Everyone loves a good rooftop bar, especially when it has an exceptional dining experience to go along with it. Let me share a little secret with you: you don’t need to travel to New York City to enjoy a rooftop view if you’re from the Garden State. That’s right. Some of the most delicious restaurants with even better cocktails are actually home to the best rooftop bars in New Jersey. The best part? Collectively, they offer both city and beach views just minutes from home.
Thanks to New Jersey’s creative restaurateurs, outdoor dining—rooftop bars specifically—are here to stay. For 2024, we’ve put together our ultimate list of rooftop bars in New Jersey to eat and drink at. Whether you’re up in Hudson County or down the Jersey Shore, you simply can’t go wrong. Just remember if you make a reservation, don’t forget to cancel if you can’t make it. The following list is not ranked in any particular order.
1. Concourse Club, Wood-Ridge
Located at Element New York by Westin, the Concourse Club is one of the best things to happen to Route 17 since The Sopranos. This rooftop bar and restaurant located on the hotel’s top floor has all the makings of a VIP experience that feels reminiscent of an NYC venue— one that’s upscale but doesn’t take itself too seriously. Craft cocktails and sleek, retro decor help make this swanky lounge the object of your next weekend adventure. Guests must be 21 or older (see the venue’s dress code for more information).
Read our review of Concourse Club here.
2. Salvation Rooftop at The Asbury Hotel, Asbury Park
If you’re looking for a boujee beach vibe, this is your spot. Day drinking or cocktails and wine at sunset, Salvation has it covered. Ever try a Lavender Lemonade? It’s vodka and housemade lavender lemonade. How about the Asbury Painkiller? It’s spiced rum, pineapple juice, orange juice, coconut cream and nutmeg. They recently partnered with Avec Drinks to offer a selection of craft mixers as well. Reservations can be made on Resy, summer 2024 is looking up.
Read our review of Salvation here.
3. Porta, Jersey City + Montclair
Pizza and drinks on a rooftop? SOLD. Porta is recognized as one of the best late-night spots in the country so make sure to add this to your list of go-to’s if you haven’t already been. From their rooftop to their menu, Porta is a spot that’s equal parts fun, casual, and refined. Order a couple of Neapolitan pies then wash it down with some beer, wine or pick from their signature cocktails list.
4. Rooftop at Exchange Place, Jersey City
Lunch, dinner, happy hour or brunch, you’re getting NYC views the whole time! The Rooftop at Exchange Place offers frozen cocktails like frosé and trendy cocktails such as the Navet 1804 Mocha Martini (Navet 1804 rum, cold brew, chocolate and Bailey’s). And don’t forget to check out the Chilltown (Tito’s, Aperol, pineapple and lime). A food menu is also available offering a limited menu of apps such as boardwalk fries and wings.
5. NoHu Rooftop Bar & Restaurant at EnVue Hotel, Weehawken
Of all the rooftop bars in New Jersey, this one has quickly become a Garden State favorite. You’ll feel like you’re in a movie as you sip on a cocktail while enjoying the breathtaking views of NYC when you’re at NoHu Rooftop. Choose from classics like a Cosmopolitan or Old Fashioned, or just get the bottle of your favorite classy wine. Upcoming birthday or occasion? Firepits, premium waterfront tables and bottle service are currently available; contact the restaurant for more details.
6. Red Rock Tap & Grill, Red Bank
The Red Rock Tap and Grill is the perfect place to relax after a long day at work! This spot has plenty of outdoor seating and even has live music sometimes. Indulge in their specialty drinks like a Red Rock Frosè, The Crush (which is their take on an Orange Crush) and more! While sipping on your drink, snack on their “eggroll of the day,” duck confit tater tots and other delicious items.
7. City Bistro, Hoboken
Located in Uptown Hoboken, City Bistro is a three-floor restaurant, bar and lounge that offers a rooftop as well. Their rooftop food menu includes crostinis, pizzas and a huge selection of appetizers to choose from. They also have a wide selection of wines, signature and craft cocktails. Looking to brunch with a view? This your place!
8. Town Bar + Kitchen, Morristown
Town Bar + Kitchen is another great place if you want a delicious dinner or brunch with perfectly crafted drinks, not to mention the great outdoor aesthetic as well! Pair your beer, mojito or wine with comfort food like fritto misto, Cacio e Pepe Fiocchi pasta, jerk chicken and more! Another great aspect of the rooftop is that they have an operating fireplace up there, so keep this in mind when the temperatures start dropping!
9. Skinner’s Loft, Jersey City
This isn’t just your “drinks on a rooftop” kind of place. Skinner’s Loft is the place to be in JC. You can have a full dining experience with great ambiance and great food. This American bistro offers everything from octopus ceviche to gruyere-soaked Croque Monsieur. Cool down from your hot meal with a boozy rum punch. If you recently moved to Jersey City or plan to, make sure to check out this neighborhood spot since it’s been a staple for many years.
10. Paulie’s Brickhouse, Jersey City
Picture this— a sport’s bar and grill that serves delicious brick-oven pizza and provides NYC skyline views. That’s Paulie’s. In addition to their pizza, they offer typical bar food favorites and Italian classics such as eggplant, chicken parm and meatball sandwiches. Choose from their wide selection of beers on tap, regular and frozen margaritas with Italian sorbet. Please note that rooftop access is available only through reservations; please call the restaurant to secure a spot.
11. Watermark, Asbury Park
Watermark is one of the best rooftop bars in New Jersey to visit after being at the beach all day. Here, the staff aims to provide the perfect dining ambiance and experience with every detail from the decor to the drinks. They have everything from martinis to boozy iced teas to their own cocktail concoctions. Many of their specialty cocktails are made with spirits that are infused in-house and all juices are freshly squeezed.
12. Harry’s Ocean Bar and Grille, Cape May
An oceanfront rooftop sounds like music to ears, especially during the summertime. Not to mention drinks that’ll leave you cooled down and refreshed after a sweltering day. The menu here offers a huge selection of different “crush” flavors like the original orange crush, grapefruit crush, key lime crush and even a pomegranate crush. They also offer some varieties of margaritas and alcoholic lemonades plus beer and wine.
13. The Retreat at Hilton, Short Hills
Gather around the fire pit and enjoy a hand-crafted cocktail at The Retreat at Hilton. String lights garnish the patio and trees surround the terrace, giving the rooftop bar that true “backyard” feel. Check their site for upcoming live music, events and trivia nights. This is an NJ rooftop bar you won’t want to miss.
14. The Bradford at AC Hotel, Bridgewater
In March 2021, Marriott’s AC Hotel Bridgewater welcomed The Bradford, a sleek rooftop oasis. A few years later, and it’s consistently ranked as one of the bets rooftop bars in NJ. The seventh-floor venue gives off nightclub vibes with modern decor and boasts both an indoor and outdoor dining experience. On the menu are craft cocktails, the likes of Espresso Martinis and butterfly-pea-infused tequila drinks. In terms of eats, think sharable small plates. Whipped ricotta with grilled pita, fried calamari, ricotta doughnuts and more.
Read our review of the Bradford here.
15. Alice’s Restaurant, Lake Hoptacong
Perched on a lake, this NJ rooftop bar displays some of the most breathtaking views in New Jersey. The second-floor deck is the perfect place to wind down your night with a cocktail, or to have a full, coursed meal. The signature cocktails, craft beers and expansive wine list aren’t half bad either. Alice’s is the rooftop vibe that Sussex county has been begging for.
16. Alto Rooftop at The MC Hotel, Montclair
As Montclair’s only rooftop, this is the perfect location to appreciate NYC’s skyline. Located at The MC Hotel, which opened in 2019, Alto Rooftop has a sleek and sexy vibe that is perfect for a date night or a G.N.O. Sip on a refreshing rosé, red or white wine or enjoy one of their classic cocktails like a Paloma or Moscow Mule. Their house cocktails are pretty intriguing and include the MC Old Fashioned, Yuzu Paloma, plus others. Complete with a menu of small bites, Alto Rooftop is pretty much flawless.
17. The VÜE Bar & Lounge, Atlantic City
Located atop The Claridge hotel in Atlantic City, this rooftop offers one of the best (and highest) 360-degree outdoor experiences. More than 23 floors above the beach, The VÜE Bar & Lounge is the the town’s only rooftop which serves up handcrafted cocktails and a stellar happy hour.
18. Little Tijuana, Newark
A margarita bar and plenty of tacos are waiting for you at Little Tijuana in Newark. This restaurant once brought on James Beard nominee Chef David Viana to curate the menu, who has helmed up gems like Lita in Aberdeen, NJ. Here, the rooftop is retractable and there’s Mexican-themed artwork aplenty. Your IG feed will thank you later. There’s also a grass-covered patio for additional outdoor seating.
