It’s (almost!) rooftop season in NYC and now is the perfect time to finalize your list of must-try hangouts for this summer. From the classics like The Jane Rooftop to the trendy hotspots such as Refinery Rooftop, these venues offer a much-needed escape from the chaos below.
The Jane Rooftop
Open: May 6
Guests at The Jane Rooftop can enjoy unobstructed waterfront views of the Hudson River as day turns to dusk. The rooftop is designed by Sean MacPherson and has the same faded bohemian splendor as the rest of The Jane with hand-chipped paint, exquisitely cracked walls, and stools dripping with fringe. The venue (which formerly served as an apartment for the ever-fabulous RuPaul) features an outdoor terrace and octagonal bar. Café Gitane offers revelers an abbreviated version if their ground-floor menus, including fan favorites like the signature avocado toast as well as a selection of salads, sandwiches, and house specialties like meat and vegetarian lasagna. Guests, locals, and sunset-enthusiasts alike can sip on signature cocktails and take in the views. *Rooms start at $99/night, so if you’re not ready to go home, stay here.113 Jane Street
Pod 39 Rooftop
Open: April 25
Perched 17 floors high, the top of the Pod 39 Hotel reveals a seasonal rooftop oasis. With crawling ivy, potted plants, and panoramic views of the city from the river to the East, the Freedom Tower to the South, the Empire State Building to the West and the Chrysler Building to the North, this two-story open roof space is the ultimate gathering place for after-work or evening out. Framed with original brick arches and surrounded by terra cotta columns, the buzzing bar scene features a taco cart and tequila-inspired cocktails from Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield’s Salvation Taco. 145 East 39th Street
Pod 51 Rooftop Deck
Open: April 25
Pod 51’s Rooftop Deck offers sun-bathers and star-gazers a more-relaxed alternative to NYC’s buzzing rooftop scene. Adorned with oversized lounge benches, colorful Adirondack chairs and a 12-foot long picnic table (with awning!), it is the ideal spot to gather for a DIY picnic. Visitors can bring up their own wine, homemade dishes or craft beer growlers from the ground floor’s new Salvation Burger by Ken Friedman and April Bloomfield. Treat yourself to a signature 8-ounce patty topped with caramelized onions and Taleggio or go meat-free with the veggie burger made with beets, root veggies, sweet potato vermicelli and rice. For a lighter snack grab a pickle plate or wood-roasted beet salad with Rogue blue cheese and top your meal with a boozy shake or homemade fried pie. 230 East 51st Street
Refinery Rooftop at Refinery Hotel
Open: Year Round
Perched on top of Refinery Hotel, Refinery Rooftop, located in the Garment District, offers industrial, raw elegance with unobstructed, unparalleled views of the Empire State Building. This 3,500 square foot rooftop features three distinct sections that transition seamlessly from indoor to indoor to outdoor spaces. The cozy interior space is complete with a fireplace and wooden ceilings which are constructed from wood salvaged from the original building’s water tank. The expansive indoor and outdoor space is capped by a retractable glass roof and the outdoor terrace, which includes playful porch swings and a view that is second to none. Refinery Hotel is a former hat factory and 1912 Neo-Gothic building that has transformed into a luxury, industrial-chic hotel in New York City’s Garment District. 63 West 38th Street between 5th and 6th Avenue
Gansevoort Park Rooftop at Gansevoort Park Avenue NYC
Open: Year Round
Set twenty stories above Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, the tri-level rooftop features rustic chic décor and lounge-style seating, as well as a newly reimagined event space, the Red Room, with renowned DJ entertainment. The Drift, which has all of the charm of a small beach town but set in your own backyard, invites locals and guests to sip on refreshing cocktails and Coconut Cartel coconuts, catch 80’s flicks (on select nights) and test their motor skills with life-sized Jenga. 420 Park Avenue South at 29thStreet
Zerzura at Plunge at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC
Open: Year Round
Get ready for summer at Gansevoort Meatpacking’s Saharan-inspired rooftop lounge, Zerzura, that offers a true sanctuary in the middle of bustling New York City. In addition to 360-degree views of the Hudson River and Manhattan’s skyline, the expansive rooftop features an outdoor terrace with a retractable glass roof, a secret garden, wrap-around balconies and pool, perfect for soaking in sun. The loft boasts soaring 20-foot ceilings, communal seating, and pops of light and color, making it the ideal venue to gather with friends for delicious lite bites and specialty drinks, made with a Mediterranean flare.18 Ninth Avenue at 13th Street
