When the weather gets really nice, most New Yorkers' thoughts turn to these great outdoor rooftop bars in Midtown Manhattan, NYC.

One of the trends that is being buzzed about in our city is the rising popularity of rooftop lounges and bars. After work and on the weekends, when night falls over Gotham City, the young, party-hearty set converges on hotels and restaurants that have a rooftop bar or lounge. There is nothing quite like celebrating the night and toasting the love of your life or good friends, with the lights of the city sparkling in the background.

Some of these fine rooftop bars provide a great drink list along with delicious bar bites. A few venues just  offer cocktails, beer and wine. But all of Midtown's rooftop lounges will give you an atmosphere that you will not soon forget. Just remember to bring your smartphone. Your friends will be looking forward to seeing photos of you, set against the stars and skyscrapers. 

The Perfect Pint - NYC

The Perfect Pint also has the perfect view, in the most unlikely of places! From the outside, you wouldn't even know that this cute  but unpretentious pub even has any outdoor seating at all.
 
But once your hostess leads you up to the "hidden" rooftop lounge, a whole new world opens up.
The lounge is not that big, but that only adds to the romantic, intimate ambience. Forget those "first date" worries. Bring  your date up here and you are sure to enjoy the night.

The tables are fashioned out of wooden barrels, giving them a really quaint, rustic look. Colorful, parasol-like umbrellas hover over each table. It's quite a scene.
 
The food and drinks definitely live up to the surroundings. The menu is a mix of typical Irish pub fare, such as chicken pot pie and Bangers n' mash, together with a few very creative dishes like pistachio salmon and tuna and lobster cara mia.
The kitchen's signature dish and one they are very proud of is the penne pasta fantasia. And it is fantastic. This dish consists of jumbo shrimp, broccoli florets and sun-dried tomatoes, along with a touch of oil and garlic.
 

 
If you are not feeling having a pint, there are plenty of other options when it comes to liquid refreshment.
Cocktail list highlights include a heady Rum Punch, a classic French Martini, the Perfect Cosmopolitan and the knock-your-socks-off Tequila Woo-Woo (white tequila, peach Schnapps, and a splash of orange and cranberry juice. This is one refreshing cocktail. 

Location and Hours 

123 West 45th Street
New York, NY 10036
(212) 354-1099
www.theperfectpintnyc.com 
Hours
Open 24 hours a day/seven days a week
 

Cantina Rooftop - NYC

Amazing is the only word that one can use to describe the breathtaking views and décor of this relatively new, and already much  talked about rooftop lounge and restaurant.
 
Located just steps from the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum, Cantina Rooftop  offers gorgeous views of the Hudson river.
The restaurant has a retractable roof, so no matter what the weather is, too hot or cold, you can enjoy the scenery.

Executive chef Gonzalo Colin has a really creative menu that offers his spin on traditional Mexican favorites. Chef Colin's use of ingredients is imaginative and quite delicious.

The lounge, which adjoins the restaurant, has eye-catching red banquettes. Palm trees and greenery surround diners and revelers alike.
 
Appetizer selections include four different Guacamole options, diablo prawns, charred octopus and tacos. And these are not your ordinary tacos, not by a long shot. The chorizo, oxtail and tuna with avocado are all to be recommended.
 
Main course highlights are the New York strip with baby kale habanero and the roasted chicken with epazote rice, grilled cornlettes and mole.

Cantina Rooftop is a beautiful, welcoming place where you will encounter a friendly, professional  staff and a one of a mind atmosphere. 

Location and Hours 

605 West 48th street
New York, NY 10019
(212) 957-1700
www.cantinarooftop.com
Hours
Open Tuesday to Saturday  
5 PM to 11 PM restaurant
5 PM until close-Lounge

Refinery Rooftop Lounge -NYC

Located high atop the state-of-the-art Refinery hotel, in Midtown, the Refinery Rooftop Lounge is close to the bright lights of Broadway and Times Square.
 
This ultra-cool hotel and  lounge is also in close proximity to Macy's and Madison Square Garden. You can stop by for a delicious pre-theater snack or dinner. After taking in a Knicks or Rangers game or a concert  at the Garden, treat yourself to a drink and some bar bites at the Refinery.

The Refinery Lounge is over 3,500 square feet of fun and excitement. There's plenty of room to move around and mix and mingle. Views of the nearby Empire State Building are picture postcard perfect.
 
There are three great spaces where you can party: the visually striking indoor dining and bar area, the outdoor terrace and the indoor/outdoor all-seasons patio that has a retractable roof.
 
New American is the buzzword for the delectable cuisine being offered here.
 
The kitchen turns out a diverse selection of flatbreads including roasted mushrooms with leek and kale as well as Fennel sausage with goat cheese.
Other tapas-style dishes range from crispy shrimp buns, tater tot nachos, meatball sliders with ricotta and the truly phenomenal roasted spinach and blue crab dip. So good!

Alex Ott has developed a creative cocktail list that  is sure to please. The Shot in the dark  is a winner, with a blend of dry rum, lime juice, ginger beer and Gosling's black seal rum. Another drink that you'll want to try is the Luster (Plymouth gin, Pimm's, white cranberry juice, lime juice and muddled cucumber). It is the perfect summertime thirst quencher. 

Location and Hours

63 West 38th Street
New York, NY 10018
(646) 664-0372
www.ingoodcompanyhg.com/refineryrooftop/
Hours
Mon-Tues           11:30 AM  to 1 AM
Wed, Thurs. Fri.  11:30 AM to 2 AM
Saturday            12 PM to 2 AM
Sunday              12 PM to 1 AM 

Salvation Taco - NYC

Chef April Bloomfield is doing some really interesting things at this Mexican-themed Taqueria. Serving breakfast, lunch and dinner, Salvation Taco has an eclectic menu that  offers Mexican comfort food and traditional classics with Asian influences.
      
Located inside the Pod Hotel, Salvation Taco's unique food and colorful ambiance will never, ever bore you. There's simply too many intriguing things going on here.

The rooftop at Salvation is large and welcoming. The  space has a throwback, classical feel to it. One could say industrial chic. The outdoor area is framed by brick, ivy-covered walls with majestic columns and arches. Very interesting architecture.
 
The Taqueria-style menu emphasizes small plates, along with a handful of entrée-sized dishes.
Chef April has certainly put her culinary skills and imagination to excellent use. Just taste her Chiapas tamale with saffron seasoned tomatoes with beef and olives. Her Mexican sticky rice tamale with Chinese sausage and pibil rubbed pork is an out-of-the-box delight.
 
Tacos and Empanadas dominate the menu, with the standout offering being the Chihuahua cheese and serrano ham empanada.
The not too spicy Mayan Mayo makes the beer battered fried fish something to die for. Very, very tasty.

Salvation taco has a nice little cocktail list. While not quite as adventurous as the food menu, their cocktails are nothing to be ashamed of. The bartenders do themselves proud.
 
Their signature salvation margarita is a cut above the rest. This concoction is a simple but effective blend of tequila, agave, lime juice and guajilllo chili salt.
The aptly named Summer Thyme consists of gin, strawberries, thyme, lime juice and soda water.

Location and Hours 

145 East 39th Street
New York, NY 10016
(212) 865-5800
www.salvationtaco.com 
Hours
Sunday-Monday  7 AM to 12 AM
Tuesday-Friday 7 AM to 2 AM
Saturday       7 AM to 2 AM
 

The Skylark - NYC

Soaring 30 stories above Times Square, The Skylark offers you unparalleled views of the City at its very best.
 
From the Hudson River to Times Square and the East Side's majestic skyscrapers, the City is at your fingertips and is always, ready for its close-up, just as soon as you hold up your smartphone. Feel free to  snap away!

The Skylark consists of several multilevel indoor spaces. The main lounge is modern and cutting-edge cool, but with a very warm, relaxed feel. The  floor-to-ceiling windows provide plenty of star-gazing opportunities for you and your friends.
 
The outdoor terrace is well-appointed with cushy and comfortable sofa and couch seating.
 
The cocktail list was developed by noted mixologist  Johnny Swet. This talented master of the mixes has outdone himself. Every cocktail sets its very own mood.
His Pineapple Mojito could qualify as a work of art. It looks almost too beautiful to drink. But you will not be able  to resist. Johnny's signature mojito consists of  Bacardi, pineapple puree, mint, sage leaf and a luscious pineapple wedge.

The Skylark cocktail is smooth and delicious, with a blend of hendrick's gin, zu vodka, St. germain liquer, blue curaco. fresh lemon and brandied cherries.
 
Small plates are the order of the day at Skylark. The Tapas sampler with olives, Manchego cheese, figs and spiced almonds is a good place to start. Other selections include Peking duck won tons, grilled shrimp scampi pizzatta, lobster rolls and BBQ short rib bites with corn relish. The Mac and cheese cupcakes have to be seen (and tasted) to be believed.

Location and Hours 

200 West 39th Street
New York, NY 10018
(212) 257-4577
www.theskylarknyc.com
Hours
Lounge and upper deck terrace
 
Monday-Friday  opens at 4:30 pm until close
Saturday-Sunday  open ONLY for private events