Azul on the Rooftop — Restaurant in New York

On Azul I keep vacillating between three and four stars. If you're really proactive and good at reconaissance, you might be able to tailor a great experience for yourself. If you're looking to just show up and have the venue pull themselves together, you might be disappointed.

So, what do I mean by all of that? Well, let's begin with the fact that you can't make reservations online or via telephone and the email I sent, to the email address that they specified, went unanswered. I had this place on my list before as I had visited Bar Hugo (one level down from Azul) several years back. I took a chance and decided to visit on a Saturday afternoon. We got there pretty much right at opening. I was surprised to find that a small area was already reserved since they didn't answer my requests for a reservation.

Despite the anxious start, I was immediately calmed by the assistance of our Hostess/Waitress Kirsten. She gave us a chance to look at available tables from either side of the Rooftop (There's a fantastic view of the Hudson River on one side but the sunlight is direct and might be uncomfortable for some). We elected to sit on the eastern (shaded) side of the rooftop which had a great view of the Freedom Tower.

Their drinks were great! The frozen ones were perfect for a hot summer day. I enjoyed the small bites (guacamole, hummus, veggies etc.) but my companion felt they lacked a little bit in flavor. I'll let you be the judge on that. Meanwhile, the music was BUMPIN' (that's a good thing)! It was mostly musica urbana which I really liked.

We held our table for a few hours and left satisfied to get dinner elsewhere. We noticed that the rooftop was closed to newcomers (i.e. security said to new people that they were at capacity). While I observed that I waited for a good 15 minutes for one of two bathrooms on the lower level (There are no restrooms on the top (Azul) level. So that was a little annoying to deal with on the way out.

Bottom Line: Get there early. Scope the place out. Get comfortable with their drink menu and you should have a good time with a great view. Don't wait to use the restroom and good luck with getting an answer to your reservation request.

P.S. The Rooftop seemed to only be accessible by stair. So I guess that means it's not...

So on June 5th my friends and I (we were in total a group of 12) went to the Azul to celebrate my birthday. Upon our arrival I encounter with the bouncer, who I explained that 2 or my friends weren’t here yet but they will come eventually. He proceeded to tell me for 10+ groups I had to make a reservation which I tried 3 weeks in advance but the only thing I received was an email so I proceed to call them and when I spoke to one of the employees they said it was first come, first served I asked him 3 times just in case and every time he said groups of 10+ are allowed as first come and first served that it would be okay. The bouncer told us everyone must be here to be seated and to wait outside so we did. At some point while we were waiting he comes screaming Hey Hey Hey Hey Hey Quiet Quiet Quieeeeet to mind you we weren’t screaming we were just waiting outside we let that slide right. Next thing you know he’s checking our ID’s and i try to explaining to him that 2 of our friends are not here yet so how can they come up. Next thing you know he’s screaming at me saying I don’t have a table for 12 people that for 10+ groups a reservation should’ve been made and because he was screaming at me I raised my voice too and told him I have proof of the emails I sent and the call I made. At the end he said to us Just leave while screaming and he continue to talk while we were exiting the building. I’ve never encounter such an unorganized system where to make a reservation you gotta send an email and they do not get back to you and when you call they tell you something different?? I get they have the right to not want us to sit down but the least the bouncer could’ve done is be nice and offer a solution instead of disrespecting me and my friends. If you are planning to go with a big group make sure that whoever you speak to you get a name and their position because that’s the only way you could complain if something like this happens. Worst costumer service I...

On Friday, September 18th around 10PM a friend and I arrived at the door and were informed that the rooftop was full. There was no line and we asked how long the wait would be for 2 people. The security officer said he was not sure, we asked if we could find out how long the wait would be, he did not follow up. This was annoying and displayed poor customer service but we heard great things about the rooftop and decided to wait.

While waiting I asked to use the bathroom, the security guard stated there was no bathroom. I understand that the lobby is under construction but your rooftop has bathrooms and he could have easily directed us to the bathroom.

I went on to ask your front desk staff on duty (a white gentleman) we explained we are waiting for a table upstairs and would like to use the bathroom. He was rude and unpleasant and seemed as if we were a burden to him and he instructed us to go use the bathroom across the street.

Please note I have worked in the hospitality industry for over 10 years and I have never been treated in this manner. You would think especially in this climate that your staff would make a conscious effort to make sure they are accommodating to patrons of color. There is absolutely no excuse (covid, wait time for table etc) for the way that we were treated, and we know for a fact that if it were a white couple they would have been escorted to the bathroom. I am so disappointed that in 2020 in a progressive city such as NYC that people of color can be discriminated against.

After speaking with your front desk agent for a few minutes security finally escorted us to use the bathroom, which is what should have happened in the...