In the days before air conditioning, theatres had to close during the hot summer months, leaving producers with no profits. In 1882, the manager of the Casino Theatre had the inspired idea of starting an open-air theatre on the roof, thus initiating a tradition of roof-top gardens that flourished until the 1920’s. These spots were extraordinarily elaborate and often included floor shows. When the Astor Hotel opened its aerie in 1900, it could accommodate several thousand people. And the best dressed women were hard pressed to stand out against the breathtaking background of flowers by the thousands, fountains, topiary, forty-foot parapets, mossy grottos, and waterfalls tumbling into pools of lilies, frogs and goldfish. Overhead explosions of tiny electric lights splintered the night sky. While today’s roof top lounges and bars pale in comparison, they are all the rage this summer. Enjoy the view!