NYC Guide: Cocktails at Hide Rooftop
Hide Rooftop
Address | Artezen Hotel Lobby Entrance, 24 John St 20th Floor, New York, NY 10038
There’s something magical about celebrating Lunar New Year in New York City. The energy feels amplified — red lanterns swaying in Chinatown, restaurant windows glowing against the winter chill, and that unmistakable hum of possibility that defines the city year-round but somehow feels even more alive during the holiday. This year, we decided to mark the occasion with a cozy stay at the Artezen Hotel, and as luck would have it, our celebration came with an added surprise: complimentary drink credits to the hotel’s rooftop bar, Hide Rooftop.
A rooftop cocktail to toast the New Year? Yes, please. After a lovely vegan meal at Spicy Moon we headed back to the hotel and up to the Hide for a drink.
A Hidden Escape Above the City
True to its name, Hide Rooftop feels like a secret tucked quietly above the Financial District. After a day of exploring — wandering through festive streets and popping into favorite downtown spots — we made our way upstairs just after dusk. The transition from the brisk February air to the warmth of the rooftop lounge was immediate and welcome.
The ambiance is effortlessly inviting. Comfortable sofas are arranged in intimate clusters, encouraging conversation and lingering. Dim lighting casts a flattering glow across the space, soft enough to feel romantic but bright enough to appreciate the details. The room hums gently — low music, quiet laughter, the clink of glassware — but never feels overwhelming.
And then there’s the view.
From the rooftop, the city skyline unfolds in a glittering panorama. Towering buildings shimmer against the night sky, their windows forming constellations of light. It’s the kind of view that reminds you exactly where you are — in the heart of one of the greatest cities in the world — while still offering a sense of escape. Above the traffic and noise, everything feels suspended, calm, celebratory.
It was the perfect setting to ring in a new lunar cycle.
Toasting the Year with a Dirty Kettle Vodka Martini
I gravitate toward classics, especially when I want to mark a meaningful moment. So for my first drink, I ordered a Dirty Kettle Vodka Martini.
There’s something about a martini that feels ceremonial. It’s confident, structured, and unapologetically simple. This version was beautifully balanced — ice cold, bracing, and silky on the palate. The olive brine was present but not overpowering, giving that savory edge without veering into saltiness. Each sip delivered that clean, crisp vodka profile, rounded out by the briny depth you expect from a proper dirty martini.
Served in a chilled glass with a perfectly skewered olive, it was everything a martini should be: sharp, elegant, and timeless.
As we raised our glasses, we toasted to health, growth, and new opportunities — themes that feel especially resonant during Lunar New Year. The martini, with its clarity and structure, felt symbolic in its own way: a fresh start, refined and intentional.
Turning Up the Heat: The Hot Tijuana Tease
For something a little more playful — something with personality, try the Hot Tijuana Tease.
Made with mezcal, blanco tequila, chile poblano liqueur, and lime, this cocktail promised complexity, and it delivered. The first sip opens with a gentle smokiness from the mezcal — not overpowering, but unmistakable. The blanco tequila brightens the profile, keeping the drink lifted and energetic rather than heavy.
Then comes the chile poblano liqueur.
There’s a subtle vegetal heat that blooms gradually, balanced by the acidity of fresh lime. It’s not an aggressive spice; instead, it lingers softly at the back of the palate, warming rather than burning. The result is layered and dynamic — smoky, citrusy, slightly sweet, and gently spicy all at once.
It’s the kind of cocktail that invites slow sipping. Each mouthful reveals a different note depending on how long you let it rest on your tongue. Paired with the city lights twinkling beyond the windows, it felt bold and celebratory — a perfect contrast to the classic restraint of the martini.
If the martini represented clarity and intention for the year ahead, the Hot Tijuana Tease embodied adventure.
Atmosphere That Encourages You to Stay
What truly sets Hide Rooftop apart isn’t just the drinks — it’s how the space makes you feel.
The sofas are plush and spacious, ideal for curling up with a cocktail in hand. The dim lighting softens the edges of the room, creating an atmosphere that feels intimate without being exclusive. Couples lean in close; friends laugh over shared stories. There’s no rush, no sense that you need to finish your drink and move along.
Even on a chilly winter evening, the rooftop retains a sense of warmth — emotional as much as physical. The design strikes a thoughtful balance between modern and comfortable. It feels polished but not pretentious, stylish but not intimidating.
For travelers staying at the hotel, it’s an effortless way to extend the evening without braving the cold again. For locals, it’s a reminder that downtown rooftops can be just as captivating in winter as they are in summer.
Celebrating Lunar New Year in Style
There’s something particularly fitting about celebrating Lunar New Year at a rooftop bar. The holiday centers around renewal, reflection, and aspiration — themes that pair beautifully with an elevated view. Looking out over the skyline, it’s hard not to feel inspired.
Our stay at Artezen Hotel provided a serene home base for the festivities. The complimentary drink credits felt like a thoughtful gesture, encouraging us to slow down and savor the moment rather than rush through a packed itinerary. It transformed an already special trip into something even more memorable.
Between the cozy ambiance, well-crafted cocktails, and sweeping city views, Hide Rooftop offered exactly what we didn’t know we needed: a pause. A chance to sit, sip, and truly mark the transition into a new year.
Would We Return?
Absolutely.
Hide Rooftop strikes that rare balance of being both accessible and elevated. You don’t need a special occasion to enjoy it, but it certainly rises to meet one. Whether you’re toasting a holiday, celebrating an anniversary, or simply winding down after a day in the city, it delivers.
The Dirty Kettle Vodka Martini satisfied my love of the classics, executed with precision. The Hot Tijuana Tease reminded us that cocktails can be playful, layered, and surprising. And the setting — those soft sofas, the dim glow, the glittering skyline — tied everything together into a moment that felt distinctly New York.
As we stepped back into the elevator at the end of the night, we carried that gentle warmth with us — from the mezcal, from the ambiance, and from the simple joy of marking a new beginning in a city that never stops reinventing itself.
If you’re planning a stay downtown — especially during a festive season — carve out time for an evening at Hide Rooftop. Order something classic. Try something bold. Sink into the sofa. Look out over the lights.
And don’t forget to toast to what’s ahead.
