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The Empire Rooftop

3.7 (191 reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 1:30 AM (Next day)
Updated 2 weeks ago

The Empire Rooftop Photos

THE EMPIRE ROOFTOP ATMOSPHERE

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Recommended Reviews - The Empire Rooftop

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Bill T.

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.

Shah Q.

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.

Mini Ahi Tuna Poke Tostadas
Viviana Z.

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.

patio
Megan B.

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.

Ribs
Su S.

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.

Milo C.

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.

View of one of the bars.
David O.

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.

Menu
A K.

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.

View of Lincoln Center towards uptown
Hillary P.

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.

Jessica Y.

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.

Fish Charred Mahi Tacos
Eoghan R.

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.

Claude W.

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!

Cynthia Z.

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.

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11 months ago

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1 month ago

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

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6 months ago

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

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The Empire Rooftop Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - The Empire Rooftop

I'm coming to nyc for a work trip from La and making my team have food and drinks here on our first night in the city. There were no spots available outside. I booked a standard table, but am I able to snap a quick photo outside on the rooftop?

Thanks for reaching out—and we’re thrilled you’ll be joining us to kick off your NYC trip!… Read more

Se puede desayunar aunque uno no esté hospedado en hotel?

Sí porque es un restaurante también.

Is it only 21+ at night or can a 20 year old come in? We really want to experience a rooftop restaurant at night?

I got there at 8:30 pm on a Friday and was carded at the door. So I think it is 21+ at night, but you could always call ahead!

WhAt is the dress code for the rooftop bar?

Casual. I went on a rainy Sunday, early afternoon. Nobody was dolled up, in my group or otherwise.

I'm attending an event on the rooftop where the early weather reports are calling for rain. Is there a covering or an indoor area to the rooftop?

Yes! There's an indoor area to the rooftop. The rain won't mess with your event.

Could my wife and I bring our three year old son here on. Saturday afternoon? We eat and have a drink or two while he eats?

It would depend on your son's table manners. If he is the "seen and not heard" type of child, then absolutely, but if not, I'd stick to a more family friendly joint.

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4.5(166 reviews)
3.1 miEast Village

Paradise Lost is a speakeasy tiki bar located on 2nd Ave in the East Village. A friend & I went…read morethere after having dinner at Spicy Moon a few blocks away. We wanted to have after-dinner cocktails in a chill space, so we searched on our phones & saw Paradise Lost address via Google. We proceeded to walk down & was unable to find the establishment due to their being no front sign. After walking back & forth a few times, we saw another group walking towards the door & they confirmed the place. We walked inside the front door pressed a "doorbell" & lo & behold we gained entry after the previous group went inside. Definitely an incognito entrance. Once inside that door there is someone to greet you, & take your information. There is a forest/ grass/ jungle-looking foyer/ hallway we walked down to get to the next door. Before we knew it, we were near the "Paradise Lost No Vacancy" neon sign w/ an arrow pointing towards the snake-shaped knob door. It gets opened & a supercool speakeasy awaits.... Paradise Lost has mixed style table / seating arrangements throughout the place. A bar seating section, booth-style seating area, lounge- style seating area, etc. We got there a little after 7pm, so the afterwork crowd was in full swing. Paradise Lost has interesting atmosphere. At times a Gothic / Medieval Vibe, meets place w/ shipwreck decor, meets eleganct /club vibe w/ beautiful ceiling lighting, etc. Music played in the background. Staff are friendly, energetic, & attentive. We were pleasantly overwhelmed w/ the vast selection of tiki cocktails that were on the menu. Paradise Lost also have an intimate selection of snacks/ food menu items. This included Popcorn, Tater Tots, Devilled Eggs Rangoon Dip, etc. We ordered some cocktails served in unique tiki mugs & a bucket of popcorn to munch on w/ our drinks. The popcorn is flavored w/ Sea Buckthorn & Browm Butter, which gave it an special flavor profile. Our cocktails were well-prepared & nice & strong. Paradise Lost has individual unisex bathroom stalls & a communal vanity & sink area. The bathroom stalls have spooky voices coming from a speaker as you use the bathroom. I was so humorously taken aback, it had me laughing when I came out...Definitely a different thing to experience in the bathroom - lol. Before we left we watched one of the bartenders do a cocktail "fire" presentation for some patrons in a booth seated area. Wow.... Paradise Lost accepts walk-ins only, no reservations. Paradise Lost accepts groups of 8 or less, unless you are requesting to book the space for a private event. Ages 21+ paradiselost.nyc @paradiselostnyc Paradise Lost is open everyday - 5pm-2am.

Very cool cocktail bar with super interesting decor. It's more of a gothic tiki bar with ska music…read morethan a traditional tiki bar which was cool but I found the music to not really be my thing but thought the decor was just so cool. The drinks were very interesting and creative. The seawater martini I will say was a bit too strange for my taste but I still thought it was good. Service was very good as well. Would definitely recommend to visit if you like gothic stuff and tiki bars.

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Paradise Lost - Amazing atmosphere!

Amazing atmosphere!

Paradise Lost - Beware the shark!

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Osamil Upstairs - Ambiance / vibe

Osamil Upstairs

4.3(143 reviews)
1.7 miKoreatown, Midtown West

this bar has great vibes, and is speak easy esque, tucked behind a hidden door and upstairs of…read moreosamil. The ambiance is not too loud which is perfect for catching up with a friend. I got the omija, which seems to be one of their more popular drinks, which is yogurt clarified. It's definitely a bit on the sweeter side for me but nonetheless delicious. Super easy to get a last minute reservation here!

My friends and I popped into Osamil Upstairs (via the restaurant below) for cocktails -- and wow:…read moreit lived up to the hype. The moment you walk up those stairs, the whole mood changes. Dim lighting, plush seating, rich wood + wallpaper details, and that lounge-library vibe make the place feel like a secret hideout right in the middle of Midtown. It's moody, cozy, and effortlessly intimate -- perfect for a date night, a chill catch-up, or just a night out with good drinks. Nice service, too! However: be ready for the price tag. The cocktails are absolutely beautiful -- well crafted, creative, and flavorful -- but each one will remind you that you're not exactly paying dive-bar prices. It's worthwhile, but the "overpriced drinks" vibe absolutely hits. That said: the interior design and ambience are amazing. The mix of antique-meets-modern decor, low lighting, and comfy couches gives you that classic speakeasy romance. If you appreciate aesthetics and vibe over cheap drinks -- this is your spot. If you want a night out that feels deliberate and special rather than casual and cheap -- Osamil Upstairs delivers.

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Osamil Upstairs - Inside coach seat area

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Osamil Upstairs - Vibe

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Rosevale Cocktail Room - Cocktail Bar Seating, Broadway Photography

Rosevale Cocktail Room

4.5(84 reviews)
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Fave cocktail bar in midtown that I literally always forget about until I'm sitting in it. Top…read morechoice if you're into ambiance because the amber lighting will put you in a state of relaxation no matter what happened outside before you entered. Having come from dinner, I had the choco mousse (a YES PLEASE) and a mocktail called the Rosevale E&L, which was shockingly good. My server was very nice and attentive. Who I assumed is the manager is a silver fox in a great suit who looks like he's all about his business. By the wonderful vibes, it's paying off!

First time visit to New York! First restaurant as soon as we landed, checked into hotel and got…read moreready for our first night out! And oh & did my hubby do so well on choosing this place! We needed a place close to our Broadway show "Social Club" From welcoming, to ambiance, to service and to of course the food! My husband had indicated it was our birthdays so they provided a cute birthday card and made sure to wish us Happy Birthday when we checked in. Due to some unforseen circumstances (on our part being First time visitors not understanding NY traffic) we were short on time and they were still able to accommodate us! We were looking forward to do one their prix fix menus but had to cut our time shorter. We had the shrimp cocktail, would recommend and also really loved the serving coupe it came in! Fried artichokes that were mid at best and saved by the sauce it comes with. To save time we split the steak frites, I would recommend, though bot as tender as I normally like, I appreciate the serving and flavorful bites. The drinks are amazing and we love how they're all accompanied by a story! I had the heir to empire and our lovely waitress asked for my favorite color and when the drink arrives, it came with a little coaster in purple! And it was strong without it being overwhelming. For the remaining of dinner, I had a red wine and it was a perfect choice for the meal. Our trip to New York was too short because we wished we had been able to go back and check out their live performances. The vibe if the place was moody and inviting and we wished we could have gone back! We loved the Broadway homage throughout without being tacky.

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Rosevale Cocktail Room
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The Empire Rooftop - lounges - Updated May 2026

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