ESPAÑOL

A leading city for as many years as New York could not be left behind in any aspect related to leisure, enjoyment, and everything that has to do with the so-called welfare society. In addition to the shops, restaurants and bohemian neighborhoods, another very fashionable aspect are the rooftops, especially in a city with such good views. I have gone to less than I would like, so I will write about the ones I know, which I recommend all but one, and those that I intend to go to in the future.

LE BAIN, AT THE STANDARD HOTEL

In my opinion the best rooftop I’ve been in as far as views are concerned, maybe in the world. It’s the top floor of Le Bain, on the roof of The Standard, at 848 Washington St, Meat Packing District. The hotel is over the High Line. Spectacular views of Downtown Manhattan and New Jersey.

• Open:
  • Monday: 16.00 – 00.00 (in winter it closes Monday and Tuesday).
  • Tuesday to Thursday: 4:00 – 4:00.
  • Friday and Saturday: 14.00 – 04.00.
  • Sunday: 14.00 – 03.00.
• There is basic food, snacks, salads or crepes.
• The drinks are not exactly something to remember, do not think you will find the mojitos of Havana; They seem to be watery, they are pretty bad, so drinking beer can be a good choice. The price of the drinks starts at about $ 13 plus tip.

But obviously nobody comes for the quality of the drinks but for the views. The decoration is also very basic, imitating a garden, with artificial grass, cheap sofas and wicker chairs. It’s not very big and once someone gets a seat, they do not usually leave before an hour, so we might have to wait to sit down. If it were cold, the floor immediately below is an excellent covered lounge that even has a small pool and where the night parties have a reputation for going wild. The dressing code is “smart casual”.

230 FIFTH

A classic. The name gives us the address, at 230 of 5th avenue. The view of the Empire State Building is magnificent. It has wooden tables and beach umbrellas.

• Open:
  • Monday to Friday: 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday: 10 am to 4 am.
• Drinks are also expensive, from $ 9 for a beer and about $ 14 for a cocktail.
• The menu is more varied. Although expensive, it is reasonable considering the views; to get an idea, a burger costs $ 18 and Caesar salad costs $ 16.
• The worst is no doubt the service; I have gone twice and both times my impression was the same: they just want you to have your drink as quickly as possible so that you ask for another one or you go away. It is one of those places where no one will wonder why you do not tip, because they make you feel uncomfortable. It is better to ignore them and enjoy the view as long as you want.

In winter it is heated and even transparent plastic igloos are set. Foreigners will have to show their passport to enter.

 

TOP OF THE STRAND

And if the view of the Empire State Building from the previous one is good, from the rooftop at the Strand Hotel on the 21st floor, it is unbeatable. It is at 33 W 37th St. With a more relaxed atmosphere than the previous one and where the waiters do not look you bad because the closing time is approaching, this terrace is more recommended, but has the disadvantage of being much smaller, so you should be there early or late:

• Schedule:
  • M-F: 5:00 p.m. to 12:00 p.m.
  • S and S: 5:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
• Acceptable drinks, I do not remember the prices but I guess similar to the previous two bars. I also do not know if you can eat, since that information does not appear on your website and we do not ask for food.
• Dress code “smart casual”

It has a retractable cover that closes in winter. Unforgivable, but we did not take a single picture. The only day we went was late, and considering my camera did not make good pictures at night, we let it go.

THE ONE I DO NOT RECOMMEND: BIRRERIA, IN EATALY

Because not only is expensive and the Italian organic food is not that much, but the view of the Empire State Building that they promise is very poor.

THOSE CALLING ME FOR THE NEXT VISIT

• Cantor Roof Garden and Martini Bar. I can hardly admit that I went twice to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of them in summer, and I did not know that there was a rooftop bar with a nice view of Central Park, but it’s like that. It is on the 5th floor, accessed by an elevator in the European Sculpture area. It only opens those months of good weather, varying every year. There is another only for members, the Members Roof Garden Bar.
  • Prices start at $ 10 for beer and $ 15 for cocktails, but considering that you can enter the museum for free, it’s not a bad deal.
  • Scarce and expensive food, with hardly any variety.
• Watermark. Unlike the previous ones, it is not a rooftop, but a terrace at ground level. Located at Pier 15, east of Downtown, 78 South. Stunning view of the Brooklyn Bridge. I did not go to this one because the first time was closed because it was winter, the second because it was being reformed, and the third because I did not remember.
  • Food: Caesar salad $ 12 or “giant” hot dog $ 13.
  • Drinks: beers from $ 8, cocktails from $ 13.

OTHERS IN MY BUCKET LIST

At least there are another 15 bars with interesting rooftops, and they continue to rise in numbers. The most recommended are:

• St. Cloud Rooftop. It is said to have the best view of Times Square. On the roof of the Knickerbocker Hotel, 6 Times Square. Open from Monday to Wednesday from 4pm to midnight and Thursday to Sunday from 4pm to 1am.
• Salon de Ning. Rooftop in Hotel Penninsula, 700 5Av. Decorated in Asian style. Open Monday to Saturday 4:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Sunday 4:00 p.m. to 01:00 p.m.
• Gansevoort Park. 420 Park Ave. Overlooking the Empire State Building and with a pool, it is a regular weekend hangout. Open from 11 am to 1 am (Monday to Wednesday), 4 am (Thursday to Saturday) or 8pm (Sunday).
• Press Lounge. Ink 48 Hotel, 653 11th Avenue. In Hell’s Kitchen near the Sea, Air and Space Museum. Supposedly the most expensive. Open from 5 pm to 12-3 am depending on the day.
• Westlight. In Williamsburg, 111 N 12th St, Brooklyn. For a full view of the Manhattan skyline. Open from 4pm to midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 2am Friday and Saturday.
• Bookmarks Rooftop Lounge, Library Hotel, 299 Madison Ave. Close to the Public Library, with good views of the Empire State Building. Open from 4pm to midnight from Sunday to Thursday and until 1am Friday and Saturday.
• Pod 39. At 145 E 39th St, near Grand Central. Not only stands out for the views, but for the terrace itself, which imitates an old building, with columns where the walls should be, but without ceiling.
• Jimmy at James Hotel, 15 Thompson Street. In SoHo, near TriBeCa. The view is similar to that of Le Bain, although from further south. Has a pool. Open from 5 pm to 1 am (Sunday to Wednesday) or 2 am (Thursday to Saturday).
• Sky Terrace, Hudson Hotel. One of the best, but only for hotel guests or special guests.

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