Summer is the time to leave the four walls of your apartment behind and get out into the fresh air. Many bars around the city offer outdoor options but not all are created equal. Below are some of our favorite spaces around the city that allow you to enjoy the sunshine.
The Bronx Brewery
I find myself in the Bronx more and more these days! My gym Grit City NYC, lunches at Mottley Kitchen, Yankee Games and The Bronx Brewery. The Bronx Brewery is spacious with its brewery, taproom & backyard space. While it has recently expanded around the city, their OG spot is in the Port Morris Neighborhood of the Bronx. The owners believe in beer’s power to build community and they strive to bring people together, while celebrating the rich and diverse creative scene in their home borough through vibrant culture that uses beer, art, food, and music to inspire. They serve beer – plus a full menu of empanadas, artisanal pizzas, and other spins on classic Puerto Rican flavors from our food partner, Empanology. In the summer you’ll find crowds enjoying beers in the Backyard, which is one of the largest and most unique outdoor spaces in NYC. No matter the weather you’ll find an incredible schedule of events, live music and other entertainment.
Cobble Fish
For a quintessential Seaport experience, check out the new Cobble Fish restaurant. Located on Pier 16, it’s a true symbol of New York City resilience and history. It’s an outdoor oasis where locals and tourists alike can dine and drink on the water. The al fresco restaurant and bar has a hometown feel complemented by everything we crave about NYC in the 90s. Serving stellar food and drinks at a reasonable price, Highlights of the drink menu include the Impossible Girl with Grey Goose Watermelon, Cintronage, fresh lime, and cranberry; a Dark n’ Stormy cocktail; and Skinny Margaritas, with the perfect amount of tequila and a citrusy kick. Bites include Battered Fries with garlic aioli, Fish Tacos with Mahi, jicama slaw, and cilantro lime aioli, and the newest menu item, Beef Sliders with Gruyere and Caramelized Onions Not to outshine the drinks, food and vibes — the view is truly something to remember. With the city to the north and the water only feet away, you almost forget you are in a bustling city.
Pop-Up Picnic Group
Pop-Up Picnic Group is the premier luxury picnic company of the city and the ultimate outdoor experience. The full-service experience curated a customized experience for your group, both big and small, so there is no hassle on our end. The lovely founders locate the best outdoor spaces around the city like Hudson River Park and Central Park and all you do is show-up. They meticulously plan the perfect picnic from the beautiful tablescape and a fancy food spread to props for pictures and outdoor lawn games like giant Jenga. Services available in New York City, Miami, Boston, Dallas and Atlanta.
Gansevoort Rooftop Bar and Lounge
The iconic Gansevoort Rooftop at Gansevoort Meatpacking NYC has been open for nearly 20 years and has certainly “grown-up” since its party days. While still a spot to be seen and enjoy a night out, it is reinventing itself ($30 million dollars’ worth of transformation in fact) along with the the whole Meatpacking District neighborhood. While open year-round, we highly recommend making an appearance during the summer. The space features five unique indoor and outdoor experiences, delicious bites, craft cocktails, and 360-degree New York City views. Be sure to go before sunset for pool pictures!
Life Rooftop Le Meridien New York
As the crown of Le Meridien New York, Life Rooftop enchants visitors with its lounge and outdoor terrace. Its two bars serve a variety of cocktails and delicious bites, complimented by the soaring views of Central Park. The rooftop lounge is the perfect gathering place and and open year-round, rain or shine. The bar menu offers a variety of colorfully presented cocktails and mocktails plus bottle service options for special occasions. One of Life’s notorious drinks, the Rope Hanger Punch pitcher made with Veuve Clicquot Champagne, Rum, Grand Marnier and lime, comes topped off with flowers and a bottle of submerged bubbly.
Fornino
Experience the legacy of Fornino and witness the most incredible sunsets at their seasonal Brooklyn Bridge location. This quaint rooftop at Pier 6 overlooks Brooklyn Bridge Park and the East River. Chef Michael Ayoub’s masterfully crafted menu, found at Fornino ’s year-round Greenpoint and Time Out Market New York locations, provides a historical approach to pizza with First Generation Neapolitan, Second Generation Regional Italian and Third Generation Original Fornino varieties made in a wood-burning oven. Also top notch are the salads, sandwiches, wine and local brews.
Haven Rooftop
Haven Rooftop, above The Sanctuary Hotel, is the perfect Midtown happy hour escape. The rooftop offers $6 select beers, $9 glasses of wine and champagne, and $10 margaritas and from 4pm – 6pm, Monday – Friday. They also offer lunch and dinner service Monday through Sunday as well as brunch on weekends. To capture the warmth of summer days, try the Watermelon Mule featuring Tito’s Vodka, Watermelon, Orange Liqueur, and Ginger beer, or a glass of their Summer in a Bottle Rose.
Sushi Lab Rooftop
Enjoy a gorgeous floral-canopied rooftop at Sushi Lab Rooftop (132 W. 47th Street) at The Sanctuary Hotel in Midtown! Delight in one-of-a-kind Japanese inspired cocktails and explore the modern take on traditional sushi from Executive Chef Frankie Chen. Highlights like their Strawberry Geisha, featuring sake, shochu, yuzu, muddled strawberries and lychee or Spicy Toki 18, featuring Japanese whiskey, jalapeno, fresh lime and sparkling water utilize exotic fruits to craft a signature experience. The menu features creative Nigiri, Sashimi and Maki sushi and comes from hoteliers and restaurateurs Brandon Freid and Hank Freid. Of course the star of the show is their omakase experience, utilizing only the freshest ingredients. Order a seasonal sake flight or a bottle of Heavensake Junmai Daiginjo to commemorate a special night in the clouds.
Williamsburg’s Ainslie
Williamsburg’s Ainslie offers indoor and outdoor dining options at its spacious restaurant, wine bar, beer garden, and rooftop. The 26-seat rooftop, led by head chef John DeLucie and lead pizzaiolo Erasmo ‘Mino’ Lassandro, features a delectable menu of wood-fired pizzas, pastas, free-range chicken, New York Strip Steak, Atlantic Salmon, and Wood Fired Rosemary Wings. On Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., they also offer an All You Can Brunch.
Bar Marseille
Head to the Rockaways for Bar Marseille. Lounge on their open-air patio and rooftop deck which features beachy washed furniture designed in collaboration with Studio Mapos. This spot is influenced by the French Riviera and offers a seafood and beverage program which includes French aperitifs and digestifs inspired by Marseille in Southern France, paying tribute to Provençal cuisine with American influences. Signature menu items include Seafood Tartare, a Steak Sandwich Au Jus, Ahi Tuna Burger, Les Viandes Du Breton Pork Chop, Cote Du Boeuf, Steak Frites and more.
Daintree
Get up close and personal with the Empire State Building at Daintree, one of the most gorgeous penthouse lounges around. Daintree sits atop Hotel Hendricks and offers an unforgettable happy hour two times a day. Pop in for an evening drink between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. or a nightcap from 11pm till close. Enjoy sips such as the Watermelon Mint Collins, or viral Sbagliato, stirred drinks such as a Negroni or Manhattan, bubbles, glasses of beer and wine, as well as a rotating list of bar snacks such as Fried Hallomi, Crispy Brussel Sprouts, and Green Curry Mussels with Fries.
Slate Rooftop
Slate Rooftop is a stunning outdoor oasis in Williamsburg above The POD Brooklyn Hotel. The beautiful open-air views pair perfectly with a menu of shareable bites, and frozen drinks. Enjoy finger foods and full entree items from Executive Chef Darryl Harmon and play the night away with signature games including Sub Soccer and Giant Jenga. Sip on craft beers, Froze and fresh cocktails from Liquid Lab NYC.
Clinton Hall FiDi
Clinton Hall FiDi has now been the scene for several large group gatherings of mine. Enjoy the expansive outdoor seating that also happens to be complete with flatscreens to enjoy sports highlights and classic games like giant tabletop jenga. Sip on Supercraft beer, hard seltzers, wine and nosh on a full bar menu of delicious food from Executive Chef Darryl Harmon like his signature Double Smashed Burger, Buffalo Cauliflower, Crispy Chicken Wings, Giant Pretzels and more.
Ten Hope
Catch sunshine and fresh air at the patio at Ten Hope in Williamsburg. The 2,500-square-foot vine-laced open-air patio boasts spacious seating in a bright green environment. The stunning Brooklyn hideaway serves Mediterranean bites like Flatbread with dips and the Ten Hope Burger complimented by a fantastic menu of cocktails perfect for the coming season.
The Springs
The Springs is a Palm Springs-inspired retro bar, lounge and massive patio located in Greenpoint. Guests can chill, soak up the sun, and drink frozen Aperol Spritz cocktails on Monday – Friday beginning at 4 pm and Saturdays and Sundays beginning at 2 pm. On Fridays and Saturdays, guests will be able to order small bites and Brioche Donuts from Eat with Nana NYC. Your furry friends are also welcome at this dog-friendly spot if you keep a leash.
Cheers to Summer!