Ravel Rooftop Bar and Lounge
With a clubby décor and lounge-y attitude, the Ravel Hotel’s rooftop bar makes a genuine attempt to bring Manhattan nightlife trappings to Long Island City. Though it doesn’t quite translate, it does make for a solid spot for hotel guests and neighborhood twentysomethings alike to enjoy some drinks and the view. An elevator opens directly onto the spacious roof deck, which has a Miami-lite vibe: curtained cabanas; mod, low-slung couches; tall, circular bar tables; and Euro-techno music playing overhead. The views are impressive (the Manhattan skyline, the Silvercup Studios sign … even the Queensboro Bridge has a certain charm when lit up at night), though not perfect (a power plant between the hotel and the riverfront is an eyesore). The specialty cocktail list has hits (a raspberry margarita made with fresh berries and served on the rocks) and misses (an overly sweet blueberry mojito), and the $12 price tag may seem excessive for Queens. There’s also a BBQ-heavy bar menu offering ribs and sliders until midnight. The roster of daily specials and events includes Monday movie screenings, Tuesday whiskey-and-cigar deals, and half-price signature drinks on Saturday afternoons.
Shuttle Service
The Ravel offers a free shuttle service for hotel guests and has an affiliated car service that will pick up and drop off non-guests at nearby subway stations for a flat fee of $5 per trip. Call ahead and arrange for one—the hotel can be difficult to find on foot and is a hike from most public transportation.
