Let us paint you a little picture: there's warm breeze in your face, a cool drink in your hand, and sweeping views of arguably the best skyline view in America. Okay, not even arguably.
That's right, it's rooftop bar season baby!
Nothing feels more New York than rooftop bars. If you think about it, they incorporate all things that make this city great: new friends, drinking, people watching, and soaking up that indescribable feeling of being in New York.
You know the one I'm talking about: it takes over you when you look out at that unforgettable view as you down a cocktail, and you think: "Holy sh*t, I live here!"
So tis' the season to elevate your game, and we have 9 spectacular views you need to hit up for happy hour ASAP. (And if we missed your personal favorite rooftop bar, enlighten us and leave it in the comments section below, will ya?)
Hudson Terrace (621 West 46th Street)
Lined with cushy cabanas, the plush deck is actually air-conditioned in case it gets too hot (which is easy to do during the dog days of summer), especially because it's like its own little piece of South Beach, except with less bikinis and more Hudson River views.
Good luck wanting to come down from atop this heaven.
The Delancey (168 Delancey Street)
Did you know in between the gritty streets of the LES lies a tropical island-like oasis?? Believe it. The rooftop at The Delancey palm trees and lounges help achieve its remarkably unpretentious, laid-back vibe.
Don't worry if you do want to take it up a few notches, as they have a bottle service menu for that as well.
POD 39 (145 East 39th Street)
Located smack dab in Douche Murray Hill, this rooftop terrace channels a little bit of Europe because of its exposed brick arches.
After a few margaritas from the hotel's Salvation Taco, you may think you can actually touch the Empire State Building as it appears that close. (Spoiler alert: You can't.)
Local West (1 Penn Plaza)
One of the hardest things for a rooftop bar to do is stay grounded, and we mean that both literally and figuratively. Mission accomplished for the latter at Local West.
Atop this single-story bar sits one of the most easy-going, elevated rooftops in the game. It's reminiscent to sitting on your own deck, downing on-tap brews with friends. That is, if that deck also overlooked Madison Square Garden.
The Jimmy at the James Hotel (15 Thompson Street)
You don't have to be a guest at this swank SoHo hotel to sip on posh cocktails atop it.
The views of lower Manhattan are pretty much untouchable, but consider yourself warned: depending on how crowded it gets, you'll at times feel as if you're going to fall right into that pool, which is directly adjacent to the bar. (Not that I would know that from experience.)
,Haven Rooftop (132 West 47th Street)
The Sanctuary Hotel brings it year-round with their rooftop, well, haven.
It maintains its sexy, Moroccan theme by way of decadent gold accents, belly dancers, not to mention being pretty dimly-lit.
Luckily, you've got the bright lights of Times Square shining right through those glass walls.
The cocktails are nothing to snuff about, either. After a couple Saharan Kingdoms, you'll officially feel like you've been transported to a foreign land.
La Birreria at Eataly (200 5th Avenue)
Eataly represents many things to many people: a fancy pants grocery story, a widely delicious eatery, and a haven for over-eager Mario Batali fans that swarm the entire place.
But one elevator ride to the top, and you're at La Birreria: an 8,000 square foot, al fresco beer garden overlooking Midtown that also brews its own house-made suds; all of which are kept on the roof in giant barrels, making this basically the fanciest keg party of all time.
230 Fifth (230 5th Avenue)
Perhaps the most well-known and biggest tourist attraction of the group, but hey, that view of the Empire State Building makes them list-worthy every single time.
"I'm so fancy, you already know!" is what will be streaming through your head as you reach the 20th floor of 230 5th. No surprise since the same guy behind Roxy and the Palladium outfitted this bad boy in white curtains, designer accents, velour couches, and of course, the 360 degree view of the Midtown skyline.
In other words, if you want to feel like you're starring in the Wolf of Wall Street, well, this is your spot.
Berry Park (4 Berry Street - Brooklyn)
Perched high above Williamsburg, this sprawling spot serves its German brews and brats with sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline from across the East River.
Plus, there's a retractable roof -- meaning rain or shine, it's on.
If you enjoyed this article, check out 5 Authentic, Local Craft Beer Bars in NYC You Need to Hit Up ASAP!