Why Quick Bites Are the Perfect Rooftop Pairing in NYC
Quick bites are the perfect pairing when you go out for drinks in New York City. Enjoying crafted cocktails at a rooftop bar is the perfect way to wrap up a day trip in NYC, or to kick off an evening.
When you pair your cocktails with quick bites at Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge, you can savor delicious light fare with your drinks, while taking in the incredible views from our rooftop bar.
What “Quick Bites” Mean in a Rooftop Setting in NYC
Quick bites are small plates you can enjoy solo or share with others. The serving size is comparable to that of appetizers on a standard dinner menu, making quick bites an excellent option if you want to share food with others.
Why Small Plates Pair Well With Cocktails and Drinks
Perhaps you’re planning to dance the night away. Or maybe you’re heading to Starchild to socialize with friends. Or perhaps you’re wrapping up an evening out with a stop at our rooftop bar. Whatever your reason for visiting, small plates pair perfectly with drinks and cocktails.
Pairing ideal appetizers with your chosen beverage enhances the flavors, enriching your experience. For example, potato chips help reduce the acidity and bitterness of drinks, such as dirty martinis. Charcuterie boards also pair well with gin and tonic and margaritas.
Indulging in quick bites while enjoying drinks is also a good idea because eating a little food helps you slow down the rate at which your body absorbs alcohol and manage hangovers.
When you’re enjoying drinks and dancing, small plates are ideal because you can experience cramping and acid reflux, if you’re active after eating a large meal.
Types of Shareable Bites Available at Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge
When you explore our full menu, you’ll discover the drinks and bites offered at Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge.
Our shareable platters include the following:
- “Disco” Crudité
- Imported Charcuterie & Cheese Board
- Mezze Tower
Our small plates can be enjoyed solo or mixed and matched for quick bites to share with others.
Our small plates include:
- BLT Lettuce Wraps
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Shots
- House Marinated Olives
- Shrimp “Tacos”
- Spicy Salmon Tartare “Cones”
- Spicy Sea Bass Ceviche
- Starchild “Totally Addictive” Mixed Nuts
- Togarashi Potato Chips
- Wagyu & Foie Gras Dumplings
- Whipped Ricotta
Best Times To Enjoy Rooftop Bites
Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge is open from 5 p.m. to midnight on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Thursdays and Fridays, and 3 p.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturdays.
As the best rooftop bar in Midtown, NYC, any time we’re open is the perfect time to enjoy quick bites and drinks, although there are some special times when you might want to plan your visit.
Quick Bites in NYC During Happy Hour
Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge hosts Happy Hour Tuesday through Thursday, beginning at 5 p.m. and ending at 7 p.m.
Drinks featured on our Happy Hour menu include:
- Beer
- Lychee Cosmo
- Night Moves Espresso Martini Shots
- Snaiquiris
- Sunset Gimlet
Starchild also offers an espresso martini tasting during Happy Hour.
Sunset at Starchild
Starchild’s rooftop location at the Civilian Hotel means we enjoy breathtaking city views year-round. It also makes us your go-to spot to enjoy the sunset in NYC. You can enjoy drinks on our outdoor terraces, while you watch the sun set over the city.
Light Night Outings
Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge caters to those who love the city’s rich nightlife, and we’re the perfect place for a late-night drink with quick bites.
We stop serving quick bites at 11 p.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and at 1 a.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, so be sure to arrive in time to order them, if you want to enjoy food with your drinks.
How Quick Bites Enhance a Social Rooftop Experience
Ordering quick bites is an excellent way to enhance your social experience. Quick bites are shareable, enhancing the interactive experience of enjoying drinks with friends.
Ordering a variety of platters also enriches your experience because it allows you to try new foods and discover tasty new-to-you treats you might not have tried if you were ordering just for yourself.
Quick Bites and Drinks as Part of a Trip to the City
Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge’s location on the 27th floor of the Civilian Hotel puts us in the Theater District, making us the best destination for quick bites and drinks after a show in NYC.
Starchild’s rooftop bar also features incredible views of Times Square and the Hudson River, and is near other popular New York attractions, including:
- Central Park
- The Lego Store
- Madam Tussauds New York
- The Museum of Modern Art
- Radio City Music Hall
- Rockefeller Center
With so much to see and do nearby, Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy quick bites after a day in the city.
Plan Your Visit Today
There are so many reasons to visit Starchild Rooftop Bar & Lounge for your next night out in the city. Our retractable rooftop also enhances the experience, allowing you to enjoy the open air and an excellent view of the sky and city lights on clear nights.
Our events calendar also features popular DJs who know how to mix music to create the perfect atmosphere for a fantastic night out.
In addition to the setting and atmosphere, our incredible location, phenomenal city views, exceptional service, tantalizing cocktails and drinks, and delicious quick bites make us the go-to NYC destination for drinks and small plates with friends.
Sources:
Broadway Theater District. (2026).
Civilian Hotel. (2026).
Madame Tussauds New York. (2026).