I run a business planning weddings for couples who want to get married in Central Park, New York. One of the most popular requests I get when it comes to places to go to celebrate after a wedding in Central Park is for great bars or restaurants with rooftop views. New York City has quite a lot of them, and there are always new bars and restaurants opening in Manhattan and the other boroughs, but here is a list of ten.
R Lounge
714 7th Avenue
This lounge bar within the Renaissance Hotel offers amazing panoramic views of Times Square through its floor to ceiling windows. The menu is modern American main dishes and some “bar bites”. It isn’t a posh restaurant, it’s a cool and relaxed spot to sip a cocktail and watch the activity and commotion below.
The River Cafe
1 Water Street, Brooklyn
This Brooklyn restaurant might have the best view in the whole city. It is right by the Brooklyn Bridge, on the East river, and has breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Their menu is modern American in style, at the time of writing they offer a Prix Fixe, and a six course tasting menu, as well as a la carte. This location is excellent for larger parties, they have a function room for private events and weddings. Of course you could just reserve a table for a smaller party for dinner.
La Birreria
200 5th Ave, at W 23rd Street
This place is big, busy and noisy, so not for large wedding parties or anyone wanting a romantic meal. They have a retractable glass roof, so the bar is open all year round, but it is especially cool in the summer when the roof is open and the views of the Empire State Building are unobscured.
Rare View Rooftop
303 Lexington Av btwn 38th/37th Street, and 152 West 26th Street, btwn 6th/7th Av
This bar and grill has two locations, both with great views. One is near Grand Central, on in Chelsea. Their terrace with 360-degree views of the NYC skyline is open in warmer months, and they have a glass-enclosed bar open all year round. They have an event space that can be booked for wedding parties.
Riverpark
420 E29th St btwn 1st Av/FDR Dr
This swanky restaurant has floor to ceiling windows, so is a great choice in Winter, and in Summer they open up their patio. They have fabulous views of the East River and Brooklyn from there. Their menu is modern American, and much of their food is locally sourced, they even have their own urban farm just feet away from the kitchen.
Rooftop 48
605 W48th St btwn West St/11th Av
This restaurant and lounge with European/Latin influence in Hell’s Kitchen has a glass-enclosed dining room and bar which is open all year round, and a open-air patio for warmer months. They a fairly casual and serve “modern Mexican,” tapas and small plates. They have an event space that can be rented for private parties.
Waters Edge
401 44th Drive, at the East River
This snazzy restaurant in Long Island City has a beautiful interior, but even more beautiful view of Manhattan and the river and bridges. Their menu is modern American with a focus on seafood and quite reasonably priced given the fabulous view. Make reservations for a romantic table for two there, or for smaller groups, and they also cater for private wedding parties.
The View Restaurant and Lounge
1535 Broadway, at 46th Street
This recently refurbished restaurant within the Marriott Marquis Hotel overlooks Times Square and many other iconic landmarks. This is New York City’s only revolving rooftop restaurant. Their menu is modern American and their bar has an extensive wine list and many creative cocktails.
Alma
187 Columbia Street, Brooklyn
This Brooklyn riverside restaurant has three floors and a roof deck with panoramic views of Manhattan. Although in the summer, reservations are only accepted for the dining room, not the rooftop deck. The menu is very reasonably priced Mexican. They also have a very stylish bar on the ground floor.
The Water Club
500 East 30th Street
This riverside restaurant has the feel of a yacht club. The romantic restaurant has views over the East River towards Brooklyn. The menu has many seafood dishes, but also lots of other choices. They have private rooms with a view for parties, and also the outdoor deck for Summer events. They also have a lounge with an open fire and rooftop bar open during the Summer.
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