Refinery Rooftop

"You want to be outside and drink something that isn’t absurdly expensive, and a nice view wouldn’t hurt. Suggest Refinery Rooftop, which is at the top of the Refinery Hotel and has a big indoor area with a U-shaped bar and a little terrace. This place is just about as casual as your favorite neighborhood bar that isn’t on a rooftop, and it tends to draw a good crowd even early in the week." - hannah albertine, bryan kim, matt tervooren

"The Refinery Hotel in Bryant Park has a warm, industrial interior style—an aesthetic that's probably best exemplified by the stunning rooftop, decorated with wooden cupolas (complete with porch swings), round string lights, and plenty of plants and greenery. A retractable glass roof allows for ample open-air space in the summer, but fireplaces keep things cozy in the winter. Even from inside, there's a stunning, close-up view of the Empire State Building."

"There are a lot of tall buildings in Midtown, so it makes sense that there are also plenty of rooftop bars. But if you want one where cocktails won’t cost $20 and you won’t hear anyone shouting “shots,” head over to the rooftop of the Refinery Hotel, which feels kind of like a big indoor beer garden that happens to be several stories above street level. There are plenty of tables, and you can make a reservation if you want to be sure you get seats." - Bryan Kim