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Jul 18
The Best Outdoor Spots For An After-Work Drink
The summer is in full swing, and you’re likely cooped up in your office all day. Make the most of your warm weeknights and immerse yourself in some boozy, buzzy energy after work. Meet up with friends or bond with co-workers over frozen cocktails, shared plates, and sunsets. And hey, meeting fellow young professionals is always a bonus!
[Photo via @standardbiergarten]
Seamore’s
Seamore’s newest outpost at Brookfield Place is perfect for the FiDi set. This seafood-centric eatery features perfect pairings of classic cocktails and culinary creations, served right alongside the water. A beach shack inspired outdoor patio and retro airstream bar allow you to sip on refreshing cocktails and bites al fresco, with natural teak tables, red Adirondack chairs, and black and white striped umbrellas filling the space.
The Menu: Wood-fired pizzas, large format seafood boils, a raw bar and more. A signature selection of house-made Aguas Frescas and specialty cocktails like A Lil Honey for Your Dew (vodka, mint, cucumber, ginger syrup, honeydew, yellow chartreuse, lemon), and Down the Rabbit Hole (mezcal, turmeric syrup, carrot juice, canton liqueur, lemon).
Seamore’s, 250 Vesey St.
[Photo via @seamores]
The Golden Hour
Located in the High Line Hotel’s gorgeous garden, The Golden Hour features frozen cocktails, lush greenery, and a delicious menu resulting in a picture-perfect summer atmosphere.
The Menu: Frozen cocktails include a tiki-style drink made with a blend of rums, pineapple, and curaçao, as well as a frozen negroni. Other drinks include a Pimm’s cup, an Aperol and Campari spritz, and a Brazilian spin on the mojito, made with cachaça. The food menu features raw bar offerings and other seafood dishes like a snapper ceviche, grilled shrimp, and fried oysters, as well as sandwiches like shrimp po’ boys, lobster rolls, and soft-shell crab. The menu also features a large oyster list with prices from $1.95 to $3.50 per oyster.
The Golden Hour, 180 10th Ave.
[Photo via @mysecretny]
The Standard Biergarten
Located right under The High Line, the Standard Biergarten draws in big crowds and serves up a traditional German fare, all in an outdoor setting. Open air in the summer, heated in the winter, one can enjoy sausages, pretzels, beer, and Ping-Pong all year round. Oh, and there’s always a decent amount of good-looking people to mingle with at the communal tables.
The Menu: Huge steins of beer (duh), and traditional German fare including sausages and pretzels. A separate bar serves up the hard liquor and cocktails.
The Standard Biergarten, 848 Washington St.
[Photo via @standardbiergarten]
The Chester
Nestled in The Gansevoort Hotel, The Chester is the perfect oasis for any occasion, especially for after-work bites. Serving up traditional American grub, including a great selection of dishes to share and handcrafted cocktails, it is perfect for dining with friends/large groups and social gatherings. The Chester’s outdoor Biergarten offers picnic table-style seating and select German beer. It boasts a vibrant bar scene.
The Menu: The Chester Happy Hour deals are held Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy $1 oysters, $5 draft beer, and 1/2 off wines by the glass.
The Chester, 18 9th Ave.
[Photo via @thechester_]
The Frying Pan
All aboard! A salvaged historic lighthouse boat with outdoor seating, lovely views, and a nice beer selection, this has become the city’s most acclaimed “dive” bar. The Frying Pan provides a nice, sea-escape from everyday city life. Serving up buckets of beer and fried food to the masses, it’s open from noon to sunset for the rest of the season. It’s kind of like an outdoor frat party, so do expect some lines and rowdiness. Nevertheless, it’s a great place to hang with your friends after a long stressful day.
The Menu: Features outdoor Happy Hour specials, rosé, cocktails, wine and beer. The seasonal bar and grill serves both a full drink menu and classic American cuisine like burgers from Pat LaFrieda and citrus glazed salmon.
The Frying Pan, 207 12th Ave.
[Photo via @fryingpannyc]
Arlo Roof Top (A.R.T.)
Arlo Roof Top provides scenic views of the Hudson River and a glimpse of the Freedom Tower (hello, Insta-worthy!). Mix and mingle with young professionals amid trendy decor. Twinkle lights are strung high across the space, creating a cozy, lounge vibe once the sun sets. Serious urban oasis vibes.
The Menu: Both small snacks to share and larger fare. The new cocktail menu offers well-mixed signature drinks such as the Arlo Picante (mezcal, grapefruit juice, spiced bitters) and the West Side (citrus vodka, lemon juice, mint, and soda).
Arlo Roof Top (A.R.T.), 231 Hudson Street.
[Photo via @arlohotels]
Grand Banks
The chicest floating oyster bar in NYC. Featuring yellow-and-white striped awnings, tiny white tables, and a menu of oysters, lobster rolls, french fries, and carafes of rosé and white wine on tap, Grand Banks is a celebrated spot aboard a historic wooden boat. Start your weekend off with oysters and a glass of rosé, all served alongside stunning views of the downtown skyline. Come for after-work happy hour, day drinking with friends, date night, or just any reason in general.
The Menu: Features an array of fresh seafood and all-natural ingredients, as well as a rotating selection of oysters that come with “accouterments” like red wine mignonette, cucumber-coriander mignonette, and cocktail sauce. Oyster specials run from 4-6 pm, Mondays through Thursday.
Grand Banks, Hudson River Park Pier 25
[Photo via @thirtywaves]
The Mermaid Inn
The East Village location, boasting a new backyard patio, is sure to leave you happy as a clam (or oyster). Before you go, be sure to check out the app, Oysterpedia, created by The Mermaid Inn restaurants in NYC, and designed to take the guesswork out of ordering oysters as well as to provide a reference tool for the oysters you have already tried. Food, drinks, and an education on oysters will make you the ultimate foodie. What’s not to love?
The Menu: Happy hour specials every day from 5-7 pm. Includes $1.25 East Coast oysters and $1 chef’s choice oysters and littleneck clams daily. Select $5 beers, $7 wines and $8 cocktails.
The Mermaid Inn, 96 2nd Ave.
[Photo via @themermaidnyc]
Broken Shaker
The Freehand New York’s recently debuted rooftop bar, lounge, and eatery is jam-packed on weeknights. Prepare to let loose with your co-workers with the help of tropical cocktails and Instagrammable views of the city.
The Menu: Expertly mixed tropical cocktails, arepas, crispy pork shoulder, yuca fries, and epic spreads to share.
Broken Shaker, 23 Lexington Ave.
[Photo via @abejko]
The West 79th Street Boat Basin Café
Situated along the Hudson River with spectacular views, the Boat Basin Café is an open air treasure with plenty of history. A recent re-imagining has seen both the atmosphere and menu upgraded, so if you haven’t stopped by in a while, now’s the time to check it out!
The Menu: Happy Hour is held Monday through Friday 4 p.m. – 7p.m. $2.00 off all beers, wines by the glass and well drinks. Homemade sangria with fresh fruit – $7.00. Bar Bite specials include $5 Dollar Wings, nachos, and pizza.
The West 79th Street Boat Basin Café, W 79th St.
[Photo via @hfzcapitalgroup]
Cachet Boutique NYC Hotel
Located just a few blocks away from Hudson Yards, Cachet Boutique NYC Hotel combines creative city flair with Asian sensibility. An outdoor SkyDeck adds to the vibe, and is set within three discreet outdoor gardens. Take in the scenic views and channel the arts with views of a large scale mural by artist JPOart. This place certainly serves as the ideal backdrop for after-work cocktails – it’s a haven to relax and recharge.
The Menu: Cachet Boutique NYC offers locally-sourced ingredients, an exciting cocktail list and a lively indoor-outdoor bar scene. Sip on one of their specialty cocktails like ‘Eden’s Paloma’ made with tequila, grapefruit, and lavender.
Cachet Boutique NYC, 510 W 42nd St.
[Photo via @cachetboutiquenyc]
Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar
Calling all summer interns! Set atop the Conrad Hotel is a seasonal destination with vibrant views and contemporary décor, not to mention the most Insta-worthy drinks around. No wonder there are so many fresh-faced gals and guys hitting it up daily.
The Menu: Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar allows you to choose a “base” of rosécco (yes way, rosé) or prosecco, and to “pick a pop” of your choosing. You can also sip on one of their cocktails like their signature “I Can’t Even” made with Ketel One, fresh lemonade, raspberries, and agave. Shared plates are also available to cure your drunchies.
Loopy Doopy Rooftop Bar, 102 North End Ave.
[Photo via @conradnewyork]
Written By: Danielle Spoleti
