What Is a Rooftop Bar in New York?
Discover rooftop bars in New York—stylish venues perched atop Manhattan buildings where you can enjoy a drink with breathtaking city views. Learn what makes them iconic.
Planning a trip to New York? You’ve probably heard about rooftop bars. These are bars perched on top of Manhattan buildings where you can enjoy a drink while taking in spectacular views of the city. They’re definitely trending right now.
The rooftop bar concept isn’t actually new to New York. The first one opened in 1890 at the top of the Casino Theater, a performance venue at the corner of Broadway and 39th Street. The Casino Theater was demolished in 1930, and the rooftop concept gradually faded away.
Three standout addresses
Today, rooftop bars are making a major comeback. Here are three worth visiting:
- The most famous is 230 Fifth, on Fifth Avenue near Madison Square Park and the Flatiron Building. This rooftop bar sits directly across from the Empire State Building, offering unforgettable views.
- For an even closer look at the Empire State Building, head to Vu, one of the newest rooftop bars. Located on the 14th floor of the building at 17 West 32nd Street between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, it’s just one block from the Empire State Building.
- Another recent addition worth visiting is Spyglass, a rooftop bar on the 22nd floor of the Archer Hotel. You don’t need to be a hotel guest to grab a drink here. The views are spectacular—you’re close enough to the Empire State Building but far enough to take it all in.
