The Sky Room
Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites — Times Square, 330 W. 40th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-380-1195
Ceiling LED lights mimic the view of midtown on the 33rd and 34th floor decks of the Times Square Marriott. Designers Stephen B. Jacobs and Andi Pepper (who’ve also worked with the Gansevoort, Library, and Giraffe Hotels) split the massive bi-level outdoor area into five “terraces”: One has a retractable glass roof, another features private cabanas.
Opening August 21.
Mission Dolores
249 Fourth Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-399-0099
With two pinball machines, classic board games, and twenty beers on tap, this former auto shop is ideal for summer chillin’. And if you get hungry, grab a delicious DUB pie from the bar.
Open now!
Lowlands Bar
543 Third Ave., Gowanus, Brooklyn; 347-463-9458
Tasseled chandeliers and the same antlerlike light fixtures as sister bar Abilene set the mood inside Lowlands, but the well-lit back patio is the best part. Picnic tables make the spot perfect for a quiet beer on a balmy night. Bonus: The outdoor area is open just as late as the bar, unlike most venues.
Open now!
Upstairs at the Kimberly
The Kimberly Hotel, 145 E. 50th St., nr. Lexington Ave.; 212-253-7337
Strings of lights overhead and overstuffed leather chairs set the ambience at Upstairs, the swank new bar on the 30th floor of the Kimberly. A retractable glass roof and heated floors keep the bar open year-round.
Open now!
Rare View Chelsea
Fashion26, 152 W. 26th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-807-7273
Cocktails are the draw at this spot overlooking the lights of Broadway and the Empire State Building. The bright, modern décor inside contrasts the classic Old New York views.
Open now!
Press
Ink48, 653 Eleventh Ave., at 48th St.; 212-757-2224
Designed by David Rockwell, the sixteenth-floor Press lounge features a twenty-foot reflecting pool, mod wicker furniture reminiscent of Ditzel’s egg chair, and luxe leather couches in the interior area (open year-round). The 360 degree views of Manhattan and Jersey City are spectacular.
Open now!
Top of the Strand
The Strand Hotel, 33 W. 37th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-448-1024
Designer Lydia Marks picked up on the retractable-roof trend this year and put it into effect this winter at the Top of the Strand. Panels will slide open during the bar’s inaugural summer to let the breeze in. Unfortunately, the hotel’s restaurant opening has been pushed back to mid-to-late summer, so you’ll have to wait until July for bar snacks.
Open now!
Bar d’Eau
Trump SoHo, 246 Spring St., nr. Varick St.; 212-842-5500
Located on the seventh-floor deck, Bar d’Eau’s views are limited to the surrounding buildings and the eye candy at the tile-lined pool, complete with a waterfall and a bocce court. Private cabanas provide a perfect spot for a tête-à-tête.
Open now!
il Tetto
Hotel Le Bleu, 370 Fourth Ave., Park Slope, Brooklyn; 718-625-2177
With views of the Gowanus Canal, il Tetto isn’t quite as breezy as most rooftop bars, but if the weather’s wet it’s your best bet since there’s plenty of indoor space.
Open now!
Living Room Terrace
W New York — Downtown, 123 Washington St., nr. Carlisle St.; 646-826-8646
The fifth-floor lounge at the newest W New York has a retro feel and overlooks ground zero and the Hudson. The LED lights reflect off the glass-shiny white floor, and old board games around the room keep things playful.
Opening August 16.