Nothing beats rooftop bars. THE ROOFTOP BAR IS MY FIRST STOP whenever I find myself in a new city. It’s a way to survey the city with a celebratory drink. A city’s most famous rooftop bars are generally the swankiest places you’ll find — complete with dress codes and high-rollers, truly staggering views, and cocktails so well mixed they’re almost scientific.
Try these rooftop bars if you’re in any of the cities below and want to make your life feel a little like the Hangover.
OF ALL THE ROOFTOP BARS, THIS IS OUR #1
1.) Sky || Bangkok, Thailand
A Bangkok legend, this famous rooftop — Sky Bar — did host some scenes in Hangover 2. One of the highest rooftop bars in the world, it’s the wild views that put this rooftop bar on our list. Set on the 63rd floor of the five-star Lebua at State Tower Hotel, you’ll flock here for a look down at the city’s rivers, a cocktail or two, or a meal at Sirocco.
Don’t get off the elevator here in beach sandals or flip-flops — the dress code’s smart casual, and shorts and open shoes aren’t allowed (no exceptions for kids). Take a dressy photo against the neon pink circle bar at the rooftop’s edge.
2.) Ozone || Hong Kong
Ozone is Hong Kong’s rooftop bar par excellence (and the highest rooftop bar in the world), set on the 118th floor of the Ritz-Carlton. As you might have guessed, the design is sleek and modern, befitting the ritzy hotel, much of it indoors in a blue-tinged room that feels dreamily underwater. The design firm calls it an “Edenic experiment” — the blue meant to compliment the night sky.
Grab a seat on one of the cushions aside from the huge floor-to-ceiling windows, while dining on small plates and sipping creative cocktails to the sounds of the live DJ. Dress nice, especially for Sunday Brunch.
3.) Roof at Park South || New York, New York
A rooftop bar with 360-degree views of Manhattan (not a common amenity in this real-estate-challenged city) and a menu by a Michelin Star chef. In the lovely micro-neighborhood of NoMad above Madison Square Park, come here for the bar bites and a cocktail program often mentioned as the best in the city. This is a particular gem in the summer, with couches under hanging plants and high tables under umbrellas. Open from mid-April to November, there are also four spaces to rent for private events.
The Most Fun Rooftop Bars Of Them All
4. Moon Bar || Bangkok, Thailand
Adjacent to the Vertigo restaurant, the Moon Bar rooftop makes it’s home 61 floors above Bangkok, serving cocktails with names that do their best to explain the appeal of this place (“Vertigo Sunset,” for instance). The narrow outdoor spaces here, framed by glass and safety railings, do their best to encourage you to look down. Open from 5 pm to 1 am; the Moon Bar lives above the stellar Banyan Tree Hotel.
5.) Le Bain & The Rooftop at the Standard High Line || New York, New York
The previous New York City rooftop bar on this list provides a 360-degree look around the middle of Manhattan. However, the rooftop bar at the Standard High Line lords over the Meatpacking District on the West Side, with remarkable views of the Hudson River and downtown.
At Le Bain & The Rooftop, the 18th floor is the place for pitchers and crepes, which you’ll need for fuel when you enter the clubby, penthouse discothèque that rages throughout the night.
6.) Sky Garden || London, England
The Sky Garden in London is a rooftop bar unlike any rooftop bar — or any place, period — in the world. They call it London’s “highest public garden,” but we think that’s an undersell. The place is more like a skyscraping indoor jungle from the future. Two bars and a restaurant sit inside the giant, glass-enclosed space. To give you some idea of the popularity of London’s Sky Garden, free tickets are released every Monday for access up to three weeks in advance — and they encourage you to reserve your ticket rather than take your chances as a walk-in. A restaurant reservation will get you in, too.
7.) Radio Rooftop Bar at ME London || London, England
On the tenth floor of the ME London hotel, an instantly iconic, wildly contemporary rooftop bar overlooking the London skyline, complete from the London Eye to Big Ben. The Radio Rooftop describes itself as relaxed yet refined, and it’s perfect for a casual or a business lunch or for anyone who loves Mediterranean cuisine and exclusive cocktails.
Unlike swanky rooftop bars, this one’s open all day — breakfast, lunch, and even rooftop tea time if you’re feeling British. After 5 pm, the rooftop bar is 21 and up and open until midnight or 1:30 am, depending on the day of the week.
8.) Aqua Lounge at the Park || Hyderabad, India
At the Park Hotel in Hyderabad, India — a hotel that stands out for its contemporary style and bold, inspired interior design — a rooftop bar complete with an infinity pool and city skyline views. Classy and upscale, expect live music, food, and drinks at one of the best lounge spots in the city. It’s all about the open-air vibe under the building’s towers.