Laurie Heifetz, Author at The Knockturnal

Do you ever wish you could be whisked away on a fast, ferry ride to a rooftop lounge with magnificent, Manhattan and Hudson River views? Well, wish no more! The RoofTop at Exchange Place in Jersey City is just your place. The seven-minute NY Waterway ride from the Brookfield Ferry Terminal in lower Manhattan is followed by a quick walk to the spirited venue. The whole evening is an experience like no other!

I was greeted at the door and taken to the rooftop by elevator where another host welcomed me. I felt like I walked into a fun party with lots of different groups. The DJ was spinning lively pop, hip-hop and Top 40. The views of the Manhattan skyline and beyond were exquisite. Seeing the Statue of Liberty was an added plus!

What about the food? The official word: “The menu is inspired by regional American cuisine with strong Mid-Atlantic-New Jersey roots, showcasing local farms and artisanal products.”

I had the tasty burger sliders, while a friend enjoyed the spicy tuna with ponzu sauce and a crispy wonton. The Tuscan kale Caesar salad with a black, garlic crouton is another tapas bite. For the grande finale, the cast-iron, chocolate-chip cookie served with spumoni bomba, rainbow sprinkles and a sparkler can’t be beat!

Check out the summer signature cocktails. The green tea Long Island is made with vodka, gin, white rum, Amaro Nonino Quintessia, green tea lemonade and lemon simple syrup. The sexy Sicilian spritzer features Aperol, Prosecco and blood-orange soda. Mocktails are available on request.

What else sets the RoofTop at Exchange Place apart? The knowledgeable servers are among the friendliest I’ve ever met. The retractable roof and walls are made of glass, which is perfect for inclement weather. If you’re cold, you can warm up by the fire pit on the outside deck! Screen-printed wraps illustrating New York and New Jersey adorn the restroom doors.

An added bonus: on my ferry ride home, fabulous fireworks were going off next to the Colgate Clock.

I can’t wait to return to RoofTop at Exchange Place for another exciting escape!