Summer Dreaming: Three New York City Rooftop Bars

 

As New York and the East Coast at large gears up for what we hope will be the season's final snowstorm, it's a good time to start thinking about summer and all the rooftop bars that will soon be urban hotspots.

STK Rooftop, located on top of STK in the city's uber-trendy Meatpacking District, has great views of the Highline and river.  A separate menu from the indoor restaurant downstairs, STK Rooftop prepares all its food outdoor on what we hear is the only professional rooftop grill in the city.  Signature items include STK Burger, Lobster Mini Rolls, Tuna Taquitos and Truffle Mac & Cheese Bites.  Sundays are reserved for a special sunset brunch party with DJ and optional bottle service.  Signature drinks include Flower Bramble (rose water infused Plymouth shaken with fresh lemon juice and garnished with an edible flower), Watermelon Cucumber Cloud (puff of watermelon cotton candy doused tableside with Hendricks and citrus muddled with fresh cucumber) and Violette Ice (ketel one citroen lemonade with a summery violette finish).

Dream Beach (located at the Dream Downtown Hotel) has been called the only real beach in Manhatthan. The Beach spans 4,800 square feet filled with imported sand, private cabanas and Cote D'Azur-inspired chaise lounges.  A Mexican-themed menu includes lobster, kobe skirt steak and carnitas, as well as a ceviche menu, a Hungover Burger with bacon, fried egg and Chihuahua cheese and more.  Signature cocktails include Wet Dream (Belvedere Black Raspberry, white cranberry, elderflower), The Remedy (Jameson, ginger, honey syrup) and Beautiful Nightmare (Cinnamon-infused Woodford Reserve, coconut, pineapple).

PH-D (pictured above, also located at the Dream Downtown Hotel) has panoramic skyline views of Manhatthan, and is reportedly NYC’s first bi-level rooftop lounge.  The lounge has swank touches like Italian Porto marble and amber Venini glass chandeliers. There's also a state-of-the-art audio and light system and scheduled DJs to turn the rooftop into a top party destination.