Culture + LifestyleThe Newest Rooftop Bars Around the World With Incredible ViewsRecently opened stylish rooftop bars in New York, Madrid, Dubai, and other global hotspots aren’t the typical watering holes

By Shivani Vora

March 8, 2022

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Peakaboo, the new rooftop bar in Hudson Yards on Manhattan's West Side.Charissa Fay

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A selection of the cocktails at Peakaboo

Krista Schlueter

Rooftop bars – they're always so alluring. Indeed, why imbibe at any ordinary bar when you can sip in style at a watering hole with a view? The appeal of a rooftop bar and the panoramas it offers are hard to beat. Personally, we’ve enjoyed many tasty cocktails and stunning vistas at bars in the sky such as Aer at the Four Seasons in Mumbai, Juvia in Miami, and Terrat at the Mandarin Oriental in Barcelona, Spain. These experiences have an air of glamour to them and feel like an elevated night out—no pun intended.

Today, bar-goers, travelers, and the see-and-be-seen set in general have their choice of several new rooftop spots to hit around the world. New Yorkers, for example, are abuzz about Peakaboo—which belongs to the Peak restaurant—set on the 101st floor of 30 Hudson Yards and with incredible views of the city skyline and Hudson River. The space is open Thursday through Saturday and features nightly DJ performances and an attractive lineup of drinks that beverage director Zach Kameron crafted with the help of beverage manager Jon Kraus. Options include high-end champagnes by the glass such as Krug and Dom Perignon, more than 200 rare spirits, and large format cocktails. Bar bites are on offer too—chilled shrimp with bottarga, black truffle tarts, and beef tartare among the bunch. 

Le Jardin at Baccarat Hotel New York

Melissa Hom for Baccarat Hotel New York

Also in New York, Le Jardin at Baccarat Hotel New York is a garden terrace next to the property’s famous Grand Salon. The citrus-inspired space is full of fragrant orange trees as well as varieties of white flowers—Misty Lace, Bleeding Heart, and Annabelle Hydrangeas too. Order champagne from the largest sparkling wine list in the country and take in the scenery of New York’s bustling streets below. A menu of hearty eats created by two-time Michelin-starred chef Gabriel Kreuther is reason enough to linger on the terrace a little longer.

The Cloudveil in Jackson Hole

The Cloudveil

Further to the West, The Cloudveil in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, located in the city’s historic Town Square, has a spacious rooftop with views of the town and Snow King Mountain. Firepits are a highlight and keep guests warm while they sip, whether that means a cocktail, glass of wine, or non-alcoholic drink. Greatest hits include the French Intervention—with cognac, Grand Marnier, amaretto, and orange bitters—and the Friskey—with bourbon, bonal quina, and lime. 

In Europe there are also several new rooftop venues worth checking out.

La Terraza at The Principal Madrid

The Principal Madrid

In Madrid, The Principal Madrid—set in an early 20th-century Spanish Renaissance building—is home to La Terraza rooftop bar. It’s a popular spot overlooking Madrid and features drinks by the renowned Spanish mixologist Manel Vehí. Imagine sipping on the Manyua—a combination of melon, passion fruit, and lime—or the Machupicchu—with pisco, lemongrass, tonka beans, lime juice, and an egg white to top it all off.  Truth be told, we’d order one first and then try the other.

18 at Rusacks St. Andrews.

Alexander Baxter Studio 418 Photography

In Scotland, Rusacks St. Andrews set along the legendary course, has the recently opened 18. The bar and restaurant have views of the course and even offer a putting green. Homemade cordials are the specialty of the house, but whiskies are a staple, along with educational classes such as a workshop in partnership with local St. Andrews distillery Eden Mill where guests can learn how to blend their own gin. 

The last bar on our European jaunt is opening this spring. The Rooftop at London’s One Hundred Shoreditch is meant to evoke a Palm Springs escape with its pink marble tables, succulents, and East London vistas. Rose wines, margaritas, martinis, and champagne will be featured drinks.

Privilege at SLS in Dubai

Gerry O'Leary

Our world tour of rooftop bars ends in Dubai. Privilege at SLS is located 75 stories atop of the hotel, and it has 360-degree views of the city, two infinity pools, and regular DJ appearances. It’s a place where you can spend all day and drink and dance late into the night. Beverage in hand with Dubai before us, we can’t think of a more enjoyable way to pass our time.