408789 Wed Jun 06 10:52:30 -0700 2007 25 18 Manhattan 0 2635248 Looking for ambience and also a place that serves good food. Wed Jun 06 10:52:30 -0700 2007 18399 bevoray 1 2635660 I had been looking forward to the rooftop at The Library Bar, but I found their waitstaff to be very rude and pushy. So I would definitely avoid The Library Bar (midtown east). I had heard decent things about the one on Delancey St. Perhaps someone else could weigh in on that rooftop? Wed Jun 06 12:13:55 -0700 2007 2635248 11923 Liquid Sky 2 2637365 I like the Delancy St. space, but it's usually so clogged with second hand smoke that it's hard to just chill and enjoy a drink. Do they serve food? I don't remember them doing that. 230 5th was, last I went (about three months ago), a beautiful space with really pricey, not always well made drinks and so-so food. You can't beat the view, but you can sure beat the prices. The bar on the Metropolitan Museum roof has the kind of snack items you find in a European train station, but it's a great view and friendly space, and the wine menu isn't bad. The only downside: they close really early. Wed Jun 06 21:06:33 -0700 2007 2635660 64215 cimui 1 2637346 the bar at the penninsula hotel is beautiful - although I haven't been there in a while. I don't remember how good the food was but it is an amazing view. Wed Jun 06 20:55:26 -0700 2007 2635248 103700 monkey2 2 2638579 I was just at the pentbar at the penisula and while I can't comment on the food since I only had drinks I can say this: Very nice view but get there early cuz the tables are near impossible to get. Also, a bottle of Amstel Light was $13. Speaking of good views... the last time I paid $13 for a light beer there was a blonde and a pole on stage.... Thu Jun 07 09:49:11 -0700 2007 2637346 16919 Fallon 3 2642806 Whoa... a little too much info there... ha ha. But seriously, YES the views from Peninsula are great. In general, their prices are extremely inflated. I remember having afternoon tea there for $45 per person. I mean, it was decent but not THAT GOOD. Fri Jun 08 12:50:04 -0700 2007 2638579 11923 Liquid Sky 1 2637391 rise bar at the ritz carlton in battery park city. Wed Jun 06 21:21:03 -0700 2007 2635248 10627 steve h. 2 2637395 I heard that the bar in the ritz at battery park city was great - I keep meaning to try it! Wed Jun 06 21:23:44 -0700 2007 2637391 103700 monkey2 1 2637889 Second the rise bar at Ritz downtown. One hitch: it is capacity controlled, so try to get there as close to opening as posssible. Thu Jun 07 06:22:14 -0700 2007 2635248 65410 Upperwestsider 2 2639039 Is RISE enclosed? Or are you out there in the open air? (I actually prefer the latter!) P.S. When is a good time to get there to beat the crowds? Thanks. Thu Jun 07 11:30:00 -0700 2007 2637889 11923 Liquid Sky 3 2639060 out in the open air. the balcony mostly faces the sw, which is the statue of liberty and the "new" new jersey skyline. great to watch the sunset. so-so drinks, but totally worth it. Thu Jun 07 11:33:47 -0700 2007 2639039 11372 mrnyc 4 2639586 Excellent... thanks! I'm guessing RISE gets mobbed post-work hours (5:30 pm onward...)? Thu Jun 07 13:57:21 -0700 2007 2639060 11923 Liquid Sky 1 2637905 park avenue summer when it opens today should fit the bill. Craig Koketsu is the chef in charge so food is pretty awesome Thu Jun 07 06:28:31 -0700 2007 2635248 26358 scanditrash 2 2638114 Oh wow. I think I'd better go check this out to make sure it's safe for other Chowhounds to go. Thu Jun 07 07:45:22 -0700 2007 2637905 64215 cimui 1 2638090 Not rooftop but the Crow's Nest at the Water Club is fantastic. Speactacular views while floating on the water. Had lobster sliders last night. And they were good... Thu Jun 07 07:36:53 -0700 2007 2635248 80361 MellieMac 2 2638260 Rise Bar is amazing - the night I went, there was a thunder/lightning storm in NY harbor - it was amzing to watch from the windows! I used to frequent Chelsea Brewing Company in Chelsea Piers for basic pub grub and beers al fresco. Again, it's not rooftop, but food is decent bugers/salads/sandwiches right on the Hudson River. A great place to sit outdoors in the summer without spending an arm and a leg. Thu Jun 07 08:24:19 -0700 2007 2638090 96006 SarahSparkles 3 2638987 The Bentley Hotel on the Upper East Side (hidden on York and 63rd) is a cool place that not a lot of people know about. I haven't tried their food but heard that their wings were great. Thu Jun 07 11:18:48 -0700 2007 2638260 65585 jackieparis 3 2639068 speaking of chelsea piers, i cant wait for the frying pan to come back online. i think i heard not until next summer tho. oh well. i guess its time for me to give up my fav place since it wasnt mentioned -- the metro hotel rooftop. sit up there after your macy's trip and stare at the empire state building awhile. then go eat some korean food at CHO DANG GOL next door. thats how we do. another great one, especially at night, that was not mentioned is the beekman hotel by the united nations. great city views. Thu Jun 07 11:36:31 -0700 2007 2638260 11372 mrnyc 4 2639111 Unfortunately, the rooftop terrace at the Metro Hotel is under construction and won't be open until July 4th... Thu Jun 07 11:48:23 -0700 2007 2639068 96006 SarahSparkles 5 2643157 july 4? i heard they were re-opening metro bar mid june, which is right about now. Fri Jun 08 14:43:14 -0700 2007 2639111 56793 ballulah 1 2643173 Rare on Lexington near Grand Central opened a rooftop space last year. Decent burgers. I like to get cheap Korean fast food at Woorijip and cross the street and go to Me Bar at the top of La Quinta Inn on 32nd Street. In fact, that's where I'm heading in a few. Meet you all at the bar? The Maritime on 16th and 9th Ave has a good rooftop bar. Terrace in the Sky on 119/18 and Morningside Drive has a spectacular view. The food isn't fabulous, but nor is it bad. Excellent desserts. The Delancey used to have Sunday afternoon BBQs on their roofdeck with free burgers and dogs to go along with your moderately priced cocktails. Fri Jun 08 14:46:57 -0700 2007 2635248 56793 ballulah 1 2643259 though it can be a cheese fest and feels at times like you've taken a trip back to 1983... 230 fifth is a solid option. sure the crowd can suck and the drinks are overpriced... but the views great, and it's so big you can usually find a place for you and your friends to sit and make fun of the other clientelle. lot's of different stations at the 2 bars... so you can also get a drink in reasonable time... at least that's how it was last year. the view is perfect on the rooftop of the met. i think it's fair to go at dusk and not pay the suggested donation as you're just going for expensive drinks. dont wait in the lines for stations with food, beer and wine... just go to the cocktail station (rarely a big line). good food? not so much... Fri Jun 08 15:13:34 -0700 2007 2635248 13695 thievery 2 2645487 I heartily agree with your recommendation of 230 Fifth. The decor is hopelessly cheesy, but the views are perfect. And it is big enough to escape the worst cheese offenders among the patrons. I have found the service excellent and the food rather tasty. Sat Jun 09 17:49:23 -0700 2007 2643259 56793 ballulah 1 2643858 i've heard the rooftop bar at 60 thompson is great. i belive it's called A60. my friend raves about the rooftop at the soho house. the rooftop bar at the gramercy park hotel in it's pre ian schrager days was nice. not sure what it's like these days. Fri Jun 08 19:49:21 -0700 2007 2635248 68482 ebw 1 2644775 Gansavoort in the Meat Packing district is where you want to be! Sat Jun 09 10:34:49 -0700 2007 2635248 14634 netmover 2 2647554 Or maybe the REAL question be: Which rooftop bar with a great view, good food and decent drinks has the LEAST ANNOYING CROWD?? Sun Jun 10 18:36:53 -0700 2007 2644775 11923 Liquid Sky