Where to Drink Outside in Brooklyn
When temperatures are hovering near 70 and the sky is so flawlessly blue, you've got to hold on to the feeling as long as you can. Luckily, pretty much every bar in NYC with outdoor space and common sense feels the same — most keep their gardens and patios open from April to the last week in October. That means there's plenty of time to post up with a margarita in each hand until the absolute last call. Here are a few favorite places in Brooklyn to do just that.
Nowadays
This giant outdoor bar on the edge of Ridgewood feels like a field trip to a really cool suburban BBQ: It has brightly-painted picnic tables, a bocce ball lawn, ping pong tables, grassy knolls, and lots of yummy grilled food. It's barely ever overrun, making it the perfect place to sip wine in the sun while eating vegan beet burgers and playing backgammon. You can even bring your dog. Take the L train to the Halsey stop and walk away from civilization on Wycoff Ave until you see a lot of trees and a corrugated fence decorated with triangles. Open daily until October 26th, check Instagram for weather-related closings. (Pictured)
www.nowadays.nyc
Brooklyn Barge Bar
We were anxiously awaiting the opening of this floating waterfront bar all summer, but some kind of permit bureaucracy kept it closed until just a few weeks ago. Better late than never, though — it's finally up and running and was well worth the wait. Located right next to Transmitter Park in Greenpoint, it's basically a less douchy, smaller version of the Frying Pan, with a sweet neighborhood vibe and really, really good sunset views of Manhattan. Don't worry if you're prone to motion sickness: There's plenty of seating on the stationary dock, too. Open daily at 11:30am through the end of October.
www.brooklynbargebar.com
Swan Dive
Nestled behind The Green Building on the edge of the Gowanus Canal, this 10,000 square foot pop-up spot boasts excellent Pimm's Cups, local beers, reclaimed wood decor, and a tasty menu of smoked barbecue treats. Open through October 31st.
www.swandive.nyc
