Revdict.

Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge

Lounge bar · 485 7th Ave 18th floor, New York, NY 10018, United States · United States

3.9 on Google · 5,389 reviews · View on Google Maps

Manipulation score

Clean

Completed Jul 15, 2026 · 153 reviews flagged

How this score works

The score estimates how strongly this place's review record matches known manipulation patterns, from 0 (no signs) to 100. Verdicts: Clean below 40, Suspicious from 40, Likely Manipulated from 70; Review Drive when the flags are mostly staff asking customers for named reviews. It rises with the share of reviews flagged and how suspicious each one is.

Burst
— an abnormal spike of five-star reviews in a single day compared to the place's usual pace.
Low activity account
— the reviewer has almost no other reviews, photos, or Local Guide history; throwaway accounts look like this.
Duplicate text
— the wording is nearly identical to another review of the same place.

Verdicts are statistical estimates based on public review patterns, not accusations. Full methodology, signal definitions and known limits →

Case conclusion

What the numbers say

1,000 reviews examined

Google rating
3.9★

All reviews shown by Google

Not-flagged average
4.0★

847 examined reviews

Flagged
15%

153 of 1,000

Coverage
19%

1,000 of 5,389 Google reviews

“Not flagged” means no configured Revdict signal matched; it does not prove a review is genuine. Data fetched Jul 15, 2026.

Review brief

What reviews not flagged by Revdict say

Reviewers report that Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge offers a vibrant, highly Instagrammable atmosphere with striking views of the Empire State Building. However, visitors frequently encounter long wait times, high prices, and inconsistent service.

+ Repeated strengths

Views and Atmosphere

Reviewers highlight the stunning Empire State Building views and creative seasonal decor.

3 supporting reviews

5★ · 2025-02-25

Excellent view

4★ · 2025-02-28

definitely would go there again solely for the atmosphere. they have a vintage photo booth option (booth by bryant), their bathroom is very clean and the view is amazing.

5★ · 2025-04-05

I had an amazing time at Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge! The atmosphere is fantastic—vibrant yet relaxed, making it the perfect spot to unwind. The view of the Empire State Building is absolutely stunning, especially at night when the city...

Cocktails

Many reviewers enjoy the well-made and creative cocktail selections.

3 supporting reviews

5★ · 2025-03-16

Stopped in after a show. Really fun place. Located on the 18th floor there are lots of windows and a view of the Empire State Building. Bar seating is first come first serve while a reservation is recommend for table seating. The service wa...

4★ · 2025-06-17

I specifically called to make sure my reservation would be in the full bloom area. When we arrived, we were seated on the wrong side. When I pointed it out, we were happily moved. The in full bloom section is so colorful and happy that the...

5★ · 2025-07-25

Mariana was a great server, we had SUCH a great time!

Staff friendliness

Several reviewers praise individual servers and bartenders for being attentive and welcoming.

2 supporting reviews

5★ · 2025-04-01

I had the absolute pleasure of being served by Emilly, and I can’t say enough good things about her! From the moment we sat down, she was warm, attentive, and incredibly friendly. She anticipated our needs before we even had to ask and made...

5★ · 2025-06-11

Great service! Andy was awesome at the elevator and for a wed night it was busy but bartenders were great. Not sure who was working the evening of 6/11 but the young woman and man working the bar were so nice!

− Repeated complaints

Slow or Inattentive Service

Reviewers report lengthy waits to be seated, order, or receive food and drinks.

3 supporting reviews

1★ · 2025-03-23

Visited tonight. music far too loud, table service non existent and full of screaming teenagers. Staying at the moxy and this bar is horrendous.

1★ · 2025-03-30

The rooftop is a vibe with a great view of the Empire State Building. Will i come back? Definitely not .The food is expensive for EXTREMELY small portions. I ordered Sliders, which barely had any meat, the patties was extremely thin and sma...

1★ · 2025-07-14

worst experience I have had in New York so far. Front door staff was confusing and gave no direction. Coat check lady was very nice. When we got to the rooftop the hosts also gave us little to no direction. they asked if we had a reservatio...

High Prices and Small Portions

Reviewers note that food and drinks are expensive relative to the small portion sizes and quality.

3 supporting reviews

1★ · 2025-03-30

Not sure what the hype is about. Didn’t see any of the fancy pink decorations plastered all over social media. But that’s neither here nor there. The drinks were absolutely terrible, nothing but juice at about $17-$20 a drink. The food was...

5★ · 2025-04-07

Really great hangout spot if you go on a day that's not too busy or crowded. Wonderful views from the rooftop and many opportunities for nice pictures. However, it is a lounge/bar in New York so expect the food and drinks here to be expensi...

2★ · 2025-12-15

I talked to the manager derek because i got charged someone elses tab he told me he refunded it gave me his card just im case it still got charged and it did ive been messaging him and he doesnt reply.

Crowded and Loud

Reviewers complain that the venue becomes overly crowded and the music is too loud for conversation.

2 supporting reviews

5★ · 2025-04-14

A trendy brunch locale, with great cocktails and bacon egg cheese breakfast Sammy. The views are fantastic, highly recommend for parties/events.

3★ · 2025-12-13

I don't think I am the target audience, but it was way too loud in here to have a conversation without shouting

Good for

  • Instagram photos and aesthetic backdrops
  • Enjoying skyline views of the Empire State Building
  • Casual drinks with friends

Avoid if

  • You dislike large crowds and loud music
  • You are looking for substantial, value-priced meals
  • You expect prompt and attentive table service
Summarized from 583 text reviews not flagged by Revdict · 2025-02-22 to 2026-07-14 · Summaries can miss context; open the supporting reviews before deciding.

Review anatomy

Reviews per month

Reviews per month, total and flagged
MonthReviewsFlagged
Feb ’2580
Mar ’25213
Apr ’25312
May ’25441
Jun ’25628
Jul ’25823
Aug ’2512920
Sep ’2511021
Oct ’25541
Nov ’25280
Dec ’255111
Jan ’269627
Feb ’267119
Mar ’26444
Apr ’26397
May ’264716
Jun ’26557
Jul ’26283

Rating distribution

5★
4★
3★
2★
1★

Evidence

  • review drive 10 five-star reviews on 2026-05-23 vs avg 1.2/day, 6 of them name a staff member weight 0.5
  • low activity account 145 reviews flagged weight 0.8
  • generic account 1 reviews flagged weight 1

Flagged reviews

Showing the 10 most suspicious of 153 flagged reviews.

Carey Stansbury profile photo

Carey Stansbury

101 reviews · Local Guide

★★★★★

2025-09-09

Great and creative brunch. Highly recommend. We made reservations ahead of time and had. No wait time
generic account suspicion 85
Missy Chipman profile photo

Missy Chipman

2 reviews

★★★★★

2026-05-23

Pamela great amazing the best Server ever!!!!!
review drive low activity account suspicion 63
Kayla Johnson profile photo

Kayla Johnson

1 review

★★★★★

2026-05-23

Pamela made my 21 birthday amazing!! She is the best
review drive low activity account suspicion 63
Leanna Catania profile photo

Leanna Catania

1 review

★★★★★

2026-05-23

Pamela was amazing and so attentive I love her
review drive low activity account suspicion 63
Jack Edwards profile photo

Jack Edwards

1 review

★☆☆☆☆

2025-03-11

Security was over the top for a bar entry, ignored by waitress offering table service so sat with empty drinks until we left. There is a lot of people walking around doing nothing, manager should be more vigilant and give them jobs to do. 10/10 would not recommend.
low activity account suspicion 48
Patrik Bertilsson profile photo

Patrik Bertilsson

2 reviews

★★★★★

2025-03-14

low activity account suspicion 48
Enrique Montana profile photo

Enrique Montana

2 reviews

★☆☆☆☆

2025-06-02

Extremely rude front door and security, on a power trip. Do not recommend
low activity account suspicion 48
Ellie Owen profile photo

Ellie Owen

2 reviews

★☆☆☆☆

2025-06-05

Not only did we book and were given the worst table but when we asked to change tables the woman seating us said we couldn’t and that we would forfeit our booked table and have to get bar service. Once we stayed sitting at the table on a merry go round feature they had on display in the very hot sun...
low activity account suspicion 48
Cristina Kilshaw profile photo

Cristina Kilshaw

2 reviews

★☆☆☆☆

2025-06-06

The girl from the door need some hospitality lections . Never see someone so rude
low activity account suspicion 48
Laura Macaro profile photo

Laura Macaro

1 review

★☆☆☆☆

2025-06-15

Came here to support a friend DJing, and within 5 minutes of their set—while the dance floor was packed and the energy was electric—they were suddenly cut off with no explanation. Instead, the venue chose to go back to a safe, uninspired Top 40s playlist that completely killed the unique vibe that w...
low activity account suspicion 48

Report generated Jul 15, 2026. Reviews change — you can request a fresh investigation.

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