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The Empire Hotel Rooftop
44 W. 63rd St.
(@ Broadway)
Upper West Side
212.956.3313
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The Empire Hotel Rooftop: 
Kobe sliders, $16. Tip for the doorman who let you in, $5. Views of Central Park—priceless. Jeffrey Chodorow has taken over the recently remodeled rooftop lounge at Empire Hotel, and unlike the guests-only upper-level Pooldeck, the 8,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor terrace is open to the public. Sip a martini under the red glow of the retro neon sign while nibbling on Chodorow’s dainty delectables like fois gras and raspberry jam on French toast, truffle and caviar deviled eggs, or a classic lobster roll. Divided into three areas (an enclosed penthouse lounge and east and west terraces), the 12th floor haven offers panoramic views of the Upper West Side skyline, Columbus Circle, Central Park, Broadway, and the Hudson River. Relish and repeat.
RestaurantOutdoor SeatingSheckySwanky Bars
Categories:   Credit Card -   Date Spot/Romantic -   Restaurant -   Hotel Bars -   Hot-Hip -   Outdoor Seating -   Shecky's Pick -   Swanky Bars
Neighborhood:  Upper West Side
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Comments
  based on 9 comments

Phillip & Lisa says:


NO Rasism Here!

Dee, please explain how the "doormen" are racist when ALL the "doormen" (security) are ALL BLACK? the ONLY "white" person at the front door to the hotel is the maitre d (head doorman). The Head of Security is a "white guy" that CHOSE the "all black" security staff. Just curious as I'm black like you - and happen to always see black men and women up there...??? Thanks.

Dee D.


2 weeks ago
Phillip, Well lucky you that you got inn! My experience with this establishment is just as I explained it to be... if you are from nyc door men are just puppets of the promoters / club owners, they let who they are "suppose" to let inn (I know this 1st hand because I know a black female who was given the run down on who is allowed in, and if they were what would be the price)
With that being said, the men that I told to come out to the event followed the dress code, not trouble makers.
One of the guys had on Prada shoes and was not let in because they where sneakers, they flat out refuse.... yet I seen men, white men inside with WHITE sneakers partying up!
One of my male friends did get in, and that was because he was by himself! I mean they have to let a few in Or else....
There was also a group of black guys that dis get in, but they had to buy bottle service!

I'm not oblivious to the fact this occurs at popular night clubs in the city but this is the first time this has ever happened to me and I feel places like this should be exposed!

Phillip M. 2 weeks ago
Dee, the situation you describe with the black female I agree is total racism! The reason your posting interested me is that the main promoter for Thursday - Saturday night is a personal friend of mine and my wife's for the past 10+ years (he has been promoting for 15+) and I bring in whomever I want whenever I want. A long time acquaintance of the 3 of us stopped by this past Saturday night and was denied entrance due to the fact that this idiot actually wore sandals. Ironically he use to be the manager for years of Decade supper club formerly on 61st & First Avenue. If he actually had gotten in, I would have known I was in the wrong place as he knows he would have never let the door staff at Decade admit someone with sandals back then either. Rightfully so. He failed to write that on Facebook, instead he described it as such:"Went to Empire hotel where old promoter ???? could not get two people in its kind of sad he could not help us out"
Our friend responded with the following reply:"TRY TO DRESS UP NEXT TIME...AND NOT WEAR SANDELS ! KIND OF SAD YOU'VE NEVER COME TO SUPPORT MY PARTIES IN 5 YEARS ! YOU FINALLY SHOW UP...LOOKING LIKE A "SLOB" ! EVERYONE ELSE THAT CAME DRESSED HAD NO PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER ! SURE IT WASN'T THE FIRST TIME YOU COULDN'T GET INTO A CLUB ! ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE YOU NEEDED TO BE RUDE TO ME ! TRY TO LOSE SOME WEIGHT AND DRESS A LITTLE NICER...MIGHT SEE SOME BETTER RESULTS IN THE FUTURE ! THANKS FOR NOTHING...SEE YOU IN ANOTHER 5 YEARS...!!!"; which we totally agree with. Saturday night we saw one guy in sneakers, and actually had him thrown out! I just would not wear sneakers to go out to a lounge/club/supper club- period, no matter who the "designer" was. We were all recently speaking about that in a group discussion of how ridiculous it is to see woman nicely dressed up and to have a husband/boyfriend/friend accompanied with sneakers on. You see the ridiculousness on many of the so called "reality" shoes. The term which I am sure you are familiar with "grown and sexy" always meant to look nice and proud when going out. No: Timberland boots, doo rags, jeans/pants on "men" (I mean boys) with the back pocket down to your knees at the back and no belt, etc...I know you are not saying anyone in your party was dressed like that but you know what mean. Honestly there are ALL white clubs especially in the boroughs that they don't have to let ANY of us in. Keep in mind from the days of the innovator of the original "velvet rope" clubs - Steve Rubell & Ian Schrager of Studio 54 and other places such as Xenon, etc...the courts ruled (they were sued all the time) that a business such as a club or restaurant can refuse admittance to whomever it chooses to as they did to us back in the Jim Crow 60's in the south. Hey, it is THERE "BUSINESS" - establishment. I don't go where my green dollar is not wanted or appreciated anyway. As I use to tell people from Studio days to now, there are HUNDREDS of clubs/lounges/restaurants in New York City - Manhattan, why let them think they got to you, cross them off your list and move on...! As a former bouncer from "back in the day" and now a business Executive, I agree with you that the running of the front doors today compared to back them are TOTALLY different and more of a profit center thing that a "exclusive - upscale" venue as in the past. YES, the doormen of today are more of a "puppet" presence of the club owners and SOME promoters. I do remember, that back and sometimes now (when they are not just thinking about hording for the cash register); if too many guys approached the rope/or someone undesirable or not "chic" enough, we would tell them any of the following:1.No single gentlemen tonight, 2. there is a private party etc...Mark Beneke the first club maitre d' of "power" in New York City at Studio 54 use to be so brutally honest with men and women that he was insulting people based on their look, clothes, ensemble, too many women or too men men always looking to keep as equal a balance as possible. Bottom line for you and I and everyone else we are entitled to our opinions (opinions are like assholes, everyone has one) and I am glad you took the time out to write/post your comments on here and express yourself - as you said "exposed" the situation at hand that YOU encountered.My wife and I have been going to Empire since it began 3 years ago.

9/26/2011 11:16:38 PM

atira says:


shame ,shame, shame

Its a shame in this day and modern time racism still exist, right in our own back yard. The staff at the empire hotel is very rude we were told at the door if we do not purchase a bottle for $360 we could not enter the funny thing is it was five of us we were ready to get down an party so we would have spend way more than $360 ITS A SHAME THEY ONLY WANT MINORITY AS MAIDS AND JANITORS BUT NOT AS GUESTS

7/23/2011 3:39:55 PM

kich says:


BBQ memorial day... WHAT BBQ?????

The hotel organized a BBQ party for Memorial day yesterday.....

After 3 hours waiting for some foods; we have been told by the waitresses tat they never heard about this bbq........

the should have done an open bar from 5pm to 6pm but at 5.30 pm they were out of stock...

It;s completely unprofessional !!! and unacceptable They made people come and excepting something so that; at the end; when they learn that there is no bbq; the hotel probably expected people to buy their expensive food....

I will never go back again to this place and the view is not even nice...



5/31/2011 12:26:25 PM

kc says:


DO NOT GO HERE IF BLACK!

If you are black. Don't go here. If you are any type of racial minority. DO NOT GO HERE. Empire Hotel and its bouncers are one of the most racist establishments in New York City. They do not let black men in and they won't let you into their rooftop events unless you pay the bouncers or are white/asian. I strongly suggest that no minorities patronize this location. I stood outside and watched minority person after minority person get turned away as white/European men dressed the same or in less of a caliber of clothing were not admitted. Be smart. Pass this place by. It is complete NONSENSE.

2/19/2011 1:59:08 AM

EventigeEvents.com Elite Event Planning says:


Sophisticated VIP Friday Rooftop Party

Friday Nights at Empire Hotel Rooftop in New York City were created by and currently hosted through Eventige Elite Event Planning. The high-end promotions group always delivers with a gorgeous crowd, fantastic drink specials and a laid-back door policy, truly giving your Friday Night a VIP experience. Please feel free to utilize the "Eventige" Guestlist for Complimentary and Expedited Admission starting at 10pm.

11/15/2010 8:02:16 AM

mags says:


Was there this Thursday and I loved it!!!! Great ambience, mature crowd, and the bartenders make great drinks which are reasonably priced...LOVED IT!!!!

8/9/2009 3:54:12 PM

Polo says:


This place just plain SuCks!!!!! The doormen are rude (in their H&M clothes LOL), the bald manager has the worst attitude/rude (fire him Chodorow, he's costing you $$$$$'s), the drinks are way over priced and the wait staff tries to overcharge you. There are much much better places to spend your money.

7/14/2009 4:43:52 PM

Wendygee says:


I don't believe that! I was there last Thursday and we all got carded. It was Great! It was not a young crowd which was excellent. Learn how to spell Joseph it's spelled GREAT not FREAT! How old did you say you were?

4/8/2009 4:51:00 PM

Joseph . says:


I was at the rooftop lounge last night. As I was going upstairs the doorman with the beard did not ask for ID's. We were underage and able to drink. So this is a freat place to go somewhere and not get carded.

8/15/2008 2:15:00 PM


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