Beat the NYC Heatwave in Style: Where to Sip, Swim, and Chill

With triple-digit temps creeping up on the forecast, New Yorkers are looking for one thing: escape. Fortunately, you don’t have to ditch the city to cool down. From luxe rooftop lounges to poolside sips with skyline views, these spots offer the ultimate urban refuge from the summer scorcher. Whether you’re seeking a frozen cocktail, a splash in the pool, or just a breezy rooftop with shade and vibes, consider this your heatwave survival guide—no subway platform sweating required.

Located in Manhattan’s iconic Soho neighborhood, The Dominick provides a luxurious setting with seamless service, welcoming sophistication, meticulous attention to detail, and unparalleled New York City views. The Dominick’s Terrace on 7 offers a place to unwind, featuring a seasonal rooftop pool, a rooftop terrace, and El Ta’koy, a year-round Hawaiian-inspired culinary destination. Guests can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails, SipMargs drink buckets, and Hawaiian-inspired cuisine while taking in city views from floor-to-ceiling windows and outdoor seating. Terrace on 7 also offers weekly DJ Happy Hours and After Dark experiences, with DJs every Thursday from 4:30 to 7:00 pm alongside frozen margaritas and happy hour bites, and After Hours Happy Hour every Tuesday from 8:00 to 10:00 pm, serving dishes like lumi salmon toast with tequila citrus–cured salmon, avocado, and wasabi aioli, and jackfruit tacos with vegan kimchi and Filipino sauce, paired with cocktails such as the Sassi Sesami, made with jalapeño and cucumber tequila, toasted sesame, pineapple, and lime, and the Minty Makai, crafted with mint-infused rum, lime, soda, and a house-made lime and mint syrup.

Dream Beach at Dream Downtown

Dream Beach is the only sand beach in Manhattan and the perfect summer escape. Featuring a 50-foot glass-bottom pool, two private cabanas, 30 chaise lounges around the pool, a full-service bar, and a seasonal food menu. Pool guests must be 21+ to enter. For guests of Dream Downtown, they can upgrade to the Dream Beach Pool Package, which includes a pool pass, two lounge chairs, and a $30 food and beverage credit per day. 

RT60 Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Hard Rock Hotel New York

Located on the 34th floor of Hard Rock Hotel New York, RT60 is the elevated bar and lounge situated in the heart of Midtown Manhattan, boasting two sprawling outdoor terraces offering captivating views of the city skyline stretching both north and south. Just in time for the summer season, the rooftop bar has refreshed the menu to include crushable cocktails, reimagined classic bites, and an exciting lineup of live music, performances, and DJs to transition guests from evening hangs to a late-night vibe. Highlights of the new cocktail menu include summer staple White Peach Sangria (Rosé, Machu Pisco, Domain de Canton Ginger, White Peach, Thyme, Cava) and the Mint Condition (Tito’s Vodka, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Yellow Chartreuse, Cucumber, Mint, Lime). Jenga Steak Fries, Chorizo & Spinach Croquettes, and Tuna Tartare have been introduced just in time for the summer season. 

Darling at Park Lane New York

Located on the 47th floor of Park Lane Hotel, Darling is Central Park South’s only rooftop lounge offering a chic experience against a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline and iconic park. Darling provides an intimate and whimsical gathering space with an elevated menu of cocktails and light bites, and a selection of thoughtfully curated programming. Featuring a bold lounge with a wraparound outdoor patio oasis, designed to embrace the expansive views, it’s the final piece to the hotel and a glimmering addition to Manhattan’s nightlife scene, bringing the eccentric spirit of the hotel to life. The brand new cocktail menu concepted by General Manager Josef Griz features inventive, seasonally inspired drinks like the frozen Many Mahalos (Sake Ono, Symphony #3 Aged Rum, Watermelon, Coconut Cream, Lime), the margarita riff All Day I Dream (Ensueno Tequila Blanco, Rocky’s Botanical Liqueur, Cantaloupe, Lime, Soda) and the refreshing Negroni Tropic (Bayab Gin Palm & Pineapple, Creme de Banana, Chinola Passionfruit Liqueur, Suze, Blanco Vermouth). The latest “Indulgences” menu at Darling is Director of Culinary Ali Dey Daly’s first formal culinary venture for the property, and includes opulent offerings such as Shrimp Toast with furikake, sriracha aioli, and smoked trout roe, as well as a sumptuous take on spinach and artichoke dip in the form of Crispy Artichoke and Goat Cheese, which is paired with tomato confit, pesto, parmigiano, and roasted peppers. 

St. Cloud Rooftop at The Knickerbocker

Open daily from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm, St. Cloud Rooftop offers breathtaking skyline views of Manhattan’s Times Square, overlooking the heart of the city. It’s the perfect spot to enjoy craft cocktails, including the iconic martini, which is rumored to have been invented at the hotel, as well as seasonally inspired drinks and shareable culinary bites. St. Cloud offers the perfect setting to soak in the city’s energy while lounging, gathering, and celebrating beneath unmatched views and the vibrant lights of Manhattan. 

elNico at Penny Williamsburg

Photo Credit: Jenna Haar

Perched atop Penny Williamsburg, elNico is a vibrant rooftop restaurant and bar offering bold, imaginative Mexican cuisine paired with sweeping views of the Brooklyn and Manhattan skylines. The menu showcases inventive dishes like the signature Mole Tasting with Tostones, Esquites, and a variety of tacos—from Gringa al Pastor and Carnitas to Tempura Rock Shrimp and Broccolini. The cocktail program centers on agave-forward spirits and features creative, seasonally inspired drinks made with locally sourced ingredients, including standouts like the Fortune’s Fool and Faded Jelly Shoes. Set within a lush, artfully designed space filled with greenery and color, elNico also boasts a custom DJ booth and ample room for live entertainment, making it a dynamic destination for cultural happenings and nightlife.


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