New York City’s rooftop bars, the best places for drinks and food

It’s spring – time to head outside to enjoy a cooling drink with appetizers or even a full meal at one of New York City’s rooftop bars. Here are four in NYC in the Meatpacking District, Times Square, Chelsea, and Tribeca.

Sip an elevated craft cocktail while enjoying an unobstructed 360-degree view of the Manhattan skyline and the Hudson River from downtown in the sizzling Meatpacking District at The Gansevoort Rooftop, Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC. The Rooftop takes bar food favorites to a new level. The outdoor seating area opposite the main dining room is a perfect place to catch the sun’s rays and work on a tan, but if you prefer indirect exposure, sit indoors with floor-to-ceiling windows in the Rooftop’s Greenhouse. A DJ plays live sets on Friday and Saturday evenings from 9 p.m.

For a can’t-miss hotel rooftop experience, head to Saishin at the back of the main dining area. This rooftop omakase concept offers both a twelve-piece omakase experience and a la carte options, created by Michelin-starred sushi chef Frankie Yong Doon.

Chef Frankie serves melting sushi of the freshest variety: scallops, red snapper, sea urchin, smoked trout and much more, each masterpiece adorned with fresh wasabi or back truffle, crispy shallots or plmm paste and any other ingredient Chef chooses to make. Best to make reservations as this place has gotten super hot. 18 Ninth Avenue; 212-660-6736

Want to hang out in Times Square but without all the hustle and bustle of Broadway? The signature roof terrace and lounge of M Social Hotel Times Square, Beast & Butterflies, is a private oasis where you can see everything, including the New Year’s Eve ball down the street. The bar is located above Times Square with floor-to-ceiling windows indoors or you can sit outside on the surrounding terrace, arguably one of the largest, if not THE largest terrace in New York City. Try a special signature cocktail from Frank Caiafa (author of The Waldorf Astoria Bar Book) like “Theatre District Manhattan” with rye, vermouth, plum gin liqueur, and orange bitters. There are bites (such as burger sliders, fried calamari and guac and chips) but also “Big Bites” such as pizza or grilled salmon and side dishes such as truffle fries.

Chelsea has become the epicenter of NYC’s art scene, and one of the best places to sit back and relax is The Rooftop at Selina Chelsea, NYC. The Hudson Yards happy hour crowd comes here for the sizzling atmosphere. The Rooftop is the Mesoamerican-inspired sister location to the downstairs eatery HOWM Cocina + Cocktails and the ideal place to enjoy views of the High Line, the Empire State Building and some of Chelsea’s awe-inspiring buildings created by top architects. Pick some light bites and a unique cocktail created by mixologist Daniel Bedoya. Think dinner and music with a view during evening DJ sets and regular programming. This is the perfect place for a night out on the town. 518 West 27^e St., 646-709-7441.

Tribeca, which stands for “Triangle Below Canal,” is the land of daring homeowners, including Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Gwyneth Paltrow and Taylor Swift. Former warehouses are now lofts, restaurants and hotels such as the boutique Walker Hotel Tribeca. The new rooftop bar, Happy Be,Walker Hotel Tribeca, offers unobstructed 180-degree views from the Hudson to the East River. The rooftop bar offers agave and sugarcane spirits with an emphasis on Mezcal, Tequila, Rum and Cachaca. This is the perfect place to enjoy an expertly crafted cocktail and gaze out at the ever-changing skyline. Greenery takes center stage here and the landscaping is by Marek Pundzak, part of Highline’s landscaping team, and includes perennials, shrubs, trees and grasses whose color palette changes from spring to fall. The mezzanine, a 300 square meter space above the roof, is available for private parties and special events. Walker Street 77; 212-735-8000.

Celebrate spring. Get off the sidewalks of Manhattan and head to one of the city’s spectacular and relaxing rooftop bars.