Top of the Strand   (Photo: Courtesy of Top of the Strand)

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NEW THIS SUMMER

Upstairs
The Kimberly Hotel, 145 E. 50th St., nr. Lexington Ave.; 212-253-7337
String lights overhead and overstuffed leather chairs set the ambiance at Upstairs, the swank new bar on the 30th floor of The Kimberly. A retractable glass roof&#8212don't worry, it won't impede your view!&#8212and heated floors keep the bar open year round and comfortable on chilly nights.
The View: 360-degree view of midtown Manhattan.
The Menu: Small plates of the French persuasion from Chef Gwenaël Le Pape.
The Hours: Daily, 5 p.m.–1 a.m.

Press
Ink48, 653 Eleventh Ave., at 48th St.; 212-757-2224
Designed by David Rockwell, the 16th floor Press Lounge features a 20-foot reflecting pool, mod wicker furniture reminiscent of Ditzel's egg chair, and lux leather couches in the interior area (open year-round).
The View: 360-degree views of downtown Manhattan and Jersey City.
The Menu: Small plates of farm-to-table modern American cuisine with Italian influence.
The Hours: Sun.–Wed., 5:30 p.m.–midnight; Thu.–Sat., 5:30 p.m.–2 a.m.

Top of The Strand
The Strand Hotel, 33 W. 37th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-448-1024
Designer Lydia Marks picked up on the retractable roof trend this year and put it into effect this winter at the Top of the Strand. Panels will slide open during the bar's inaugural summer to let the breeze in. Unfortunately, the hotel's restaurant opening has been pushed back to mid-to-late summer, so if bar snacks will be available, you'll have to wait until July.
The View: If you love the Empire State building, the view doesn't get any better.
The Menu: No food is currently available.
The Hours: Mon.–Thu, 5 p.m.–midnight; Fri.–Sun., 5 p.m.–2 a.m.

Bar d'Eau
Trump SoHo, 246 Spring St., nr. Varick St.; 212-842-5500
Located on the seventh floor deck, Bar d'Eau's views aren't as spectacular as some of it's midtown competition, but the bar itself keeps the atmosphere just as swank. A tile-lined pool—this one is for swimming—complete with waterfall, and a Bocce court keep the evening exciting. Private cabanas provide a perfect spot for a tête-à-tête.
The View: SoHo's surrounding buildings. And the eye-candy lounging by the pool.
The Menu: Basic bar snacks.
The Hours: Daily, 4 p.m.–midnight

il Tetto
Hotel Le Bleu, 370 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn; 718-625-2177
Italian for "the roof," il Tetto isn't quite as breezy as most rooftop bars, but if the weather's wet it's your best bet. And the view is better than any in Manhattan.
The View: Large windows, a Manhattan-side deck and plenty of skylights give a 270-degree views of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The Menu: A full menu hails from the downstairs restaurant (of the same owners) and offers authentic Italian fare.
The Hours: Mon.–Thu., 5 p.m.–2 a.m.; Fri.–Sat., 4 p.m.–3 a.m.; Sun., 11 a.m.–2 a.m.

Living Room Terrace
W New York - Downtown, 123 Washington St., nr. Carlisle St.; 646-826-8646
The fifth floor lounge at the newest W New York overlooks Ground Zero and the Hudson, with a retro feel. The LED lights reflect off the glass-shiny white floor, and old board games tone down the formality of the venue.
The View: Ground Zero, the Hudson River, and Jersey City.
The Menu: Light fare from BLT Bar & Grill.
The Hours: Mon.–Wed., 4 p.m.–midnight; Thu.–Sat., 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; Sun., 6 p.m.–midnight
Opening August 16, 2010.

Rare View Chelsea
Fashion26, 152 W. 26th St., nr. Seventh Ave.; 212-807-7273
Cocktails are the draw here. Bright, modern decor in the bar contrasts the classic Old New York view from Chelsea, overlooking the lights of Broadway and the Empire State Building.
The View: Midtown Manhattan in all its glory.
The Menu: Small plates from the hotel's Rare Bar &Grill.;
The Hours: Daily, 5 p.m.–1 a.m.

The Sky Room
Marriott Fairfield Inn and Suites–Times Square, 330 W. 40th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-380-1195
Ceiling LED lights mimic the view of midtown on the 33rd and 34th floor decks of the Times Square Marriott. Designers Stephen B. Jacobs and Andi Pepper (who’ve also worked with the Gansevoort, Library, and Giraffe hotels) split the massive bi-level outdoor area into five "terraces": one has a retractable glass roof, another features private cabanas.
The View: Midtown Manhattan and the Hudson River.
The Menu: Small plates of modern American cuisine.
The Hours: Mon.–Wed., 4 p.m.–2 a.m.; Thu.–Sun., 4 p.m.–4 a.m.
Opening August 21, 2010.