The Big Apple is awesome all year round, of course, but there´s something about the crispness of fall that makes it especially appealing, with clear, dry weather and temperatures still a balmy 18 degrees Celsius (65 Fahrenheit). In fact, some say it´s perhaps the most comfortable time of year to visit – and to enjoy the cool vibe and spectacular cityscapes from its rooftop bars, offering cocktails with a side of sky and unforgettable views. Here are five of the most spectacular spots to savour autumn in Manhattan and beyond.
The Press Lounge
Perched in Midtown, this spot delivers one of the most dazzling vistas of Manhattan’s skyline and the Hudson River. Polished and sophisticated, it’s tailor-made for sunset cocktails as the city glows in shades of amber and rose. Between the gleam of water, glass, and steel, every glance here feels cinematic.
230 Fifth Rooftop Bar
This sprawling rooftop is a bona fide New York classic, framed by a postcard-perfect Empire State Building. Comfy lounge chairs, blankets for those breezy nights, and a colourful menu of drinks and bites make it a favourite for squeezing every last drop out of the good weather in NYC. It’s lively yet relaxed — the kind of place where conversations flow as easily as the cocktails.
Le Bain at The Standard, High Line
The top of the chic hotel in the edgy Meatpacking District on the Lower West Side, “The Bath” knows how to put on a party. Think: a rooftop pool, live DJs, and spectacular Hudson sunsets spilling across downtown’s skyline. It’s modern, cosmopolitan, and unapologetically fun — the place to experience true New York style, with beats, cocktails, and a soak (in the hot tubs if not the pool).
Westlight, Williamsburg
For a very different perspective, cross the East River to Brooklyn and head up to the rooftop of the William Vale Hotel. Here sleek design meets creative cocktails, and the payoff is a breathtaking, wide-angle panorama of Manhattan. Watching the sun slip behind the skyscrapers from this vantage point is intimate, stylish, and just a touch romantic.
Refinery Rooftop
Right in Midtown Manhattan, this one pairs a cosy, chic vibe with prime views of the Empire State Building. As day melts into night and the city’s lights flicker on, it’s the kind of setting that makes you linger over one more drink. With its blend of atmosphere, music, and urban drama, it’s a quintessential New York way to cap off an awesome autumn day.
Photo| steinphoto