Top of the Rock Restaurant in NY
The highest open-air terrace bar in New York is at Bar Sixty-Five at Rainbow Room in Rockefeller Center. Are you up for a visit after climbing to the Top of the Rock?
Views inside the Top of the Rock restaurant | ©Phil Dolby
When you go up to the observatories of New York's skyscrapers, such as the Top of the Rock, it often happens that you get so caught up in the views that the time up there is short and you always want more.
Fortunately, inside the skyscraper and very close to this viewpoint is Bar Sixty-Five at Rainbow Room, one of the best rooftops in New York where you can continue to enjoy the New York skyline for a while longer from its spectacular terrace with a cocktail in your hand and a bite to eat. Is this a great plan or not? Keep reading because I'll tell you how to book your place here!
Where can I dine at the Top of the Rock?
A few floors below where the Top of the Rock observatory is located, on the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, you'll find the legendary Rainbow Room restaurant and its rooftop bar and lounge Bar Sixty-Five, both with some of the best views of the Manhattan skyline to enjoy with a drink in hand in a more relaxing and less crowded way than upstairs, from the Top of the Rock observation deck.
Although both are on the same floor, the Rainbow Room restaurant seems to be for private events, while the rooftop bar and lounge Bar Sixty-Five is open to all visitors to enjoy a casual evening with friends over delicious cocktails with views of the New York skyline in the background.
Should I book a table at the Sixty-Five Bar?
My advice is to book your table in advance through theRockefeller Center website or the Open Table website to secure a table at the Sixty-Five Bar if you prefer to be seated during your visit, especially in the outdoor area of the bar to take in the cityscape.
Bar Sixty-Five at Rainbow Room is the highest outdoor terrace bar in New York, so the views of the city from here are extremely popular and you'll find plenty of people there. In case you don't get a reservation, don't worry as you are still welcome at the Sixty-Five Bar and can stand at the bar while you have a drink.
What to eat at the Sixty-Five Bar at Rainbow Room?
The Sixty-Five Bar 's menu features modern American bistro fare with a fun twist. It's not too extensive, which is great for not getting bogged down in a sea of doubts when it comes to choosing, so you'll be able to decide which dish to order more quickly.
There are plenty of charcuterie and cheese dishes, seafood and meats to go with an extensive drinks menu full of red, rosé and white wines, craft beers, champagne and, of course, spectacular cocktails.
On the Sixty-Five Bar menu I recommend you try the "Sixty-Five Burger" and for dessert the "Big Apple Cheesecake". All accompanied by one of the bar's famous cocktails such as the "Mermaid Lagoon, Gin Fizz" or the "Cucumba Rumba, Mezcal Sour".
How much does it cost to dine at the Sixty-Five at Rainbow Room Bar at Top of the Rock?
Depending on the dishes and drinks you order at the bar, the experience can cost from approximately $31 to $50. However, the Sixty-Five Bar at Rainbow Room has a prix fixe menu for $65 per person (2-course) and $75 per person (3-course).
Lunch or dinner at the Sixty-Five Bar is not cheap compared to other restaurants in the city. But then again, not all restaurants have the beautiful views of Manhattan that this rooftop bar and lounge at 30 Rockefeller Plaza does.
This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy a fine dining menu at Rockefeller Center while overlooking the New York City skyline at sunset, a top experience that is well worth it: if you choose to eat at the Sixty-Five Bar, you'll pay for it with gusto and take home a great souvenir of this unique day in Midtown Manhattan.
What time does the Sixty-Five Bar at Rainbow Room open?
The opening hours of the bar are different from the opening hours of the Top of the Rock observation deck. The Sixty-Five at Rainbow Room Bar is open from 5 PM to 11 PM on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, while on Sundays and Mondays it is open from 4 PM to 10 PM. On Saturdays it is open from 4 PM to 1 AM.
When to go for a drink at the Sixty-Five Bar at Rainbow Room?
If you plan to enter the Sixty-Five Bar after climbing to the Top of the Rock, my recommendation is to first go to watch the sunset from the observatory to enjoy the views and take lots of pictures and videos of the sunset, a very special and romantic moment of the day.
Then, when the sun goes down, go up to the Top of the Rock at night or go down to the 65th floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza to enjoy a drink with your companion. This time from the open-air terrace of the Sixty-Five Bar with the breathtaking illuminated New York night skyline in the background, you'll have the view from here!
For other great times to go to this viewpoint, I suggest you take a look at the post Best time to go to the Top of the Rock, where you'll find more suggestions.
What happens if I'm late for the restaurant?
If you've booked a table at the Sixty-Five Bar but you're running a little late, don't worry, they usually hold your reservation for 5-10 minutes as a courtesy. However, if you think you're going to be longer, it might be best to contact the bar by phone to let them know and try to get them to hold your reservation a little longer.
The Sixty-Five Bar is a very busy rooftop bar where many people want to get a good table from which to enjoy the New York skyline at sunset. For this reason, my advice is to try to be very punctual so that you can be served and seated correctly at the appointed time.
What is the atmosphere and view of the Sixty-Five at Rainbow Room Bar like?
What is the atmosphere and decor of the bar like?
The atmosphere inside this rooftop bar and lounge in Rockefeller Center is calm and relaxed. The bartenders at Sixty-Five Bar are very attentive to customers and their service is very efficient.
The bar's décor is reminiscent of the Art Deco style that evokes the glamour of times gone by. An elegant and timeless movement famous for its minimalism and the use of sober colours such as black, grey, silver, gold and white.
In addition, the Sixty-Five Bar is equipped with large windows through which sunlight penetrates to illuminate it naturally during the day. At night, the lights that illuminate the premises are dim, achieving an intimate and romantic effect.
In short, it is the perfect place to disconnect for a moment from routine and to let yourself be carried away by the beauty of the surrounding environment while enjoying a delicious cocktail in good company. Whether with friends or with someone special.
What are the views of the Sixty-Five at Rainbow Room Bar like?
The views of the New York skyline from this rooftop bar and lounge are quite similar to those from the Top of the Rock, as you can see popular sites such as Central Park or the Empire State Building from its terrace with very good visibility.
However, in my opinion, the views from the Sixty-Five Bar do not replace those from the Top of the Rock but complement them, because the bar does not have the 360-degree views of the Top of the Rock observatory and in winter you are not allowed to go outside.
That's why I recommend going up to the Top of the Rock first to see the views of New York in all their splendour and then go to the Sixty-Five Bar to continue enjoying the experience with a drink in your hand and a bite to eat. Here is an article about what to see at the Top of the Rock so you can better plan your time.
From Bar Sixty-Five you will be able to see some of the city's famous tourist attractions:
- Empire State Building
- Upper East Side
- Central Park
- Upper West Side
- Harlem
- And more...
What is the dress code for dining at the Sixty-Five Bar at Rainbow Room?
If you want to enjoy an evening at the Sixty-Five Bar after visiting the Top of the Rock, you should know that this lounge has a dress code for access.
The etiquette is smart casual, which means that sportswear, shorts, jeans, ripped trousers, flip-flops and trainers are not allowed.
This is a restaurant where guests are expected to dress neatly and smartly, in keeping with the aesthetics of the space.
Where else can you get a drink at Rockefeller Center?
If you fancy a bite to eat without leaving Rockefeller Center, there are a number of restaurants within the complex where you can grab a bite to eat before or after visiting the Top of the Rock.
Examples include fresh sushi at Blue Ribbon Sushi Bar, artisan bagels at Black Seed Bagels and Fuku' s Asian-American-influenced crispy fried chicken, among many others.
You can also check out the best places to eat near Rockefeller Center for other options.
How to get to the Sixty-Five Bar at Rainbow Room?
Taking the underground is the best way to avoid New York traffic and get to the Top of the Rock observation deck and to the Sixty-Five Bar for dinner if you have a table reservation.
The main underground lines to Top of the Rock are:
- 47th-50th Street Rockefeller Center stop (B, D, F and M lines).
- 50th Street stop (line 1)
- 51st Street stop (line 6)
- 49th Street stop (N, Q and R lines)
Now, if you're not in a hurry and you love to walk like me, a stroll through Midtown is the most fun and cheapest way to get to this tourist attraction.
Exploring the streets of downtown New York on foot, you'll discover many sights that will catch your eye and the walk will fly by.
However, if you prefer to get to the Top of the Rock by other means of transport, I recommend reading the post How to get to the Top of the Rock where you'll find all the alternatives available to you.