Roofop smoking in New York- 230 Fifth

Rooftop Smoking: 230 Fifth
Posted: Thursday, June 07, 2007
By Michael Moretti
Cigar lovers are running out of room to smoke in New York City, so we set our sights on the heavens and ventured upward. This summer we will be checking out cigar-friendly rooftops in the Big Apple. Follow along and take notes, and when you're in the area, check them out. Here is our first stop.
The sprawling size of the roof deck is what probably makes 230 Fifth a more cigar-friendly environment than most rooftop venues. Although cigar smokers yearn for the outdoors as much as the next person, often times the open air is not big enough for cigar smokers, cigarette smokers and nonsmokers alike. Lovers of the premium hand-rolled leaf are usually the ones who fear the short end of the stick. Atop the 20th floor of the New York Market Center building at the 230 Fifth rooftop gardens, however, there is room enough for everyone.
When you step off the elevator you walk not into the open air but rather a massive lounge room, big enough for 600 of your closest friends, with floor-to-ceiling windows and ostentatious décor that you might expect from a creator whose past ventures include the famed Roxy and Palladium nightclubs. Walk up a floating staircase and you will find our airy, cigar-friendly destination.
During a recent trip on a mild Friday evening, my friends and I made the climb. We strolled out on the deck and arranged ourselves around a cluster of wood and metal benches, tables and chairs situated among the groups of young professionals and hip urbanites. We contemplated finding a far-flung corner of the massive 14,000-square-foot place in which to light up -- fearing that we might attract the loathing of our fellow happy hour patrons, but it wasn't necessary. We sat down and the ashtrays were at the ready. There was a brief hesitation with the absence of cigar ashtrays, but inhibitions were soon abated when one of the gorgeous cocktail waitresses, scantily clad in black, seemed almost pleased that we were smoking cigars
http://www.230-fifth.com