5 Epic Rooftop Bars in Brooklyn You Must Visit
Roadside cafes in “the City that Never Sleeps“, are often quite quaint and lovely. Still, there’s something genuinely magical about feeling the warm summer air and being able to look down at the sprawling city without all the noise, while protected in a relaxing elevated space. Yes, I am indeed describing the experience of being seated at a rooftop bar. Rooftop bars in Brooklyn, to be precise. With views of the Brooklyn Bridge, Lower Manhattan, and the Sea Port, who could disagree? Let’s take a look at one of the most iconic cities in the United States of America.
There’s also the charm of looking up and finding yourself as close to the sky as possible, nearly touching the clouds and in constant conversation with the stars. Add a few close buddies (or maybe even a cute date), some live music, a cool beverage to sip on, and a little something to nibble on, and you’ve got the makings of a perfect evening!
Whether you’re a regular New Yorker or a seasonal (or one time) tourist, these bars are sanctuaries in the sky. They’re suitable for when you want to unwind after work, comfortable for when you just want to catch up with pals, and even cozy for when you want to spend time with someone special. To make the most of your trip, here are five epic rooftop bars in Brooklyn that you must visit.
Berry Park:
This should come as no surprise to any sports fans that happen to be reading this article. Built over a 3000 square feet rooftop, Berry Park is the cosiest place to admire the breathtaking Manhattan skyline from. It also has a lovely view of McCarren Park.
What draws a lot of sports fans to Berry Park, in particular, is the fact that it has a projector screen always ready, and is streaming soccer matches 24 hours a day. There’s a futsal table for anyone who wants to play along, too! On some lucky day, you might be serenaded by the occasional live music as well.
Of course, the real reason for one to go there is the beer. Oh, so much beer!
A perfect combination of German, Belgian, and all kinds of other European beers make up the menu, there are quite a few seasonal options for the refined beer nerd as well. We assure you these are all better than the bottles you have in your fridge. That’s not where the drinks stop flowing. There’s also an unbeatable menu of signature cocktails as well. Something for everyone!
While the drinks are a flowy heaven of European bliss, the food options are assuredly all American, just like you! Of course, there’s bacon, along with fried pickles, fries, bratwurst, pretzels, guacamole, and sausage platters. These are only just some of the menu options that soak it all up, baby.
Berry Park is a great place to visit with your pals for a casual night of sporty fun all year round. It’s open from Tuesday to Thursday beginning from 5 pm to 11 pm. Fridays start early at 4 pm and close at 11 pm. Saturdays and Sundays are open longer, beginning at noon and closing at 11 pm.
You don’t need a reservation for these casual hangouts with your buds, but you will need a booking if you plan on indulging yourself in the more exclusive and seasonal Sunday Beats Brunch.
Calling all soccer fans: Berry Park is THE place to be!
Address: 4 Berry Street; (718) 782-2829
http://www.berryparkbk.com/
Westlight:
Westlight is a rooftop bar that tops all lists. It’s a little more high end and chic, and so besides being somewhat on the pricier side, you will need a reservation to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of this place. You’ll have to wait in line to get into the place and then wait in line AGAIN once you’re there until you’re seated. But we assure you, it’s so worth it!
Located on the 22nd floor of William Vale hotel, this little haven offers the most breathtaking view of Manhattan, be it night or day, summer or winter. The Westward facing view is, in fact, so spectacular that they named the bar after it. The sky really does look different from Westlight. The ambience of the indoor and outdoor setups is so calming that waiting in line isn’t even that much of a bother.
Of course, besides the celestial views of the heavens, Westlight has a tantalising signature menu of food and drinks. Headed and founded by Andrew Carmellini, anything you consume here is guaranteed to have the quality and taste boasted of by the NoHo Hospitality Group.
Besides the godly signature drinks, the menu includes such delicacies as a harissa grilled steak, chicken empanadas, spicy bass buns, watermelon salad, as well as mouthwatering tapas that are inspired by global street food.
The drinks menu is fresh with handcrafted cocktails, rare spirits, all kinds of wines, affordable along with beers.
Westlight is open from Monday to Thursday at 5 pm through 11 pm. Friday is a late evening from 5 pm to 12 am, Saturday is all day from 1 pm to 12 am, and Sunday is open from 1 pm to 11 pm. It’s said that when the weather is nicer, the crowds are so massive you better be there before 2 pm on the weekend to beat them, so be prepared for that! Also, note that reservations are in blocks of 90 minutes.
Address: 111 N 12th Street, Brooklyn, NY; (718) 307-7100;
https://www.westlightnyc.com/
Juliette Williamsburg:
Planning a romantic date? Juliette Williamsburg bar is the best place you could ever think of taking them. Walking into charming Juliette feels like you’ve time travelled to the romance of early Paris. This is, in fact, a Parisian style bistro that’s decorated with specially collected and curated decor that creates a nostalgic atmosphere.
With lush greenery fitted with Parisian fixtures, comfy bistro-style seating, and cosy nooks, it’s the perfect place for a quiet, intimate date.
Meals are served in the snug dining room downstairs. The delicacies on the menu include classy meals prepared with hand-picked ingredients as befitting french tradition. They are indeed a delight to the palate. Weekend days feature a brunch service, but it must be offered off the lunch menu.
There’s no food on the roof but what you can find there are white wine and open-air cocktails with a heavenly view of the skies. Stargazing with a special someone on the roof after an appetite soothing meal in the elegant dining room is a perfect way to end – or even start – a lovely date.
Juliette creates the perfect romantic Parisian air that is so picturesque and so nostalgic at the same time that it is to die for. Reservations are not required to get into this aesthetic sanctuary, however, the rule is first come first serve.
Unfortunately, the magic ends at 11 pm on weekdays, and midnight on weekends. But before closing time, the place is guaranteed to make your eyes sparkle. It’s so impressive that they managed to replicate a whole era in this single rooftop bar. Oops. I shouldn’t have said rooftop bar. The place is best described as a little piece of the heart of old-timey Paris brought and placed, smack in the middle of the insanity that is Bredford.
Address: 135 N. 5th St., Williamsburg
https://juliettewilliamsburg.com/
Lemon’s Rooftop:
Like Westlight, Lemon’s Rooftop is another hotel rooftop bar located in Brooklyn. It’s a nice refuge from the stuffiness and claustrophobia of the city. Since it’s at the top of the Wythe hotel, it offers unobstructed views of the always moving Manhattan City. Clear skies, calming atmosphere, welcoming and friendly staff, what could be better than that?
The place is inspired by 1960s Italy, which reflects so wonderfully in its elegant marble interiors that have floor to ceiling windows and comfortable sitting areas. There’s also open seating for when you want to enjoy the fresh air.
Lemon’s Rooftop hopes to replicate the laid back early Italian vibes that also happen to be summery. It’s a chill spot to have casual conversations with your friends and to truly loosen up. This is also one of the reasons why it’s so popular with the younger, hip crowd. They love to unwind in this relaxing spot.
Created by Jon Neidich, the menu of Lemon’s Rooftop is run by the fantastic chefs Jake Leiber and Aidan O’Neal. It’s a lovely little lounge with fresh, natural wine, and special summer drinks that include beer. These soothing beverages and complemented by small plates such as Stracitella with preserved lemon and Carne Crudo. There’s also delightful pastries and coffee with those inclined towards the sweeter side of life.
That’s not where it stops, though. Lemon’s Rooftop is also in with the younger folks because of the live music it has to offer. The legendary DJs Chances With Wolves create funky, disco, and soul vibes with their old school records on vinyl and 45s. According to a friend of the establishment, they’re “a musical home for the lost and forgotten eccentric people who made beautiful music that no one cared about when they made it. The outsiders and never-weres.”
Lemon’s Rooftop is also available for hosting events and parties. The atmosphere is perfect for any meetup you’d want to have. They open at 7 am(!) every day and close at 11 pm on Sunday and Monday, midnight Tuesday through Thursday, and 1 am on Saturday. Unlike most of the other bars on this list, it’s a great place to chill out during the daytime as well.
Address: 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249; (718) 460-8006
https://www.lemonsbk.com/
Top Of The Box:
This particular entry on our list is also the newest; previously only available to book as a wedding or large event destination, it has now opened its doors to those who aren’t holding a huge bash as a cocktail bar. This giant bar is located at the roof of the Box House Hotel, located in Greenpoint.
The place has a stunning marble bar that keeps going round, and there are hanging seats and couches, among other options, as well as a picturesque view of the brilliant skyline. Lush greenery, intimate divisions, and ambient lighting all make for quite a refreshing atmosphere. What’s more, since it was initially meant as an event space, it’s designed for all kinds of weather. This means that they even have a retractable roof!
In fact, according to their website, they’re the only place in Brooklyn with a retractable roof. This puts them at a high advantage over other bars: it means that you can enjoy your unwinding time during any kind of weather, be it rain or sun, or even both! There’s heating, air conditioning, and uninterrupted views of the clouds through 10-foot tall sliding windows. Enjoy the wind or seek refuge from the rain spray here. How divine!
Since Top Of The Box (clever name, we must say) was started during the midst of the pandemic, it’s already prepared for such circumstances. In fact, ordering off the refreshing drinks menu (frozen drinks, wine, cocktails, light platters) will be done so without the need to make physical contact. The temperature of each patron will also be checked at the entrance. These guys are serious about following all NYS outdoor dining precautions. And with 1000 feet of floor space, it’s also easy to maintain social distancing!
The delights don’t stop there, though. They also intend to use this lovely space for yoga and pilates classes every weekend between 9 and 11 am. There’s even complimentary drinks and juices involved! Besides that, they operate Wednesday and Thursday from 5 pm to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday 5 pm to midnight, and 12:30 pm to 8 pm on Sunday.
Address: 77 Box St, Brooklyn, NY 11222
https://theboxhousehotel.com/
Bonus Bars:
If none of the above bars floats your (cocktail) boats, we’ve included other unique bonus options for you. There’s obviously the Night Of Joy Bar, known for its signature floral drinks. These include the Lavender Cocktail and the Orange Blossom Rum Lemonade, along with a daily $7 Frozen Lime Margarita Happy Hour.
They have a spacious open-air rooftop as well as an intimate indoor bar featuring dim lights and comfortable seating, as well as DJ Nights on Wednesdays and Thursdays for the rock n roll crowd. It’s open from 5 pm through midnight between Wednesdays and Fridays and 6 pm till midnight on the weekends.
Address: 667 Lorimer St, Brooklyn, NY 11211
https://nightofjoybar.com/
Another hotel rooftop addition to this list is Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge, located above 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in Dumbo. There’s a $20 entry fee for non-hotel residents, the place is also crowded with tourists, but it’s so worth it! Once you walk onto the Rooftop, you’re greeted with the most mesmerizing view of Brooklyn there is.
Lower Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Seaport, Ellis and Liberty Islands, you get to see it all, and without the drumming city noise. There’s also a pool, however, hotel residents are given preference. It’s open 12 pm to 10 pm on a daily basis and reservations are required to be made prior.
Address: 60 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY; (877) 803-1111
https://www.1hotels.com/brooklyn-bridge/taste/harriets-rooftop-lounge
Something more refined is Rooftop Reds. This is, and we quote, “the world’s only commercially viable rooftop vineyard.” You heard right, folks, the place features a rooftop winery! There’s more: it also boasts of hammocks, late-night movie screenings, wine classes, and even wine tastings and tours of groups of up to ten people upon reservation.
There’s just so much you can do here. Thursday nights also happen to be pizza nights. Rooftop Reds operates Wednesday and Thursdays from 5 pm to 9 pm, Friday and Saturday till 1 am, and Sundays from 2 pm to 9 pm.
Address: Building 275, Brooklyn, NY; (703) 582-8609
http://www.rooftopreds.com/
Concluding…
So there it is guys, the best of the best. Here were five epic rooftop bars in Brooklyn that you simply MUST visit. We included a whole variety of bars to suit your tastes; Berry Park for the sports enthusiast, Westlight for those looking for something chic, Juliette for a romantic Parisian date, Lemon for the music-loving youth, and Top Of The Box if you’re looking for something grand.
Because we always want to go one step further for you, we’ve also included some bonus rooftop bars if our original epic establishments don’t catch your eye. If you want something quirky, there are always the signature floral cocktails of the Night Of Joy; spring in a cup.
If swimming happens to be on your list of desired rooftop activities, we’ve added Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge to our own list. Can’t decide what exactly you want to do on your night out? Rooftop Reds is the place. There are also different price ranges to suit your needs, from the $7 cocktails at Night Of Joy and the drinks at Berry Park, to the $20 entry fee at Harriet’s, there’s something for everyone. These are the best places in Brooklyn to unwind after a day of work or enjoy the view on your weekend.
