Jersey City’s Rooftop Bars Offer Cocktails with a View. Here are 7 of Our Favorites.
AS JERSEY CITY’S HIGH-RISE CONSTRUCTION HAS EXPANDED TO INCLUDE OVER A HUNDRED HIGH-RISE BUILDINGS SINCE 2002, ITS VIBRANT ROOFTOP BAR CULTURE HAS BURST TO LIFE.
It’s a long, ethereal September night. The sun has set, the temperature is finally bearable, and a longing for that late-summer breeze chases the desire for a nice cold beverage. For those in the urban jungle, only one thought makes sense: Get to a rooftop.
Rooftop bars are integral to the late-summer/early-fall foodscape. More sophisticated than a patio and closer to the stars, nothing enhances a nice cocktail like a skyline view. These urban oases offer a refreshing respite from the heat of a busy sidewalk and often a small, relaxed venue for conversation and enjoyment. Plus, they’re the perfect place to snap a photograph, whether it’s of a stylish cocktail in a lush garden or a beautiful skyline cityscape.
It might seem easy to take the simple rooftop bar for granted. After all, who hasn’t gravitated to a natural overlook for a contemplative pause, often with drink in hand? Raising a glass to salute a spectacular view has long been a natural response for hikers, mountaineers, and other explorers of nature’s lofty vistas. Yet rooftop bars that offer similar experiences to urbanites are a relatively recent invention in our region—as recent as the 1890s.
That’s right; we’ve been sipping champagne above the clouds for less than 150 years.
The original rooftop bar opened in 1893, 300 feet above the sidewalks of New York. It was located top of the Casino Theater on 39<sup>th</sup> and Broadway, which was already on the cutting edge of hospitality—it was also the first theater to have electricity. The Casino roof opened as “the rooftop garden” to allow the venue year-round entertainment. According to one I.D. Marshall, whose personal journal commentary about the hotel resides in the Museum of the City of New York, it was an oasis where guests “could sit for a time in the open air, drinking cooling beverages and listening to music” from live performers. The rest of the city clamored to follow suit as businesses came to realize the good money “tired, heat-tortured mortals have gladly given in return for the cool breezes and a dainty mid-air supper served on the top of a lofty building.”*
The rest, as they say, is history.
Although the original rooftop gardens were booming, blockbuster entertainment venues that spared no expense, today’s rooftop bars still sport some of the irresistible qualities that keep us coming back for more: a glittering view, a chilled beverage, a little music. And no one is immune to the magic of a late summer evening.
Whether hanging out with friends, impressing a date, or enjoying the city lights on your own, Jersey City has some of the best rooftops in the state. As the city’s high-rise construction has expanded to include over a hundred high-rise buildings since 2002, its vibrant rooftop bar culture has burst to life and new rooftop meccas, like the recently opened Stork Club atop the Hudson House, continue to arrive. From small and lush to sprawling and vibrant, here are a few of our favorites. No matter what you’re in the mood for, a skyline view and a nice cold drink await you.
The Ashford
JERSEY CITY ROOFTOPS
SKINNER’S LOFT
@skinnersloft
146 Newark Ave.
Monday–Friday 4–10pm
Tuesday (Closed)
Saturday 11am–10pm
Sunday 11am–8:30pm
A longstanding Jersey City establishment, Skinner’s Loft has one of the most charming rooftops in the city. Enjoying a few rounds here with friends or a date in the lofty, tucked-away garden feels like a well-kept secret, with views of the bustling pedestrian plaza below. Try their Garden Delight, a perfect late-summer concoction of gin, fresh orange juice, and Campari.
IRON MONKEY
@ironmonkeyjc
99 Greene St.
Monday–Thursday 11am–1am
Friday–Saturday 11am–2am
Sunday 11am–11pm
Iron Monkey consists of four levels, but the crowning jewel is the lively rooftop bar. You can enjoy their rotating tap list of over 30 craft beers with a view of the Paulus Hook neighborhood. Their food menu features fun, irreverent takes on classic bar snacks, like “monkey trunks” (soft baked pretzels with dipping sauce) or “plop plop red red” (roasted tomatoes stuffed with salmon), making it all too easy to spend a few hours here, forgetting the world below.
SIX26
@six26_lounge
128 Christopher Columbus Dr.
Monday–Friday 4pm–2am
Saturday 11:30am–2am
Sunday 11:30am–2am
With a name paying homage to the day the Respect for Marriage Act became federal law by confirmation of the Supreme Court in 2015, Six26 is known for its vibrant atmosphere and ever-popular drag brunch. An LGBTQ+ destination for many, it’s open to everyone and is an excellent, laid-back venue for celebration.
PORTA
@portajerseycity
135 Newark Ave.
Monday–Thursday 4–10pm
Friday noon–2am
Saturday noon–2am
Sunday 11am–10pm
Porta is a longtime Jersey City favorite, a popular weekend spot for fun, casual hangouts with friends and family. Their Neapolitan-style pizza menu and full bar make it a great place to enjoy views of the busy Newark Pedestrian Plaza below. Make sure to grab a reservation if you want to guarantee a spot; it can get busy!
ROOFTOP AT EXCHANGE PLACE
@rooftopatexchangeplace
1 Exchange Pl. (atop Hyatt House)
Monday–Thursday 4pm–midnight
Friday 4pm–2am
Saturday 11am–2am
Sunday 11am–midnight
Looking for the perfect view of the glittering New York City skyline? You’ve found it. With sparkling city vistas and a killer brunch menu, the Rooftop at Exchange Place is a picturesque spot to take visitors or impress a date.
THE ASHFORD
@theashfordjc
145 Newark Ave.
Monday–Thursday 4pm–2am
Friday 4pm–3am
Saturday 11:30am–3am
Sunday 11:30am–2am
The liveliest patio on this list, drinks and music abound at The Ashford. Bottle service and private event space are available here, making it a fantastic venue for a celebration. The ceiling is retractable, so this rooftop is open rain or shine year-round. However, it would be a shame to miss out on the lively summer vibes: Try a refreshingly icy frosé or opt for a famous $3 mimosa during brunch.
902 BREWING
@902brewing
101 Pacific Ave.
Monday 3–11pm
Tuesday 3–10pm
Wednesday–Friday 3pm–midnight
Saturday noon–midnight
Sunday noon–10pm
902 Brewing bravely opened in March 2020, and we’re glad they did. Offering craft ales and lagers, their rooftop boasts open, airy views of the NYC city skyline. Bring your own food and snacks since their menu is strictly beer. For late summer, try their “Peach Rings Kettle Sour Ale”—fun, tart, and yes, brewed with real peach rings. For the fall, try their “Heaven, Hell, or Hoboken,” a smooth, citrusy American IPA perfect for a crisp, cool evening.
