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Home > Nightlife & Music > The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden

The Iris and B. Gerald Cantor Roof Garden

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The Metropolitan Museum of Art
1000 Fifth Ave., 5th fl., New York, NY 10028 40.779144 -73.96277
at 82nd St.  See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-535-7710 Send to Phone

  • Reader Rating: Write a Review
  • Scene: Bar Food, Classic NY, Outdoor Area, Romantic, Rooftop, Singles Scene
Photo by Shanna Ravindra

Official Website

metmuseum.org

Hours

May-Oct: Sun and Tue-Thu, 10am-4:30pm; Fri-Sat, 10am-8pm; Mon, closed; Nov-Apr: daily, closed

Nearby Subway Stops

4, 5, 6 at 86th St.

Payment Methods

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Profile

One of Manhattan's great little-known drinking spots, this sculpture-littered terrace offers an unsurpassed view of Central Park. The "bar" is really just a concession stand that serves alcohol, from mixed drinks and daiquiris to margaritas and mojitos, as well as sandwiches and desserts, like brownies. Shady spots underneath the wisteria-laced trellis are highly prized and competitively guarded. Head to the west side, and you'll see Cleopatra's Needle as only the people who have to clean it normally do. And, if so inclined, you can explore the roof garden's best secret (that only Met employees seem to know): This is one of the finest pick-up spots in Manhattan. The roof garden is accessible by the southwest elevators on the ground floor, just outside the twentieth-century art gallery. Skip the big marble stairs at the pay entrance and go straight back all the way west and hang a left.