Le Bain & The Rooftop

Le Bain & The Rooftop occupies the top floor of The Standard, High Line, the glass hotel that straddles the High Line in the Meatpacking District. It has two personalities. In the late afternoon and early evening, it is a place for cocktails and food with wide views over the Hudson River, the West Side and the sunset; later at night, it becomes one of the area's best-known spots for dancing, with DJs and a crowd that stays until the early hours.

The Rooftop is the more relaxed of the two spaces, with seating, a bar and those sweeping river views, while Le Bain is the club, with a dance floor and a party atmosphere. Drinks are the focus, with cocktails, wine and beer, and the venue serves food too. Expect a stylish, mixed crowd of locals, hotel guests and visitors, particularly at weekends.

Le Bain & The Rooftop is strictly for over-21s, so bring photo ID. It is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. From Wednesday to Friday it opens at 4pm and stays open until 4am. On Saturday it opens at 2pm and closes at 4am, and on Sunday it opens at 2pm and closes at midnight. Entry is not guaranteed, even for hotel guests, so make an advance reservation through the hotel website when available, especially for sunset and weekend nights.

Prices are high, in line with other rooftop bars in Manhattan. The venue suits groups of friends, couples on a night out and anyone who wants to start with a sunset drink and finish on the dance floor. Arriving early in the evening is easiest for getting in and finding a seat; queues form later at night. Dress smartly, as door staff control entry at busy times.

The entrance is through The Standard, High Line at 848 Washington Street, at West 13th Street. The 14th Street station on the A, C and E lines and 8th Avenue on the L line are about five minutes' walk away. The High Line runs beneath the building, the Whitney Museum is next door, and the restaurants and bars of the Meatpacking District are all around, so it is easy to have dinner nearby first.