Every Sunday from May to September, the Arlo Hotel Williamsburg puts on a rooftop day party spanning 7 hours, complete with a DJ lineup and stunning skyline sunset views.
My friends and I went last weekend, so I’m here to give you the run down and all you need to know before you go.
General admission tickets range from $25 to $75, and how much you pay depends entirely on how far in advance you buy your tickets. The early bird tickets can sell out weeks in advance, and there are five tiers total.
You can also buy a VIP table for $750 or $2,500 minimum spend, depending on what table you choose (garden vs. skyline.)
The DJ lineup, which is announced a few weeks in advance, and tickets can be found on their website here.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, let’s talk about the party itself.
My friends and I arrived a little before 5pm (doors open at 3pm) after spending our afternoon brunching and hitting up some thrift stores in Williamsburg.
Security checks your tickets at the outside entrance, then usher you into the lobby where you will have to wait a few minutes for the elevator, even if you’re the only ones in line like we were.
There were quite a few people there already by that time, but it wasn’t packed quite yet. Around 6:30pm is when the dance floor become a little hard to navigate.
My friends left the party briefly and came back around 6:30 – At this point, there was a long line outside to get in, plus the elevator line, which they were able to bypass with the stamps on their hands. I would recommend arriving before 5:30pm for this reason.
Since it is a rooftop bar, be prepared for expensive drinks. Cocktails were around $20 a piece, with High Noons and Suncruisers ringing in at a hefty $13 per can.
There were a few viewing platforms on either end of the rooftop – A water tower type thing with an indoor, air-conditioned room with couches, and an elevated deck above the dance floor facing Manhattan. Perfect photo-op!
There’s also a pool with cabanas available for rent. Pool-goers seemed to be mostly separate from the party goers, sticking to the water and their day beds instead of the dance floor.
Girls were wearing everything from mini skirts, to shorts, dresses, bikini tops, and resort wear. I opted for a casual rave inspired outfit, but next time would probably try to dress more summery.
Lots of girls were wearing heels, but sneakers or comfortable platforms are probably the move – You’ll want to dance for hours!
As the night went on, the dance floor got pretty mingle-y, and it was easy to talk to people. The music was mostly house and house remixes, perfect for dancing.
The headlining DJ’s set ended promptly at 10pm. Once again, there was a long line for the elevator – and we were not allowed to take the stairs, which I found odd.
Overall, I had a great time and definitely plan on going back this summer with a larger group of friends.
Three takeaways:
- Buy your tickets as far in advance as possible.
- Don’t get there too late, or you’ll have to wait in long lines.
- Pregame! Drinks are expensive.
Cheers!