Beast & Butterflies is perched on the 7th lobby-level floor of the newly opened M Social in Times Square. With a tiered bar, lounge, and wrap-around terrace, you can see straight down Broadway to the heart of Times Square and the New Year's Eve Ball. Inventive cocktails (Our personal favorite? The Rockaway Riviera, shaken with Jameson Irish Whiskey, lemon juice, simple syrup, watermelon juice, and fresh basil) lite bites, and dinner entrees are all available. The venue also hosts Sunday Night on Broadway (S.N.O.B.), where Broadway castmates and crew come to dance the night away. While you'll need to RSVP to attend S.N.O.B, the bar does not accept reservations.

Somewhere Nowhere boasts a trendy bar, nightclub, lounge, and (seasonal) pool atop the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel. Located on West 25th Street, Somewhere Nowhere features postcard-worthy views from Hudson Yards to midtown, to the historic skyscrapers surrounding Madison Square Park. Enjoy drinks and lite bites from the afternoon onward, or, for late-night club happenings, check the venue's event calendar. It's also worth noting that hotel guests are not guaranteed entry, and reservations are highly recommended. 

Wythe Hotel opened in 2012 as the first in a string of new hotels that have sprouted up along a once-industrial stretch of Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg. Now, the original trendsetting hotel has opened its handsome new Bar Blondeau on the sixth floor, featuring unobstructed views of the East River and Manhattan skyline. The seafood-forward menu also features signature cocktails, frozen drinks, zero-proof beverages, and an assortment of natural wines. Reservations are available online, although walk-ins are also welcome.

Housed in the iconic Peninsula Hotel, Salon de Ning is an intimate cocktail bar with two outdoor terraces overlooking Fifth Avenue. Come fall, the West Terrace transforms into the winter wonderland-inspired Chalet de Ning, complete with two chalet-inspired heated domes. With cozy decor and seasonal cocktails and dishes inspired by the Engadine region of Switzerland, you'll feel as though you've landed in a ski resort in the midst of midtown. Reservations are only accepted for bottle service and/or groups of eight or more. 

The ROOF at the PUBLIC Hotel in the Lower East Side may be the hottest rooftop ticket on our list. Revelers from lower Manhattan to Bushwick — and every cool enclave in between — come for late-night DJ sets. For a more relaxed evening, consider a sunset cocktail as you admire 360-degree views of the city through the venue's floor-to-ceiling windows. Guests can requests reservations via the venue's website.

Why yes, the oversized water tower-shaped structure atop The Williamsburg Hotel is indeed the exclusive glass-and-steel encased Watertower Bar. Open daily starting at 7 p.m., the Instagrammable bar boasts sweeping Manhattan views and is open to the general public on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Inspired by coveted New York City backyards, The Ready is a relaxed rooftop restaurant and bar located at Moxy NYC East Village. The space itself is decked out in eclectic décor to match the eccentricities of its East Village home. The menu features made-to-order tacos, bar snacks, canned wine, frozen cocktails, and more. The retractable roof and glass walls allow for all-season enjoyment. Reservations are required.

The Knickerbocker's St. Cloud Rooftop offers a stylish bar setting in the heart of midtown. Here, you can feed off the electric energy of Times Square from high above, far removed from the crowds and chaos. The venue offers three corner Sky Pods, indoor and outdoor seating, lush living walls, and the exclusive Waterford Crystal Lounge. Plus, the New Year's Eve Ball is so close, it almost feels as though you can touch it. Reservations are only available for parties of 10 or more. 

The Penthouse at Long Island City's Ravel Hotel offers jaw-dropping Manhattan skyline views, sans the hipsterness you'd find at neighboring Williamsburg properties. Plus, its vantage point of the Ed Koch Queensboro Bridge is unparalleled: Take it all in as you savor Asian and South American-influenced food and drink. Reservations can be made online.

Bar 54 is New York City's highest open-air hotel rooftop bar at — you guessed it — 54 stories high. Unlike other midtown rooftops on our list that put you close to the vibrant energy of Times Square, this one feels removed from the franticness and at one with the towering tops of landmarks like the Chrysler Building and striking Bank of America Tower. The rooftop bar offers indoor and outdoor seating, plus fireplaces and sleek furnishings.

Freehand New York, which straddles Manhattan's Flatiron District and Gramercy Park neighborhoods, is home to Broken Shaker. The rooftop, a James Beard Award finalist, is the perfect place for cocktail connoisseurs. Ingredients like Cinnamon Toast Crunch-infused Wild Turkey Bourbon, carrot and hibiscus-infused olive oils, and housemade tepache make for some of the city's most unique beverage offerings. In terms of aesthetics, the bar takes cues from its original home in Miami with its distinct tropical-inspired vibe. Per Broken Shaker's website, guests are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. 

Located on the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo Lower East Side, the buzzy Mr. Purple attracts partygoers from the greater New York area and beyond — making it one of the more raucous rooftops on our list. The menu here includes everything from craft cocktails and locally sourced food to cold-pressed juices and coffees from local purveyors. If you prefer a more low-key vibe, plan for a late afternoon or early evening visit. Reservations can be made online, although the bar also accepts walk-ins. 

Westlight at The William Vale towers above neighboring hotel rooftops due to its (nearly) sky-high 22nd-floor locale. The modern, glass-enclosed bar has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating — plus panoramic skyline views. Fuel up on small plates inspired by global street food (think: shrimp dumplings, chicken empanadas, and butternut squash hummus, to name a few) in between cocktail sips. The rooftop is currently accepting indoor and outdoor dining reservations. 

Spyglass Rooftop Bar at The Archer New York is a go-to happy hour destination for locals and travelers alike thanks to its convenient location (it's just one block from Bryant Park). The 22nd-floor rooftop serves up shareable small plates plus signature cocktails — all of which pair perfectly with the stunning Empire State Building views. Reservations are available online, although walk-ins are welcome, too.

Head up to Magic Hour (which encompasses the 18th floor of Moxy NYC Times Square) and you'll feel as if you've been transported to a whimsical bar in the center of an adults-only carnival. Here, topiary animals in suggestive positions welcome you through the gallery entrance. However, the fun doesn't stop there, as there are four more distinct sections to explore (be sure to snap a photo of yourself on the carousel). Visit before October 2021 to catch the Pink Rose Garden, Magic Hour's temporary transformation into an all-pink rooftop garden, featuring more than 10,000 roses. The brunch menu is especially noteworthy with its selection of pink-hued eats like pancakes, s'mores, and apple cider donuts. As you can probably guess, reservations are recommended.