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Making your way to the Hotel on Rivington’s rooftop involves a near-Herculean effort: up the elevator to the twentieth floor, down a narrow hallway, through an indoor bar area, up a glass staircase, through another bar space, up an even steeper stairway. And, finally, to your destination. There—if not spoiled by the attitude, the thick cigarette smoke, and the thicker crowds—is your reward: the remarkable, near-panoramic views of Manhattan. For a generally more relaxed experience, try the bar’s other two levels—although indoors, you can sit at one of the small white tables and have almost the same view out of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Aside from Stella and its ilk, refreshments are limited to well drinks and Champagne, all of which run at prices typical for a rooftop hotel bar. You don’t have to be a micro-celebrity or even know the right people to get into the parties co-hosted by the Eldridge’s Matt Levine—even common folk can RSVP Wednesday through Sunday. — Christina Amoroso

Visitors to the rooftop bar are accepted by reservation only. E-mail James Woods, jwoods@hotelonrivington.com, with your name, reservation time, and number of guests.