XVI Lounge
Telephone: 212-956-1300
Official Website
Hours: Mon-Fri, 5pm-2am; Sat-Sun, noon-2am
This sixteenth floor rooftop was previously occupied by Highbar, which will be remembered mostly for being the venue for Ashley Dupre's photoshoot after taking down former Governor Eliot Spitzer. Highbar was supposed to evoke a luxury St. Tropez penthouse, but this was clearly not upscale enough for the target demographic. It has been replaced by a lounge that is meant to be reminiscent of a Louis XVI chateau -- although the modern touches, such as spiked tentacles with LEDs, are actually just as prominent. The new owners are mostly in the nightclub business and this shows. The door can be difficult, the drinks are expensive, and most of the music is danceable. We think that it's best in the early evenings for a drink or two after work when you can see the sun setting over the Hudson and Hell's Kitchen.