Outdoor bars in NYC

Beachy waterfront bars

New waterfront bars: Two new Water Taxi Beaches are opening this summer—the Water Taxi Beach at the South Street Seaport (currently open) and the Water Taxi Beach on Governor's Island (open to the public July 11). They've both got the same core of sand, sun, booze, DJs and recreation areas as the original (there's mini-golf and skee-ball at the South Street Seaport location, and volleyball and basketball on Governor's Island), and word is there'll be a shuttle among all three locations...

Old waterfront favorites: ... the third location being the original, Harry's at Water Taxi Beach on Long Island City, where beer, cocktails, music, games and sunshine are, as always, planned all summer long. It's not new exactly, but the Frying Pan has been towed to a new location, at Pier 66 Maritime, and although the boat itself isn't hosting parties like it used to, there's plenty of eating and drinking to be done on the barge flanking it. Coney Island also has two sandy summertime favorites in Beer Island (pictured) and Ruby's Old Tyme Bar & Grill, both of which are back for another season. Upper West Siders can have a less-sandy experience at Pier I Cafe, an open-air bar and restaurant overlooking the Hudson. And even farther up, at Johnny's Famous Reef Restaurant in the Bronx, outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy a basket of steamers with their cold beers while sitting at plastic picnic benches and overlooking the Long Island Sound.

Photo by Gabi Porter