Brian N
Whether you’re searching for a unique place to relax after touring nearby Ellis Island or coming specifically for skyline views, there are plenty of rooftop bars to patronize in Jersey City.
Proximity to New York City draws residents and tourists alike to these rooftop bars. My favorite Jersey City rooftop bars all brought something different to the table.
Here’s my list of the best rooftop bars Jersey City, New Jersey, offers.
RoofTop at Exchange Place
1st St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 551-256-7850
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For stunning views of the city, visit the RoofTop at Exchange Place by The Waterfront along the Hudson River.
RoofTop has a retractable glass roof, so it’s open year-round, serving shareable plates, signature cocktails, draft beer, and wine. The bar has a dress code. Bear this in mind when dropping by.
Try The Don, a rich dish featuring roasted bone marrow, braised short rib, and bacon jam. My server recommended the Bonanza Cabernet Sauvignon, which paired perfectly with the meal.
Iron Monkey
99 Greene St, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-435-5756
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Find the Iron Monkey in the Paulus Hook community at the intersection of Greene Street and York Street.
A self-described Rooftop Craft Draft Beer Bar, Iron Monkey, is a no-frills place with a unique aesthetic. Iron Monkey does brunch on the weekends.
But I stopped by in the evening to sample some of their classic bar food with a fresh twist. Try the Elysian Space Dust Double IPA for a balance of bitter and sweet and an 8.2% abv.
Porta
135 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-544-5199
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For years, Porta has been a Jersey City favorite, especially for late nights. Located in Downtown Jersey City a few blocks away from City Hall, Porta serves brick oven-fired pizza and other Italian fare alongside cocktails, wine, and beer.
Pizza is a must during a stop at Porta. The pizzas here are simple, but the ingredients let the flavors shine through. The Spring Betty was a great option with plenty of fresh herbs and creamy goat cheese.
Six26 – Lounge and Rooftop
128 Christopher Columbus Dr, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-706-2273
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Celebrate marriage equality at this rooftop bar in Downtown Jersey City. Six26 was named in commemoration of the Marriage Equality Act passed on June 26, 2015.
Six26 welcomes all patrons who want to celebrate with them at their hip rooftop location. Six26 focuses on classic bar food with a few options with Latin or Asian flair.
The standout of my visit was a cocktail named the Spiced Pear Bear with delicious flavors of pear, ginger, and lime.
Skinner’s Loft
146 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-915-0600
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Another spot in Downtown Jersey City, Skinner’s Loft, offers rooftop dining in approach upscale setting. The American bistro serves a small menu of fresh favorites.
Head Chef Juan Gabriel Veliz runs the kitchen at the family-owned bar and restaurant. In my experience, kitchens with great chefs also make excellent handcrafted cocktails.
I tried a Troika cocktail at Skinner’s Loft made with basil-infused vodka and lemonade. It’s an effervescent drink perfect for a summer night.
The Ashford
145 Newark Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-356-9956
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Find The Ashford across the street from Skinner’s Loft in Downtown Jersey City. The Ashford pays tribute to Art Deco era New York with its eclectic style and vibe. The rooftop menu had a wide variety of small bites to choose from and sandwiches and tacos.
After sampling so many of the rooftop bars Jersey City, New Jersey has to offer. I needed the Hangover Burger. A cheeseburger topped with egg, tots, and maple syrup.
Canopy Central Bar & Bistro
159 Morgan St 2nd Floor, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: 201-369-3042
Canopy Central Bar & Bistro is located in the Jersey City Arts District. Many visitors probably have lower expectations for hotel bars, but Canopy is an exception.
They specialize in international cuisine and offer many shareable plates. While visiting Canopy, I was impressed by the selection of local beers and regional wines.
But the gin cocktails most piqued my interest. They’re the bar and bistro’s particular focus, and they do them well.
Harry’s Daughter
4072 339 Communipaw Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07304
Phone: 201-464-2420
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Harry’s Daughter is a casual but hip take on a tropical bar with Caribbean-inspired cuisine. Find the bar and restaurant located a few blocks north of Liberty State Park.
The rooftop bar offers small bites like coconut shrimp, codfish fritters, and jerk chicken egg rolls. Harry’s Daughter is a great place to get a Dark and Stormy.
The house made ginger beer had a real kick without overshadowing the Bacardi Black rum. The Trinidadian-style curry uses a delicious blend of spices, worth the try, especially if you’ve never had it before.
Paulie’s Brickhouse
264 Central Ave, Jersey City, NJ 07307
Phone: 201-434-1188
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The Heights, a neighborhood on the northside of Jersey City, hosts Paulie’s Brickhouse a few blocks away from Pershing Field Park.
Paulie’s offers a variety of starters and sandwiches, but they are famous for their brick oven pizza. Paulie’s is also a great place to sample beer on tap.
My favorite was the hoppy Goose Island IPA, which paired well with my spicy Hot Calabrese pizza. If a white pie is more to your taste, The Downtown is another must-try.
Final Thoughts
Jersey City, New Jersey, offers a diverse set of rooftop bars to explore across the city. From traditional brick-oven pizza bars to upscale dining experiences, Jersey City has a wide variety of rooftop bars to pick from on a night out.
If I missed one of your favorites on my trip to Jersey City, let me know! We’ll check it out and see if it’s worthy of our list of the best rooftop bars Jersey City, New Jersey, has to offer.
Best Rooftop Bars in Jersey City
- RoofTop at Exchange Place
- Iron Monkey
- Porta
- Six26 – Lounge and Rooftop
- Skinner’s Loft
- The Ashford
- Canopy Central Bar & Bistro
- Harry’s Daughter
- Paulie’s Brickhouse
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