These Hotspots are everything you need for a summer in NYC!
CLASSIC NYC PIZZA & OUTDOOR STAPLES
Roberta’s Rooftop
LOCATION: One Penn Plaza, Plaza 33 East, New York, NY 10119
VIBES: Date Night, Cocktails, Lively
This new addition to the center of Manhattan is perfect for everyone, enjoy the hustle and bustle of NYC with their Outdoor Rooftop while sipping on their delicious cocktail or wine selection! An expansion from their Brooklyn location, Roberta’s has been making some of the best pizza in NYC since 2008. If you’re into a bite with a kick their Bee Sting pizza topped with tomato, mozzarella, soppressata, basil, chili, and honey is an order worth dreaming about.
L\&B Spumoni Gardens
LOCATION: 2725 86th St, Brooklyn, NY 11223 (Gravesend)
VIBES: Affordable, Groups, Family Friendly
L\&B is a Brooklyn institution, famous for its square, upside-down Sicilian pies — where the cheese goes under the sweet tomato sauce. The vibe here is old-school Brooklyn with families and locals digging into cheesy slices at picnic tables on the sprawling outdoor patio. After your pizza, don’t skip the in house-made spumoni, a staple Italian ice cream, served in cups or cones. There’s a newer Dumbo location, so double the fun!
WATERFRONT BARS & SUMMER HANGOUTS
Watermark Beach NYC
LOCATION: Pier 15, 78 South St, New York, NY 10038 (Seaport District)
VIBES: Day Parties, Views, Frozen Drinks, Group Outings
Watermark Beach on Pier 15 is bringing the ultimate beach club scene to the Manhattan waterfront. Think palm trees, photo ops, and latin nights with DJs spinning the hottest playlists. The cocktails lean fruity and fun (think frozen piña coladas and mojitos), and there's a light bites menu that includes sliders and tacos. It’s ideal for large groups looking for an afternoon of sun, selfies, and skyline views.
Frying Pan NYC
Photo credit to @fryingpannyc on instagram.
LOCATION: Pier 66, W 26th St & 12th Ave, New York, NY 10001 (Chelsea/Hudson River Park)
VIBES: Casual Drinks, Big Groups, Sunset Viewing
The Frying Pan is a historic lightship turned dive bar docked on the Hudson River. It’s a quintessential NYC summer scene: plastic pitchers of sangria, loud music, and sunset views over Jersey. Expect crowds, especially around happy hour. While the drinks are nothing fancy, the energy and setting can’t be beat. You haven’t truly “done” summer in NYC until you’ve been slightly tipsy on the deck of this boat, pretending not to notice it's rocking.
COCKTAIL BARS & DATE NIGHT DESTINATIONS
Maison Premiere
LOCATION: 298 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11249 (Williamsburg)
VIBES: Cocktails, Raw Bar, Date Nights, Romantic Garden Evenings
This New Orleans–inspired absinthe and oyster bar is admired for its moody, antique interiors and lush, hidden garden. Maison Premiere is known for a deep selection of absinthes, stunning cocktails, and one of the city’s best raw bars — the oysters are a must. Ideal for dates or celebratory evenings, the atmosphere is intimate and transporting. The garden patio is especially gorgeous in warm weather, often filled with couples sipping on house martinis as dusk falls. Pro tip: Get there early to avoid long waits, as they don’t take reservations for outdoor seating.
The Waverly Inn
LOCATION: 16 Bank St, New York, NY 10014 (West Village)
VIBES: Celeb Spotting, Cozy Upscale Dinners, Romantic Evenings
An old-school West Village townhouse-turned-restaurant. The Waverly Inn oozes exclusivity and old New York charm, with a wood-burning fireplace inside and a dreamy, foliage-covered garden outside. It’s quiet elegance makes for the perfect low-key date night — the menu leans American classic (truffle mac & cheese, fresh pastas), and the cocktails are elegant. It’s pricey, but if you’re after a special evening in one of Manhattan’s most iconic neighborhoods, this is it.
The Fulton
LOCATION: 89 South St, New York, NY 10038 (Seaport District)
VIBES: Seafood, Waterfront Dining, Special Occasions
The first seafood concept created by chef Jean-Georges, The Fulton sits right on Pier 17 and serves elevated seafood dishes with sweeping views of the Brooklyn Bridge. Expect impeccably fresh oysters, chilled seafood towers, and refined mains like sea bass and tuna tartare. It’s a gorgeous spot for lunch or dinner, especially when seated on the outdoor terrace. The views, food, and setting make it a prime date night or family celebration destination.
Lighthouse Rooftop
Image credit to Lighthouserooftop on Instagram.
LOCATION: 202 8th St, Brooklyn, NY 11215
VIBES: Open-Air Cocktails, Sunset Views, Chill Vibes
A totally underrated rooftop, the space offers a chill escape from more crowded rooftops in Manhattan. It’s casual yet stylish, with a focus on seasonal drinks, wine, and locally-sourced light bites. the Lighthouse Rooftop setup offers great sunset city views and a breezy, local crowd vibe. A perfect low-key rooftop hang.
BREWERIES & BEER GARDENS
Treadwell Park
LOCATION: 301 South End Avenue, New York, NY 10280
VIBES: Group Hangs, Burgers, and Games
With two locations, Treadwell Park’s Battery Park property has the perfect proximity to the heart of downtown. A beer lovers paradise they offer 20 rotating beers on tap as well as their wide selection of canned and bottled brews. The timeless bench seating, tons of board games, and an arcade room create the perfect atmosphere for any summer celebrations. Don’t miss out on their seasonal menu, curated by Executive Chef Antelmo Ambrosio, there craft burger selection will have us stopping by weekly.
Strong Rope Brewery
LOCATION: 185 Van Dyke St, Brooklyn, NY 11231 (Red Hook)
VIBES: Big Groups, Waterfront Vibes, Craft Beer Fans
After a long walk enjoying the Red Hook waterfront, Strong Rope is a laid-back brewery known for small-batch beers made with 100% New York State ingredients. The outdoor patio overlooks the harbor with stunning views of the NYC skyline and the Statue of Liberty. Beer lovers paradise with flights of IPAs, saisons, and lagers. On weekends, you'll usually find food trucks parked nearby, but bringing your own snacks is also encouraged. Grab something from neighborhood favorites like Defonte’s (iconic Italian sandwiches) or Hoek (sourdough pizza). It's dog-friendly and bike-friendly. Basically a must for any NYC weekend.
