I purchased two New Year's Eve tickets at $119 each, totaling $238, expecting a well-organized night with a live DJ, open bar, and a food buffet served from 8:30 pm to 10:30 pm. What we walked into was nothing close to what was advertised. We were handed "VIP" wristbands at the door, which felt like a joke given what followed. There was no food at all during the promised window, no buffet setup, and no explanation given. The live DJ never materialized either, leaving the room with awkward background music and zero energy. This is New York City on New Year's Eve. How this was considered acceptable is beyond me.
The only thing that technically existed was the open bar, and even that felt like an afterthought. Service was spotty at best, with long waits and bartenders who looked overwhelmed and unprepared. It was clear there was little to no event planning behind the night. Guests were constantly asking staff what was going on, and no one seemed to have answers. The so-called VIP wristbands came with absolutely no benefits, no designated area, no priority service, nothing. It felt misleading and careless, especially for a ticketed holiday event at this price point.
On top of that, the outdoor section and skyline views that were heavily advertised in the listing were completely closed, removing one of the main reasons people chose this venue. The indoor space became uncomfortably overcrowded, making it difficult to move around or enjoy anything. Basic New Year's Eve elements were missing, including a proper countdown or any acknowledgment of midnight, which felt almost surreal. Communication was nonexistent, and there was no effort to address or compensate for the missing features that people paid for. Overall, this felt like a cash grab rather than a curated event, and it seriously damaged my trust in Rosehill Rooftop hosting ticketed experiences. read more