The perfect spot for sunset cocktails and light bites, Westlight offers an impressive view of the Manhattan skyline in an upscale setting that’s somewhat unique for Williamsburg. Though the menu is on the expensive side, the experience (and inevitable Instagramming) are worth it. Order the “In Bloom” cocktail (Stoli vodka, lemon juice, cava, beetroot) with a side of charred-aubergine dumplings and spiced-chicken empanadas to pique your appetite.

Channelling a “Cuban cantina” feel, Azul on the Rooftop in the sophisticated Hotel Hugo is ideal for happy hour with girlfriends. Though the space is small, it packs personality with vibrant decor, 360 views of downtown Manhattan and live Cuban music on Sunday evenings. Be sure to make this a stop on your rooftop bar crawl.

Another scene-y Williamsburg hotel bar, The Ides is the kind of place you stop by with friends on a Sunday afternoon, when you really, really don’t want the weekend to end. Order a couple of bottles of rosé and kick back to the carefully curated soundtrack. Views of the skyline (and the stylish, international clientele) aren’t bad either.

For those with a flexible schedule, the rooftop pool and bar at the Hotel Americano in Chelsea is best visited on a weekday afternoon, when crowds are nowhere to be seen. Book a sun lounger and take a dip if the weather permits, then linger over a late lunch of shrimp tacos and frozen margaritas.

One of the most recent entrants on the rooftop scene, the open-air pool and bar at the 1 Hotel in Brooklyn’s Dumbo neighbourhood has started drawing in the masses on Friday evenings. With views of downtown Manhattan (including Lady Liberty herself), it’s no wonder that long lines form in the hotel lobby at peak hours. This is an ideal spot for those who want a taste of nightlife outside of downtown Manhattan and Williamsburg, but note that if you’re not a guest a dip in the pool is strictly out of bounds (leave that bikini at home to avoid temptation.)

In keeping with its Lower East Side location, the rooftop bar at Hotel Indigo feels artsy yet low-key, drawing in a young crowd that skews slightly male. While there’s no dance floor, Mr Purple definitely feels like a place to party, with a vibe that transitions from relaxed hangout in the daytime to singles ready to mingle come evening.

Few things are more infuriating than crowded streets of Midtown Manhattan on a sweltering summer’s day. Should you find yourself between museum visits, skip Bryant Park for lunch and head instead to the rooftop at the Refinery Hotel around the corner. With its Parisian loft feel, the open-air restaurant-bar provides perfect respite from the madness downstairs.

The McKittrick Hotel in Chelsea is perhaps best known as the venue for the interactive theatre phenomenon Sleep No More. The rooftop bar has definitely captured the romantic, whimsical feel of its flagship show, with picturesque lanterns and succulent greenery throughout the space. While there aren’t magnificent views, you’ll certainly feel transported away from the concrete jungle

The roof bar at The Jane Hotel opened fairly recently and has managed to remain, somewhat miraculously, under the radar. Most visitors to the hotel are here for the ground-floor bar and nightclub, oblivious to the romantic oasis that awaits upstairs. Come for date night, cosy up on the outdoor couches and enjoy views of the Hudson river.

Ian Schrager’s PUBLIC Hotel made a splash when it opened last summer in the Lower East Side. New York visitors were excited to finally have an affordable luxe hotel option downtown, while locals became enamored with the party scene on the rooftop. This year, The Roof at PUBLIC is expected to be just as hot.