New York views are never just background. For corporate receptions, client drinks, summer parties and private celebrations, the Empire State Building does a lot of the heavy lifting.
The right rooftop gives you more than a skyline photo moment. It gives you atmosphere, flow, indoor-outdoor flexibility and a setting that instantly feels like New York.
Below are five of our favourite rooftop venues in NYC with standout Empire State Building views, from new Midtown terraces to all-season rooftop lounges built for private events.
Eddie’s Rooftop at The Assembly - New Sun Terraces Above Park Avenue
The Assembly is one of Midtown’s newest event spaces, set inside a restored Art Deco landmark at 2 Park Avenue. High above the city, Eddie Lounge & Rooftop Terrace sits on the 27th floor with 6,400 sq ft of combined indoor and outdoor space.
The rooftop terrace gives guests panoramic views over Park Avenue and the Manhattan skyline, with the Empire State Building creating a standout photo moment from the terrace corner. Inside, Eddie Lounge adds 4,000 sq ft of hospitality-led design, complete with a bar, coffee bar, pool table and multiple lounge zones.
This is the kind of space that works hard for events. Host cocktails outside, dinner inside, or move guests between both throughout the evening. With space for up to 325 standing, it is a strong choice for summer receptions, networking events, product launches and corporate celebrations that need a rooftop moment without compromising on the indoor experience.
Best for: Corporate receptions, networking events, summer parties, product launches and private celebrations above Midtown.
The Loft & Riff Raff Club At Virgin Hotels New York City - NoMad Energy, 39 Floors Up
Virgin Hotels New York City brings the energy of NoMad with bold design, skyline views and a collection of spaces built for groups who want to eat, play, work and connect in true NYC style.
On the 39th floor, The Riff Raff Club is a sleek, sultry lounge overlooking NoMad and the Empire State Building. Moody lighting, refined textures, a dedicated DJ station and just the right amount of edge create a setting that feels distinctly New York.
At 1,170 sq. ft., the space can transform from polished cocktails with a view to a full private reception, after-party or brand event. Its lounge-style layout encourages guests to mix and mingle, while built-in entertainment capabilities make it easy to take the energy from cocktails into late night.
Food and beverage can be tailored to the occasion, from passed bites and curated menus to crafted cocktails, wine and spirits. For larger programs, The Riff Raff Club can also be incorporated into a multi-space experience throughout Virgin Hotels New York City, giving groups the opportunity to create different moments across the property.
With capacity for up to 100 guests standing, this is a rooftop for groups who want NYC skyline impact without the traditional corporate-event feel.
Best for: Client drinks, after-parties, private receptions, brand launches, networking events, VIP gatherings and stylish corporate entertaining.
Why it works: Empire State Building views, built-in DJ capabilities, customizable food and beverage, an intimate rooftop atmosphere and the ability to pair the space with additional venues throughout the hotel.
The Skylark - The Classic Midtown Rooftop View
Located 30 stories up in the heart of Times Square South, The Skylark is one of those rooftops that gives guests the full New York moment.
The views stretch across the Hudson River, Hudson Yards, Times Square, the Empire State Building and the best of Midtown Manhattan. With multi-level indoor spaces, an open-air rooftop terrace and floor-to-ceiling windows, it works just as well in cooler months as it does in rooftop season.
The Skylark Room is fully furnished with sliding glass doors and panoramic views, while The Upper Deck offers 1,600 sq ft of open-air terrace space with Times Square to the north, Midtown to the east and the Hudson River to the west.
It is polished, classic and built for events that need views without losing the practical details. Private buyouts can host up to 250 guests, with seated dinners available for up to 80 guests on Saturdays and Sundays.
Best for: Corporate cocktail receptions, holiday parties, private dinners, team celebrations and client events with a classic NYC backdrop.
Cure Rooftop Terrace - Skyline Views With Seamless Indoor-Outdoor Flow
345 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10010 (btw. 25th & 26th Streets)
Cure offers a distinctive alternative to the typical New York City rooftop venue: an expansive indoor space complemented by a wraparound outdoor terrace. Set in the Flatiron District, the venue is known for flexible corporate event spaces, strong AV capabilities, full-service event planning, and a rooftop terrace that gives meetings and conferences a skyline backdrop.
With surrounding glass walls to showcase panoramic views of the NYC skyline, the Rooftop sits at the top of Cure and is one of the venue’s three premier spaces. Since most of the venue is indoors, planners have built-in weather flexibility without sacrificing the atmosphere of a rooftop event, while the sliding glass walls to the terrace give guests an easy way to step outside when the weather permits.
The flexible space is ideal for complex or hybrid events where presentation matters. Think daytime conference followed by cocktail hour, a networking lunch with a view, or a sit-down dinner that feels like you're on top of the world.
At 2,176 sq ft, the rooftop can accommodate up to 270 guests standing across the indoor and outdoor space, with seated capacity for up to 150 guests inside.
Best for: Cocktail Receptions, Seated Dinners, Investor Days, Conferences, Networking Functions, Fireside Chats & panels, brand activations, and corporate events that need both function and memorable views.
Elsie Rooftop - Glamour With A Retractable Roof Above Bryant Par
1412 Broadway, 25th Floor, New York, NY 10018
Elsie Rooftop is Midtown’s year-round rooftop destination, located on the 25th floor of 1412 Broadway, just steps from Times Square and Bryant Park.
The space is modelled in the spirit of Elsie de Wolfe, the esteemed decorator and eternal host, and the design earns the reference. Think high ceilings, antique mirrors, gold metal walls, a hanging light fixture, Versailles parquet flooring and a blue marble bar top.
This is a rooftop with personality already built in. The retractable roof opens up fully in summer, with terrace views across the Empire State Building, Times Square and Bryant Park, while the layered interiors mean the space still feels special when the weather shifts.
Elsie Rooftop has multiple flexible spaces that can accommodate a range of party sizes, making it ideal for standing receptions from 50 to 200 guests, with total capacity up to 300 standing and 200 seated.
Best for: Stylish receptions, private celebrations, corporate parties, client entertaining and events that need strong design without overcomplicating the brief.
Make Your Empire State Building Rooftop Event Happen
From The Assembly’s new sun terraces above Park Avenue to The Riff Raff Club’s NoMad edge, The Skylark’s classic Midtown panorama, Cure’s glass-walled rooftop terrace and Elsie’s retractable rooftop above Bryant Park, these venues prove that the right view can shape the whole event.
Whether you are planning a summer party, corporate reception, private dinner, product launch or client celebration, Best Venues New York can help you find the right rooftop venue for your brief, guest count and budget.
Our venue sourcing service is completely free of charge, saving you time and helping you compare the best rooftop venues NYC has to offer. Tell us what you are planning, and our team will create a curated proposal so all you need to do is choose the space you love most.