The Greatest Winter Bars and Heated Rooftop Venues in the City

When you’re seeking a glamorous night out but warmth and comfort are also of the utmost importance, these five NYC winter spots will not disappoint.

While arctic winds have touched down, New Yorkers are on the constant hunt for solace in the best warm and welcoming bars they can find. While a cozy, casual pub sometimes does the trick, every now and then the evening calls for a bit more NYC pizzazz, perhaps a trendy high heel paired with a classy winter cocktail. From handsome lounges to heated rooftops with a view, here are five of the best bars from the Best Venues New York collection offering the right amount of elegance with a touch of NYC hygge.

The Skylark

In a nutshell: Urban mid-century modern cocktail lounge with jaw-dropping cityscape views

Neighborhood: Times Square

Call the glam squad and head over to The Skylark - the best modern bar for a ladies' night out or a romantic date this winter in NYC. Set 30 stories in the sky over Times Square, for a moment, try to keep your eyes off the spectacular floor-to-ceiling views to take a peek at the seasonal cocktail menu based on classic inspirations - select between the Harvest Cocktail (cucumber vodka, St. George spiced pear liquor, muddled pears, red grapes, rosemary, lemon juice) or the Smoke Over The City (mezcal, cinnamon, dark chocolate syrup, orange bitters, orange twist, Maldon sea salt). After a warm hug from one of these ambrosial tipples, one of The Skylark’s warm cookie skillets may just be what the doctor ordered. With a classic chocolate chip, a seasonal snickerdoodle, or decadent brownie dessert bites, your sweet tooth will certainly be satisfied.

Russian Tea Room

In a nutshell: Refined, decadent fun and legendary high tea in the heart of Manhattan

Neighborhood: Midtown (located next to Carnegie Hall)

OK, so this one isn’t technically considered a bar, but hear us out. Not only has the Russian Tea Room been offering warming, world-class afternoon tea for nearly a century, but this beloved cultural institution also provides the best selection of Russian vodkas in New York to wash down your indulgent blinis and caviar.

Strut through the antique revolving doors to view the space that inspired Woody Allen’s esteemed film Manhattan, and notice the coat check where Madonna once worked before she found fame. Warm, inviting red leather booths accented with emerald green walls and 24-carat gold ceilings make the main dining room at this refined, historical venue feel like the perfect winter sanctuary from the frosty chill outdoors.

Winter Domes at City Winery Rockefeller Center

In a nutshell: Winter pop-up domes provide refuge from NYC holiday shopping and Christmas tree gazing

Neighborhood: Midtown at Rockefeller Plaza

One of our favorite summer spots to sip wine by the Hudson River has unveiled a winter-friendly, wine garden pop-up experience. Winter Domes have arrived at City Winery Rockefeller Center and is open now through the end of the 2019 holiday season. These stylishly-decorated igloos are fully heated, so guests can warm up while taking a break from holiday shopping or snapping photos of the iconic Rockefeller Center tree. Indulge in one of their soul-soothing seasonal concoctions, including hot chocolate, mulled wine, and spiked cider, or enjoy traditional wines on tap and brews from Montauk Brewing Co.

Alpine Terrace at Mondrian Park Avenue

In a nutshell: See-and-be-scene hotel rooftop lounge with wintery, modern accents

Neighborhood: NoMad

Breakout your chicest winter look to compete with the stylish crowd that Alpine Terrace at Mondrian Park Avenue tends to attract. A warming oasis in the winter sky, guests can fully unwind on this heated rooftop lounge while admiring breathtaking views of Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood. Mondrian's new and seasonal Alpine Terrace menu boasts a bubbly, aesthetically-and-palate pleasing Swiss raclette fondue, as well as luscious s’mores for two. As the winter evening falls, the sweeping heated terrace is easily one of the best NYC bars to boast uninterrupted vistas of the sunset over the downtown skyline.

Rarities

In a nutshell: Old New York exclusivity with incredibly rare spirits

Neighborhood: Midtown

If you seek the nostalgic embrace of New York’s ultra-exclusive yesteryears paired with literal, one-of-a-kind bottled spirits, Rarities at the Lotte New York Palace is the only place to be this winter. In fact, Conde Nast Traveler dubbed this hidden space as the “world’s most exclusive hotel bar”, and we’re additionally dubbing it as one of the best, exclusive winter bars in NYC.

Located inside a protected, historic Gilded era mansion that now houses the New York Palace, Rarities will transport you back to the days when railroad magnate Henry Villard owned the home.

Commandeer one of the storied leather chairs near the fireplace and pour yourself a glass of the Louis XIII de Rémy Martin Rare Cask cognac. With only two bottles in NYC alone, this soul-warming glass will run you a cool $3,120. You could also opt for a rare rye whiskey distilled before Prohibition, amongst other mostly unique single vintage bottles available.

Royalton Park Avenue

In a nutshell: Enclosed winter rooftop lounge with a downtown edge and stellar Park Avenue vistas

Neighborhood: NoMad

Enclosed for chilly weather, the Royalton Park Avenue’s heated rooftop terrace provides the best panoramic views of historic Park Avenue and NYC while you keep cozy. With a winter cocktail in hand to keep you feeling toasty, melt into one of their handsome velvet loungers while bonding with friends over artisan meat and cheese plate, truffle French fries, or tomato bisque. There’s even a modern fireplace in the luxuriant NYC lobby to keep you comfortable.