Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Moxy Times Square Review

Last Updated on 23rd October 2024

This review of Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge contains affiliate links and gifted/collaborative work with Magic Hour. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own, please see my disclaimer for more.

On my sixth trip to New York City in 2024, I was determined to visit as many rooftop bars as possible for “research” purposes so that I could share so many epic places with you guys (and so I could experience New York’s best rooftops for myself as well, of course)!

One of the first places that I added to my list of rooftop bars in NYC was Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Moxy Times Square, a rooftop that I’d had on my New York bucket list for many years!

From extravagant brunch dishes (think 2-foot long hot dogs and giant cookie croissants!) to fanciful cocktails, super fun and playful decor and epic views of the Empire State Building, Magic Hour Rooftop Bar NYC is home to so many of my favourite things!

If you’re looking for one of the best rooftops in New York City (that also allow under 21s during brunch hours!), check out my detailed review of Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge!

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Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Moxy Times Square

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar New York is located on the 18th floor of Moxy Times Square on 7th Avenue between West 36th and 37th Streets and is just a few blocks from Times Square, Bryant Park, Macy’s, Penn Station and the Empire State Building.

While the views from Magic Hour aren’t necessarily my favourite out of all the rooftop bars in NYC (although it does have some pretty incredible views of the Empire State Building – more on that below!), it is one of my favourite rooftops for food, cocktails and the overall general vibe/atmosphere.

There are five distinct drinking/dining areas at Magic Hour, including a small interior lounge and two separate outdoor areas; one with brilliant views of the Empire State Building and another with a smaller seating area and an antique carousel that changes theme depending on the season.

It’s also a great place to visit at the weekend with kids as they allow under 21s on Saturdays and Sundays during brunch hours from 11.30 AM to 3.30 PM (under 21s are permitted at Magic Hour during these times only).

If you’re looking for a fun and playful New York rooftop with excellent food and drinks, wonderful staff and great views of the city’s most iconic landmark, keep reading my review to find out more!

Magic Hour Rooftop menu

New York City rooftops aren’t particularly renowned for their extensive food menus; most places offer a few bar bites and snacks, which is exactly what you’ll find at Magic Hour Bar and Lounge.

However, this rooftop’s menu actually has some pretty decent choices, including quesadillas, sliders, tacos, hot dogs, and more. You’re not going to find Michelin-star dishes, but you will find fun, creative and super delicious bites!

Big AF Crookie at Magic Hour

The one thing that I was most eager to see for myself at Magic Hour Rooftop was their infamous Big AF Crookie; a hearty cookie/croissant combination that’s topped with chocolate chips, red velvet and candy sprinkles, and it might just be the most outrageous food item I’ve ever seen!

I was sure this hilariously-sized crookie would just be available for the “wow” factor, but I was so pleasantly surprised to discover that this monstrous brunch item was actually incredibly tasty! Of course, there was absolutely no way whatsoever that we could finish the whole thing ourselves, so the staff at Magic Hour very kindly packaged it up for us to takeaway, but I’m still so glad we tried it!

The Big AF Crookie is available during brunch hours only (Saturday and Sunday, 11.30 AM to 3.30 PM) and is ideally designed to share between 4-6 people (and probably even more!). Priced at $56, it’s certainly not cheap, but if you’re splitting it between a group of friends, it’s actually very reasonable!

It’s a good idea to pre-order the Big AF Crookie when making a reservation for brunch at Magic Hour.

It’s hard to tell from pictures alone just how huge this thing is, so head over to my Instagram to see a more detailed video of just how enormous Magic Hour’s Big AF Crookie really is!

2 Foot Long Brunch Dog

Another brunch menu item that is comically large, but also surprisingly delicious, is the 2-foot long brunch hot dog that’s topped with fried eggs, sauerkraut, applewood bacon, cheese sauce, ketchup, mustard, and relish.

This is another dish that I was eager to try, if only for the comedic effect of it being so huge, but it was yet another thing that surprised us by being so yummy! Again, we couldn’t finish this whole thing between just two of us, but it’d be ideal for groups of 3-4 people at brunch!

The 2-foot brunch dog is available during brunch hours of 11.30 AM to 3.30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays and costs $45.

The best cocktails at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar

The cocktail menu at Magic Hour NYC is vast and varied and I was super excited to see some truly original and fun drinks on the menu!

We were treated to two cocktails each at Magic Hour; I went for the iconic Moira Rose for my first drink which consists of Hendricks Gin, raspberry tea, lemon and prosecco. Our lovely waitress recommended this to me and it certainly didn’t disappoint; it was definitely my favourite out of all four cocktails we tried!

My second cocktail was the Welcome To New York, which consisted of Westland Whiskey, Allspice, Sweet Vermouth, and brandied cherry; if you’re looking for a cocktail that will blow your socks off, it’s certainly this one!

Matt’s cocktails consisted of the Mr. Pink (Dos Hombres Mezcal, pomegranate liqueur, agave, and lime) and the 18oz Party Pouch (Absolut Grapefruit Vodka, yuzu citrus, pomegranate, Q Mixers, and sparkling grapefruit).

All four cocktails were excellent and while some of them were a little too strong for my liking, at least you know that you’re getting your money’s worth! Most cocktails are priced between $18 and $20 which is very common for cocktails in New York City.

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar – Surf Club

At the time of our visit in September 2024 and throughout October 2024, the Surf Club summer pop-up was on display at Magic Hour Moxy Rooftop. Many rooftops in NYC have their own themes for different seasons throughout the year and Magic Hour’s 2024 summer theme was one of my favourites yet!

Featuring full-size surfboards, a playful roundabout/carousel with swings and benches, a bright-yellow VW campervan model, and extravagant sunflower displays, the rooftop’s Surf Club was the absolute epitome of summer sunshine!

If you’re visiting Magic Hour in the next couple of weeks, you’ll have the chance to see the Surf Club pop-up in full display, and then if you’re visiting New York over autumn/winter, you’ll get to experience whatever epic holiday display they have in store!

Magic Hour Bar in New York City – FAQs

I really hope my review of Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge has convinced you to make a reservation, but if you still have a few more questions about the rooftop bar in Times Square, hopefully I’ve answered them below!

Is Magic Hour Rooftop 21+ and strict with IDs?

You must be at least 21 years old to visit Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Longe, except during brunch hours (Saturdays and Sundays from 11.30 AM to 3.30 PM), when under 21s are welcome at the rooftop.

At all other times, a valid physical ID (such as a driving licence for US citizens and passport for international visitors) is required to enter the rooftop.

What is the dress code for Moxy Rooftop Bar NYC?

There is no strictly enforced dress code at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar and according to their website, the rooftop suggests “fun, casual, and no true athletic wear”.

You can see from some of the pictures throughout this guide that both Matt and I wore smart casual clothes; Matt in a casual shirt, jeans and trainers, and me in a plain dress with black boots and tights. Of course, you’re more than welcome to dress up at Magic Hour if you want, but there is absolutely no need to if you don’t!

Does Magic Hour Rooftop Bar have a Happy Hour deal?

It’s no secret that drinks in NYC can be super pricey, so you’ll be pleased to know that you can enjoy Happy Hour at Magic Hour Monday to Friday from 3 PM to 6.30 PM. On the Happy Hour menu you’ll find deals such as $4 fries, $6 beer, $8 wine and $10 mixed drinks.

Can you see the Empire State Building from Magic Hour Rooftop Bar?

Magic Hour is actually one of the best New York rooftop bars with awesome views of the Empire State Building!

Unfortunately, as you can see from the pictures above, the weather was super miserable on the day that we visited, so the outdoor lounge area was covered (this is actually super cool!) and we didn’t enjoy the best views of the iconic building, but I know that the views are absolutely fantastic when the weather is good!

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge opening hours

Monday to Wednesday: 3 PM – 12 AM
Thursday: 3 PM – 2 AM
Friday: 3 PM – 4 AM
Saturday: 11.30 AM – 4 AM
Sunday: 11.30 AM – 12 AM
Brunch – Saturday & Sunday: 11.30 AM – 3.30 PM

Please note that opening hours may vary, so double-check online before you visit.

Do I need a reservation for Magic Hour Rooftop at Moxy Times Square?

Reservations are recommended, but not essential at Moxy Times Square Rooftop Bar, as they do accept and welcome walk-ins.

If you’re visiting as part of a larger group or if there is a particular day/time that you definitely want to visit Magic Hour, then I would suggest making a reservation online in advance, but if you just want to visit the rooftop for a few cocktails, a walk-in visit should suffice as the indoor/outdoor rooftop is huge!

You can make a reservation on the Magic Hour Moxy Times Square website!

Is there a time limit at Magic Hour Rooftop Lounge?

At peak busy times, there is a 90-minute seating block for table reservations at Magic Hour, but during quieter periods, you probably don’t have to rush to give the table back.

Is there a cover charge to visit Magic Hour NYC?

There is no cover charge at Magic Hour Moxy Rooftop, and there is also no minimum spend.

Is Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge part of a chain?

Magic Hour Rooftop is part of Tao Group Hospitality who operate and run many of New York City’s most famous restaurants, bars, rooftops, and nightclubs.

The Rooftop is located on the 18th floor of the Moxy Times Square hotel and while Magic Hour itself isn’t part of a chain, you can find rooftop bars at all of New York’s Moxy hotels, including:

The Fleur Room at Moxy Chelsea
The Ready Rooftop at Moxy East Village
The Highlight Room at Moxy Lower East Side
LilliStar at Moxy Williamsburg

Magic Hour contact details

Website: Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge at Moxy Times Square
Address: 485 7th Ave 18th floor, NY 10018
Email: nymagichourreservations@taogroup.com
Phone: (212) 268 0188

Magic Hour NYC Rooftop – conclusion

I think you can tell from my raving review that I absolutely love Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge and would highly recommend adding it to your New York City itinerary! The giant food is fun and super delicious, the cocktails are scrumptious, the staff are awesome and the views are epic; what’s not to love?!

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