ICE, ICE, BABY: Bartender Sujeilee Ramos with a “boozy popsicle,” a specialty drink at Loopy Doopy in lower Manhattan. (
)
Getting drunk in a dark, dirty bar while the sun is shining outside? That’s called alcoholism. Imbibing at a brand-new, squeaky clean, outdoor drinkery? That’s called cool. Load up on sunscreen, strap on a pair of shades and get your drink on in one of these new for 2012 al-fresco joints.
The DL
Remember in November how Lady Gaga’s ex, Luc Carl, opened a raucous three-level club, Ludlow Manor, that closed a few weeks later because it didn’t have operating permits for the top floor? It’s unlikely we’ll see a repeat of that fiasco now that Paul Seres, president of the New York Nightlife Association, has become a partner in this space with the 6,000-square-foot rooftop. That outdoor space, with its retractable greenhouse ceiling and side terrace, is now shaded by palm trees and cooled with a shallow wading pool.
“We’re going for downtown chic, downtown nightlife,” says Seres of the rooftop. “We’re definitely not going for bridge-and-tunnel. We’re not doing an opening party. We’re just letting it open organically.”
Preparing for a June opening, Seres invites that crowd to start coming in evenings about 5 p.m. and make a night of it. 95 Delancey St.; 212-228-0909
Haven at the Sanctuary Hotel
New Yorkers have been looking down on Times Square for quite a while. Now they can do it from the Sanctuary Hotel’s rooftop bar, Haven. Being at eye level with neighboring 118-year-old St. Mary the Virgin’s steeple is pretty special too, though the vibe here is more after work than afterlife.
“We have so many corporations in the area that are taller than us, so they’ve been looking down on our roof asking, ‘When are you going to open?’ ” says co-owner Brandon Freid. While the restaurant is still a month away, the bar is now serving $15 specialty cocktails such as the Bacardi, ginger, lemon and lime Sanctuary Star.
Potted trees, flower beds and cedar cabanas holding 150 chairs surround a 14-foot, 20-person, communal table that promises a busy liquid lunch and after-work scene. 132 W. 47th St.; 212-234-7000
Brooklyn Terrace
See Downtown Brooklyn like you’ve never seen it before from this 2,200-square-foot deck, which sits atop a hi-fi, hi-def 1,500-square-foot indoor space that will come in handy on rainy days. Overlooking Brooklyn Flea and with a fine view of the Statue of Liberty, Terrace is just steps from the Barclays Center (a k a the new Brooklyn Nets’ arena).
The Miami-esque rooftop opened last fall for private events like a Mos Def and Talib Kweli performance as Black Star, but tonight the panoramic view goes public. For $10, guests can chill to a jazz quintet on the first Wednesday of every month. High-energy guests can dance to DJs on the second Sunday of every month (no cover).
Cocktails cost $11 late at night, but start out at $7 from 6 to 8 p.m. Try the Cosmic Lift made from vodka, blue Curacao, sour mix and cranberry and lemon juice. 216-228 Duffield St., Brooklyn; 347-390-1891
Loopy Doopy
Boasting a profile view of the Statue of Liberty and beautiful sunsets over New Jersey (really!) the Conrad Hotel’s 16th-floor outdoor Loopy Doopy bar, is now open Wednesdays through Sundays until October. Cocktails and light bites from a Mediterranean menu are available thanks to former Four Seasons Hotel chef Anthony Zamora, who also maintains a garden on the cozy rooftop which fits up to 65 people. Want to get a little loopy doopy? Try a $14 “boozy popsicle.”
“The popsicle is something I had when I was a kid in the South of France and South of Italy, so I thought the adults might like it now,” says food and beverage director Gregory Polino. Presumably what Polino had as a kid didn’t include booze, but in France and Italy, who knows?
“You get tipsy, and it’s kind of fun,” Polino says of the frosty treats. “You don’t even notice it’s happening.”
Those fearing brain freeze might try a Prosecco on tap ($10). Have one, then check out the hotel atrium’s 13-story Sol LeWitt mural for which Loopy Doopy is named. Open 5 p.m. to midnight, Wednesday through Sunday. 102 North End Ave.; 212-945-0100
The Wick & the Well
Beer garden meets dive bar where Williamsburg meets Bushwick. Knitting Factory alums Shay Vishawadia and Joshua Richholt plan to bring live bands and 300 beers (50 on tap!) to this 15,000-square-foot venue, two-thirds of which is outdoors. No opening date has been officially set, but summer is the plan. 260 Meserole St., Brooklyn; 347-799-1049