Magic Hour Unveils Mountain Lodge, a Winter Rooftop Escape Above Midtown Manhattan

As temperatures begin to drop across New York City, Magic Hour is leaning in—turning winter into a reason to gather, linger, and look up. The city’s largest all-season rooftop bar and lounge, operated by Tao Group Hospitality, is introducing Magic Hour Mountain Lodge, a seasonal installation that transforms the venue’s west terrace into a playful alpine retreat perched high above Midtown.

Set to debut with an exclusive first-look event on Tuesday, December 9, the installation marks Magic Hour’s latest reinvention of its expansive rooftop footprint, reaffirming the venue’s position as one of New York nightlife’s most consistently inventive destinations.

Magic Hour Mountain Lodge reimagines the rooftop as a ski-town hideaway, channeling western alpine charm through a distinctly New York lens. Designed in collaboration with Geo Events, the installation balances cozy aesthetics with the scale and drama expected from a rooftop overlooking Manhattan.

Warm wood textures, snow-dusted details, and whimsical winter elements define the space, creating an environment that feels transportive without losing its sense of place. The result is a setting that works just as well under gray winter skies as it does after dark, when the city’s lights take over the view.

Unlike many seasonal pop-ups that feel fleeting or overly precious, Mountain Lodge is designed to be lived in—welcoming guests rain, shine, or snow. It’s a deliberate response to colder weather, offering comfort without retreat and atmosphere without isolation.

The Mountain Lodge will officially be introduced during a private preview event running from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm, offering invited guests an early look at the installation before it opens to the public. The evening is structured as a celebration rather than a formal unveiling, pairing the new environment with a complimentary menu of seasonal-inspired cocktails and bites.

A DJ set will underscore the night, adding energy without overwhelming the space, while the skyline—always Magic Hour’s strongest asset—remains the constant backdrop. It’s a format that reflects the rooftop’s broader philosophy: nightlife that feels elevated, social, and visually engaging, without tipping into spectacle for spectacle’s sake.

Magic Hour has long distinguished itself through large-scale installations that don’t sacrifice intimacy, and Mountain Lodge continues that approach. The west terrace’s transformation leans into ski-town references—coziness, texture, and layered design—while still accommodating the flow and density expected of a Midtown rooftop.

The collaboration with Geo Events is evident in the details, from the material choices to the playful winter touches that keep the space from feeling static. This is not a literal chalet recreation, but rather an interpretation—one that invites guests to settle in, order another round, and let winter become part of the experience rather than something to avoid.

Seasonal installations have become a defining feature of Magic Hour’s identity, allowing the rooftop to evolve throughout the year while maintaining a consistent core audience. Mountain Lodge arrives at a moment when New York nightlife often retreats indoors, positioning the venue as a rare rooftop option that embraces winter rather than working around it.

For Tao Group Hospitality, the installation reinforces Magic Hour’s role as both a nightlife destination and a design-forward venue capable of adapting to the city’s rhythms. It also reflects a broader shift in rooftop culture, where all-season usability and thoughtful design now matter as much as views.

The Mountain Lodge preview event is RSVP-only, with attendance confirmation requested by December 5. Coverage of the installation is currently under embargo until December 1 at noon, after which press materials and images will be made available upon request.

For those able to attend the opening night, the preview offers a first-hand look at one of Midtown’s most anticipated winter installations—complete with cocktails, music, and a setting designed to make colder weather feel like an asset rather than a limitation.