High up on the 37th floor of the DoubleTree by Hilton New York Times Square South, there is a spot that feels weirdly disconnected from the chaos of 36th Street. It’s called Highbar Pool + Bar + Sky. If you’ve spent any time in Midtown Manhattan, you know the vibe usually involves dodging tourists and smelling exhaust fumes. But once that elevator hits the top, things change. You’re suddenly staring at the Empire State Building like it’s a neighbor leaning over a white picket fence.
Most people come here for the "Sky" part of the name. Honestly, they’re right to.
The view is a massive 360-degree sweep of the city skyline. It isn't just a sliver of a view between two brick buildings. You get the full architectural flex of the Hudson Yards to the west and the classic Art Deco peaks to the east. But there’s a lot of confusion about what this place actually is. Is it a club? A pool? A chill lounge? It's kind of all of those things, depending on when you show up, and that’s where people usually get tripped up.
The Pool Situation (Let's Get Real)
Let's address the "Pool" in Highbar Pool + Bar + Sky.
If you are expecting an Olympic-sized lap pool where you can do your morning butterfly strokes, you’re going to be disappointed. It's a plunge pool. Think of it more as a "stand and sip" area than a "swim and splash" zone. It is seasonal, obviously, because New York winters are brutal and nobody wants to be on a roof in January in a bikini. When it’s open, it adds this specific Mediterranean-meets-Manhattan aesthetic that you don't find at many other rooftop bars in the Garment District.
You've probably seen the photos on Instagram. They make it look like a sprawling resort. In reality, it’s intimate. That’s the polite way of saying it’s small.
👉 See also: Road Conditions I40 Tennessee: What You Need to Know Before Hitting the Asphalt
But small isn't bad. It means you aren't walking a mile to get a refill on your Spicy Margarita. The seating around the pool area is mostly lounge chairs and some tucked-away nooks. During the day, it's actually pretty laid back. You’ll see hotel guests catching some sun or people playing hooky from work with a laptop and a very expensive juice. Then the sun goes down, and the volume goes up.
What Highbar Pool + Bar + Sky Gets Right About Midtown
Midtown is a desert for "cool." Most rooftops in this area are corporate traps where the cocktails taste like sugar syrup and the music is just Top 40 hits from 2014. Highbar Pool + Bar + Sky manages to escape that fate by leaning into its 1970s-inspired design. There is a lot of greenery. There are sleek lines and a color palette that feels intentional rather than just "standard hotel lobby."
The bar program is surprisingly solid.
Usually, at these high-altitude spots, you pay $22 for a drink that belongs in a dive bar. Here, the mixology is a step up. They do a lot of riffs on classics. Their "Highbar Mule" isn't groundbreaking, but it’s crisp. The "Skyline Spritz" is basically mandatory if you’re there at sunset.
Is it expensive? Yeah. It’s New York.
✨ Don't miss: Finding Alta West Virginia: Why This Greenbrier County Spot Keeps People Coming Back
But you’re paying the "view tax." When you’re looking directly at the Empire State Building and the lights of the city are starting to flicker on, that $20 cocktail feels a bit more justified. It’s an experience, not just a drink.
The Vibe Shift: Day vs. Night
If you show up at 2:00 PM on a Tuesday, you’re getting a totally different experience than 11:00 PM on a Saturday.
- The Afternoon: It’s breezy. The music is low-fi. You can actually hear the person sitting next to you. This is the best time to go if you actually want to appreciate the architecture of the city. You can see the details on the buildings that you’d miss in the dark.
- The Golden Hour: This is the sweet spot. The sun dips behind the Hudson, and the sky turns that weird purple-pink color. This is also when the "influencer" crowd starts to arrive. Be prepared for a lot of phone-waving.
- The Night: It turns into a lounge. The lights dim, the DJ kicks in, and it feels much more like a nightlife destination. It can get crowded. Like, "standing room only" crowded. If you don't have a reservation for a table, you might find yourself hovering near the railing.
Myths and Misconceptions
People often think you have to be a guest at the DoubleTree to get in. You don't. While hotel guests get certain perks (and easier access to the pool during the day), the bar and lounge are open to the public.
Another big one: the dress code.
I’ve seen people show up in flip-flops and get turned away, and I’ve seen people in full suits. The sweet spot is "upscale casual." Think "nice dinner date" or "business casual but with better shoes." Don't wear your gym clothes. Just don't. The staff is generally pretty chill, but they do have an image to maintain, especially on weekend nights.
🔗 Read more: The Gwen Luxury Hotel Chicago: What Most People Get Wrong About This Art Deco Icon
The Practical Logistics of Visiting
Getting there is a bit of a process. You enter through the DoubleTree lobby. You find the specific elevators for the rooftop. You wait. Sometimes the line can be annoying, especially if there’s a private event. That’s one thing to check before you go—they host a lot of corporate parties and private shindigs. There is nothing worse than trekking to 36th Street only to find out the whole place is rented out by a tech firm.
- Check the weather. If it’s raining, the outdoor vibe is killed. They have some covered areas, but the magic is in the open air.
- Make a reservation. Seriously. Even for just drinks. It saves you from the "maybe" at the door.
- Charge your phone. You’re going to take fifty photos of the Empire State Building. We all do it.
- Timing matters. If you want the pool vibe, go before 4:00 PM. If you want the party vibe, go after 9:00 PM.
Why This Place Still Matters in 2026
The New York rooftop scene is incredibly crowded. New spots open every week in Brooklyn or the Lower East Side. But Highbar Pool + Bar + Sky stays relevant because of its location. It serves a specific purpose. It’s the refuge for people who find themselves in the middle of the city and need to escape the pavement.
It’s not trying to be the "coolest" club in the world. It’s trying to be a high-end, reliable spot with one of the best views in North America. And it succeeds at that. It’s a bit flashy, a bit pricey, and very "New York," but in a way that feels earned rather than forced.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
If you're planning to head up, do these three things to make sure it's actually fun and not just a hassle:
- Call ahead for pool access details: Since the pool is small and seasonal, the rules for non-hotel guests can change based on the day's capacity. A quick 30-second call can save you a wasted trip in your swimwear.
- Target the "Shoulder" hours: Aim for 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM. You'll beat the post-work rush and the late-night clubbers, giving you the best chance to snag a seat with a direct view of the Empire State Building.
- Budget for the "Two-Drink Minimum" mindset: While not always a formal rule, expect to spend at least $50 per person once you factor in tax and tip. Treat it as an entry fee for a world-class observation deck that happens to serve gin.
Go for the sky, stay for the breeze, and just accept that the pool is mostly there for the aesthetic. Once you lower your expectations about swimming laps, you'll realize it's one of the better ways to kill an evening in Midtown.