While Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC Hotel rooftop might be better known
for its summertime rooftop parties, that doesn’t mean it’s not a
fantastic place to come for cocktails with your pals during the
colder months. The downtown views are showstopping, and if you can
sneak out of work before 6pm, the earlier sunsets can be even more
colourful than their July counterparts.

The leafy, chandelier-filled rooftop at Restoration Hardware in
the Meatpacking District is one of the reasons that this furniture
store has become a must-visit destination for foodies and
fashionistas alike. The indoor-outdoor space is open all day long,
so you can enjoy a farm-egg scramble with crème fraîche and chives
while looking out at the roof garden to start the day, meet your
crew for truffled grilled cheese sandwiches at lunch or enjoy a
multi-course dinner as the World Trade Center glows in the
distance.

One of NYC nightlife king Angelo Bianchi’s latest installations
in his set of beloved drinking dens, The Fleur Room gained
instantaneous renown among the city’s cool crowd after its grand
opening, which hosted Victoria’s Secret angels as a major portion
of its invitees. A Midtown gem, this 35th-floor indoor bar has some
of the best views of the city, including an up-close look at the
Empire State Building. With House of Hackney-esque florals decking
out every seating area, it’s got a warm and sumptuous vibe that is
extremely inviting on a cold, blustery evening.

Just off the East River, Ophelia is a “greenhouse” terrace
offering 360-degree views of the city from a different vantage
point than most rooftops. The cosy velvet nooks and stained glass
behind the bar enhance its wintry atmosphere, and you’ll never be
missing out on the view because the space remains indoors
throughout all seasons. The menu makes this a perfect pre- or
after-dinner spot, so opt for the hummus with pine nuts and naan or
the truffle potato wedges for your table if you’re heading out
afterwards, and get the dulce de leche churros if this is your last
stop of the night. The hot toddy with winter spices and tea and the
“New-groni” with chocolate bitters are dreamy cold-weather
cocktails.

Stacked on top of Williamsburg’s The William Vale hotel,
Westlight’s swimming pool draws massive crowds in the summertime,
and becomes a delightfully relaxing spot in which to enjoy a
cocktail overlooking the Manhattan skyline in winter. The sleek
space surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows is perfect for a fun
night out when you’ve grown tired of huddling in pubs or dark
speakeasies. Warm up with the crispy potato skins topped with
caviar and yuzu hollandaise, fried “filthy” green olives and an
extra-dry martini as the city lights sparkle from across the
river.

As if straight out of a scene from an Austin Powers movie, the
Top of The Standard is located, as expected, on top of The Standard
in the Meatpacking District, and plays host to parties for the
likes of Luca Guadagnino and Grace Coddington. On a weekday
evening, it also becomes the perfect place to cluster around the
groovy bar to people-watch and sip on G&Ts.

A favourite rooftop among the Soho crowd, 70s-style JIMMY at The
James has a fireplace, wooden furniture and funky Arco lamps, which
will make you feel as though you’ve stepped into a DJ’s living room
rather than a bar. As for drinks, the menu changes seasonally – the
“Legal in Vermont” cocktail, composed of bourbon, cinnamon and
orange bitters, tastes seasonally appropriate. The team behind
JIMMY at The James is well established in the NYC restaurant and
bar scene, so know you’re in good hands.

The newest hotel on The Bowery, Sister City has a glass-encased
rooftop that overlooks the storefronts of Nolita and Soho as well
as the Hudson River beyond. With a chiller vibe than the
party-hardy summer nights here, Last Light is the perfect place to
stop by on your way home for a few drinks and snacks if you can’t
be bothered to make another stop at a restaurant on a cold night.
For some light bites to tide you over, we suggest the chicken satay
with spicy peanut sauce and shrimp skewers with charred pineapple,
while the Queen Anne’s revenge cocktail, made with benedictine,
allspice, almond and ginger is our go-to tipple.