Face it: there’s not a lot of space in New York City and summer weekends can get unbearably hot. If you can’t get out East – or to the Jersey Shore, or wherever you prefer to spend summer weekends — then these are the pools where you can sip cocktails poolside in NYC while the sun is still shining.
Where to Sip Cocktails Poolside in NYC
Obviously drinking poolside is not as good as being on a beach, but in our opinion it is slightly better than heading to rooftops in NYC. The day passes might be expensive and there is a chance that there will be children but easier and cheaper than heading to the Hamptons.
The Beach at the Dream Downtown
This is the hotel pool at the Dream Downtown that you can not only swim in but also lounge at with a cocktail. The Beach is free to hotel guests, but can be accessed by non-hotel guests for a day rate of $60.00 per person.
Jimmy at the James
Jimmy is located at the top of the James Hotel in SoHo, they have a small pool, indoor and outdoor space and a bar. Normally the Jimmy is only open to hotel guests but they do have a no-cover weekend afternoon pool party. You aren’t going to be swimming laps but who wants to do that on the weekend anyway? They have an large cocktail menu that includes a number of frozen drinks for you to sip by the pool.
La Piscine at Hotel Americano
This Chelsea hotel pool is located atop the 10-floor hotel and is open to non-guests for $40 per day. Relax at one of the daybeds or in the pool while you drink frozen margaritas and enjoy the views of the Hudson River and Manhattan.
McCarren Hotel & Pool
This is by far the best option for a pool AND cocktails considering the size of the salt-water pool and the quality of their cocktail program that is curated by the beverage manager, Francis Verrall. The pool is open to the public daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m, with day passes available for $45 per person Monday to Thursday and $60 per person Friday to Sunday. The tickets include access to the pool, towel service and (obviously) a glass of chilled rosé.
Mr. Purple
Located at the Hotel Indigo on Ludlow and Chrystie in the Lower East Side, the heated pool is located on the 14th floor of the hotel with 360-degree views of Manhattan. If it’s not too crowded, you can take swim in the open air pool but that is rarely going to be the case on the weekends. And we are really there for the drinks, anyway, right?
Plunge at the Gansevoort Meatpacking
Photo Credit: nysocialgathering.com
Located at the top of the Gansevoort Hotel the roof has great views of lower Manhattan and the Hudson River, the pool is usually only available to hotel guests but this Summer both the Meatpacking and the Park Avenue locations have a ‘OOO’ Package that includes a reserved chair at the pool, complimentary towels and fresh fruit, a $75 food credit and 25% discount on any spa services.
Rooftop at the Gansevoort Park Avenue
Located on the 20th floor of the Gansevoort Hotel with views of the Empire State building, and is an indoor/outdoor and heated and open year-round. The menu on the roof includes frozen strawberry margaritas, Sangria, mojitos, and spiked lemonade, some of these are also available in pitchers. Non-hotel guests can purchase a day pass that provides access between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m.
SixtyLES
Photo Credit: Matthew Pillsbury
The pool at SixtyLES features Andy Warhol’s visage on the bottom and is surrounded by modern lounge chairs and cocktail tables for a quite pretty place to pass some summer hours. Plus, the cocktails and food come from Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya which is a great reason to check it out.
Soho House
If you are lucky enough to get accepted to be a member of the Soho House then you already know that the pool at the SoHo House Meatpacking is great. There is a heated swimming pool that is open year-round. You can either order cocktails and food to everyone that is lounging at the pool and the tables all day throughout the summer.
Bar d’Eau
This seasonal poolside hangout on the seventh floor of the Trump Soho features cascading waterfall, private cabanas, bocce court and, of course, a pool bar. You can sit by the pool while drinking everything from acai-flavored vodka to muddled cucumber cocktails to champagne. There is also a kitchen so that you can soak up that alcohol before jumping in for a dip.
Le Parker Meridien Pool
This is where you go when you are looking to spend the entire day at the hotel or if you are just in midtown and the $150 daytime pass doesn’t phase you. The pass also includes access to the gravity fitness center and the pool has an outdoor sundeck for sun tanning with views of Central Park. Trés chic. The view from the pool deck more than makes up for the fact that there are no cocktails poolside, just beer and wine.
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