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    Westlight

    3.6 (934 reviews)
    Closed 12:00 pm - 12:00 am (Next day)
    Updated a few days ago

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    Westlight Photos

    WESTLIGHT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Trendy
    Romantic
    Classy

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    Recommended Reviews - Westlight

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    Reviews With Photos

    Katie R.

    Couldn't come to Brooklyn for the first time ever and not go to a rooftop bar with views of the city, so we ended up at Westlight. The view did not disappoint at all, it was exactly what I was dreaming of, and even more expansive than I had imagined. Loved that the rooftop was such an open area so you could roam around and weren't stuck at a table. They did have some tables, but it seemed like all were reserved when we were visiting. Most people were hanging around the glass towards the view, but it was easy enough to wait around for someone to leave for you to get your shot at the view and pictures. There were two bars, the main one in the restaurant area and one on the roof. We didn't know about the roof one before going up so we waisted quite a bit of time trying to get drinks at the lower bar. They only had two people working the bar and that was drinks for all the tables and people crowding the bar. Would go straight up stairs next time if there was any sort of crowd around the bar. Drinks were fine but nothing special, it was more so about the view and vibes on the roof for us. Our one friend who had been here many times got a beer vs a cocktail, and I think that would be the move next time. We came on a Saturday around 5:30 and we only had to wait a few minutes to get up in the elevator. By the time we left around an hour later or less, the line for the elevator went way outside the lobby.

    Margarita mocktail
    Tony J.

    This place gets A for the view. Great views of Brooklyn, queens and Manhattan! It's on the top of the William vale hotel in Brooklyn. Service is average unfortunately. People appear not too enthused . The hostess started night off and she was very nice and welcoming. The food was lackluster. The Brussel sprouts tasted like they were soaked in salt and oil, the calamari was decent but not crispy and no taste of pepper though it was supposed to be salt and pepper. The marinara was sweet tasting. The fondue was good and probably not bad to share among 3-4 people . Very rich and filled with charcuterie bread pickles apples and bib lettuce. Mocktails were lackluster too tried the champagne cocktail (think apple cider sparkling ) and margarita. Go for the view , and drinks and overall vibe ( nice music pimped throughout) but eat before or after .

    Crispy Herb Fries
    Michael C.

    This place is an absolute must. From start to finish, everything was incredible! The service was top tier. Our server was so friendly and checked in at exactly the right times without hovering. The food is where Westlight really shines. The fries taste like a totally elevated version of McDonald's fries with the most addictive oil that gives just the right kick. The minty yogurt sauce that comes with them takes the fries to another level. The empanadas were absolutely divine with unbelievable seasoning that made every bite memorable. The jerk oxtail sliders were another stand out. They were incredibly smoky with just the perfect subtle hint of spice at the end. The drinks were pretty classic selections, but they were made exactly how they should be which speaks to how talented the bar team is. Sometimes simple is best when it is done perfectly. And then there is the view. Nothing compares. It is a stunning panoramic look at Manhattan that becomes even more breathtaking as the sun begins to set. You truly cannot beat it. You have to go. This is one of those rare places where the vibe, food, drinks, and service all hit at the highest level!

    Sheynelle S.

    This is a classic rooftop restaurant in Williamsburg. I've been here a couple of times and the view is beautiful- day or night. I think what's most surprising about this place is the quality of the food and drinks. Most rooftops aren't known for their food or cocktails, it's usually just the view. But that's not the case here. The menu is tiny but mighty. I highly recommend the spicy tuna, croquettes and oxtail sliders. They had a seasonal honey deuce for the US open. It was refreshing and tart. I think it should be on the menu always! The service wasn't exceptional, it was fine. The bathrooms are nice and very private. The restaurant itself is upscale and well decorated. This is a great place to take out of town guests or celebrate a special day. It's also pretty expensive but the quality is worth it.

    Rooftop vibes
    Julian R.

    Outside of somebody eating my taco and the roof not having great or much communication to make the food service work more effectively, this is a cool place. Nathanial actually helped work it out and brought me an extra for the issues. Limited tequila for the snobs on the roof but inside they have great selections. Great for a date and looked like a good place for singles to also meet!

    Drinks (tall one is the one w yuzu)
    Christopher C.

    I'd come back just for the rooftop view-- it's incredible. To be fair, the drinks are a bit pricey, but nonetheless they are incredible (tried a handful of them and the one w yuzu was our favorite) Super sweet bartenders Cheers!

    Crispy Herb Fries
    Darren L.

    Beautiful dinner and stunning view at Westlight. Everything was great: the drinks, the sliders, the atmosphere and general vibe of the restaurant... it was all great. Lots of photo opportunities, and so of course everyone was coming over by the windows to take photos in front of them. (I don't blame them for this, but it is a little distracting when you have a table near the windows.)

    Kevin L.

    The vibe, the view, the drinks. I love how many interesting drinks are on the menu and the outdoor seating area with that gorgeous view was worth getting out of Manhattan for. It does get windy up there so make sure to grab a jacket.

    Unparalleled views
    Lisa E.

    There are many rooftops and balcony's in NYC, I have been on many. I can say with confidence that the Westlight rooftop & terrace present the most dramatic and stellar views of the skyline and a great deal of the east side of Manhattan.. so much so that the Empire & Chrysler buildings appear to magically be on the FDR Drive. The sparkling colors of lights and the pizzazz are second to none. Easy to reach, just get to the L train and you are halfway there. Service is very very nice, this staff hustles and it shows. The drinks are not so great..realize that you are there for the views & atmosphere and not for the quality of the watered down. The terrace, on this chilly end of October eve, provided blankets but not a warmer or fire pit in sight. I wonder, and assume, it is a code violation..maybe because it is up so high and is a hotel and would be a danger ? That makes sense. It is just odd because with some heat, you can virtually enjoy the spectacular terrace year round without rain/snow. In Europe, it would not even be a question to be outdoors in such a space. Lee & I have read and appreciated the book Unreasonable Hospitality by William Guidara, who rose up EMP to be named the #1 on the list of the World's 50 best restaurants. The reason this comes to mind, is that there are many congested areas that the staff & servers must spend their days navigating and I wonder if they have been consulted about how the flow could improve. Following Will's recipe for success, the staff would discuss how this flow could be improved, which in turn would make the flow less chaotic and improve functionality. The first noticeable area is beside the bar on each side which is an intersection of food leaving the kitchen and guests looking for the exit & restrooms. The next area that is a clusterf*ck, is a few steps from that space into the restaurant where there are columns & some kind of functional stand that occludes the already narrow walkway where one must wait for oncoming people to pass..incredibly awkward. The 3rd traffic jam occurs at the door to the terrace. While there was someone trying to open and close that door for guests, there is a utility/drink stand right as you open and walk through that door. People are entering and exiting, staff is trying to gather the supplies to set up table or clear dishes and it is a mess, Plus, it's dark there. These areas are noticably screaming for help in an otherwise stellar space.

    Yasmine B.

    Very interesting place...massive space with even bigger views. The skyline is the real showstopper. The vibe is chill but could be rowdy especially if you spot finance bros after a happy hour. Other than that it can get pretty packed, especially on weekends or after work hours, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. But once you're in, it's totally worth it. Service at the bar may be slow because of it. Perfect place for drinks, a casual hangout, or even a low-key date night with a view.

    Bret F.

    Great rooftop bar in a hotel with amazing views of NYC. Overall, everyone loved the drinks. My first one was a little too sweet so after that, I opted for a martini - can't go wrong with straight vodka. The service was spot on as well! There's also a higher level with astroturf great for photo ops. I've been at night as well and the view is just as amazing with all the twinkling buildings.

    Empty..
    Heather K.

    It's unfortunate, on a slow day, in a completely empty restaurant the hostess would not allow us to sit next to the window, because she was hoping a party of four would walk in. They didn't. We would have ordered more, I was actually planning on spending the afternoon here ordering drinks and food, but I ended up leaving early because we came for a view and instead were stuck looking at empty tables. The food is decent but overpriced, especially considering there is no view. On the plus side, our waiter was lovely.

    Lizz M.

    The views are beautiful! They have outdoor seating, first come first serve for the high tops, and then there's a second floor that just greenery. Also had a bar but no shade so on a sunny day it gets hot. The drinks were great, service was quick despite how busy they were. Our bartender was knowledgeable and her drinks tasted and looked amazing!

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    Page 3 of 24

    Westlight Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - Westlight

    Can you go without reservation?

    Yes you can, you will just be held to a seating time limit when you do so that they can have the table available for people who reserved it

    Are the new outdoor chalets heated?

    "Outdoor" is more less like indoor with vinyl walls. There is no visible heating system. It's not cold but its not hot. Slightly chilly but not cold.

    Why is the phone never through?

    They are more responsive if you email.

    Can you be under 21 for the rooftop? I really wanna see the view

    Yes, you show ID when you order at the bar

    What's the best way to get here from mid town Manhattan?

    Take the L train from 14th street and get off at the first stop in Williamsburg. In order to get to… Read more

    What is the dress code?

    Business casual

    Do they have a Happy Hour?

    No they do not. They feel that they are too fancy for that stuff

    Is the outdoor patio of the rooftop open in October?

    Yes it is still open.

    Do they have non alcoholic smoothies?

    Yes, mocktails

    Do they do anything nice for birthdays?

    They state they have dessert and can note if it's your bday.

    Do they do bottle service?

    I don't think they do

    Do we need a reservation if we just want to have drinks on Monday night?

    It would help but it's not needed. If you don't have a reservation, you'll need to wait in a line downstairs for the elevator and crowd control at the bar.

    Does anyone know what the age requirements are here? Is anyone under 21 allowed at a certain time?

    After 8 you have to be 21 +

    How long is the wait to get to the rooftop on a Saturday night? I tried to make a reservation but they are booked. Around 10pm, is there a wait?

    Yes! The wait is around 45 mins - 1 hr on a Saturday night

    What's it like here on a Saturday night? I'm looking for a good rooftop to go to after dinner, not for dinner. Is there dancing? A dj? Or is it mostly just a place for dinner with a view?

    its more chill, no dancing. nice view for dinner and drinks. output next door would be for dancing, or i recommend le bain or top of the standadd

    Do they have a dance area here and is there a DJ?

    There's a second floor that's an open area and has a dj some nights.

    Do you have to wait in line if you have a reservation? is it a 21+ place or can i bring my 15 year…

    Hi Nalin! Upon arrival to The William Vale, you would check in with the lobby ambassador for entry to Westlight. There may be a short wait for an available elevator, but with a reservation you would not wait in line with guests trying to walk in.… Read more

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    Yours Sincerely - taps on taps on taps

    Yours Sincerely

    4.4(110 reviews)
    2.0 miBushwick
    $$

    This place was really interesting! When I found out all the cocktails were on tap, I was a bit…read moreskeptical. What do you mean you're not going to mix my cocktail right in front of me? However, I was quickly proven wrong. Not only was the service topnotch, but the drinks were surprisingly delicious and refreshing. There's a ton of options which is also surprising considering the tap only format. Upon further reflection of how tiny the bar is, it makes sense why they would go this route. It would be challenging for one person let alone two to be behind that bar shaking and stirring. I also heard there's a back area with more seating but we didn't explore much further than the front bar stool seating. Seems like a cool spot for happy hour or late night drinks and I would definitely return!

    Came here for happy hour as our dinner was in the area. The happy hour deal is great! Old…read morefashions/Manhattan/daiquiri/margarita for $8 even on weekends feels unheard of in the area. We were lucky to grab 2 seats at the bar as the rest of the seating actually seemed a bit cramped and uninviting. They advertise a heated back patio but I don't think the heat was on and no one was there, which is a bummer. Regardless, the theme is nice with everything attributable to their "laboratory" ambience. Everything is served in beakers or similar glasses. It can get a bit crowded sitting at the bar as that's where everyone orders drinks but otherwise this was quite enjoyable. Will definitely keep on the list for HH.

    Photos
    Yours Sincerely - Interior bar view

    Interior bar view

    Yours Sincerely
    Yours Sincerely - Pineapple Express and penicillin

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    Pineapple Express and penicillin

    Westlight - tapasmallplates - Updated May 2026

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