VENUE FACTS
Magic Hour Rooftop Bar & Lounge — Times Square
Status: Open — official Moxy Times Square pages current.
Last verified: 2026-09-07 — every fact below is sourced; anything we couldn't confirm is marked as reported or unverified.
The facts
| Address | 485 Seventh Ave (18th floor, Moxy NYC Times Square), New York, NY 10018 |
|---|---|
| Neighborhood | Times Square, Manhattan |
| Type | 10,000 sq ft indoor/outdoor hotel rooftop (Tao Group) — an "urban amusement park" with carousel seating, mini-golf, and rotating seasonal themes |
| Music | DJs and a party-lounge crowd at night; brunch by day; Empire State Building views |
| Nights & hours | Mon–Wed 5pm–12am; Thu 5pm–2am; Fri 5pm–4am; Sat 11:30am–4am; Sun 11:30am–12am. Brunch Sat–Sun 11:30am–3:30pm (official, re-confirmed 2026-09-07) |
| Cover / entry cost | No general cover. The official FAQ states there is “no minimum/fee to make a reservation”; a card holds the booking and a $30 no-show fee applies. Some third-party nightlife sites report spend minimums on peak nights — the venue does not publish any, so confirm when you book. Cocktails typically ~$18–$22 (reported, unverified) |
| Dress code | Official: "fun, casual, no true athletic wear." No shorts/sandals after 9pm (reported) |
| Age policy | 21+ at all times except weekend brunch (Sat–Sun 11:30am–3pm). Official FAQ: “A valid government issued ID is required for entry. Copies or paper ID will not be accepted.” |
| Tables & reservations | Book via the official widget on moxytimessquare.com; 90-minute seating blocks; $30 no-show fee on the card on file; reservations carry a 15-minute grace period. Walk-ins welcome at the bar, walk-in table service first-come via the door team; groups of 15+ through the events team (official) |
| Peak times | Sunset golden hour (~6–8pm) and Fri/Sat 10pm–1am; weekend brunch slammed in summer (reported) |
| Official site | moxytimessquare.com |
| @magichourrooftopnyc (reported; hotel is @moxytimessquare) |
How to get in
- Reserve a table free on the official booking widget at moxytimessquare.com — no minimum or fee to reserve, card required to hold, $30 no-show fee. This is the move for Thursday–Saturday.
- No reservation? Walk-ins are welcome at the bar — arrive before sunset. Walk-in table service is first-come through the door team.
- Ask about minimums when you book. The official FAQ says there's no minimum or fee to reserve; third-party sites report peak-night spend minimums that the venue doesn't publish. Cocktails run roughly $18–$22 (reported, unverified).
- Bring a valid government-issued ID — 21+ at all times except weekend brunch (Sat–Sun 11:30am–3pm). Copies and paper IDs are refused (official).
- Dress “fun, casual, no true athletic wear” (official); no shorts or sandals after 9pm (reported).
- Tables run in 90-minute seating blocks with a 15-minute grace period; no-shows are charged $30 on the card on file. Groups of 15+ go through the events team.
The honest take
The views and theme-park set pieces genuinely deliver for photos, and the seasonal takeovers keep it fresh. Downsides: it's a tourist-heavy Times Square scene with resort-level drink prices, 90-minute table limits, and a long weekend door line — locals treat it as a one-time novelty, not a regular.
Getting there & getting home
Magic Hour sits on the 18th floor of the Moxy NYC Times Square at 485 Seventh Ave (at 36th St), in the middle of the best transit web in the city. 34th St–Herald Sq (B, D, F, M, N, Q, R, W) is two blocks away, Penn Station (1, 2, 3, A, C, E, plus LIRR and NJ Transit) three, and Times Sq–42nd St a short walk north. Everything runs 24/7, and on Fri/Sat the bar itself runs to 4am. Rideshare pickups in the garment district's side streets beat waiting on Seventh Ave.
FAQ
Does Magic Hour have a cover charge?
No general cover, and the official FAQ says there is “no minimum/fee to make a reservation” — a card holds it, with a $30 no-show fee. Third-party sites report peak-night spend minimums, but the venue publishes none; confirm when you book.
Is Magic Hour 21+?
Yes, at all times except weekend brunch (Sat–Sun 11:30am–3pm). Per the official FAQ, a valid government-issued ID is required and copies or paper IDs are not accepted.
What is the dress code at Magic Hour?
Official: “fun, casual, no true athletic wear.” No shorts or sandals after 9pm (reported).
What are Magic Hour's hours?
Mon–Wed 5pm–12am; Thu 5pm–2am; Fri 5pm–4am; Sat 11:30am–4am; Sun 11:30am–12am. Brunch Sat–Sun 11:30am–3:30pm (official, re-confirmed 2026-09-07).
How do table reservations work at Magic Hour?
Book free via the official widget on moxytimessquare.com. Tables run 90-minute seating blocks with a 15-minute grace period, and a $30 no-show fee hits the card on file. Walk-ins are welcome at the bar; walk-in table service is first-come via the door team, and groups of 15+ go through the events team.
When is the best time to go to Magic Hour?
Golden hour (~6–8pm) for the light, Fri/Sat 10pm–1am for the party, and weekend brunch in summer — all three get slammed (reported).
Plan the night around it
Sources
- moxytimessquare.com/magic-hour-faqs and dining pages (official — hours, dress code, age and ID rules, reservation and no-show terms; fetched 2026-09-07)
- Discotech (minimums after 9pm, marked reported)
- Guide listings (Aug 2026)
Spotted something out of date? Nightlife info rots fast — tell us and we'll re-verify.