Refinery Rooftop NYC – Rooftop Bar & Restaurant with Skyline Views and Seasonal Cocktails

Start your visit at noon with a tasting flight on Refinery Rooftop NYC, admiring the skyline as it brightens. The door opens onto a terrace where glass walls reflect the surrounding towers, inviting you to step away from the street and enjoy the atmosphere.

Throughout the menu, an assortment of seasonal cocktails keeps things lively for drinking and admiring the city from the glassy edge. The minibar behind the bar is stocked with small-batch spirits and ready-to-share bottles, so your crew can compare notes between sips.

Along the perimeter, plush seating and cozy beds invite lingering moments, especially when afternoon light hits the glass and steel. A few lonely corners invite you to admire the skyline while the staff delivers light bites to pair with the drinks.

Access is easy after a quick ride via nearby subway lines, and the surrounding neighborhood along the street offers a string of options for a post-meal stroll. Running through the evening, new seasonal drinks rotate, so you can try something fresh on your next visit. If you’re staying late, a ride-share or a short walk back to your hotel along the avenues keeps you close to your door.

amazing skyline views meet seasonal creativity at Refinery Rooftop, with a friendly staff guiding you through cocktails and small bites that pair well along every stop of your night.

Rooftop NYC Guide

Start your visit around the 6 o’clock hour on thursday to snag a comfortable seat with divine skyline views, then slide to the rooftop floor as the sun fades, setting the tone for a memorable night.

theres a two-tier setup: a sheltered main floor and an open-air rooftop area with standing options. If you want close views of the skyline, edge tables on the rooftop stay in the perceived quieter zone, compared with the bar area.

This space connects two floors: a cozy lounge on the lower floor and the open-air rooftop on the upper floor, offering different vibes in a single visit.

Plans to visit change quickly on busy nights. Available tables appear in bursts, and a waiting area near the host stand helps you monitor arrivals. In case the queue grows, ask about parker-friendly seating or nearby options to shorten your wait.

The menu highlights seasonal cocktails and spicy bites. Try a spicy twist on a classic, like a jalapeño-spiked margarita, and pair with light plates for sharing as you take in the skyline. For a daytime vibe, brunching on weekends adds a festive touch.

Noise levels vary by hour; to escape the crowds, aim for earlier shifts or weekdays. If you crave energy, stay later to catch sunset and the reflections on the rooftops. Lastly, check the forecast: clear nights maximize color and city silhouettes across the windows.

• Reserve in advance; available slots fill quickly.
• Arrive around 6 PM for the best balance of view and comfort.
• brunching on weekends brings lively crowds and easy sharing plates.
• In case of a wait, stopping by the waiting area near the host stand helps you track progress.
• Experiment with spicy cocktails to elevate the skyline vibe.

Best times for skyline views and sunset photography

Plan to arrive 60 minutes before sunset to catch the golden hour on Refinery Rooftop’s open-air wings, where the mile-long skyline reads beautifully and the city hums with ambient music. louis at the host desk can point you to the best angle near the south-facing rails while you check the online booking page for the address and exact window.

Golden light lingers for one hour before sunset, creating warm, textured shadows on brick and glass. Use this window to frame iconic silhouettes against the skyline and to enjoy the district’s beautifully lit reflections.

Blue hour begins roughly 25–35 minutes after sunset, when the sky shifts to indigo and the city lights swirl to life, adding a second layer to your shots.

Seasonal timing varies: spring and fall sunsets drift around 7:20–8:30 pm; summer pushes toward 8:15–9:15 pm; winter sits at 4:30–5:20 pm. Winter offers a brief window, so be ready to shoot right after the sun dips.

Tools and gear: bring a fast prime (50mm f/1.8) or a versatile zoom (24–70mm). A compact tripod or stable surface on the terrace helps; use a remote or timer to avoid camera shake. The open area gives you room to set up and compose without crowding.

Settings to start: ISO 100–400, f/4–f/5.6 for daylight framing, 1/125–1/250 s; for blue hour push to ISO 800–1600 if needed. Bracket a couple of frames to capture both sky and reflections, shoot RAW, and adjust white balance around 5500K for a natural look.

Ambiance and crowd: the area attracts traveling photographers and fashion-minded guests, with a shah among the guests sharing tips and adding energy to the chatter. The music blends with southern hospitality, and the divine view pairs with caviar bites and seasonal cocktails.

Practical notes: check online for exact open times and the address before you go. Reserve a seating area with a view, and keep to the designated rooms and rails as you move between vantage points. If you wear heels, switch to comfortable flats for the walk between seating zones.

When the light shifts, you’ll have a suite of angles to choose from: closer rails frame your favorite building, while wider shots capture the sweep of the skyline for a mile-long panorama. Focus on clean silhouettes, let reflections swirl on glass, and capture the moment when the city glow turns the night into a canvas you’ll want to revisit in your travel portfolio.

Seasonal cocktails and menu items to try

Start with the Autumn Orchard Sour, a bright apple-rye blend with sage and lemon that sets the tone for your rooftop night.

• Autumn Orchard Sour – apple, lemon, and rye with a sage note, finished with a swirl of caramel and served in Baccarat glassware.
• Citrus Ivy Spritz – blood orange, rosemary, and sparkling wine, balanced by a house syrup made in-house for depth.
• London Fog Martini – gin, Earl Grey, vanilla, and citrus, named to capture a tearoom vibe amid the skyline.
• Brooklyn Bramble – blackberry, lemon, and gin, with a minty finish and a garnish that nods to the borough’s craft scene.
• Thai Spice Sour – lime, Thai chili, coconut, and ginger, delivering a clean, warming kick.

Seasonal bites accompany these pours smoothly, from shareable plates to a tighter lineup of bites that suit a fast night or a linger-long evening. There’s a thoughtful mix of brightness and comfort, and theres a clear emphasis on house-made elements and fresh produce that keep flavors vivid as the city lights rise.

• Honey-Lime Wings – crisp wings with a glaze that balances sweetness and heat, finished with a light sesame coat.
• Thai Coconut Shrimp – bold coconut glaze, lime, and cilantro, small enough for grazing without slowing the conversation.
• Charred Octopus – fennel butter, orange zest, and olive oil, plated with crisp edges and tender centers.
• Herbed Mushroom Toast – creamed mushroom on sourdough, garlic, chives, and a touch of parmesan for depth.
• Salted Caramel Tearoom Shortbread – a playful nod to a tearoom mood, pairing nicely with a cooler or a late-night sip.

The space guides you with comfortable touches: checking-in at the desk near the back bar is quick, and the seating includes left-side lounges and higher desks that keep conversations intimate even with a crowd. A reed of rosemary garnishes a few cocktails, adding fragrance as you move toward the current shows and events that decorate seasonal evenings.

Headed toward Brooklyn views or a hint of London influence, this menu stays inviting over the course of an evening and makes it easy to discover a few favorites you’ll want to repeat eventually. There’s something impressive about how the team balances technique and comfort, making your night at Refinery Rooftop feel both special and unstuffy.

How to reach the venues and pair with NYC neighborhoods

Take the subway to 34th Street–Herald Square and walk west to Refinery Rooftop; the venue opened in 2013 and sits above the Refinery Hotel, a landmark in Midtown’s Garment District.

The space includes three rooms: a glass-walled lounge, an intimate white-draped dining room, and an open-air terrace with skyline views. The style blends urban industrial with decadent touches, and the menu leans into seasonal bites with cheddar accents on select plates, perfect for a late-evening bite after cocktails, adding to the ambiance.

Which neighborhoods pair best with this ambiance? NoMad and Flatiron supply a refined, intimate backdrop for evening drinks; Chelsea and the Meatpacking District offer a modern, white-glass skyline vibe that photographs well. Greenwich Village and SoHo bring southern charm and boutique energy, while Union Square links easily to three major subway lines for quick hops and a lively surrounding scene.

What to expect timing-wise? Evening visits showcase skyline views and three rooms; brunching options appear on weekends, pairing light bites with seasonal cocktails. The surrounding streets carry century-old architecture and a capital energy that lasts into late evening, making Refinery Rooftop a reliable anchor for a three-hour outing with friends or colleagues.

Reservations, dress code, accessibility, and policies

Reserve online at least 14 days in advance to secure your preferred seating for the skyline views at dusk.

Tables accommodate up to 6 guests with a 2-hour window; for larger groups (7–12), contact the owners to arrange a shared lounge or private corner. A credit card holds the reservation; free cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours before your time; walk-ins are welcome if space allows but are not guaranteed.

Dress code is smart casual. No athletic wear, jerseys, or flip-flops. Dark tones and minimal jewelry help blend with the coppery glow of the interior lighting. This policy welcomes every woman and man to feel comfortable while maintaining a refined vibe; women can wear dresses or slacks with a blazer, and men likewise; comfortable shoes are fine for outdoor areas, but indoor seating benefits from closed-toe shoes. This type of attire keeps the mood elevated yet comfortable.

The building provides elevator access from street level to the rooftop; step-free entry, accessible restrooms, and seating options for mobility devices. Inside seating and the outdoor deck near the rails both have clear sightlines to the city; service animals welcome, and staff can arrange spaces for wheelchairs. Large-print menus are available on request. The space stays welcoming throughout the night.

Outside food and beverages are not permitted. If you have dietary restrictions, notify us at booking and we will strive to accommodate. An ID may be requested for certain drinks. Smoking is not allowed on the rooftop. Pets are not allowed, except service animals. The bar features an acclaimed drinks program with deep, smoked options; biteswhen markers signal bite-sized offerings, and bites are available, including poached items and chocolate desserts. The dark, coppery lighting pairs with minimal décor and roses on the bar for a warm, intimate feel. tina leads the jazz sets on select evenings, and this offering keeps the energy near subway stops with easy access via public transit.

Plan your route: map view and one-view itinerary across 38th Street and nearby rooftops

Begin at Refinery Rooftop (63 W 40th St) and open the map view, drawing a single line along 38th Street and the nearby rooftops. Once you arrived on foot, arlo Midtown on 38th Street is a natural first stop, then swing to The Skylark on 39th Street for a sweeping Manhattan display, forming a compact loop with minimal backtracking.

At Refinery Rooftop, white lighting and a refined vibe set the scene. nicole, the attendant, greets you and points to a stocked bar offering seasonal cocktails, including a bright bellini for brunching hours. The experiences here are acclaimed by yorkers and visitors, with a colorful display that photographs well against the Manhattan skyline in the afternoon. If you crave a broader palate, oceania-inspired options appear among the rotating flavors, and you can enjoy the moment with very satisfying results.

Then hop to arlo Midtown on 38th Street for a casual atmosphere and another colorful vibe, before heading to The Skylark on 39th Street for the final panoramic finale. The route stays on a single axis, avoiding backtracking and giving you a clean line to compare vibe, lighting, and restaurant offerings in one go, all in the Manhattan daylight. A nearby extension at Moxy can add a second skyline angle if you want an even livelier vibe.

One-view itinerary in order: 1) Refinery Rooftop – 2) arlo Midtown – 3) The Skylark – 4) optional extension at a nearby rooftop such as Moxy rooftop for a nightcap. This compact sequence works well for brunchers and cocktail lovers alike, and it’s listed as a practical loop for a colorful afternoon along 38th Street. Enjoy the display, take photos, and collect experiences that feel very New York in mood and energy.