“We wanted to open Vacations to be able to give everyone the chance to escape the ever- present grind and hard work of the city even if someone can’t get away,” says Annie Howard Shaner, who first opened the rooftop bar in 2022.
In the time since, Howard says she and husband, co-owner Andy Shaner, have renovated the downstairs bar into what they’re calling the “Lunker Lounge,” inspired by the towns in upstate New York where Annie grew up. The pair got married in Lake George. Images of giant game fish adorn the walls of their tribute to all this, and wood paneling abounds, making the place feel like a chill lakeside cabin. But it’s also the kind of place where you can find half-price wings on happy hour and catch regular screenings of “Vanderpump Rules,” preceded by “Bravo”-themed trivia nights.
Upstairs, remains one of Bushwick’s more remarkable rooftop bars, colored with bright green tiles, meant to be reminiscent of Cuba. This time, they’re calling it “the Parakeet Club,” which opens out from the bar’s emerald vintage tropical beach bar into a view of the Manhattan skyline, behind the highrises of Troutman Street. Most nights, under a bed of city lights and glowing stars, you’ll find the cornhole boards occupied.
Each of these “Vacations”-themed bars, notably, serves out of its own, somewhat distinctive, drink menu. On the other side of the rooftop bar, you’ll find that they’ve refashioned its hot pink catwalk patio in what they’re calling the “Rosé Room,” which Howard describes as a “rose color pink dream.” It’s the creation of another of the bar’s co-owners Teresa Brown, who goes for a retro Miami aesthetic informed by that Robin Williams movie, The Birdcage. Hand painted show girls and seashells adorn the walls, and the bathroom is adorned with X-rated wallpaper. On rainy days, the roof retracts.
Vacations is located at 48 Cypress Avenue and open 7 days a week, the kitchen closes at 11pm. Happy hour runs from 5pm-7pm, and from midnight to 2am. Follow Vacations on Instagram to keep up with hours and drink specials.
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Photos taken by Jeremy Philip.