Every year is the same: the weather begins to heat up in New York and the rooftops also start to get crowded. Little by little, the days are longer and these places became the most disputed spots in the city. I can not deny that I love a happy hour on a rooftop and as summer here is relatively short, we have to enjoy it while you can stay outside! And as New Yorkers love rooftops, every year there’s always some new place in this style opening in the city! This year, the new spot is the rooftop at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. I was crazy to check out the place and we were there last Sunday.
As the name of the hotel suggests – and the photos do not lie – the location is super-prime: in Brooklyn, next to the Brooklyn Bridge, with Brooklyn Bridge Park at your feet. We got there around 5.30pm and did not even wait 5 minutes to get in. The hotel is not as tall as others in Manhattan, but I think it’s perfect: we’re right on the Brooklyn Bridge. The view is incredible, I can’t deny it. You get to see thr park, the East River, and the Manhattan skyline. In one area, you even get to see the Statue of Liberty from afar. I was thrilled.
The rooftop has three areas: two sitting areas (one for guests and people with reservation) and another area, around the bar. In this area of the bar, everyone was hanging out, some people standing, others sitting. We got a table after waiting about 10 minutes (you need to talk to the host before). I saw people dressed in all styles and I also did not feel pressured: if we wanted, we could have just taken our photos, observed the landscape and left (before sitting, of course). Obviously, when you sit at the table, it is common sense that you order something. Prices are those already known for rooftops – drinks for $17, beers for $8, wine glasses for $15. There are some food choices, ranging from $7 (french fries) to $25 (Lobster roll). As I have mentioned at other times, rooftops are bars – places for you to drink, not for lunch/dinner. We order some french fries (which was huge, by the way) and also the caramelized popcorn with chocolate ($ 5). You can see the full menu here.
The rooftop of the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge opens every day from 4pm to 12am. As I mentioned, there was no dress code to get in, but it is a new place that will surely become famous and disputed soon. So I recommend taking some care with your outfit, especially at night. There is still no way to make reservations online – however, as I mentioned, we did not have to wait too long (and it was on a Sunday, late afternoon). This rooftop should remain open as long as the weather permits – but in winter the bar will work downstairs in an enclosed area with glass windows and the same breathtaking view. That is, the hotel will offer you options for the whole year!
UPDATE: For non-hotel guests a $20 entry fee will be charged.
Click here and check out a post about Brooklyn Bridge and things to do in the area.
Address: 60 Furman St.
Laura Peruchi is a Brazilian blogger, author, and entrepreneur. She has lived in Manhattan with her husband since 2014. Since then, she has shared on her blog varied content about the Big Apple. From travel tips, including unusual things to do, shopping tips, etiquette, restaurants, and a lot more, her blog has become a reference in Portuguese (also available in English) for anyone planning a trip to New York City.
You can make reservation by emailing someone named Ian. I’m still waiting for him to get back to me.