Bar 54 ★ 4.1
$$$$
$22 cocktails, upscale casual dressTimes SquareMon-Wed 16:00-00:00, Thu-Sat 16:00-01:00, Sun 16:00-00:00.
Bar 54 sits 54 floors above 45th Street on the Hyatt Centric Times Square roof, billed as the highest hotel cocktail bar in the city with full glass walls.
TipWalk-up entry weekdays before 19:00. Weekend reservations via OpenTable for a guaranteed seat at the south-facing window.
Magic Hour Rooftop ★ 3.8
$$$$
$20 cocktails, upscale casualTimes SquareMon-Wed 17:00-00:00, Thu 17:00-02:00, Fri 17:00-04:00, Sat 11:30-04:00, Sun 11:30-00:00.
Magic Hour atop the Moxy Times Square is the largest all-season rooftop in the city, with a carousel-themed indoor lounge and an outdoor putting green facing.
TipWeekend nights book up; reserve via OpenTable. Brunch Saturday and Sunday from 11:30 is the calmer entry point.
Pen Top ★ 4.4
$$$$
$28 cocktails, smart dress preferredMidtownTue-Sat 17:00-00:30. Closed Mon/Sun.
Pen Top, formerly Salon de Ning, sits 23 floors above Fifth Avenue on the Peninsula Hotel roof, with two terraces over Billionaire's Row and heated chalet.
TipClosed Sundays and Mondays. Reserve via Tock for the East Terrace; the winter dome bookings open in October each year.
Please Don't Tell ★ 4.5
$$$$
East VillageMon-Thu 18:00-02:00, Fri-Sat 18:00-03:00, Sun 18:00-02:00.
PDT hides behind a phone booth inside Crif Dogs on St Marks Place. Pick up the receiver, press the buzzer and wait to be checked in for a 30-seat cocktail.
TipPhone reservations open at 15:00 daily on 212-614-0386 and fill within minutes. Walk-ups have a small chance at 18:00.
Attaboy ★ 4.6
$$$$
Lower East SideDaily 17:00-03:00.
Attaboy at 134 Eldridge has no sign, just a metal door you knock at. Inside, bartenders work without a menu and build drinks around what you like to taste.
TipKnock once, the door slides open at capacity. Parties of six or fewer only, no standing room, cocktail around $20.
Death & Co ★ 4.7
$$$$
East VillageMon-Wed 18:00-01:00, Thu-Sat 18:00-02:00, Sun 18:00-01:00.
Death & Co on East 6th opened New Year's Eve 2006 and has run the modern New York cocktail template since: dark room, single seat at the bar, no standing.
TipLimited Tock reservations, otherwise first-come for groups up to eight. Wait list opens at the door from 18:00.