Our 9 Favorite Outdoor Bars, Spring 2012 Edition
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<strong>Beekman Beer Garden:</strong> Where once there was a Manhattan Water Taxi Beach, last year there rose the <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/06/02/beekman_beer_garden_beach_club.php#photo-7">Beekman Beer Garden</a>. And for spectacular views (in this case, you're up close and personal with the Brooklyn Bridge) while sipping on suds and playing ping pong, this Pier 17 18,000-square-foot patch of sand by the South Street Seaport gives the original Water Taxi Beach in LIC (<a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/04/05/as_water_taxi_beach_lic_dies_water.php">RIP</a>) a run for its money. <br/><br/><em>North Side of Pier 17 // 212-896-4600</em><br/><br/>
<strong>Bohemian Hall:</strong> For more than a century this <a href="http://gothamist.com/tags/bohemianhall">Astoria mainstay</a> has been charming the masses. Sure, there are annual claims that it is "too-crowded" or "over" but to heck with that. Between the food, the beer and the entertaining crowds, we're definitely in the "still got it" camp on this one.<br/><br/> <em>29-19 24th Avenue, Queens; 718-728-9278</em><br/><br/>
<strong>Crown Vic:</strong> Seriously, Williamsburg is bursting at the seams with solid outdoor options. We've got a few more coming up, but we'd be be remiss not to point out this year-old bar which is good <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/02/08/5_bars_to_warm_up_with_cold_weather.php">in the cold</a> and hot. Beyond a <a href="http://www.crownvicbar.com/our-menu">solid menu</a> they've also got a lovely and quite large outdoor drinking area. Two, in fact. One out front and one in the back.<br/><br/> <em>60 South 2nd Street // 917-719-6072</em><br/><br/>
<strong>d.b.a.:</strong> Both the Manhattan and the Brooklyn locations of this <a href="http://www.drinkgoodstuff.com/ny/default.asp">beloved bar</a> have pleasant backyards, but something about the shared cemetery wall at the First Avenue location always makes us smile. If you want a seat though, you better show up early. Too full to sit? You can always walk a bit up and check out the similarly charming <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/04/29/best_places_to_eat_and_drink_outsid.php#photo-4">Ninth Ward</a> garden or down a bit to the lovely, if not very green, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2011/04/29/best_places_to_eat_and_drink_outsid.php#photo-5">Loreley</a>.<br/><br/> <em>41 First Avenue // 212-475-5097</em> <br/><br/>
<strong>Franklin Park:</strong> This 2,000-square-foot <a href="http://franklinparkbrooklyn.com/">alley garden</a> in Crown Heights has everything you'd want in outdoor drinking. Lots of beers on tap, cool shade and some tasty bites on hand as well. Duckfat fries to go with beer ($4 tap beers all Monday night!)? Don't mind if we do! <br/><br/><em>618 St. John's Place // 718-230-0293</em><br/><br/>
<strong>Luckydog:</strong> Williamsburg actually has quite a few quality backyards these days (including <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/06/10/new_restaurant_1.php#photo-2">Loreley Williamsburg</a>, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/03/08/where_to_drink_outdoors_after_work.php">Union Pool</a>, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2009/06/04/best_new_nyc_bars_and_restaurants_f.php?gallery0Pic=7#photo-4">Spuyten Duyvil</a> and <a href="http://gothamist.com/2012/02/21/metropolitan_liquor_license.php">Metropolitan</a>) but something about the <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/06/22/outdoor_dining.php#photo-8">backyard at Luckydog</a> makes it our go-to. The clunky handmade wooden benches, the cheap Christmas lights, the dogs running around; all these combine to make it feel like home. (The booze helps too.)<br/><br/><em>303 Bedford Avenue // 718-302-5039</em><br/><br/>
<strong>Mission Dolores:</strong> Two years after <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/04/01/new_restaurants_10.php#photo-2">it opened</a> this Fourth Avenue bar with a West Coast vibe has gained a friendly following. Which is understandable with its roofless garden, tons of beer on tap and generally low-key vibe. Not that it doesn't fill right up in a flash. <br/><br/> <em>249 Fourth Avenue, Brooklyn // 718-399-0099</em><br/><br/>
<strong>Ruddy and Dean's:</strong> Yes it gets crowded, and the food isn't cheap but man the views of the harbor from this <a href="http://www.ruddyanddean.com/aboutus.htm">chop shop by the Staten Island Ferry terminal</a> are breathtaking. A solidly entertaining stop for those venturing to the other borough on the ferry and looking for something to do before heading back.<br/><br/> <em>44 Richmond Terrace // 718-816-4400</em><br/><br/>
<strong>Anable Basin:</strong> With the Water Taxi Beach in LIC dunzo, where to take in the spectacular views the area offers of Manhattan? Look no further than this nearly secret, <a href="http://gothamist.com/2010/08/12/new_restaurant_and_bar_radar_15.php#photo-1">year-old summer-only spot</a>. The Brazilian grill isn't quite open yetâfull-time service should kick back in May 1st we're toldâbut they hope to be open this coming weekend from 11 a.m. May the weather hold!<br/><br/>4-40 44th Drive // 646-207-1333 <br/><br/>