’Tis the season for the pop-up. And this year, in addition to storefronts, you can find hotels, restaurants and rooftop bars drawing from such varied inspirations as camp, 1980s movies, bubbles and tiki bars. Here’s where to find sparkling cocktails, lobster rolls and lawn games this summer.
Rosé Bar at the Rainbow Room
The iconic dining room on the 65th floor of Rockefeller Center celebrates summer weather with the return of its Rosé Bar, popping up several nights a month in June, July and August. To drink, there’s rosé in all forms, from glasses to flights to cocktails. Pair your libations with something off a menu featuring a wide selection of raw bar options, small and large plates and platters. We recommend zeroing in on three rosé-inspired specials (“frisky” oysters served with rosé granita, candied grapefruit and pink peppercorns among theme) and three “tipsy” desserts, including a frosé cream pie waffle cone. July 31, August 2, 7, 14 and 23, with more dates TBA; 30 Rockefeller Plaza, Manhattan, rainbowroom.com
SERRA by Birreria at Eataly
Once it’s warm enough for the retractable roof at Eataly’s rooftop restaurant to open, you can expect a seasonal pop-up. This go around, it’s an Italian countryside-inspired experience. “Serra” is Italian for greenhouse, and the space is appropriately decked out with hanging greenery. The theme extends to the food, too, with veggie-heavy fare and herb-infused botanical cocktails. Don’t miss a limonata stand, and keep a lookout for a farmers market stand on the first Sunday of the month. Slated to run through October; 200 Fifth Ave., 14th fl., Manhattan, eataly.com
Spicoli’s Clam Bar and Tiki Hut at Arlo NoMad
If you need to kill some time before heading up to the hotel’s rooftop bar, The Heights, there’s this summer-themed pop-up, which is serving oysters, mini lobster rolls, bacon-wrapped hot dogs and pizza. The Tiki-inspired cocktails are named after characters in the 1982 film “Fast Times at Ridgemont High,” from the Stacy (rum, mint and lime) to the coffee-based Brad to, of course, the Spicoli (rum and house-made piña colada mix). Slated to run through Labor Day; 11 E. 31st St., second fl., Manhattan, arlohotels.com
Camp Arlo at Arlo SoHo
At Arlo’s SoHo hotel, a camp-inspired pop-up is bringing the summer vibes. Two tents and Adirondack chairs have taken over the hotel’s courtyard, and visitors can play games like giant Connect Four, corn hole and Jenga. Hot dogs are on the menu, as are s’mores. To drink, sip on boozy teas and spiked lemonades. Also giving Camp an R rating is a cart serving Tipsy Scoop’s alcohol-infused ice cream as dessert and as an ingredient in cocktails like “Some Spike it Hot.” Through the end of September; 231 Hudson St., Manhattan, arlohotels.com
The Turf Club at Westlight
One draw of the rooftop bar atop the William Vale hotel is its views — and they’re even better at its open-air upstairs venue, 23 stories above Brooklyn. This summer, it’s making the space even more enticing, with a new pop-up complete with lawn games like corn hole, music and summery décor like palm trees and flamingos. Specialty cocktails, lobster rolls, corn dogs and strawberry-shortcake ice cream sandwiches are also on the menu. Fridays-Sundays through September; 111 N. 12th St., Brooklyn, westlightnyc.com
The Golden Hour at the High Line Hotel
The team behind North Brooklyn favorites Maison Premiere and Sauvage are making an appearance in Manhattan for the summer at the High Line Hotel’s ever-evolving courtyard (last summer home to 180 Tenth by Smorgasburg and, before that, Alta Linea). Of course, given the pedigree, cocktails will be a big focus at the pop-up, and the beverage program from James Beard Award-winner Will Elliott includes the Pimm’s Golden Cup and the Frozen Negroni. Line your stomach with summery fare like lobster rolls, fish and chips and fried whole belly clams amid the tropical landscaping. Also: Fido is welcome. Thursdays-Sundays through at least mid-October; 180 10th Ave., Manhattan, thehighlinehotel.com/thegoldenhour
Standard SeaShack at The Standard, High Line
This year, the boutique hotel has transformed its public square into a New England seafood shack serving summertime favorites, like lobster rolls, fried clams, soft serve and frozen daiquiris. On Monday night, the Standard SeaShack will host reservation-only dinners dedicated to seaside traditions such as the clambake and the fish fry. Summer weekday happy hours, from 1 to 4 p.m., feature frozen drink specials and rotating menu items. Open daily; Washington Ave. and 13th St., Manhattan, standardhotels.com
Magnum bar
One of the most anticipated annual pop-ups says a lot about our love of ice cream and control. The Magnum dipping bar returns for its third year, and patrons can once again indulge in customized bars with — per the company — more than 200,000 combinations. You start with one of two ice cream bases — vanilla bean or chocolate — then go on to the dipping chocolate and up to three out of 20 toppings. New options this summer include salted caramel-coated biscuits and peanut butter chips. Open daily through late August; 132 Spring St., SoHo, magnumicecream.com.
The Pint Shop
Another returning favorite, the Museum of Ice Cream sweetened the deal this year with the addition of The Pint Shop — with plenty of “experiences” (including tastings, by reservation) but also a line of ice cream. The seven flavors include Sprinkle Pool (an nod to the MOIC’s sprinkle pool, which we first jumped in two years ago), Churro Churro and Nana Banana. Entry to the shop is free; “Pint Sessions,” on July 26, Aug. 2 and Aug. 9, are $28. Daily except closed Tuesdays; 459 W. 14th St., Meatpacking District, museumoficecream.com.
