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The scene: The Rooftop is a bar on top of The House of Bricks, a bar and live-music venue in the East Village. Though they’re stacked and are under the same ownership, The Rooftop is striving to create its own identity through its upscale menu, a considerable wine list and a nice selection of domestic and microbrew beers.
What I ordered: We visited on a sticky Saturday evening at about 7:30 p.m. I opted for a bottle of Red Stripe garnished with a lime at $4.75. My companion ordered a Dos Equis with a lime, also $4.75. The Rooftop also offers a full menu; we tried an appetizer plate of citrus hummus, mashed black beans and pico de gallo with toasted pita points. It was a light and refreshing starter, which we were thankful for, given the 90 degrees-plus heat. We also tried the Graziano’s pizza, which had an oval flatbread crust topped with tomato and basil sauce, Graziano’s sausage, sliced red onion, mushrooms and cheese. The flatbread worked hard to hold its own against the weight of its toppings, but ultimately it succumbed to a soggy mess.
What I saw: The Rooftop is open, but clearly still under construction. The stairs leading to the rooftop are made of painted plywood, and the stalls in the women’s bathroom are sans doors, perhaps the most perplexing of the unfinished projects. But what is finished shows promise. The rooftop view of the East Village is unmatched, and the sizeable patio boasts plenty of seating. A large wood trellis is built over a section of the patio, but its wood beams offer only the semblance of shade. Sweat dripped down our backs as we sipped on our drinks, wishing the sun away and wondering why a patio full of tables has exactly zero umbrellas.
Why you should go: The Rooftop has some construction to finish and ultimately has some kinks to unravel, but it’s providing rare patio space in the East Village, and for that, we’re thankful.
The Rooftop
Where: 525 E. Grand Ave., second floor
Hours: 5 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Monday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. Saturday and Sunday Info: 727-4370
Patio Highlights: Provides a birds-eye view of the East Village.
Best For: An alfresco East Village experience with many food and drink options.
