Soaring 25 stories above 120 Water Street, atop Hotel Indigo, Highwater Rooftop has cemented its status as one of downtown Manhattan’s most magnetic destinations. In the heart of the Financial District, where old-world New York meets the glass and steel of modern ambition, this elevated hideaway delivers the quintessential city experience, panoramic skyline views, artful cuisine, and cocktails that feel as inspired as the streets below.
From the moment you step off the elevator, Highwater Rooftop feels like a revelation. The atmosphere hums with downtown sophistication, spacious indoor lounges, sweeping open-air terraces, and a design that marries industrial edge with urban warmth. The décor strikes a deft balance between sleek and inviting: warm lighting, textured finishes, and an effortless sense of occasion that invites both power lunches and late-night revelry.
But the real star is the view. From this vantage point, New York’s iconic skyline unfolds in every direction, with Wall Street’s energy pulsing below. It’s a vantage that feels both grand and intimate, perfect for lingering over sunset cocktails or celebrating milestones high above the city rush.
The cocktail offerings are a masterclass in creativity. Classics like the Old Fashioned share the menu with playful, Ivy League–inspired originals, Harvard Royale, Yale Blue, Dartmouth Frost, and the standout Princeton Punch, crafted with Zacapa Dark Rum, Grand Marnier, and bright citrus. It’s a drink that embodies the spirit of refinement and collegiate whimsy all at once. Yet, the night’s true discovery came courtesy of our server, Ricky, who conjured an off-menu masterpiece: the Mango Lemondrop. Vibrant, tangy, and irresistibly smooth, it’s a secret worth keeping, though it deserves a permanent place among the rooftop’s signature cocktails.
Highwater’s food menu, meanwhile, transcends the term “light bites.” Each dish is generous, polished, and deliciously satisfying. The Chicken Quesadilla, rich, cheesy, and impeccably seasoned, proved the perfect companion to our Mango Lemondrop, the citrus notes lifting every bite into decadent harmony. Pairing this level of culinary finesse with the city’s best views makes Highwater Rooftop as much a dining destination as a cocktail bar.
Behind this downtown sensation are hospitality powerhouses Raj Guru, the developer behind NYC icons like Staybridge Midtown, Hampton Inn by LaGuardia, and The Civilian near Times Square; Vinod K. Chand, a franchise owner and operator with over three decades of hospitality expertise; and Chris Syed, Managing Partner and operational visionary. Together, they’ve created more than a rooftop; they’ve built a modern-day social landmark.
With its breathtaking views, impeccable design, and a cocktail list that tells stories in every sip, Highwater Rooftop isn’t just another stop in the Financial District; it’s where New York goes to celebrate itself.
