE SKY…
Civilian Hotel: It’s not clear if Starchild is an explicit reference to 1970s psychedelic funk band Parliament-Funkadelic, but they did take George Clinton’s dictum and tore the roof off the sucka. At least in warm-weather months when the retractable roof is put in use. The custom Funktion-One sound system means the music is always pumping on this 27th-floor rockin’ rooftop bar.
ModernHaus SoHo: Meet Jimmy. He lives on the 18th floor of the iconic ModernHaus SoHo and he loves a party. At Jimmy you can lounge by the diminutive swimming pool or sit inside when the weather is less agreeable, sipping on one of the many signature cocktails, while snacking on piri piri chicken skewers or truffle cheeseburger sliders, and taking in the view — the World Trade Center in one direction and the Empire State Building in the other.
Refinery Hotel: Nosh on white-truffle-sprinkled flatbread, Cajun-marinated shrimp tacos and crispy calamari 12 floors up in the shadow of the Empire State Building, then wash it all down with one of the mezcal-laced signature cocktails or a variation on the Old Fashioned.
IF YOU WANT TO BE PART OF THE “SEE AND BE SEEN” CROWD….
Aman New York: Only for hotel guests, the wrap-around Garden Terrace at Three-MICHELIN-Key Aman is serenity above the bustling city. Beneath a retractable glass roof are green plants and glowing fire pits, while the Corner Bar accentuates the experience with cold martinis and balanced Negronis.
PUBLIC Hotel: Set atop the sleek Herzog & and de Meuron-designed Public Hotel is The Roof, a chic cocktail bar where DJs spin, yoga classes are held and the fashionable downtown cool kids go to sip spritzes and dance while the bright lights of the city’s skyline twinkle.
Soho House: The rooftop bar and pool at Soho House in the Meatpacking District has long been the place to be seen with a cocktail in hand. Though the rooftop offers lovely views of the Hudson River and surrounding skyline, it's long been more about being seen than seeing the view — keep in mind, you'll have to be a member or hotel guest to enter.
IF YOU’RE SEEKING TRANQUILITY…
Arlo Midtown: Twenty-six floors up, the Arlo Rooftop (or A.R.T.) is an oasis of cool and calm for hotel guests, who enjoy rooftop yoga and daytime quietude at the off-hours. But at night, the verdant bar is right in the thick of Midtown tower madness, with views of many iconic Big Apple buildings to gawk at while sipping a glass of wine or beer.
Hotel Barrière Fouquet's New York: A divine slice of Parisian peacefulness, the rooftop at Fouquet's New York, Le Vaux, is eight stories above the street and just high enough to enjoy some tranquility from the city’s perpetual bustle. Take in the verdant, floral ambience at this Two-MICHELIN-Key hotel while sipping a glass of Champagne and enjoying fresh oysters, wagyu sliders or lobster donuts.
The Peninsula New York: Twenty-three floors above Fifth Avenue and 55th Street is Pen Top, the swanky, leafy and peaceful rooftop bar atop the posh, One-MICHELIN-Key Peninsula Hotel. On one of two terraces, sip a martini and enjoy the mouth-dropping views of the city.
Rockaway Beach Hotel: The Rooftop at the Rockaway Beach Hotel in Queens is an inherently lovely reprieve from the bustle of Manhattan, which visitors can see from a distance (as well as the vast Atlantic Ocean). Of course, it does get lively at peak hours, when guests come for oysters, mussels and shrimp, plus a long list of inventive signature cocktails, or the occasional concert.
Hero Image: The exclusive rooftop pool at Soho House New York. © Soho House
