Best Brooklyn Rooftop Bars for Drinks, Dining & Views
Looking for the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn? We’ve got you covered in this guide to the best rooftops in Brooklyn for dining and drinking with incredible views to catch a sunset with the NYC skyline, your next romantic date night at an intimate bistro with a garden rooftop, or the best party rooftops with live music sets!
The best part about Brooklyn rooftop bars and rooftop restaurants in Brooklyn is that across from the East River are some of the best views of the skyline, not to mention there are also vantage points of the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, the Manhattan Bridge, and Williamsburg Bridge depending on where you’re at in the borough.
Our guide to the best rooftop restaurants in Brooklyn breaks down what each rooftop is known for plus what kind of view or atmosphere you’ll get at each!
Not coming in the warm, sunny months? No worries, a few of these rooftop restaurants in Brooklyn have winter options with views too! Be sure to also check out the best rooftop bars in NYC and the most fun bars in Brooklyn for more ideas.
Note: some are only open seasonally and require reservations, be sure to check ahead of your visit!
Rooftop Restaurants in Brooklyn with Views
Westlight
111 N 12th St, Williamsburg
This is a popular Brooklyn rooftop bar and one of the best rooftop views in the city. Westlight provides a stunning view of the Manhattan city skyline over the East River as well as views of Brooklyn.
Located on the 22nd floor of the sophisticated William Vale hotel you can find this luxe cocktail bar with bar snacks and pairing menus all while offering sweeping 360 views of the city.
The Westlight was also listed on the “Best Winter Rooftop Bars in NYC” and “10 Best Outdoor Bars in NYC for Summer Drinking.” Westlight was also selected as one of our picks for best bars in Williamsburg too.
What’s awesome about this spot is that in the winter you can still enjoy the view because there is an indoor area on the 22nd floor as well with skyline views, making it one of our favorite things to do in Williamsburg.
We recommend grabbing a few of their tapas paired with wine from their extensive list, cocktails, or draft beer.
Just be prepared for lines for the elevator, then expect another line. This is a popular rooftop and a Brooklyn bucket list item, what can we say! It’s best to get a reservation if you want to guarantee a spot at this swanky rooftop restaurant in Brooklyn.
El Nico
288 N 8th Street, Williamsburg
One of the newest and already one of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn can be found on the rooftop of the art-forward Penny Hotel in Williamsburg.
The rooftop bar, El Nico means “victory of the people,” and pays homage to Brooklyn’s Latinx community with a curated menu backed by James Beard Award Winning author and mixologist, Leo Robitschek, a Venezuelan native who’s work with NoMad and Eleven Madison Park along with Executive Chef Fer Serrano who is from Mexico City and worked with Pujol, and Cosme.
So now that you know the food and drink selection here is seriously good, let’s talk about the views! El Nico offers panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline including the World Trade Center, Brooklyn Bridge, and Empire State Building is by far one of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn to find yourself at sunset!
There’s both an outdoor area and indoor area, making this idea no matter what the weather is up to.
Fornino at Pier 6
Brooklyn Bridge Park Pier 6, Brooklyn Heights
Located along the waterfront at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6, Fornino’s rooftop offers panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline and New York Harbor. The rooftop is known for its menu of signature wood-fired pizzas and Italian small plates from Chef & Owner Michael Ayoub, credited for starting the artisanal pizza craze in NYC.
Their outdoor space is perfect on a beautiful day (or night) and provides prime positioning for viewing the sunset and skyline.
The menu features antipasti and wood-fired bites including Anna Rose’s Meatballs, Fried Smashed Potatoes with Truffle Aioli and Arancini with Calabrian chili oil.
But our favorite, the pizza! Fornino traces the history of pizza, from First Generation Neapolitan classics like the Margherita Classica, to Second Generation Italian favorites such as the Calabrese and Funghi Misti, plus plant-forward options like the Greens & Burrata, which features Spinach, kale, basil, burrata, fontina, caciocavallo, parmesan, lemon zest, and spicy olive oil.
Laser Wolf Brooklyn
97 Wythe Ave, Williamsburg
One of the best rooftop restaurants in Brooklyn can be found at one of the most beautiful picks for where to stay in Brooklyn, and one of the most trendy and stylish hotels, The Hoxton in Williamsburg.
Laser Wolf offers sweeping views from this rooftop bar in Brooklyn and offers incredible Israeli cuisine at their ‘Israeli shipudiya’ or skewer house with classics like freshly made hummus alongside their menu of drinks including cocktails, mocktails, beer, and wine.
Lounge on their rooftop couches or a table with panoramic views of the city including sweeping skyline views of Manhattan. Don’t miss trying one of their amazing cocktails and be sure to soak in one of the best views of the city.
This is also the perfect romantic date night spot with that special someone or a brunching with the pals on the weekend spot!
Trust us and be sure to snag a reservation before trying to visit as this is one of the most popular Williamsburg rooftop bars and restaurants.
Harriet’s Rooftop & Lounge at 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge
60 Furman St., Brooklyn Heights
One of the best rooftops in Brooklyn, scratch that, one of the best rooftops in the entire city can be found on the top floor of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge in Brooklyn Heights offering panoramic views of the NYC city skyline and those famous bridges like the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge.
This luxury hotel is also a great place to stay and one of the best things to do in DUMBO, you will definitely need a reservation to enjoy the views and dine here, so be sure to plan that in advance as this is one of the hottest places in town to hang out with views.
Harriet’s also includes an indoor lounge and an outdoor rooftop to enjoy on a beautiful Brooklyn day no matter the season. Choose from an extensive list of wine, beer, cocktails, or bottle service, and some delicious appetizers to pair it with.
Feel sophisticated and classy with your signature cocktail and spectacular views, but let loose with the live DJ who plays sets to really set the ambiance from the 10th floor of this incredible rooftop bar in Brooklyn. Also, their bathrooms are a destination of their own with stellar city and skyline views!
This is also one of the best stays for hotels with a view in NYC if you’re looking to plan an unforgettable stay during your NYC trip!
Creatures of All Kind at CODA Hotel
160 N. 12th Street, Williamsburg
Creatures of All Kind at CODA Hotel is another Brooklyn rooftop bar located in one of Williamsburg’s most trendy and newer hotels.
This boho-chic rooftop bar in Brooklyn offers sweeping skyline views of the NYC city skyline and opposite are views of McCarren Park alongside designer craft cocktails and a Balinese-inspired menu.
This rooftop bar in Williamsburg also has a great line up of DJs regularly making this the perfect nightlife spot in the warmer months.
Arlo Williamsburg
96 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg
The most unique and one of the best rooftop restaurants in Brooklyn is located at Arlo Williamsburg. This is one of the best rooftops in Brooklyn overlooking the hotel’s amazing rooftop pool and a bird’s-eye view of the NYC skyline.
The Water Tower Bar serves up cocktails in a floating, glass structure designed around the historic water tanks you see on the top of buildings all over the city.
You can also visit the rooftop pool here, which also has panoramic views of the city. In fact, this is one of the best rooftop pools at an NYC hotel money can buy access to!
Guests of the hotel or non-guests can make a reservation at the pool and enjoy poolside bites and drinks with skyline views of the city.
Just keep in mind, if you’re booking a reservation here you will have a minimum spend. Non-Guests of the hotel can book their reservations at ResortPass.
Timeout Market New York
55 Water Street, DUMBO
One of the best rooftop bars in Brooklyn is located in DUMBO on the edge of Brooklyn Bridge Park with the best unobstructed views of the East River, NYC skyline, and both the Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge!
TimeOut Market New York is located in the Empire Stores building, a former warehouse that is just aesthetically dreamy.
They truly have one of the best locations in the city and offer tons of dining options on their lower level, or head up to their rooftop location via the elevator or stairs outside to their epic Brooklyn rooftop bar location with a few extra dining options.
No reservations are required, you can grab food from any of the amazing food vendors and eateries inside and head up to the TimeOut Market rooftop for gorgeous views of Manhattan and NYC.
Even after hours, you can walk up the outdoor staircase to the rooftop for late-night or early am views. To find this staircase, walk up the stairs at the main entrance to Empire Stores instead of entering at the ground floor of TimeOut New York.
Follow the stairs up and you will be able to enter the 5th-floor rooftop bar in DUMBO area where Time Out is or you can continue to an area where you can just take some breathtaking photos of the panoramic views from here!
See more of our favorite DUMBO rooftop bars while you’re at it and DUMBO restaurants with a view!
Berry Park
4 Berry St., Williamsburg
This is one of the more modest selections because it’s sort of a hidden gem and most people don’t realize that this Williamsburg hang out spot also has skyline views even though it’s not a tall rooftop!
This rooftop restaurant in Brooklyn doesn’t seem like it would have views as it’s only two stories high, but it does!
Known for their public viewings of soccer games on their giant screens known for having a decent beer list and often considered a beer garden/rooftop/soccer bar. Not a beer drinker? No worries they have a decent cocktail menu and wine list as well along with a great brunch and regular dining menu with a German influence.
This rooftop bar in Brooklyn is pretty laid back during the daylight hours and by night it turns into a nightlife spot with a different energy.
Randolph Beer DUMBO
82 Prospect St., DUMBO
One of our favorite places for cold craft beer and breweries in Brooklyn is also one of our top picks for best rooftop bars in Brooklyn! Randolph Beer offers a laidback outdoor seating and bar with dining on the rooftop of their location on Prospect St and really close to the York Street subway station making it super convenient for getting around.
Their lower-level bar and restaurant also has a fun atmosphere with games and a spacious set up for grabbing a drink and meal with friends, but you can’t beat their stunning rooftop bar in Brooklyn overlooking the Manhattan Bridge and skyline views.
This rooftop restaurant in Brooklyn is by reservation only and seasonal, so be sure to snag one so you can enjoy those views with one of their craft brews and delicious grub.
Alma
187 Columbia St., Columbia Street Waterfront District
This popular Mexican restaurant and cantina offer breathtaking views of Manhattan and the skyline from their rooftop restaurant in Brooklyn located in the quaint Columbia Street Waterfront District neighborhood.
Alma serves up some great Mexican cuisine and offers a rooftop terrace for dining and drinking! You will need a reservation if you want to enjoy this rooftop bar and restaurant and you will want to make sure you plan to reserve yourself a spot before the day you plan on visiting.
LoHi Roof Bar
314 Scholes St., Bushwick
This is one of the best chill/party rooftop bars in Brooklyn located in Bushwick, or East Williamsburg depending on who ya ask. Enjoy incredible cocktails, draft brews, wine, and a menu of bites with distant views from their giant rooftop on a warehouse building.
Elsewhere
599 Johnson Ave., Bushwick
This is one of the best rooftop event spaces in Brooklyn for partying and dancing the night away can be found at Elsewhere in Bushwick. This rooftop warehouse location often has DJs playing live sets while guests drink and dance the night away.
If dancing and partying aren’t your scene, don’t worry, there are more mellow nights at this Brooklyn rooftop bar like outdoor movie nights and even drawing nights with drinks.
You can get food here too by ordering from Claudia’s, a Guatemalan restaurant located next door that they’ve partnered with.
Be sure to check their upcoming events and reservations are encouraged, but they do allow some walk-ins, but this is limited. If you want to ensure you can get in, secure a spot by making a reservation in advance!
They are open Thursdays through Sundays, and if you can’t make it to a set that you were hoping to catch, they do stream their events on Twitch!
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Oh, and if you love nightlife check out our curated picks for best things to do in Brooklyn at night!
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