Swap the Mediterranean for Manhattan, and you have the new rooftop bar at the Wythe. Inspired by the Italian seaside, the aperitivo-style menu includes housemade focaccia with ricotta and basil and raw oysters alongside light cocktails like the Tiny Dancer (Hendricks gin, strawberry, Cocchi rosa, Chareau, and lime). 

What we love: The fresh layout and look. Planters with large trees and tall grass separate the terrace into intimate nooks, with striped couches and retro chairs. Colorful vintage-style umbrellas and strings of fairy lights create a cheerful party vibe, and a 40-foot retractable awning covers the entire space should the weather turn.

While the 1 Hotel’s open-air rooftop has a (guests-only) pool, we prefer the more low-key lounge on the tenth floor. Here, there's no bar minimum (vs. $50 to $100 per person upstairs) and open windows provide the same killer views and breeze rain or shine. Order the Yuzu + Shiso Mojito (rum, yuzu, lemongrass, shiso, lime, and yuzu soda) and lobster bao, which pair perfectly with the eclectic music spun the DJ.

What we love: The view. While all the bars have great views, Harriet’s is arguably the best: Set above Brooklyn Bridge Park, you can see as far as Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty to the south, past the Freedom Tower and Brooklyn Bridge — where you’ll see people picnicking and taking wedding photos — to the Empire State and Chrysler buildings facing north.

From the 22nd floor, Westlight at Williamsburg’s William Vale offers the highest vantage point on the list — with 360-degree views and binoculars around the deck for close-ups. Come for a spectacular sunset behind the Empire State Building; stay for Andrew Carmellini’s burger with smoked cheddar. Upstairs, a laid-back lawn scattered with beanbag chairs caters to a younger crowd.

What we love: The cocktail menu. Each drink is inspired by local history. The accompanying anecdotes and illustrations are a creative way to engage tourists in their surroundings. Our favorite was the Sunset Park, a twist on a spicy margarita (with watermelon, cucumber, lime, and tajin), which combines flavors from the South Brooklyn neighborhood it’s named after.

The rooftop bar at Williamsburg’s artsy Hoxton Hotel has a fresh, millennial aesthetic: floral barstools, a marble bar-top, string lights, and pastel accents. The breezy cocktails, like the Watermelon Collins (vodka, watermelon, lime, and mint), and biodynamic rosés make a perfect complement to the panoramic views across the East River.

What we love: The food. As the brainchild of Brooklyn veterans Jud Mongell (Five Leaves) and Zeb Stewart (Cafe Colette and Union Pool), the dining here delivers. The New England coastal concept translates to lobster rolls, white clam pizza, and a standout fried calamari, made with fried banana pepper and lemon aioli. On Sundays, head over for the New England-style clam bakes.

This sceney rooftop pool and bar opens for non-hotel guests after 5 p.m. and is made for the ‘gram. While there, peek inside the Water Tower, the exclusive new cocktail bar above the roof complete with floor-to-ceiling windows, colorful murals, and velvet couches. Reservations are required.

What we love: The pool. Typically, a pool in New York — let alone at a hip hotel in Williamsburg — is hard. Instead of a pricey day pass, reserve a table for dinner and drinks and you can dig into the trendy pool party vibe with killer views of the city.