Where to drink in (or near) the best parks in New York City

This eatery, situated on Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 1, overlooks the Brooklyn and Manhattan Bridges and has a killer view of the city skyline—it doesn’t get much more romantic than that. Now in its third season, this umbrella-studded patio offers beer and wine by the glass, including summery options like riesling from the Finger Lakes ($9) and Marquis de la Tour sparkling rosé ($9). brooklynbridgewinebar.com

Terroir owners Paul Grieco and Marco Canora brought the formula that has made the wine bar’s other locations successful—a quirky selection, knowledgeable staff and a laid-back attitude—to this High Line outpost last year. Several New York State wineries are represented, along with a few beers from producers like Empire Brewing Company and Barrier Brewing Co. While the slightly cramped picnic benches fill up quickly, if you snag a seat you’re afforded views of the Hudson River and, of course, the elevated park itself. wineisterroir.com

The Met’s roof-bar-cum-gallery offers some of the city’s best views of Central Park. But you’re not there just to peek over the side: This year’s installation is by Pakistani artist Imran Qureshi, who covered the roof in large swaths of red paint—some of it used to depict foliage, some applied as messy splotches. A selection of this year’s cocktails are informed by the artist’s home country: Try the gola ganda ($6–$14), a traditional Pakistani shaved-ice concoction, with your choice of rosewater, mango or pomegranate syrup. (You can request a shot of vodka for an added kick.)

The name is something of a misnomer—this is not a beer garden so much as some tables and chairs in the middle of Battery Park—but it’s a small quibble when the setting is so nice. The enclosure is surrounded by trees, offering plenty of shade as you sip drafts from Victory Brewing Company, including the seasonal Summer Love ale ($5). A small menu of summer-BBQ-esque fare—including hot dogs ($3) and hamburgers ($7)—is available. batterygardens.com

There’s no need to brown-bag at Riverside Park (remember, folks, that’s illegal) once this seasonal stalwart, situated on the waterfront, is open. Unsurprisingly, the terrace eatery gets crowded with Upper West Side locals and families pretty quickly, especially on weekends, so arrive early if you want to snag prime real estate. But it’s worth dealing with the masses for the pleasure of drinking a beer ($6–$7) with a stunning vista of the Hudson River and the Palisades.