New York Rooftops

I was never a huge fan of backyards, even though I grew up with a fairly large one and had an even bigger yard with the last house I lived in in Ohio. The maintenance always far outweighed the enjoyment in my experience, so I never really felt like I was missing out by moving into an apartment.

Turns out that not only do I not miss my yard, but I have (somewhat recently) discovered the true delight that is the city rooftop. I went to my first official rooftop party back when I moved here in the summer, but a few weeks ago Jim introduced me to my first rooftop bar, 230 Fifth. He had a friend in town and I met them on one of the first warm Fridays of this spring for drinks after work.

230 Fifth is located in the Flatiron neighborhood and I was completely unprepared for the incredible views from the two-floor indoor/outdoor Penthouse space. We arrived just as the sun was setting — you can see Lower Manhattan and the World Trade Tower to the south, and the view of the Empire State Building is the best I've ever seen, with the possible exception of from Top of the Rock.

The best part about 230 Fifth is how accessible it is — for some reason I expected a rooftop bar to feel snooty or exclusive, but it was totally chill. You don't even technically have to order anything, although sipping on a fancy cocktail (no matter how overpriced they may be) while watching the sunset as the Chrysler Building lights up is kind of the complete package.

Last Sunday I found myself once again enjoying an adult beverage on a rooftop, this time at my friend Trent's apartment building in Hell's Kitchen. It was his birthday and the weather was incredible, so after brunch we grabbed some drinks and a few snacks and headed to the roof.

The view can't quite compete with the one from 230 Fifth, but it's kind of the quintessential New York rooftop — water tower, satellite dishes, random wires and a ledge so short that you feel like you could plummet to your death at any moment. I'm not generally afraid of heights — I much prefer bridges to tunnels — but keeping a safe distance from the edge is always a good idea.

We had a total American-Beauty-moment watching three balloons float by, weaving their way in between buildings and coming dangerously close to a particularly pointy spire — they eventually floated out of sight, but it was a pretty appropriate sighting for a birthday celebration. We also made friends with a hotel guest across the street, waving and raising our glasses in a silent toast to New York, rooftops and the fact that he was (almost) fully-clothed.

We didn't really do much more than sit around, talk and enjoy the amazing weather — although we did interrupt the relaxing for a few very necessary jumping photos when I remembered that I had brought along my camera. We stayed on the roof until the sun set over the Hudson, finishing our drinks, talking about how much we love this city, and —with views (and friends) like these — how could we not?