10 Top Hotel Rooftop Bars, Ranked by Trip Data

photo via ingoodcompanyhg.com

You don’t have to be a tourist to love a good hotel bar. Hotels house some of the best watering holes in the city. And throughout the year, we anxiously await the warm-weather months, when our favorite hotels open rooftop bars where we can sip a cocktail with a view. Since we’re finally closing in on rooftop season (we’ve had hints of summer, but the best is yet to come), we thought we’d pull together a list of our favorite go-to hotel rooftop bars. And to make things more interesting, we’ve ranked our list by popularity among Uber riders using trip data from April 1 through May 10.

plunge Rooftop Bar + Lounge is well known for attracting a certain crowd that embodies everything you’d expect from a Meatpacking hotspot. But whether or not that’s your scene, the sunset views are well worth a visit. The rooftop is now home to Zerzuza at plunge, a restaurant and lounge serving up colorful cocktails and Mediterranean fare.

Watch the sun set behind the Manhattan skyline and you’ll forget all about the long line you had to wait in to get up to one of Williamsburg’s most popular rooftops.

Mr. Purple is new to the scene and has quickly caught the attention of New Yorkers. The 15th floor bar offers some of the most impressive 360-degree views of Manhattan you can find.

Refinery Rooftop is a solid go-to spot for a refreshing after-work drink on a hot summer day. And that view of the Empire State Building never gets old.

If you’re dying to book that trip to Cuba, you can at least get a taste of Havana at Azul, Hotel Hugo’s Cuban cantina. Arrive on the early side, in time to catch the golden hour, and you won’t be sorry. Pro Tip: Don’t leave without trying the Frozen Passionfruit Mojito by Kelvin Slush.

Compared to scenes you’ll often find at NYC rooftop bars, Pod 39 offers a “chiller” vibe than most. Don’t miss grabbing tacos at April Bloomfield’s Salvation Taco, which is right there.

La Piscine offers a more intimate rooftop setting compared to most. The cozy rooftop area is a great spot to set up shop for an afternoon of day drinking and relaxation.

During the week, you can usually nab a seating area without any hassle, but on the weekends expect bigger crowds and more competition. If you do luck out and score a couch, don’t be surprised if you sink in, sit back, and never get up again.

The rooftop scene at Jimmy is great for a relaxing poolside session with lounge chairs and views of Lower Manhattan. We also love hanging late and taking the party indoors to watch summer thunder storms roll through the city.

We’re big fans of Roof’s cocktail menu, which offers fresh takes on classic summer cocktails. If you’re eager to get out and enjoy one before the warmer summer temperatures arrive, head over and grab a seat by the fireplace.

Follow this list on Foursquare so you’re never left stranded without knowing where to find the closest hotel rooftop bar (because that would be a tragedy).