Rink Bar at Rockefeller Center

"Who's throwing the party?" Anyone walking by Rockefeller Center in Manhattan is apt to wonder exactly that, every day of the week, seeing the mostly attractive and young crowd chatting amongst themselves while sipping cocktails and the wines of summer. Actually, this is not a private party - it is the Rink Bar, one of Manhattan's most popular outdoor bars, featuring a variety of mixed drinks (mojito, anyone?) and many different types of wine and champagne, along with upscale snacks.

"The hamburgers are the most popular," says Antonio Prontelli, Executive Chef, standing in his chef's whites and looking out over the crowd snacking on a variety of finger food. "We serve them four on a plate." At first, I was hesitant to try the food. In my experience, large outdoor bars don't always serve the best quality food. Then I realized the venue was managed by the Patina Restaurant Group, which also manages such upscale eateries as The Sea Grill and 8.5 (two of my favorite New York restaurants), so I indulged.

You can find many different things to eat here, ranging from grilled shrimp on a stick to guacamole and chips to sushi. While you will find tables, the seating is not formal at all - the festive ambiance is like that of a party in a friend's back yard, only this "back yard" happens to be in the concrete city of Manhattan. And hold up! Better watch who you flirt with, since at least ten thousand windows look down on this outdoor space from the tall buildings above.

"This place is hot with a lot of financial analysts," says a friend, observing the crowd. "Every time I walk by here it's packed with people flirting with each other after work." And tourists? The venue seems like a natural, as it is smack dab in the middle of the city."Tourists are always here," says Chef Prontelli. "But just look around... most of our summer business comes from the locals who work in the buildings above."

I look up, and see the multi-storied NBC building and many others, and can just imagine the hot summer days ahead when workers look down from their windows and imagine icy cocktails and laughs with friends waiting for them below.

This summer, the Rink Bar is going to bring in outdoor grills to add to the festive ambiance, and will also feature BBQ specials. You can also look forward to a live DJ on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, and best of all, weekday drink specials! Now if the gloomy weather would just clear up so we can start the party...

Comments

[Mark V Marino]

Wow Marisa,
You always have so much fun, I am sorry I have missed you lately. I am building and interactive website based on my wine list. The clients are streaming in mostly from the East coast and they do not stop. It is however, an adventure, wish we could trade places for a couple of days I will go do your stuff and you guide people to $100,000 worth of Napa Cabernet.... well I have nothing to complain about, good article!