3 Exciting Ways to Hit the Roof for NYC Cocktails this Spring

Photo: Happy Be                                                                                           

Happy Be - Walker Hotel Tribeca (26 Cortlandt Alley)

Opening This May

This lush rooftop with landscaping from Marek Pundzak, part of the landscaping team from the Highline, features an unobstructed 180 degree view facing North to Mid-Manhattan from the Hudson to East River. Leaning toward the wildside, the plants show the life cycle of nature with perennials, shrubs, trees and grasses with dramatically changing color palettes from spring to fall.

Photo: Happy Be                                                                                            

Happy Be will feature Agave and Sugar Cane-based spirits in a bright fresh cocktail menu highlighting Mezcal, Tequila, Rum, and Cachaca. This year the mezzanine of Happy Be, a 300 sf space above the rooftop, will be available for private parties and special events.

Photos: The Gansevoort Rooftop                                                                   

The Gansevoort Rooftop (18 9th Avenue)

The famed downtown oasis, the Gansevoort Rooftop, boasts unobstructed 360 views of the Manhattan skyline with views of Hudson River and the recently unveiled “Little Island” from Barry Diller and Diane von Furstenberg. Guests can relax aside the heated pool and enjoy innovative, refreshing cocktails and elevated bites.

 
Photo: The Gansevoort Rooftop                                                                         

Think: Pekin Duck Drumettes, a riff off your standard chicken wings. Located through discrete doors at the back of the rooftop’s main dining space, is Saishin at the Gansevoort Rooftop, the hotel’s new omakase experience. Led by a Michelin Star-trained sushi chef and 20+ year veteran Chef Frankie-Yong Doon, standout dishes from the menu include: Hikarimono Saba with green apple and goma and the corn leaf smoked Tasmanian Ocean Trout topped with smoky onion, which combine simple components in unexpected ways.

 
Photo: The Rooftop at Selena/Nina Choi                                                            

The Rooftop at Selina Chelsea (518 W 27 Street)

The Rooftop at Selina Chelsea is the Mesoamerican inspired sister venue to downstairs eatery HOWM Cocina + Cocktails, offering Latin American street food by the Rooftop’s Chef Julieta and unique cocktails created by Gilded Group Beverage Director Daniel Bedoya. Think arepas - stuffed cornmeal cakes with lamb, pork, cauliflower and corn, and pinchos - or tapas with steak and chicken.

 
Photo: The Rooftop at Selena/Justin Bridges                                                      

Guests can sip on Samba - which includes chacha, aperol, watermelon puree, lemon, watermelon soda or other drinks like the Madre Selva with mezcal, green chartreuse, cucumber, agave, mint, cilantro. The vibrant atmosphere lends itself to both the Hudson Yard’s happy hour crowd and evening events, hosting DJ sets and regular programming. With neighborhood views including the High Line and the Empire State Building, it's the perfect place to enjoy the warm weather.