Black Oak Nights – New York

The best part of the summer is rooftop bar hoping. And in New York City, you only get a window of about 8 weeks to truly enjoy it, so to aid you in your skybar ventures, I’ve laid out a few of Manhattan’s most laudable rooftop locales.

Ava Lounge – 210 W. 55^th Street, Penthouse, New York, NY
With one of the most expansive views there is in midtown, Ava Lounge at the Dream Hotel is hard to beat when it comes to rooftop destinations. Located at 55^th Street on the corner of Broadway, the view of Times Square, complete with people, lights, and tall buildings, is about as good as it gets. Not to mention, there is an impressive vision of those pyramid-like tops at the Worldwide Plaza. Of course, Ava Lounge itself is just as spectacular. Situated on two floors, the penthouse and the roof, Ava has a very relaxing, luxurious feel complete with welcoming couches, a magnificent bar, and a pristine atmosphere that makes you feel as if you’re anywhere but New York City. The drinks are top notch but pricey; however, the wait staff is so pleasant and accommodating that you’re almost okay with paying a surcharge for their specialty drinks.

230 Fifth – 230 Fifth Avenue, 20^th Floor, New York, NY
Even with a very meticulous admittance policy, 230 Fifth still remains a go-to location for New Yorkers looking for some late night fun in the sky. With views of both the Jersey shoreline and the Empire State Building, 230 Fifth has a perspective of the city that few rooftop bars/clubs can compete with. The luxuriously set rooftop is filled with loveseats, benches, and designer patio chairs, combining for a homely yet comfortable experience. The atmosphere will certainly remind you of the Roxy, as the owner of both Roxy and the Palladium has also done his best to make 230 Fifth one of the most extravagant places in New York City. Inside, you will find red sofas and shiny black surfaces. And step outside the lounge onto the uncovered roof, where you’ll come across 14,000 square feet of bar-catered space, complete with models, afterwork investment bankers, lawyers and mojito drinkers. Hey, whatever floats your boat.

Me Bar – 17 W. 32^nd Street, New York, NY
You’d be hard-pressed to just happen across this unknown specialty, but Me Bar, located a top the less-frequented La Quinta Inn, not only has great views, but also is one of the best rooftop bars in New York City. With a seductive indoor lounge, and a colorful outdoor space, Me Bar suppresses your every urge to talk business, work or hardship. Instead, you will wind up enjoying the precious view of the Empire State Building as you sip drinks during their infamous happy hour, which boast several recession-friendly options. And during those cool summer evenings, grab yourself an acquaintance for the night, take them to Me Bar, and enjoy its lamp heated outdoor patio on the roof, which provides an unassailable starry-eyed ambiance. But always check out the bar’s schedule, as they often change their hours and don’t typically open up before 5:30pm—even on the weekends.

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