The PAPERMAG crew made the rounds at the opening of the Empire Hotel's new rooftop pool bar a few weeks back, but we thought we'd give the Pool Deck a proper shout out now that the summer roof bar season is in full swing. Once a single-room-occupancy hotel, the Empire Hotel underwent a major renovation last year. Its most recent addition is a bi-level 12th floor deck with a swimming pool and cabanas upstairs for hotel guests only, but on the lower level a bar, two terraces are open to the riffraff. It will also soon house the restaurant Center Cut from Jeffrey Chodorow. A terrace facing west offers a nice bird's eye view of Lincoln Center and includes a retractable roof for unagreeable conditions. The real treats, however, are the hotel's original red neon signs towering above the east terrace and casting their retro glow across the clean lined tables and lounge chairs. Summery quaffs make up the drink menu, including a number called the Malibu Cabana, made with Bacardi Coco, pineapple juice, Malibu, and Myers Dark rum ($15) and the subtler Sanderson Martini concocted of citrus vodka, apple juice and blended grapes and cucumbers ($16.) Until Center Cut's up and running, make do with a bar menu of small plate items that sounded more outlandish than the bottle service prices, namely a Foie Gras PB&J, with strawberry jam on toasted French bread ($15 -- take note David Burke & Donatella's!) and Millionaire's Devilled Eggs, topped with black truffles, caviar, and gold leaf ($15.) Overall, the Pool Deck is worth the schlep to the Upper West Side. It's an excellent after work spot for grown ups, an ideal local for showing off in front of out-of-town visitors and, if you've got a room (or are stealthy enough), to go for a dip.

The Pool Deck at the Empire Hotel
44 W. 63rd St.
(212) 265-7400

Photo at top courtesy of Empire Hotel and photo at bottom by Caroline Torem Craig