This NYC Rooftop Bar Serves Cozy Vibes And Great Cocktails—Plus It’s Open Year-Round

Who doesn’t love a cozy rooftop cocktail bar? There’s something so chic about sipping on an Aperol Spritz while perched a good 10 stories above the ground. No shade to second floor rooftop bars though! But there is a bit of opulence that comes with elevation. So I was super pleased to discover that a hotel I recently stayed at in New York City had its own rooftop bar. And it was enclosed, so you can enjoy it year-round.

High above Midtown Manhattan’s Kimpton Theta Hotel is Bar Sprezzatura, a rooftop destination that describes itself as a “rooftop bar with Italian Riviera charm.” The space is in fact super charming. There’s plenty of standard table seating, but there are also lots of plush couches and armchairs to lounge on. The inviting coastal-inspired atmosphere is elevated even further with the addition of soft white holiday decor and sparkling lights. It’s the kind of place you could lounge at for hours without even realizing it.

After looking at a few pics online, I knew I had to start off with the Un Ristretto Signore ($22). It’s an Espresso Martini-esque cocktail made with Don Fulano Reposado, Meletti Coffee Espresso, vanilla balsamic syrup and pumpkin foam. The pumpkin foam was definitely the star of the show. They pile it on top of the cocktail, so with each sip you get notes of creamy pumpkin mixed in with the flavors of espresso, vanilla and tequila.

I was torn on what to get for my second cocktail, so I opted for the Cosmo, No Wanda ($19), a customer favorite according to the bartender. Quite the complex take on the Cosmopolitan, the Cosmo, No Wanda featured Rosemary Basil Community Vodka, Creme de Peche, basil eau de vie, grapefruit and lemon. As a Cosmopolitan lover, I approved. I was most afraid of there being a bunch of flavors clashing for attention, but all of the flavors were present in individuals ways. Also, I’m not a huge fan of basil in drinks, but it did its thing in the Cosmo, No Wanda.

I didn’t get the chance to sample any other cocktails, but I definitely had my eyes on the Maple Limoncello Fizz and Amaro Old Fashioned.

So, I do have to add a pretty big disclaimer: I did not like the food. I sampled several items off the menu and the only dish I enjoyed were the truffle fries. And to make matters worse, when I ordered those same truffle fries the next day, the truffle flavor was nowhere to be found. Disappointing. The Sweet Potato Gnocchi and the Arancini were bland, and the caviar service was a wild ride to say the least (and not in a good way). Oh! I did enjoy the Little Gem Lettuce Salad. I added a little of the prosciutto from the caviar service to my salad, and it was a really tasty addition.

Bar Sprezzatura is housed in a great space with amazing cocktails to match, but unless you plan on noshing on salad and fries, I’d stick to just drinks and vibes.