Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge (Courtesy of 1 Hotel)
8 of Brooklyn’s best rooftop bars for 2024
As the weather (eventually, reliably) heats up, cool off on a breezy rooftop with a fresh beverage and a view
Oodles of bars around Brooklyn have outdoor seating, but only a select handful have that outdoor seating on a rooftop where views of the city skyline compete with clever cocktails. Some of these spots can get hectic on weekends when New York’s tourists cross the Williamsburg Bridge to explore North Brooklyn, but, depending on what you’re after, this might not be a bad thing. Good for group outings as well as first (or fifth) dates and meeting up with pals, Brooklyn’s rooftop bars are an integral part of the summer season. Here are a few of our favorites.
Westlight
111 N. 12th Street, Williamsburg
For some of the very best views of Manhattan’s skyline — and a party scene to boot — head to the 22nd floor of The William Vale hotel. From Andrew Carmellini’s Noho Hospitality Group, Westlight doesn’t just look good, it tastes good too. Sophisticated cocktails include the Mezcal Julep made with Illegal Mezcal, green chartreuse and elixir vegetal, peach and lime, and Sinner & Saints, a potent concoction of Clear Creek Cherry Brandy, St. Agrestis Inferno bitter, ginger, and lemon. The drinks pack a punch. All the better for looking wistfully out over the big city and all the promises it holds.
The Water Tower Bar
96 Wythe Avenue, Williamsburg
When Arlo Williamsburg opened last year in the space formerly occupied by The Williamsburg Hotel, it didn’t waste time becoming a neighborhood fixture, and in the warmer months, hotel guests and locals alike flock to the Water Tower Bar. DJs encourage dancing and mingling, while dramatic views of Manhattan mesmerize patrons sipping Arlo’s espresso martini (green tea-infused Grey Goose Vodka, NOLA Coffee Liqueur, Lavazza espresso, cacao syrup, mole bitters) or a non-alcoholic beverage called Match Me (tropical elixir, mint, pressed lemon juice, matcha).
Berry Park
4 Berry Street, Williamsburg
If you’re looking for a scene, you could do worse than Berry Park’s rooftop where the Summer Spritzes flow and the Huckleberry Lemonade goes down all too easily on a sultry summer evening. Of course, Berry Park is also very much a sports bar, but after you’ve had enough of the raucous cheering downstairs, the rooftop will feel like a mini oasis. St. Agrestis Phony Negroni is served here for the abstainers, but so is that old chestnut, the Pickleback. Word to the wise: The frozen pina colada (add a dark rum float for another $4) is only available on the roof.
Lillistar
353 Bedford Avenue, Williamsburg
There’s a reason so many of Brooklyn’s rooftop bars are at hotels: a precious little thing called real estate. Moxy Williamsburg opened last year and Lillistar is now open for the season. From the creators of acclaimed Brooklyn Shaker, you can count on unique cocktails here with cutesy names (see: the Catnip Chutney made with Monkey Shoulder, Copalli Cacao, Mr. Black, mole bitters, orange marmalade) alongside views of the East River, Williamsburg Bridge and Lower Manhattan. Reservations are available for groups of six or more people; otherwise, it’s first come, first served.
Harriet’s
60 Furman St, Dumbo
Open to the public, with the exception of the pool area, Harriet’s Rooftop at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge is worth braving the hordes of tourists posing for photos on DUMBO’s cobblestoned streets. The classic cocktails don’t disappoint, but for something a little more exciting, try one of the Asian-inspired libations, like the Togarashi Negroni made with Dos Hombres Mezcal, Select Aperitivo, Amaro Montenegro, Dubonnet and Togarashi Solution. Asian-inspired light bites are also shareable and tasty. Bottle service is available up here as well in case you’re making a night out of it — and with the lively DJ sets, you could do worse things with your Saturday night.
Kimoto Rooftop Garden Lounge
228 Duffield Street, Downtown Brooklyn
Downtown Brooklyn’s food and drink scene been popping off recently, and the neighborhood has become a destination in and of itself. Helping its case is Kimoto Rooftop, which claims to be New York’s first Asian rooftop beer garden, at the Sheraton Hotel. Premium hookah services are available here as well, and guests are asked to abide by a dress code: no T-shirts, flip-flops or athletic wear. Things really heat up on Friday and Saturday nights from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. when bottle service is required of all table reservations, but if that feels too much like a Midtown Manhattan rooftop, consider joining Kimoto for its Brunch in the Sky on Saturdays and Sundays.
Our Wicked Lady
153 Morgan Avenue, Bushwick
Williamsburg may have more rooftop bars than any other neighborhood in the borough, but it’s not the only place to be when outdoor drinking with a view is on the agenda. Roof show tickets are available on the website for less than $15 (an upcoming May show brings Radar, Substitute, Heavy Lag and The Follies to the stage), and in the event of inclement weather, the roof is covered. As far as rooftop drinking establishments go, this is markedly different from what you’ll find at the various hotel rooftop’s across Brooklyn, and for some Brooklynites, this makes the venue vastly more appealing.
Night of Joy
667 Lorimer Street, Williamsburg
When the weather warms, the drinks get colder. At Night of Joy, located under the BQE, fresh lime frozen margaritas in assorted flavors are available every night of the week — until 2 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays. DJs spin regularly and if you happen to stumble in on a night when tarot card readers are on site, you know what to do.