What an amazing experience to be at the same rooftop as the famous Gossip Girl show. Let me tell you that you don't have to be a fan to enjoy a cocktail with a view. The drinks were reasonable priced and so was the brunch option. At $50 you get the full experience of a cocktail and mini sandwiches which included savory and sweet. Great customer service, I felt safe throughout my time. Highly recommend the experience! read more

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2/18/2026 Ya know how you could just go for a quick bite and drink? Thats how I found this place. You use the hotel entrance into the elevator on the right. Reservations are encouraged but we're seated immediately with a great view of the city. It was happy hour and I was eyeing the lobster tacos from reviews. They were fine filled with nice chunks of meat. Our drinks (Ginferno, smoky pear passion)both suggested by our server were amazing. The vibe is nice they play good music the place feels very open you might just ending up chatting with the girls at the next table like me read more

The Empire Rooftop - Ginferno and Smokey pear passion - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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I live in the neighborhood a few blocks away. Had been dying to try this place. Had a reservation, got seated. Wait staff completely ignored me. I ordered a glass of wine and after 25 minutes wasn't going to wait any more. They claimed other parties made it busy, but I'm not going to pay for prices here where the service should just be a bit more elevated. Maybe it's more of a tourist spot but I just felt overlooked and when I left, they just said "sorry" and didn't attempt to make me feel better about it. We just need better run establishments than this in our neighborhood - I'd just go elsewhere there are lots of options. read more

My husband came here a couple of years ago with a friend but I hadn't been here until we decided on a last minute rooftop reservation for our anniversary and it was a great evening! There are a couple of different outdoor levels on the roof and we climbed all the way up and had a terrific view of Lincoln Center and Broadway looking north. The vibe was great with an outstanding play list and a fun vibe. Service was so nice....food and drinks came quickly and efficiently in a stealthy way. My cocktail was delicious and the food we got was all top notch. Lobster roll tacos were the standouts but I also loved the buffalo chicken sliders and the truffle cheese tots. When the bright neon of "Hotel Empire" lit up it cast a rosy glow and made the rooftop feel like a party. I'll definitely come back here for a special occasion, or maybe just because. read more

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I went to this rooftop with a few colleagues after work and it was such a wonderful experience. We waited about 10 minutes before being directed up to the rooftop, it's best to make reservations to avoid waiting. The staff was super friendly and seated us right away. They had a happy hour until 6:30pm so my group and I took advantage of that. For the table we ordered the taco platter which came with Steak, Shrimp, Charred Mahi and Al Pastor with a side of chips & guacamole. The steak was my favorite, it was juicy and flavorful, and I decided to pair it with Prosecco. The views at this restaurant were stunning and there's plenty of transportation nearby, I will definitely will coming back. read more

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My friends and I recently stayed at the hotel and decided to enjoy a mid-afternoon snack and cocktails at their rooftop bar. We were pleasantly surprised by the spacious rooftop and chic décor. Cocktails * Margarita * Passion Fruit Margarita - made with real passion fruit juice, nice and tart. Food * Cauliflower Crust Pizza - Thin crust topped with light veggies; a good gluten-free option. * Ahi Tuna Poke Tostadas - These tiny tostadas are big on flavor, though we wished they were just a bit larger. * Guacamole & Chips - Creamy and fresh! The rooftop offers a beautiful view of the city, and the service was efficient and to the point. read more

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it was so cool to see the place where a lot of gossip girl was filmed!! The appetizers we got were fantastic and so were the drinks. The views were amazing and the servers were so kind. read more

The Empire Rooftop - patio - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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So I have walked by here for a life time and I finally made it here with my girlfriends and then returned with my boo thang..... I must say both visits were different yet reasonably pleasing though I feel the service with my girls was better considering I think we were there on a Thrusday and it was busier at the height of the summer. With that said the food was still tasty and delicious. Will circle back sometime this fall just to gauge the process. read more

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You have to judge this place for yourself. Seems overrated, I've been to better rooftop bars. We went really later after a show at The Met. We got absolutely no service at the bar. Bartenders stared us dead in the face after getting their attention and never once asked if we wanted anything or listened long enough for us to order. Patrons that were seated at the bar offered to put an order in for us but we were so disgusted that we refused & just left. Probably won't be back. read more

I love the empire rooftop! They have such nice seasonal drinks, great hospitality, it's an elevated experience so it's nice to dress up a little bit. They have a retractable roof outdoor area. When it's cool out, it's a great spot for drinks inside. The food is great. They have seasonal drinks too and change the menu. read more

The Empire Rooftop - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

This was so fun. Great view. Good drinks. Didn't have any food so can't comment on that.

Had a great time at the Empire Rooftop. Sat at the bar and had drinks and some food, good happy hour. Service top notch. We will definitely return! read more

Looking for a brunch or cocktail with a view, this rooftop Bar on top of the Empire Hotel in Upper West Side of Manhattan is very cool. Cool. There are two different bars that serve patrons. One outdoor eating area that has umbrellas for shade and a nice faux Garden feel. There's also or sitting for dining and overlooking the vast buildings of upper Manhattan. As much as I like the atmosphere, the drink prices for cocktails were about $21 for cocktails and $19 for a glass of wine; a little bit on the high side, but if you want a sophisticated bar and restaurant sometimes the prices are reflective of the atmosphere. I would definitely consider coming back here again. read more

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We came here as an ode to Gossip Girl, and for a our girls evening out. It was such a nice time. Ambiance inside is a bit busy and slow for service but the outside rooftop is just gorgeous. Great views of Central Park and other buildings. Food was good too. Unfortunately don't have a picture of that. All in all a good time. read more

The Empire Rooftop - Menu - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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Conveniently located at Lincoln Center and just a few blocks north of Columbus Circle, the Empire rooftop is hidden gem that will get you off the noisy streets of the city. Access via a small elevator off the hotel lobby we were pleasantly greeted and quickly seated with a choice of inside or outside. One of the rooftop bars that opens a little earlier in the day on weekends check hours. Offers happy hours on well drinks and beers. Nice little menu offers a good selection of nosh to go with some of the interesting drinks that are offered. The great place for a drink before or after a show or simply to take in the view. read more

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Came on a Thursday evening and we were easily able to make a reservation. It's a fun vibe and the views are pretty nice! It's a nice place to catch up with friends, and if you like Gossip Girl it'll probably mean more to you. The drinks are not surprisingly very pricey. I ordered a pomegranate fizz mocktail which tasted like orange juice with a little bit of club soda. Not a bad drink, but not really worth the same price as an alcoholic beverage. The views from some parts of the roof are quite limited, but there's one corner in particular that has the nicest views! Probably won't be back, but fun to check out at least once. read more

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This is a great place if you are looking for drinks before going to the opera or ballet, otherwise I wouldn't recommend for food or atmosphere. While they have great drinks, the service is standard, and the food overpriced for the serving size. The outdoor seating is a bit uncomfortable, and most of the outdoor locations are reserved. With all that said, I think this makes for a great place for pre drinks for a night at the Opera. read more

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This is my favorite summer rooftop. When it opens, you could either sit in the AC, out on the roof, or on the cabana beds. So it's got everything you need! I love this spot as a solo date because, the bites are the perfect for one. Enough to eat there and then sometimes bring home for the late night munchies. (Unless you order shishito peppers, that is a mountain) ProTip! Make a reservation for a cabana bed and bring a nice book or journal while you're there! So great to be comfy with a drink, sun, and a good book! read more

It was my 1st time here, and my cousin had rented a section of the rooftop before. We sat in the covered area because the open area was a bit chilly. The friendly greetings from the elevator guy, the reception desk, and the individual servers were on point. All of them were quite respectful. There was a big, maybe Hispanic guy near the bar area, who was very nice and very engaging. Even ar the end, he asked us to return there to enjoy more of their food and service, and i will take him up on that! Started with the mini Mahi tuna tostados, which were nice, we also ordered the mushroom, truffle flatbread, which was also very nice, and we ended up having the Buffalo chicken sliders which were really good! I would definitely come back for those. Little crunch on the outside, and the inside was so moist!! Also had a nice ginger margarita, which was nice and a little small but tasty. All in all, it was a very nice experience and warrants a return! read more

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Great views with great service! I like how this place is not packed even during the weekend evenings. The food and drinks were great! We made a reservation for 20ish ppl for outdoor seating but I didn't like how they didn't give all of us a table to place our food and drinks. read more

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I am in loveeee with this rooftop. From walking in and the valet happily parking us right in the front to make it easy for us in our heels, to the amazing waitress always being attentive and the ambiance just so relaxing. The food was excellent, lamb chops were cooked perfectly. The drinks were sooo good and the dj played a really good mix of music which went perfect with the night. I 10/10 would go back again! read more

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Perfect for Gossip Girl Fans! Great food, great service, and the perfect Gossip Girl vibe. The tea sandwiches, desserts, and cocktails were a fun treat, and taking a photo with the sign was a must. If you're a fan, add this to your list! read more

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We came here solely because we were looking for a rooftop bar in New York, and it just happened to be a few blocks from where we were staying. I believe it's on the 12th floor, they have a nice view of the city. We found other rooftop bars that had better views, but this was still a solid choice. We sat inside right by a window, so it was nice to always be right by that view. They have good cocktails here - our highlights were the XOXO-Gossip Girl, The Empire Sunset, and the Espresso Martini. While they didn't 100% wow me, they were super enjoyable for a night out. The big food winners were the Mini Ahi Tuna Poke Tosadas & the Maitake Mushroom Flatbread. Both were delicious. Prices seemed a little high here, but I guess given the area and the view, that is what's expected. Each of the drinks and the small plates were around $20. Service was slower, but the staff were nice. Reservations can be made here, so I'd recommend it. Solid choice for a rooftop bar. read more

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Overall rating: 3.2 I had an odd experience here that I'm not sure is typical because I don't look like I would spend here. Maybe it's because my genes look so young, but I forgot my ID and they wouldn't let me in. I shared a picture of the age & they still wouldn't. It was 5pm. What if I didn't want to drink?? There were no clear signs that said this was a 21+ place, so how the hell can you deny a 34 year old into a HOTEL RESTAURANT no less. You denied money. I manage to get myself up because my friend who has grey hair vouched for me. Is that what it took? A man? That has older features. Ridiculous. When we made our way up, the service was rocky. I also so kids on the rooftop. I felt very targeted. The staff took forever to get our order in and then drinks took years and then they also didn't get my friend's order right. I was hoping that there could have beenn some truth to living out a Gossip Girl fantasy. But it is not here. I do not recommend. There are better bars & better service elsewhere. read more

The Empire Rooftop - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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We came here from LA, we were inspired by the movie, everything was very delicious, the people are very caring and kind. The place was clean and the manager was very generous. read more

The Empire Rooftop - We ordered Buffalo Chicken Sliders Plate, it was super delicious. - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

It was Fabulous you had a great time. The drinks were delish I had the Cucumber Collins and my friends had a margarita and the other drink was I believe a watermelon passion. The appetizers were delicious also the sliders were cooked to perfection. The service was a very good experience. read more

This is one of the few rooftop bars that allow under 21 to go with an adult. They are allowed up to 8pm which was fine. The waiters are nice and attentive. On the ground floor they do ask for ID before they allow you to go upstairs. This was the first time I had the lobster tacos and it did not disappoint. The calamari was warm and crispy. The sliders we read more

A MUST visit place for any gossip girl fans. We sat at the bar and the staff was incredibly sweet and took the time to get to know us while also giving us time to enjoy our drinks and fries. We ordered the fries and went around 5:30pm and happy hour made it 25% off! It was a great deal and the drinks were definitely worth the price, coming out to around $15 for a cocktail in a beautiful location. The rooftop portion near the sign is only open during the summer time but you still get a beautiful view on a rooftop it's just not the very top (don't let that change your mind about coming in the winter! The view is still amazing!). There is a beautiful lounge area and I have no doubt I will be back! read more

Visited the Rooftop multiple times during our stay at the Empire Hotel. The staff are amazing. Anastasia and Kathryn stood out! The young man operating the elevator, whose name has escaped me, was a delight as well. read more

We stood at the Empire Hotel and were thrilled that the restaurant was one floor above our room. Perfect for a cold NY day to see the skyline while sipping on a delicious cocktail and munching on a sampler platter. Wait team could be a bit more attentive. read more

The Empire Rooftop - Empire Sampler - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

Depending on where you sit, the views can vary but the patio seating really isn't great. The rooftop is on the 12th floor so you don't get those beautiful city views like other rooftops. I decided to make a reservation because I'm a gossip girl fan and wanted to enjoy the "Chuck Bass" experience but the bright red sign was no where to be seen. It wasn't visible to patrons. Drinks were pretty much the same as any other bar. We didn't order food because there wasn't a whole lot of variety. The service was good. Surprisingly we had no issues with customer service. There are plenty of rooftop bars in the city, this one isn't special at all. read more

The Empire Rooftop - Xoxo Gossip Girl & Smoked Peach Passion - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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Amazing experience both days I went to The Empire Rooftop while I stayed at the hotel. Tony is amazing at the bar, he truly made me feel like a VIP. Shanghai Margarita was definitely a fav but I love ginger. Loved the chips & guac and the steak dish was amazing, one of the best skirt steaks I've ever had. I will definitely be back and make sure it's while Tony is working. Inside is real cute too. You'll have a good time. read more

what an amazing experience! Great ambience, cocktails and food. Bobby Gallagher our server was the best.

3.5 / 5.0 - You are paying for the views. And they are fantastic, if you know where to sit. The first time I came here several years ago, the west side (facing Hudson River) was closed due to a private event. So my friend and I sat outside on the other side, which had no views. The drinks are pricey and without views, I didn't really see the value. Last week, I came here again with my bf to see the sunset. There was no event, but the west side was closed. So we reluctantly sat on the other side again, with no views. The cocktails were $19+, but Empire doesn't get too crowded like some other rooftop bars, so we were still able to enjoy our space and being able to sit outside in the nice weather. This time, I noticed that there were stairs right under the Empire sign, so we went to check it out before leaving. We discovered that there was additional seating upstairs, which they had not mentioned, with much better views. The tables at the end had incredible views of Lincoln Center and the skyline. Even if you aren't able to get a table upstairs, it's worth stopping by for a glimpse of the amazing views. read more

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As a whole, the rooftop has a nice view of NYC and a great atmosphere. However, it seemed that the staff had butterfingers tonight. Drinks were getting dropped/broken on multiple tables, including ours, which more or less can greatly affect one's evening. Additionally, after receiving our drink, our waitress didn't check on us once and seemingly had an attitude when I asked someone else for the check. Tip options were limited and they don't give you the machine to select a tip (they stand there with it in their hand and watch you). Drinks were okay but needless to say I won't be returning. read more

I must say by far the best Cauliflower pizza I have EVER had! It was cooked to perfection and left me wanting more after. I also got the Gossip girl cocktail and it was so worth it. Not too sweet or too sour. Came here on a Friday evening, staff was attentive and the views are so pretty! Def will be back read more

The Empire Rooftop - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York

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Came here on a Saturday for drinks and appetizers early afternoon and was not crowded. Empire Rooftop is at top of hotel. A doorman will greet you and will radio up to restaurant that you're coming then will send you off in elevator. Options to sit inside or outside. Since it was a nice sunny day, opted outside albeit a little warm. Seated at one of their sectionals which was perfect to sink into and relax over very good food and beverages. Drinks were ~$20 and up so a bit pricey but you're also paying for the vibe, ambiance and views. There was also an option to sit inside in a sunroom section. Overall: nice splurge for the views and some good food to nosh on. Pleasant and attentive staff. read more

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We were looking to have a drink and sit and talk for a little while. Fortunately, without a reservation, we were able to make seating at the bar for three. The bartenders were pleasant, efficient, and knowledgeable. The drink prices were comparable. The music was a bit loud as I was trying to watch the NBA playoff game on the television. All told, we had a great nightcap and stepped outside to enjoy the beautiful night view. read more

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food / drink 1.) Smokey old fashioned = I appreciated the presentation, they brought it out in a Smokey glass and poured it in front of you. It was nice to see the smoke. Taste-wise, like camping in your mouth. Like a smoked salmon or smoked eel, is that it reminded me of. 2.) cauliflower pizza = impressive how the crust didn't taste of feel like cauliflower at all. Was crispy, was good .... 3.) white wine = also great presentation, she did the whole wine presentation, with a taste and showing the bottle. And they poured into a mini carafe on the side. SERVICE It was good for the aforementioned drink presentation. ATMOSPHERE: Very nice, love the view seeing Broadway cross cross and you can see the Lincoln center below. If the rooftop lounge was open, it would also be nice, I've been there before for a meetup. The sunset is on that side. And the other side has a mini roof access which is great to take pics w the hotel empire neon sign. read more

Excellent spot. Excellent service by Antonio. He was extremely attentive, made amazing suggestions and his drinks were spot on. If you go there, ask for "Tony" Varela. Definitely going back here whenever in NYC. read more

The Empire Rooftop - Kentucky Ginger - Lounges Near Me - New York, New York