The Empire Rooftop

On our lists of the best rooftop bars, cocktail bars and live music venues in New York.

The Empire Hotel's twelfth floor holds this rooftop, looking out toward Lincoln Center across eight thousand square feet split between two open-air patios and an indoor lounge furnished with sofas and alcove seating. A retractable roof keeps the west terrace open beyond summer, and the kitchen sends out Korean fried chicken wings, duck confit tacos and deep-fried mac-and-cheese bars alongside the house Sunset cocktail. Live music and DJs run through the week.