VU Rooftop Bar

Great rooftop with a gorgeous view of the Empire State building!!! Located on the 14^th floor of the LaQuinta hotel, this rooftop is kinda small, but sufficient! Great view, simple snacks and cocktails available. We have never had issue getting a spot here to enjoy a few drinks and view. They have happy hour deals as well, so come enjoy the view and drinks!

Cute place. OK staff. Just extremely small for the amount of people that show up to the happy hour.
I get it, you’re right next to the Empire, so that’s kinda cool. But the angle just doesn’t make for fun views. This patio just feels like that, the patio off of someone’s apartment. Which would be great if there were only 10 – 15 people.
The drinks are ok. Prices are decent for happy hour. If you check in on facebook and show them, they give you a shot of well liquor for free.
We shared a charcuterie plate and it was pretty good. It had olives, meats, cheeses and crackers.
Overall: Decent rooftop on a nice summer day. But a bit too small for the amount of people on it. The drinks are ok, based on the size of the place, I’d rather go to Loopy Doopy.

This place is tiny. This rooftop is on the roof of the hotel La Quinta. It’s takes the elevator forever and not so many people can fit inside too. The place is pretty small. probably has about 20 tables and unfortunately at 5:30pm they were already all scouted out. So my friend and I did not stay… womp womp. The bouncer was really nice and helpful too… so 1 star for him.

Good enough to grab drinks after work but don’t expect much. Worst sangria I have ever had, anywhere. I rarely return drinks but one sip and this was right back with the bartender.
The space is tight so make sure you get in early to grab a table or tell someone to wave you down when they’re leaving so you can grab the table.

Probably the best rooftop bar in the city. It’s chill. It’s relaxed. It’s tucked away in Koreatown which means you won’t find an annoying crowd. Drinks are priced reasonably and the view is good enough.

Love this place… staffs are very friendly… went with my friends on a Wednesday night and it was perfect because it wasn’t crowded. They played good music as well and since there were not much people the time we went we’re able to hog the space for dancing. this place is a lil bit pricy somehow.
They close I around 12am I think but they extended an extra hour for me and my friends so I’ll give 4 stars for that!

A small rooftop bar with a chill vibe. It’s a great happy hour spot for a few drinks after work. I really like the earthy feel to the place. Very reasonably priced as well, especially for happy hour — and if you check in on Facebook, you can get a free house shot. They use small plastic shot cups (like for medicine) so they’re small, but still decent for the price.
Also, since the bar is so small, there’s not much room up there. People tend to line up for the bar, which is nice so you don’t have to worry about others being served before you when you got there first.
Note: This place gets super packed when it’s nice out, so it can be hard to find a seat. You can end up sharing tables with people, or standing around — if you’re cool with that, it’s a great place to be.

While the name VU (phonetic sound is View) would make you think there is some amazing view, there is none.
However is more about the arrogance and poor service of the employees. Here on a Friday night (9pm) and sitting at a table of mostly empty bar. The employee kicks us off the table because it is «reserved» so we move to another table. Look back 30 mins later and that table we were kicked off is empty.
Vent vent. However it isn’t so great of a bar so see you lat. never.

Decent rooftop bar. Good location in ktown if you want to eat before or after. View of the Empire State Building.

If we were going to pretend that rooftop bars in this general vicinity were people:
230 Fifth is that striped-​shirt wearing bro that you went to college with and still pretend to like because he’s got a penthouse apartment and throws a great party every once in a while. There are better looking women at his place, but they are just as vapid.
Vu is the laid-​back friend you’ll actually grab a meal with (probably Korean BBQ), and don’t mind conversing with for a while. You bring friends over to his place to hang out because he’s chill, but you’re definitely never going to meet anyone there. He’s a little dirtier* than the penthouse bro, but you’re not trying to date him, so who cares.
Plus, he’s got a solid happy hour.
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*Last time I came in here, the sink in the bathroom was clogged and nearly overflowing. Someone should get on that.

Probably the least expensive rooftop bar in Manhattan. No cover charge and the crowd is minimal. You are right by the Empire State Building and the view of it at night is just breath taking.
Drinks are pretty standard: $ 7 – 8 for beer and i’m assuming $ 15 for mixed drinks. The space is really small compared to most places and they have only one unisex bathroom so don’t drink too much. Very nice place to just socialize with your friends and just take in how beautiful the Empire State Building can look at night.

This rando rooftop is the definition of ‘no-​frills’, but is still a pretty rad hangout spot in the area. I’m not sure if it’s supposed to be for hotel guests only, but no one made an attempt to stop our group of 5 and it seemed as if they’re pretty lax about letting anyone up there. Once you hit the 14^th floor, there’s a small indoor bar for your basic drink needs (don’t get too fancy, you’ll regret it) and then 10 tables or so outside, which typically have some vacancies. There are heat lamps on the deck, but they only cover a few tables, so don’t plan on being outside if it’s chilly. For a spur of the moment drink, you can do much worse. It’s like a rooftop dive bar, if that’s possible. Do it.

an inexpensive, unpretentious rooftop bar in the heart of the city. yeah, you’re as confused as I am!
we staggered in here after rocking out at the Black Sabbath show at MSG. originally some of my friends were in search of Korean fried chicken, but with every place packed (on a Saturday night, why were they expecting otherwise?!) we wound up here. it’s on top of a La Quinta hotel, so I feel bad for whoever’s got the rooms right by it!
no bouncer, no pretentious DJ, no cover charge. no one bugging us that we rolled in wearing metal shirts and jeans. this is my kind of rooftop, something I’d expect in Brooklyn or Queens but not in Manhattan.
$ 35 for a bucket of 5 beers, and some pretty good options such as Abita were available. yes!
the inside area is fairly small; it’s a narrow hallway that can seat a few people. the rooftop area could probably fit about 40 or so people.

There are pros and cons to this place but probably mostly cons. The location is great, being right in the middle of K-​town and it is a rooftop bar with a direct view of the Empire State Building in all its glory. However, the empire state building is literally its only view as the rooftop is on the 14^th floor, nowhere to really look but up.
The rooftop space isn’t terrible. It isn’t huge so if it was crowded, there wouldn’t be much for table space but there’s benches and cheap chairs here and there. I think just given the overall spacing, it doesn’t make it great for socializing. The area to the bar is narrow and tight. The lighting at night is not great at all, making everything look really cheap. As for the crowd, it could definitely be a miss for sure. It was a mix of really old and maybe too young. It was just an odd mix. I remember when I came here as a Junior in college, I was just as unimpressed and uncomfortable honestly.
Overall, I would go if my friends wanted to but I wouldn’t suggest it personally.

Nice place for a rooftop bar on a warm Winter day! I love the outdoor heaters and the happy hour just topped it off. The drinks were strong and great for a decent price. The atmosphere reminded me a bit of LA, very laid back. I can definitely see myself coming again in the warmer months. I love exploring rooftop bars, especially less pretentious ones. I would recommend coming here for happy hour then visit one of the many options in Ktown for dinner!

Great happy hour hangout spot in the middle of Koreatown. Located on the 14^th floor of the La Quinta Hotel on 32^nd street.
This place can get very busy on Friday evening; the line for the elevator could go outside of the hotel lobby. So come early!
The happy hour goes on till 7. You can get Bud/​Bud Light for $ 4.50, Frozen Margarita for $ 6.50, $ 5.50 Wine and $ 3.50 Soju Shot.
The patio is small and could be packed in no time. It’s also separated into a smoking and a non-​smoking areas with some tables and couches. In this chilly weather, the space heaters are turned on to warm you up.
The best part of this rooftop bar is that you get to enjoy the close view of the Empire State Building. It’s even better when it’s lit for special occasions.
Great spot for out-​of-​towners as well.

VU Rooftop Bar is not as charming as I thought.
There I found an inattentive bartender, on a Friday happy hour, and it was semi-​empty.
And that, my friends, tells you something…
So, note to self: avoid this spot at any cost, as all I’m looking for is a good service.
Just because I’m generous,
Two Unilocal

We were looking for somewhere to take a friend visiting for a unique NYC experience and read about the Vu online. It’s a bit strange that it’s a part of the La Quinta hotel (it’s also the nicest La Quinta I’ve ever seen, if that helps) and its in the heart of Koreatown. The rooftop is on the smaller side and decorwise is nothing to write home about, but it definitely gets the job done. There are tables inside and outside. The major view you’ll get here is of the Empire State Building but it’s actually a pretty cool one since you’re right under it!
Happy hour starts daily at 4 (all day Sunday!) and can fill up quickly so try to get there around 4 if you want to get a table. Drinks are pretty reasonable (happy hour is $ 5 beer and well drinks!!) for the city and you get a free shot with your Unilocal check in!
If you’re looking for a fun but inexpensive place to drink with friends on a roof, this is your spot!

Not a bad spot for a drink outdoors. Right next to the Empire State Building and located on the 14^th floor of La Quinta hotel. The happy hour is a good deal, especially for where you are in NY. The actual rooftop is small but when we went on a late Saturday afternoon for happy hour, we had no problem seating. The drinks, during happy hour are priced fairly, overall experience was pretty good.

What a cool place! It’s very small and intimate, but that’s part of the charm. You can see the empire state building looming over you, which is also very cool. Great happy hour deals! My only issue is that there is a smoking section, which is right next to the non-​smoking section. That sort of defeats the purpose…
There are lots of chairs available and it’s kind of cool that they project games onto a big screen on the patio.
Definitely coming back here this summer!