The Roof Is On Fire
If you’re searching for places to smoke outside in New York City, try looking up. Smoking restrictions have left city sidewalks and rooftop bars as virtually the only places to enjoy a cigar in the great outdoors of this concrete jungle. The bustling, chaotic sidewalks offer little peace or solitude, and while New York City has no shortage of rooftop bars, few are smoker-friendly. The majority of these sky-high drinking holes have become hotspots for city visitors and Instagram photoshoots. But for the determined aficionados out there, a handful of upscale, cigar-friendly rooftop sanctuaries remain.
You may have to endure trade-offs, like extra-pricey cocktails or the incessant drum of tourism, but on a beautiful day, a couple of concessions are a fair price to pay for the ability to enjoy a cigar in the fresh air and sunshine. Below, you’ll find our preferred rooftop bar retreats. All of them are located in Midtown Manhattan and each welcomes cigar smoking, but be sure to bring your own as none sell them.
Pen Top at the Peninsula Hotel stands out. This posh rooftop bar is a genuine smoking haven for cigar lovers. Located at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 55th Street, sandwiched between Central Park and Rockefeller Center, this five-star hotel and its lavish rooftop bar are near a particularly high-end stretch of Fifth Avenue.
Pen Top, which is modest in size, is on the 23rd floor and is split between an inside and outside portion. Inside, a sleek (non-smoking) wraparound bar offers an eclectic and sophisticated drinks menu, along with small bites. The glass exterior inside delivers an unencumbered backdrop of the surrounding skyscrapers and a clear view of Central Park. The outside terrace is where cigar smoking is welcomed, if not encouraged. On a recent warm summer day, most patrons on the terrace brandished a lit cigar. There’s an Old New York luxury feel to this spot, with clientele and attentive service to match. Opt for a classic cocktail or try something more creative, such as Doctor’s Orders, a mix of Glenfiddich 12 with an Islay single-malt Scotch together with ginger and lemon. A visit here is an indulgence, but you’re paying for a ritzy, cigar-friendly experience unlike anywhere else in the Big Apple.
Aretsky’s Patroon has been a dependable cigar-smoking venue in New York City for decades. This quintessential, multilevel New York restaurant and bar is tucked away on East 46th Street, near the Chrysler Building and Grand Central Station. Aretsky’s is a labyrinth of sorts, with a white tablecloth dining room, a wood-paneled cocktail bar, themed private rooms—including one called The Humidor Room—and a swank rooftop bar where cigars are welcome. The restaurant offers upscale, New American style food with an impressive wine and cocktail menu to match.
Don’t expect bountiful views here as Aretsky’s is only three stories high and engulfed by taller buildings in all directions. What you will get is the cozy, welcoming ambience of a hidden courtyard. Summer delivers a particularly alluring environment, with frequent outdoor jazz concerts. The rooftop has an open-air layout, with a large, covered zinc bar on one side. The other (uncovered) section is where you’re free to smoke your cigar. There are various seating options, some with umbrellas, and heaters await in case of colder weather.
St. Cloud Rooftop Bar at the Knickerbocker Hotel offers a rare place of (relative) solace in the heart of the city’s busiest tourist area. The Knickerbocker is in Times Square, off 42nd Street and Broadway. This New York landmark reigned supreme in the early 20th century as a pinnacle of luxury. Remnants of those roots remain, but can be overshadowed by the never-ending glow and hum of Times Square. The St. Cloud Rooftop, located on the 17th floor, offers a chance to escape—and with a nice cigar. The contemporary, chic space is quite large, with sizable indoor and outdoor areas. Inside, there’s a large bar, a sushi restaurant and plenty of lounge seating.
The outside terrace wraps around the corner of the hotel and can accommodate fairly large crowds with varied seating options. The menu is standard, with all the typical drink offerings and small bites if you desire. Amid a plethora of skyscrapers, the views of Times Square are unmatched. In the smoking section you can light up your own cigars. You won’t escape tourists up here, but a cigar with a view should offer more peace than the hectic streets below. And should you wish to be in Manhattan when the New Year’s ball drops, the St. Cloud offers a particularly wonderful (and relatively sane) view of the goings-on. For that event, reserve well in advance and expect to pay dearly.
Aretsky’s Patroon 160 East 46th St. (between Third Ave. and Lexington Ave.) • (212) 883-7373
Pen Top at the Peninsula Hotel 700 Fifth Ave. (at 55th St.) • (212) 903-3051
St. Cloud Rooftop Bar at the Knickerbocker Hotel 6 Times Square (42nd St., off Broadway) • (212) 204-5787
