8 Picks For NYC Outdoor Drinking

Eight picks for outdoor imbibing

Chicago | Los Angeles | Miami | San Francisco

Ensure that you maximize the number of glasses you down under the summer sky with our guide to summertime drinking. From quaint backyards to sky-high rooftops, here are eight spots to hit.

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LOCATION WHY YOU SHOULD DRINK THERE
SmorgasBar
(South St. Seaport)
The Brooklyn Flea's new daily outpost, with 11 vendors and a bar, is only one excellent reason to support this Sandy-ravaged area. Beer, wine, cocktails, spike-able frozen slushies from Kelvin Natural Slush Co. (black tea with a swirl of white-peach purée and bourbon), and picnic tables abound.
Gallow Green at the McKittrick Hotel
(Chelsea)
Skip the pricey ticket to Sleep No More, and simply make a reservation at this theatrical rooftop bar situated above the performance's warehouse instead. Punch bowls by David Wondrich are ideal for groups, and surprises are all but guaranteed.

La Terrazza at Lincoln Ristorante
(Upper West Side)

Not every joint boasts views of Lincoln Center's reflecting pool, and a Henry Moore sculpture to boot. Create your own custom drink from the choices at The Negroni Bar, or greet the afternoon with a blend of bubbles, fresh fruit purée and liquor from The Prosecco Bar.
The Roof at Salvation Taco
(Midtown East)
Head to the Italian Renaissance-style roof bar, complete with bricked arches, on top of the Pod 39 hotel for chips, guacamole and salsa. Wash it down with a pint of April Bloomfield's Devil's Plaything citrus IPA, a peppery new collaboration with Greenport Harbor Brewing Co. made with Haitian bitter orange segments and chiles.
La Birreria at Eataly
(Flatiron)
The waits can be staggering, but the views and brews at Mario Batali's rooftop brewpub are stunning. Come rain or shine, the unfiltered, unpasteurized and naturally carbonated cask ales–all made on-site–are always flowing, thanks to a retractable roof.
Maison Premiere (Williamsburg, South Side) There is no better place in town to enjoy a glass of absinthe, a cocktail (or two) and a tray of oysters than this lush, green backyard. Hanging plants, a vine-covered trellis, and the distinct feeling that you've been transported to a place where the living is a little bit easier make it something special indeed.
Battery Harris (Williamsburg, North Side) This good-looking, brand-new spot has something for everyone. Full sun? Shade? Drinks or food? Sure. Enjoy more than 20 beers on tap, a selection of aged spirits, cocktails and jerk-dusted fries on an expansive outdoor courtyard partially covered by an angular, translucent roof.
Lavender Lake (Gowanus) What was once a horse stable is now an incredibly stylish (and roomy) bar with a 1,600-square-foot back patio. There's always plenty of seating, and the signature cocktails, such as the River's Edge, with gin, lemon, grapefruit bitters and lavender syrup, pair well with canal-side breezes and a lively scene.

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