Celon Bar and Lounge is the elevated escape you need from Bryant Park’s tourist hustle. Tucked away on the 18th floor of The Bryant Park Hotel, this Middle Eastern-inspired rooftop delivers on atmosphere without trying too hard. Unlike the parade of cookie-cutter lounges downtown, Celon brings legitimate Moroccan flair with its intricately carved wooden panels, plush banquettes, and those ambient lanterns casting the perfect golden glow across the space.

The cocktail program deserves your attention – especially their signature spice-infused concoctions that incorporate cardamom, sumac, and rose in ways that complement rather than overwhelm. The Casablanca Nights with its smoky whiskey base and hint of rosewater might be the perfect Manhattan alternative you never knew you needed.

What sets Celon apart from other hotel bars is the surprisingly solid small plates menu. The mezze platter with its perfectly smoky baba ganoush and the lamb kofta skewers make a compelling case for skipping dinner reservations altogether.

The crowd strikes that rare balance – stylish enough to create a scene worth being part of, but without the door drama that plagues similar spots. Come for sunset when the floor-to-ceiling windows frame Midtown’s skyline in golden hour light and you’ll understand why locals keep this gem in their back pocket for impressing out-of-towners.