With summer on the horizon, it’s time to feel on top of the world as you down your drink at the city’s newest rooftop bars.
Hip for the square
Bar 54 at Hyatt Times Square
135 W. 45th St.; 646-364-1234
Family in from out of town? Times Square is much more palatable from 54 flights up, trust us. “The river-to-river views make you feel like you are on top of the world,” says Richard Morgan, general manager of Hyatt Times Square, which boasts having the tallest rooftop lounge in the city. “You can look upon all of New York and New Jersey, Staten Island, the Statue of Liberty, the New Year’s Ball. On a clear day you can even see beyond the East River and well into Brooklyn.” Soak up the sights over serious cocktails, created by the inimitable Julie Reiner (Clover Club), such as the citrusy gin- and Champagne-spiked Boat House Punch ($115, serving three to four people), and suddenly it’s not so bad being a tour guide.
Cozy up!
Roof at Park South
125 E. 27th St.; 212-204-5222
Get ready for a new staycation destination, Gramercy. The rooftop respite atop the Park South Hotel features palm trees and crackling fireplaces to stoke all of the senses. “It’s a great escape and a unique place,” says partner Nancy Cushman, whose husband and chef, Tim Cushman, will be serving up crocché di Napoli with Yukon gold potatoes and Fontina ($10) and cumin lamb polpette with herb yogurt ($12). To help wash that down, bar director Ted Kilpatrick offers exotic restoratives such as the Little Valiant ($14), which combines Cocchi Americano, a sweet Italian wine, and Salers, a French liqueur, over a big ice cube with a smack of lemon and a pinch of salt.
Empire state of mind
The Skylark
200 W. 39th St.; 212-257-4577
Don’t be surprised if tourists soon trade the $29 cost of an observation deck pass at the Empire State Building for a couple of cocktails ($18 each) at the Skylark. The new 1,500-square-foot outdoor lounge is located 32 flights up from the sidewalk in a Midtown office building, offering a view of the NYC landmark “so close that it feels like you could reach out and grab it,” according to partner David Rabin. Wash down the sights with the Sweet Pea ($18), a blend of Plymouth Gin, St. Germain, snap peas, lemon and ginger soda.
Vice and virtue
The Roof at Viceroy New York
120 W. 57th St.; 212-830-8000
Love is in the open air at this intimate 45-seat indoor-outdoor lounge that features unobstructed views of Central Park from atop the Viceroy hotel. “While the indoor lounge is sexy, the outdoor terrace is more romantic,” says Scott Gerber, whose company Gerber Group runs the venue. “We have actually already had several proposals!” If popping the question is your plan, order the Without Fear ($18) for some liquid courage in the form of Jameson Black Barrel whiskey, apricot liqueur and Angostura bitters.
Urban legend
Gorbals Rooftop
98 N. Sixth St., Williamsburg; 718-599-0576
Williamsburg’s Space Ninety 8 building may look like a minimall at first glance. But head past the Urban Outfitters store on Level 2 and 3 and up to the top floor, where Ilan Hall, Season 2 winner of Bravo’s “Top Chef” and current star of Esquire Network’s “Knife Fight,” has debuted an open-air bar decorated with tents, printed pillows, log stump seating and a skylight in the floor through which visitors can peer down into the Gorbals restaurant, due to fully open in a few weeks. Bar manager Christine Kang’s cocktail program is tailored for summer fun. “Anything with fresh fruits and juices topped with cracked ice is ideal for outdoor drinking — refreshing, bright and easy,” says Kang.