We’ve all seen it. The elongated line of bodies that winds around the block between Broadway and Columbus. No, we're not talking about the Upper West Side's P.J. Clarke’s. Don’t get us wrong, we love their juicy burgers, especially after a late night out, but this isn't a meat frenzy. The masses congregate for one of Manhattan's finest lounges in the sky: The Empire Hotel Rooftop.
Distant from its downtown skyline doubles, The Empire Hotel Rooftop provides an expansive view of Lincoln Center, Central Park, and the remainder of picturesque Upper West Side from its three 12th floor terraces and indoor bar, which combined, ring in at 8,000 square feet. The festivities here will go on, rain or shine, as this rooftop features retractable glass panes for inclement weather, as well as an inviting fireplace for the months of sub-zero temperatures. No matter how sizzling hot or artic cold it gets in Manhattan, The Empire Hotel Rooftop has plenty of reasons for you to face Mother Nature.
The terraces at The Empire Hotel Rooftop offer premier bottle service at an assortment of tables or at a private cabana complete with luxurious daybeds, flat screen TVs, mini fridges, and iPod docking stations with speakers. If craving for some bubbly, one can order a bottle of sparkling Perrier Jouët for $175, accommodating an ease on your pocketbook, as well as your evening out. The cocktail list features two specialty concoctions loyal to this UWS hotspot – the "Big Apple" for those wanting cachaca beyond Brazilian caipirinhas, as well as the "Fairy Drunk" for absinthe aficionados.
Atmospherically speaking, you can count on The Empire Hotel Rooftop for a relaxing evening in New York City, mingling with fellow patrons or catching up with friends. Here, you won’t have to fight for seats or hide from snaky, little waitresses conning you into handing over money you don’t really want to spend. Instead, you can sit back and savor sweet coconut shrimp with your glass of prosecco guilt-free. Let's face it, in this city’s cutthroat trenches, we could all use an evening of luxury.
While the lines at The Empire Hotel Rooftop are long, the wait is always worth it. Simply bask in the sultry shadows of the Empire Hotel’s neon-red sign or the cooler, though no less astounding, New York City lights for an evening of skyline bliss.
