Best Places To Eat And Drink Outside This Summer
14 photos
<em>(<a href="http://www.piericafe.com/id2.html">Pier i Cafe</a>)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.piericafe.com/">Pier i Cafe</a>:</strong> Located off of Riverside Park South, this lovely outdoor cafe is a nice place to sit back and stare at the boats on the water (and Jersey). The menu is casual (though the burgers boast Pat La Frieda beef) and the people watching is great. The only problem is that some days it seems like half the Upper West Side can descend on it en masse. It reopens for the season on Sunday.<br/><br/><em>70th Street and Riverside Park South, 212-362-4450</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/ellessu/2555247992/in/photostream/">jellessul</a> on flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.vesparestaurant.us/">Vespa</a>:</strong> For a charming Upper East Side evening, the back garden at this Italian will neatly fit the bill. Nothing too fancy (much like the restaurant) the garden has tables and chairs, a lit up sculpture of the restaurant's titular vehicle and easy-to-swallow food. Perfect for sitting and enjoying a light breeze while sipping on a cocktail or four.<br/><br/><em>1625 Second Avenue betwen 84th and 85h, 212-472-2050</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/47329490@N03/5613246775/in/photostream/">Anatdisiac</a> on flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.disiacloungenyc.com/">'Desiac Lounge</a>:</strong> A breath of fresh air in upper Hell's Kitchen, this tiny garden gets an eclectic crowd, from office parties to full on partiers, who settle into its cozy garden patio for a few nibbles and a few more margaritas. It can be a bit tight for a large group, but that's a backyard garden in Manhattan for you. <br/><br/><em>402 West 54th Street, 212-586-9880</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/7-xQ-NB5pBYl1YSj1N43iQ?select=PuFxj8eUqgsqhcsrzgK6VQ">The Jedi Foodi E.</a> on Yelp)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://ninthwardnyc.com/">The Ninth Ward</a>:</strong> This East Village Nawlin's flavored sequel to Shoolbred's may have gotten some heat for its <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/03/02/ninth_ward_asks_ladies_to_flash_em.php">Mardi Gras special</a>, but don't let that keep you away (it certainly hasn't stopped anyone else). Get there early and enjoy their generous two-for-one happy hours, claim a spot in the lovely oasis out back and make sure to try some of the surprisingly solid food (think fried pickles, shrimp po'boys and gumbo). <br/><br/><em>180 Second Avenue, 212-979-9273</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/loreleynyc/4042233563/in/photostream/">Loreleynyc</a> on flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.loreleynyc.com/">Loreley</a>:</strong> Though its Brooklyn spin-off beer garden is also charming and has many a fan, we're still partial to the LES original when we're craving an evening of German food and drink. The backyard patio has a very particular New York charm, being often crowded and entirely built over, and yet once or twice a summer we inevitably find ourselves settled back there drinking it up while chowing down on a pretzel or some spatzleâand we've yet to regret it. <br/><br/><em>7 Rivington Street, 212-253-7077 </em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.urbandaddy.com/slideshow/nyc/802/The_Mulberry_Project_Slideshow_New_York_City_NYC#http://static.urbandaddy.com/uploads/assets/image/slideshows/standard/d8693c4eaa0393216c21cf59498ec012.jpg">Urban Daddy</a>)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/01/21/photos_the_mulberry_project.php#photo-1">The Mulberry Project</a>:</strong> One of the more recent additions to the cocktail lounge circuit, the NoLIta speakeasy The Mulberry Project is opening the doors to its outdoor patio on May 2. Not yet being open we can't vouch for itâbut we can certainly vouch for the drinks they'll be serving.<br/><br/><em>149 Mulberry Street, 212-448-4536</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/roboppy/170807975/in/photostream/">roboppy</a> on flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.spumonigardens.com/">L & B Spumoni Gardens</a>:</strong> Don't let the name of this Bensonhurst classic fool you, Spumoni Gardens is not a garden. But who cares when the food is great? The square slice at Spumoni is rightfully hailed as a classic, but the pizzeria is so small that to make the trip in the colder months isn't really worth it (for us). Once it is warm though, you really need to make a trip to this 70-year-old institution. And once you've bought a square, or four, and slipped into one of the red benches, there won't be anywhere else in the world you'll want to be. Except, once the pizza is done, on the line for an icy. <br/><br/><em>2725 86th Street, Brooklyn, 718-449-1230</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slice/26263202/in/photostream/">Adam Kuban</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://gothamist.com/2008/04/23/alan_harding_go.php">Gowanus Yacht Club</a>:</strong> This completely landlocked beer garden that is only open in the warmer months (it <a href="http://ny.eater.com/archives/2011/04/gowanus_yacht_club_opens_for_the_season_tomorrow.php">returns tonight</a>!) is rightfully much beloved for its cheap beer, cheap hot dogs and entertaining crowds. But what crowds! Let's just say Yogi Berra probably wouldn't go there (it's too crowded)âwhich would be his loss. <br/><br/><em>323 Smith Street, Brooklyn, 718-246-1321</em>
<em>Alma's view of Governor's Island (<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/thoth1618/4633011144/in/photostream/">thoth1618</a>'s flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.almarestaurant.com/">Alma</a>:</strong> It is hard to top the spectacular views from the roof of this waterfront Mexican restaurant, so the fact that the restaurant also makes a mean margarita (and some tasty guac) to go with that view only sweetens the deal. Because of how lovely it is the roof can fill up though, so plan accordingly. <br/><br/><em>187 Columbia Street, Brooklyn, 718-643-5400</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=210572088960252&set=a.210572055626922.65137.184050298279098&type=1&theater">The Drink</a> on Facebook)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://thedrinkbrooklyn.com/">The Drink</a>:</strong> Ok, so we forgot to snap a picture of this Williamsburg spot's adorable garden, but trust us. It's as adorable and inviting as the rest of this delightfully nautical bar. The owners are friendly, the crowd is amiable and the drinks at the Drink (including the punch) are more than worthy. <br/><br/><em>228 Manhattan Avenue, Brooklyn, 718-782-8463</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.sheckysnightlife.com/articles/it_39_s_tiki_time__8157.asp">Sheckys</a>)</em><br/><strong><a href="">Zombie Hut</a>:</strong> Lots of tiki places have popped up over the past year, but we're still partial to the Zombie Hut's take on the theme, especially its large and inviting backyard where we've been known to settle in and down a few of their delicious frozen zombies while playing a board game or two. Just be careful to mix the straw around before your first sipâthey put extra rum in there! <br/><br/><em>273 Smith Street, Brooklyn, 718-875-3433</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/istolethetv/2701896717/in/photostream/">istolethetv</a> on flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.cafehabana.com/">Habana Outpost</a>:</strong> The scene here can get a little crazy (though you can't tell it from our photo), but what do you expect when you've got tasty Cuban foodâtry the corn!âand cheap beer? Luckily they have a "drink and corn only" line to keep the people moving. So yeah, go expecting a crazy scene and you'll have a great time. <br/><br/><em>757 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, 718-858-9500</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/cartoixa/3584288755/in/photostream/">Cartoixa</a> on flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.lounge47.com/">Lounge 47</a>:</strong> This LIC lounge hasn't always <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/07/20/lic_restaurant_in_crossfire_of_gent.php">gotten along</a> with the neighbors but that's their loss. Not only is the garden at this unpretentious joint large and inviting, but the grown-up comfort food (mac 'n cheese, wasabi deviled eggs) ain't too shabby either. <br/><br/><em>47-10 Vernon Boulevard, Long Island City, Queens, 718-937-2044</em>
<em>(<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/dumbonyc/5014283585/in/photostream/">dumbonyc</a> on flickr)</em><br/><strong><a href="http://www.riceny.com/">Speak Up at Rice</a>:</strong> This outdoor patio attached to the mini-chain Rice is a nice nook to settle into when dawdling in DUMBO in the warmer months. With picnic tables and pitchers it isn't anything too fancy, but it is one of the only options for such entertainments in the area (unless you want to just hang out in the park, and you aren't supposed to be drinking there). And for that we are grateful.<br/><br/><em>75 Washington Street, Brooklyn, 718-222-9880</em>