HISPANIC (E)

Sonny’s Soda Shoppe
Photo Courtesy of Sonny’s Soda Shoppe

August is the perfect time to drink at one of the many rooftop bars scattered around New York City. Whether you are in the mood to have a cocktail and take in the view, lounge in the sunlight with a cold one or simply watch the sun set over the river with friends, the choices are endless. Alas, we can’t list all the great alfresco bars to stop by this season, but to get you started, here are five must-visit venues:

Spyglass

Head to the recently opened Archer Hotel New York in Midtown for a stylish rooftop setting. The view from the 22nd floor can’t be missed as the glassed-in space offers a panoramic look at the Empire State and Chrysler buildings. As you take in the sights, the boutique property’s bar entices with a list of New York-centric cocktails such as the Top of the World (Aperol, watermelon, prosecco and St. Germain) and The Empire State (Hendrick’s gin, St. Germain, ginger and basil). All food is curated by chef David Burke‘s team and includes nibbles such as smoked salmon flatbread with ramps and fresh horseradish, chickpea fries with hummus, and candied bacon.

Plunge Bar + Lounge

Plunge Bar + Lounge, Photo Courtesy of Gansevoort Hotel Group

If you want to take advantage of a 360-degree view of the city, the recently refurbished rooftop at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC hotel is where you’ll want to do it. Here you can relax in the garden cabana, order kebabs from the outdoor grill service and sip a mango-lime rickey until the sun sets. Plunge also has an indoor loft complete with a flat-screen television, in case the weather proves poor. On the other hand, should things stay nice, there’s an outdoor pool for hotel guests. If you’re staying dry, make sure to don in casual yet chic attire because this elegant rooftop has a dress code.

Sonny’s Soda Shoppe

Atop the Mondrian SoHo you will find a span of bright green turf, lawn chairs and strings of lights decorating the roof — and you don’t have to be a guest to enjoy it. The 1950s-beach-club setting is designed to pay homage to Italy’s Forte dei Marmi seaside resort, so inside the 3,000-square-foot indoor-outdoor space, you will find cheery stripe umbrellas and an impressive 30-foot mural of the Tuscan coast. The bar is also quite the looker, thanks to seasonal, garden-fresh cocktails (the Tequila Avión- and honeydew-packed Dolce Verde has summer written all over it) and the frozen Limoncello from mixologist Julio Torres. There’s also a gelato counter run by il laboratorio del gelato. In fact, the only thing missing from this beach-friendly set-up is the ocean.

Eataly’s Birreria, Photo Courtesy of Virginia Rollison 004

Birreria

You don’t always have to head to a hotel rooftop for stunning scapes, though. That’s precisely the case of Birreria, a restaurant and bar situated on top of Mario Batali’s Italian food superstore, Eataly. The best part is that even though this establishment sits in the Flatiron District, great beer is never far away. Because of a collaboration with Sam Calagione of Dogfish Head, Teo Musso of Baladin and Leonardo Di Vincenzo of Birra del Borgo, Birreria is able to brew fine ales right on the property. Couple those perfect pints with Eataly’s array of antipasti, sautéed calamari, meat and cheese platters and fresh pastas, and you have yourself a recipe for the perfect summer evening under the stars.

Refinery Rooftop

One of the perks of taking a turn-of-the-century hat factory and creating a boutique hotel in the Garment District in its place is having a 3,500-square-foot space stories above the streets of Manhattan to play with. Head up to take in the Refinery Hotel’s French terracotta- and repurposed wood-lined roof space, where artisanal cocktails such as the sparkling Gin-Jam (Nolet’s gin, raspberry jam and lemon juice) and a menu filled with fresh flatbreads, pork belly sliders, lobster rolls and other fun bar snacks are happily served. Enjoy sips and nibbles outdoors or, in case of rain, under the retractable glass roof, while lounging by the bubbling fountain or while taking in the cinematic look of the Empire State Building and beyond. Reservations are recommended.

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Commonwealth
Photo Courtesy of Commonwealth

Even in the Las Vegas desert, rooftop bars provide the best of all worlds with fresh air, inspiring views, cold beverages and hopefully some amenities to make it worth the climb. So, here’s a lofty notion: Despite the constant triple-digit temperatures, these roofs are actually the coolest places to be this summer.

Carson Kitchen

Opened in July, the 910-square-foot rooftop bar and patio above chef Kerry Simon’s Carson Kitchen is poised to become a favorite after-work hangout. It has all the boxes checked: stylish shaded table seating and stools; a six-foot-tall “living” wall garden; an ample bar serving signature cocktails, small-batch American craft beer and wine; and the complete menu (hello, crispy chicken skins) from “Rock ’n’ Roll Chef” Simon’s new restaurant below. Music is a mix of rock and Top 40, with weekly live music beginning in the fall. The spot is open daily from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., but the best bet is to grab a spot beneath the strings of festival lights — is this Austin? Portland? Brooklyn? — early Friday or Saturday evening, when downtown’s nightlife scene hits a fever pitch.

The Roof at Inspire

At the intersection of the old Strip and the new, the Inspire Theater building’s breezy new rooftop bar offers some of the finest people-watching there is downtown. The roof comes alive at 10 p.m. in summer (earlier in fall and winter), affording views of Las Vegas Boulevard, the Fremont Street Experience and the bars and restaurants of the Fremont East Entertainment District. The hip 2,670-square-foot joint has a casual feel, and features lots of lounge furnishings as well as a shaded bar specializing in communal seating and the beverages that are conducive to that: craft and international beer for the whole table, and bottle service for high-quality highballs. After the sun goes down, DJs light up the night Thursday through Saturday.

Commonwealth

Seasoned to perfection by blazing-hot summers since 2012, Commonwealth’s lively lid brings the most experience to this season with aggressive misters, a covered bar, couches and a nearly 360-degree view of downtown, Wednesday through Sunday, starting at 9 p.m. Like the rest of Commonwealth, this laid-back 2,142-square-foot roof is kitted out in exposed brick, dark wood and eclectic furnishings, as well as bar games, funky artwork and enough room for you and 124 of your new friends. The full bar still serves the same signature pre-Prohibition-style cocktails (such as the vodka-, lime-, syrup- and cucumber-soda-packed Ello Guv’nor) and specialty brews as downstairs, so you can kick back during the week and soak up the relaxed Fremont East vibe. But on the weekends, the DJ turns it up for a high-energy dance party that can be seen for blocks.

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Rosemont Social Club
Photo Courtesy of Rosemont Social Club

There are plenty of places around Houston where you can enjoy a glass of wine, beer or a carefully crafted cocktail. But for drinks to savor while gazing at a view of the city skyline, the only way to go is up. From our vantage points, these are four of Houston points rooftops:

Rosemont Social Club

An oasis in the middle of the city, Rosemont Social Club’s rooftop patio is designed to make you feel like you’ve stepped into an exotic resort space. It starts when you enter through the back door and walk into a speakeasy-style bar downstairs. Make your way upstairs to the gorgeous wooden-decked rooftop, kitted out to mimic a Moroccan retreat. Bright turquoise cabanas and bar stools with plenty of red-cushioned lounges await, along with a menu designed for social noshing (think cheese and charcuterie, flatbreads and angus beef sliders). Pair the food with something from the stellar cocktail menu created by resident mixologist Curtiss Childress, whose drinks are composed of high-quality spirits, fresh fruits and herbs, yet only contain five or less ingredients. When the late summer temperatures rise, a cooling mist envelops the open space, so that you can relax and socialize into the wee hours amid mood-setting candlelight and house music.

Proof

Ask anyone where the best rooftop bar is in town, and chances are he or she will mention Proof.  Located in the Midtown area, Houston’s most well-known third-floor bar offers fantastic, unobstructed views of the skyline. On Thursdays and Fridays, stop by to take advantage of a happy hour filled with discounted well drinks, beer and bar snacks. You can visit anytime to sip 15 specialty cocktails, served in mason jars with themed names like the Pepino Diablo (a jalapeño-spiked tequila), Pear-Adise (Grey Goose pear and St. Germain liqueur) and the popular Hendrick’s Gin-based Proof Punch. On Friday and Saturday nights, dress to impress as a DJ comes onto the scene, turning the place into an impromptu nightclub. Sundays are mellower but just as jovial thanks to top-40 tunes blaring from the speakers.

The Dogwood

The only rooftop address to open seven days a week until 2 a.m., Dogwood was created with Southern hospitality in mind. With its casual and comfortable vibe, the laid-back stop makes it easy to gather with friends when you’re hungry, thirsty or just aching to hang out. The oldies and alternative-rock soundtrack fits the space, where the drink of choice during our last visit was the Deep Eddy Sweet Tea Vodka (it’s on tap). Expect crowds and a high-energy scene on weekends, as a DJ plays the latest radio hits. Dogwood also offers a full dinner menu; popular items are the burgers, fried calamari and the “I Work Out” (avocado slices and prosciutto-wrapped asparagus on top of two chicken breasts). The restaurant-bar opens for Sunday Brunch ‘N Beats at 11 a.m., too.

3rd Floor

You have to take an elevator to reach the 3rd Floor bar, an establishment that occupies the entire top level of an office building in Midtown. Once you get there, grab a seat somewhere on the sprawling rooftop patio overlooking downtown. After posting Instagram photos of the view, unwind with one of 24 wines by the glass, 50 craft beers on tap or one-of-a-kind libations such as the Blossoming Buck, the house version of the Moscow Mule. This is a place to hang out and be social; this is not a club scene. The design facilitates the homey objective, too, with carefully crafted lounge areas with plush leather couches, and a Jack-and-Jill-style restroom.

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The Roof on Wilshire
Photo Courtesy of Dan Bayha

To find some of the best spots to grab a drink in Los Angeles, all you have to do is look up. These five sky-high sanctuaries pair spectacular views of city lights and beachside sunsets with fabulous cuisine and cocktails.

Perch

The Parisian-style restaurant and lounge crowns downtown L.A.’s historic Pershing Square Building with uninterrupted views of the skyline. Take the Art Deco-influenced elevator to the 15th floor where you will arrive to a bohemian salon with hand-painted tile floors and antique-inspired furniture. The sophisticated space is surrounded by a wraparound porch — you’ll want to reserve a table there — that offers unparalleled backdrops for your dinner, lunch or brunch. If you strictly want to imbibe, ascend to the 16th-floor patio and cozy up around a fireplace where you can grab a Midnight in Paris (cognac, Fair quinoa vodka, crème de peche, lemon, orange) and watch the sunset fade into the twinkling city lights.

The Penthouse

Rooftop dining has never been as elegant as it is at this tony Thomas Schoos-designed dining room inside The Huntley hotel. Resting some 18 stories above the Pacific Ocean in Santa Monica, the silver-shell-encrusted bar is the focal point of the indoor-outdoor space that boasts 360-degree vistas from Manhattan Beach to Malibu. Opt for a more private outing at one of the restaurant’s luxurious table cabanas. Your secluded section comes with a chandelier and is lined with gauzy drapes. While admiring the sights, nosh on fennel sausage pizza, lavender honey duck breast and other modern American farm-to-table selections with ingredients straight from area farmers markets.

The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ Roof Garden, Photo Courtesy of The Peninsula Hotels

The Peninsula Beverly Hills

The luxurious Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star escape offers poolside dining five floors up at The Roof Garden. Soak up the sun, or cozy around an outdoor fireplace in a chic outdoor setting while sampling eclectic California cuisine. The menu brims with items from the sea such as citrus-marinated prawns, coriander-crusted halibut and fish tacos. This fall, you can also enjoy a smoothie roster that’s been enhanced with exotic flavors (wildflower honey), seasonal fruit (strawberries) and herbs like ginger and basil picked straight from the rooftop garden.

The Roof on Wilshire

Year-round sun and mild weather make The Roof on Wilshire’s poolside digs atop The Hotel Wilshire perfect any time of year. Scale six stories to soak up panoramic peeks of the Hollywood Hills and beyond while you sip on the El Diablo (tequila, lime juice, housemade ginger beer and a cassis float) or other signature mules. Grab a cushioned cabana table to dine on fare from celebrity chef Eric Greenspan. Known first and foremost for his top-rate burgers and gooey grilled cheese sandwiches, Greenspan’s of-the-moment menus pair his signature comfort food with fresh choices such as mole-glazed lamb shank with heirloom summer squash, and hibiscus-glazed duck with plantains, cabbage, corn and black rice.

Brit Bar

Union Jack waving is encouraged at The London West Hollywood’s British-themed rooftop restaurant and lounge that opened this past May. Spend the last few weeks of summer sipping a refreshing gin- and lemonade-packed The Leaper and lounging in swanky surroundings styled by Room & Board and Jaguar. Feel like grabbing a bite in between your Instagram posts? From 10 floors above the Sunset Strip you can observe the action below while enjoying UK-tinged dishes — rasher-wrapped British banger, marrow toast — from Gordon Ramsay’s executive chef Anthony Keene.

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The Sazerac Bar
Photo Courtesy of Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

New Orleans in the summer is a steamy proposition, but one that thousands of cocktail aficionados and spirits professionals willingly step up for when they converge upon the French Quarter for the annual Tales of the Cocktail gathering in July. Under constant threat of wilted linen and seersucker, the thirsty masses brave it all for a little spirituous education and fully sanctioned day drinking.

But even if you couldn’t make it this year, you can still intake the city’s history at some fine establishments this fall. We took two trips on the aptly named Carousel Bar (each go-around on the revolving bar is 14 minutes and 50 seconds) with New Orleans drinks historian and author of The French Quarter Drinking Companion, Elizabeth Pearce, to get the ideal itinerary.

Carousel Bar & Lounge

It always feels like bustle and commotion, carousing in the slowly rotating lobby bar of the historic Hotel Monteleone. At one time, this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended hotel in the Vieux Carre (another name for the French Quarter) was a hub for Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote — all famed drinkers. But no matter who happens to be posted up on the 25 barstools, there is something elegant and decadent about going around and around the stationary center bar, beneath a carousel canopy of painted cherubs and festival lights, looking out onto Royal Street. “No more than three revolutions,” Pearce advises, lest you should become glued to your seat and miss what the rest of the city has to offer.

The Drink: The Vieux Carré cocktail (whiskey, cognac, sweet vermouth and Angostura aromatic bitters). It was created here by barman Walter Bergeron in 1938, even before the carousel was installed in 1949.

French 75

French 75
Photo Courtesy of David Spielman, French 75

An appendage to the famous Creole restaurant Arnaud’s, the French 75 bar was a gentlemen’s-only area in 1918, when the eatery opened. Today, it’s a tiny slice of Belle Epoch France — intimate, seductive and smoky. “This place feels older than it is,” Pearce says. “It’s transportive: Edith Piaf is playing, the lighting is kind and it’s just off Bourbon Street. You turn off half a block and you’re in Paris.” Here, the bartender serves you whether you step up to the wood bar or sink into a cozy loveseat. On the menu, barman Chris Hannah’s original cocktails mingle with classics in a way that you almost can’t tell the difference.

The Drink: The French 75, naturally. Hannah makes them with cognac (instead of the traditional gin), and your drink comes with a little card explaining why.

Napoleon House Bar & Café

A former grocery store with an affixed bar that eventually took precedence, Napoleon House looms like an apparition at Chartres and St. Louis streets. But the large French Colonial building clearly dates back to the time of Napoleon (hence, the name). In fact, then-New Orleans mayor Nicholas Girod built the home in 1814 as an intended refuge for Bonaparte, though the little emperor never left the island of Elba. Today, locals enjoy well-made cocktails, leisurely games of chess, hulking slabs of muffuletta and the opera music piped into the courtyard of the building owned since 1920 by the Impastato family. “New Orleans is all about the escape from the city stench and rabble,” Pearce says. “If you had any kind of money [back then], you built an oasis from the chaos.” Don’t mind the somewhat ramshackle look of the place, she adds. “Some call it ‘disrepair.’ We New Orleanians call it ‘patina.’”

The Drink: Pimm’s No. 1 Cup. The original owner is said to have despised drunkenness, so the signature cocktail here stars the low-alcohol gin-based liqueur.

The Sazerac Bar

If you’re willing to cross Canal Street, you’ll be handsomely rewarded at the second coming of this historic venue. The original Sazerac bar in the Quarter closed with the arrival of Prohibition, and reopened nearby when that “Noble Experiment” overstayed its welcome. Arguably America’s first cocktail, the Sazerac was invented in New Orleans in the mid- to late 1800s, and evolved over time from cognac and absinthe to rye whiskey and Herbsaint, which is how it’s still made today at The Roosevelt hotel landmark — with New Orleans’ own Peychaud’s Bitters, of course. Historically, women were not allowed in the bar except on Mardi Gras — that is, until the 1949 “Stormin’ of the Sazerac,” an event that turns 65 on September 26, and will be celebrated with a re-creation of that extraordinary moment.

The Drink: The official cocktail of New Orleans since 2008, the Sazerac is now made here with Sazerac brand rye whiskey by Kentucky’s Buffalo Trace Distillery.

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