To a brighter tomorrow (hopefully?)
Gallow Green at the McKittrick Hotel (by now I’m sure we all know this is not actually a hotel, but home to the interactive theater phenomenon Sleep No More) is one of last summer’s newest rooftop. It feels new again – as new as the sun will feel after today’s torrential rain – since it no longer requires a $20 minimum with your reservation (I promise, it’s not a comedy club). But it is still a playground for young/alternative actors (I’m guessing the SNM understudies) looking to spend the evening entertaining elevators full of captive guests.
View from inside the old train car
Indeed, the elevator ride up to the roof lasts longer than it should for a 8th level roof and feels more than just a bit like the Tower of Terror ride at Disney’s MGM Studios. The McKittrick crew certainly does not seem to give up on their old-timey theme, decorating the roof with a Guimardian-style roof (your fair 1920s skin mustn’t be tainted by the sun’s rays), an abandoned train car and tracks and ripped lace dangling from various lamp posts and trees and such.
Empire State Building through ripped lace
Speaking of trees, the other theme of the roof is that of a garden so it is very beautiful, very airy and very green, as the name may suggest.
The bathrooms even take on a garden shed feel with tools hung up on the walls (I hung my bag on a shovel, although I’m sure you weren’t really supposed to do that).
There are a lot of tables for smaller groups, but fewer areas for larger groups. The crowd was older than I had expected for a Wednesday evening happy hour, and unfortunately the mingling between groups was slim to none. The menu is mostly haut appetizer fare, so I don’t suggest coming here if you’re hungry. I will suggest wearing wedges if you are girl since the footing is pretty unstable (ahem, train tracks) and I would definitely recommend trying the new Stella Cider! It was delish.
