Inviting Bars to Elevate Cocktail Hour in New York City

When cocktail hour beckons in New York City, finding the perfect place to enjoy a signature cocktail can feel overwhelming. Let us help take away some of the stress with some of our favorite bars where master mixologists are crafting some creative libations.

In partnership with Highgate Hotels


Darling at Park Lane New York

Address: 
36 Central Park South, New York, NY 10019

Park Lane New York has the only rooftop lounge on Central Park South, and features a thoughtfully curated cocktail program and weekly entertainment including DJs every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night.

The whimsical secret garden oasis with intimate seating high up on the 47th floor, was developed in collaboration with Bond Hospitality, and features sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline.

The indoor lounge is first come, first serve, while you need a reservation for the terrace.

Darling’s cocktail menu includes “exquisites” like the New Wave Paloma, with shishito pepper infused St. Germain; Here Comes Trouble, a blood orange margarita; Infinite Carousel, a pineapple & yuzu-based mule; and the Boulevardier Castle, with Toki Japanese whiskey, ume plum liqueur, dry vermouth and suze.

NYC nightlife bar

Darling’s must-try signature cocktails, include Harry’s Old Fashioned, the Park Lane Margarita, Darling Unlimited, and Central Park South. 


NoMo SoHo

Address:
9 Crosby St, New York, NY 10013

As the tallest free-standing building in the neighborhood, panoramas of Manhattan come standard at NoMo SoHo hotel, offering an unmatched perspective with 360-degree views of the skyline.

With the launch of its new Rose Garden patio, the NoMo SoHo wanted to offer guests something that matched the light and joyous nature of NoMo Kitchen, its signature restaurant.

The result is a welcoming and whimsical, romantic place to hang out any time of day — a unique fresh-air terrace that’s rare for SoHo hotels.

A blend of outdoor calm, fringed with pink roses, lush greenery, and an urban aesthetic needed a signature cocktail, and “La vie en rose” invites patrons to enjoy their dining experience with rose-colored glasses, literally and figuratively.

“It’s not every day you find a combination of hibiscus amaro, chipotle agave, elderflower liquor, Patron Reposado tequila, orange bitters and even salt in a cocktail,” says Jonathan Torres, NoMo’s food and beverage manager.

The original version of this confidently winning cocktail was a little sweeter at first, but needed a little kick to make it more memorable.

“The team and I weren’t happy with the cocktail originally,” Torres says. “Then one night one of our bartenders, Chris, made a chipotle agave and after tasting it we subbed out the sweetener for this. Our approach to making cocktails now has been to not just be inspired by something but to research the best possible pairings. The team is the inspiration, and I just nitpick the final flavors. So many guests have fallen in love with it and continue to order on their first visit and when they come back.”

ModernHaus SoHo in New York City

The space’s signature cocktail, “La vie en rose,” invites patrons to enjoy their dining experience with rose-colored glasses, literally and figuratively.


ModernHaus SoHo

Address:
15 Thompson St, New York, NY 10013

JIMMY, a mainstay of Lower Manhattan nightlife, provides panoramic views from its 18th floor perch atop ModernHaus SoHo.

Master mixologist Johnny Swet heads the iconic rooftop destination’s cocktail menu, and regularly reimagines favorites like the gin fizz, mojito, margarita, mule and old-fashioned.

During the spring and summer, Swet introduced a creative collection of fruit forward drinks, emphasizing seasonal blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.

Energizing creations include a vegan espresso martini with Borghetti espresso and coconut milk; and a coffee margarita with tequila, coffee liqueur, lime juice, simple syrup and a lime wheel dusted with Tajín Salt, providing balancing notes of sweetness and citrus.

Other reprised classics include a grilled pineapple mojito, which has been on the rotation from the bar’s opening. There’s also a spicy “El Camino” margarita, with a charred habanero; and a highball tonic version of New Orleans’ Sazerac.

The cocktail menu is complemented by globally inspired fare by Michelin-starred Chef George Mendes.

JIMMY is the brainchild of acclaimed hospitality veteran David Rabin, who is also a partner at American Bar, The Lambs Club, Veranda, Sona and The Skylark.

“One of the best vantage points to see the city is from 18 floors above Soho and Tribeca at JIMMY,” Rabin says. “We offer some of the most incredible, unobstructed views of downtown Manhattan, Brooklyn and beyond, whether through our 14-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows in our indoor lounge, or from our outdoor pool deck. It is a treat no matter the season.”

Below from left to right: JIMMY’s vegan espresso martini, and the grilled pineapple mojito.

With a cocktail menu from master mixologist Johnny Swet and light bites from Michelin-starred Chef Mendes, JIMMY is the ideal spot for a post-work or pre-dinner drink.


St. Cloud Rooftop at The Knickerbocker

Address:
6 Times Square, New York, NY 10036

The Knickerbocker Hotel, a 1906 landmark New York City treasure, recently reopened as Times Square’s premier luxury lifestyle hotel.

St. Cloud is the pinnacle of The Knickerbocker’s “Atop Times Square” experience, offering a progressive cocktail menu, craft bottled beers and an upscale, seasonally focused small plates menu.

With its three plush corner Sky Pods overlooking Times Square, stylish indoor and outdoor seating options, the exclusive Waterford Crystal Lounge, an ultra-luxe private room, and lush living walls of greenery, St. Cloud is the ultimate rooftop bar in NYC.

Sophisticated entertainment is an understated-yet-eclectic mix of cirque-like, biergarten and speak-easy fun, while curated music selections set the tone for extraordinary experiences high above the city.

You’ll certainly find something unique on the menu to try, including the “Volcano Ash Activated,” with Volcan Blanco, mango juice, habanero simple syrup, lime juice and activated charcoal.

There’s also the “Me Gustas Tu,” with Illegal Mezcal, lime juice, agave, red pepper, cilantro and jalapeño; and the “Young & Beautiful,” with Casamigos, Rockey milk punch, pineapple & lime juice and cinammon.

New York City cocktails
NYC rooftop bars

St. Cloud is the pinnacle of The Knickerbocker’s “Atop Times Square” experience.


Royalton Park Avenue

Address:
420 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016

The Royalton Rooftop features a chic restaurant and lounge on the 20th floor of Royalton Park Avenue, situated right in central Manhattan, with great views of the city’s skyscrapers and Empire State Building.

Lively and high above the hustle, the rooftop creates action of their own with a stylish rooftop scene. This urban oasis in the sky also features a 40-foot heated indoor/outdoor pool, 1,000 square foot deck, and live wall.

The outdoor lounge is open to guests of the rooftop restaurant and bar, with light bites and seasonal cocktails served poolside. In the late afternoon, the rooftop transitions into NoMad’s neighborhood destination where guests and an eclectic mix of locals feel welcomed.

Creative cocktails, seasonal specialties, and dining al fresco allows guests to spend an entire day experiencing all the property has to offer. With guest DJ’s, mood lighting, and the Empire State building serving as the backdrop to our Park Avenue party, an iconic New York experience is truly realized at Royalton Park Avenue.

New York City bars in a lush environment
Royalton Park Avenue Bar in NYC

The Royalton’s Ginger Smash mixes bourbon, ginger, lemon and bitters, and is garnished with mints and ginger candy.


The James NoMad

Address:
22 East 29th Street, New York, NY 10016

A tribute to the original Beaux-Arts “Hotel Seville” built on the site of the James NoMad in 1904, this speakeasy-style cocktail lounge will transport you to bygone New York — with a contemporary twist.

Enjoy live music, DJ sets, moody decor, and artfully crafted cocktails like a Brazilian Negroni or plank-smoked Old Fashioned. Whether it’s a Tuesday after-work cocktail or burning the candle on a Saturday night, The Seville brings back the New York night with an eclectic mix of the old and the new.

The Seville has a private lounge available for up to 25 guests if you prefer to be a part of the night time experience, but looking for something semi-private for your group. They offer several spaces for group reservations, as well as the option to buy out the lounge for private events, photo shoots, and film production.

Signature cocktails include “Down in Mexico,” with Siete Misterioso Mezcal, Campari, pineapple, lime and habanero; the “Cinnamon Girl,” with Alacran Blanco, Myers Rum, lime, cinnamon and orange; as well as an intriguing Banana Sazerac, with coffee.

luxury travel and leisure in NYC
New York City cocktails in a luxurious environment

The Seville at The James NoMad is a cocktail lounge designed to be a throwback NY cocktail lounge adapted for today’s social life offering craft cocktails and carefully curated live music.