Rooftop bar season has arrived in New York City and is in full swing. We dove straight into or should we say, up to, Up On 20 New York, Midtown Manhattan’s newest and best kept secret. Located on the 20th floor rooftop of the Hyatt Herald Square Hotel, Up On 20 is a small oasis with stunning views of the North and South sides of Manhattan. There really is no better way to celebrate the summer season in NYC than filling up the tank with some small bites and ice cold cocktails with a direct view of the incredible skyline. 

Up On 20 offers a selection of signature cocktails and a small, but notable menu of West Coast inspired tasty bites. As any rooftop-goer should, we started off the evening with an extra chilled glass of Prosecco. The light and bubbly Prosecco perfectly set the tone for the recommended seafood dishes to come.

My favorite of the four plates was the Shrimp Ceviche with pineapple and chili served with a side of homemade kettle cooked chips. The very instant I took a bite, I was quickly taken back to Miami and my dancing South Beach nights. A salsa party in my mouth, literally. The sweetness of the pineapple complementing the sharp spiciness of the chili and the saltiness of the shrimp, all shimmied to the crunch of the chip.

Then there was the Smoked Salmon Flatbread with pickled onions and arugula. The west coast influence definitely shined in this dish with the popular LA flatbread and the pickled onions. Both surprisingly delicious with a classic cut of the iconic NYC smoked salmon. 

The 4 Pulled White Fish Sliders with sliced avocado, fennel, cilantro and a dash of lime served on a fresh baguette was definitely the most filling of the plates. Oozing with seasoned mayo, this is a dish you would have to order if you’re preparing for a long night of excessive drinking to follow. 

Speaking of drinking, let’s not forget the signature cocktails priced at a whopping $18 a drink. I can’t say they were overly generous with their pours for the price, but they managed to spawn a new found affinity for gin for my dining buddy so they must be doing something right! 

The Double Stand Sour Rye whiskey, Dorothy Parker Gin, Lemon, Simple Syrup, Grenadine with two Maraschino Cherries was the winner. Over all, Up On 20 is a new and shining hidden gem, a perfect place to start off any NYC summer night.