The 19 best outdoor bars in NYC

What is it? A woman-owned brewery in Williamburg that now pours at five locations in the city. 

Why we love it: The OG Williamsburg brewery is a noted summertime hang in the city. The streetside patio has plenty of seating, as well as umbrellas to protect you from the scalding summer sun while you pound fruit-forward brews and summertime slushies. 

Time Out tip: The bar also commandeers a small gravel-sized corner outside that's hosted various pop-ups including a lobster shack by Bonnie's. 

Address: Multiple locations

What is it? A New Orleans-style oyster bar with a lush back patio.

Why we love it: The popular salon's 1,000-square-foot, flora-filled garden is open from April through November for all manner of food and drinks, including Maison Premiere's famed absinthe and martinis. 

Time Out tip: Speaking of martinis, the Old Nat King Cole comes on a tray and is made tableside. 

Address: 298 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Hours: Mon–Fri noon–1am; Sat and Sun 11am–am

What is it? A basement-level bar that hides a secret retreat.

Why we love it: Although the bar has had a long run on Grand Street, Maracuja’s back garden was closed to the public for six years. Lucky for us, the owners spruced it up and starting letting us back in 2021. Walk through the bar and push open a door marked “private." The brave will be rewarded with greenery and a canopy of leaves and lights. 

Time Out tip: Happy hour happens here everyday from 5pm to 7pm. Stop by for $9 cocktails, glasses of wines and frozens or $6 draft beers. 

Address: 279 Grand Street, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Hours: Sun–Thurs 5pm–2am; Fri and Sat 5pm–4am

What is it? A gastropub with an ample-sized backyard to keep the party going. 

Why love it: This neighborhood restaurant and bar serves drinks like dirty pickle martinis, Bonnie punch and a house PB&J shot along with beer and wine in its convivial picnic table-filled patio. Brunch, dinner and late-night snacks are available, too, should the essence of pickle not quite slake your appetite. 

Time Out tip: The restaurant got a full revamp last fall, garden included. Now is the time to check out the new digs. 

Address: 29-12 23rd Avenue, Astoria, NY 11105

Hours: Mon–Thurs 4pm–midnight; Fri noon–2am; Sat 10am–2am; Sun 10am–midnight

What is it? A bar where the wines are natural and the glasses are stubby. 

Why we love it: Natural wine drinkers can find a haven in Bed Stuy thanks to Frog Wine Bar. Their backyard patio is an easy sell too, with string lights and a long picnic table for a bit of community. The towering tree hovering above it all gives a welcome shady retreat in the summer months.

Time Out tip: Catch what's hot in the pop-up circuit at Frog's, from smoked ribs from Just Ribs to jerk chicken patties from Pop's Patties. 

Address: 358 Marcus Garvey Boulevard, Brooklyn, NY 11221

Hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–midnight; Sat and Sun 3pm–midnight

What is it? A club that's been bumping for 15 years running with a massive outdoor space.  

Why we love it: With its top-flight sound system, sophisticated menu, dance floor and events, there are a lot of ways to enjoy Nowadays. Its large outdoor space is open now, menu items like burgers, sandwiches, salads and nachos are available until 11pm on weekdays and 1am on weekends. 

Time Out tip: For something more sit down, you can check out the family-style restaurant hidden inside: The Izakaya NYC.

Address: 56-06 Cooper Avenue, Glendale, NY 11385

Hours: Thurs–Sat 10pm–4am; Sun 8am–10pm

What is it? A dope cocktail bar with a disco ball found on Brooklyn's Fulton Street. 

Why we love it: Pass through the gently-lit bar area in front and head to Doris’s backyard, where you’ll find couples on first dates and even occasional chef pop-ups. The vibe is laid-back (with a great collection of vintage LPs) and the cocktails are well-crafted.

Time Out tip: DJs spin vinyl on the regular during the week and the weekends, so pop back inside after you've got some air. 

Address: 1088 Fulton Street, Brooklyn, NY 11238

Hours: Mon–Wed 5pm–1am; Thurs 5pm–2am; Fri 5pm–3am; Sat 4pm–3am; Sun 4pm–1am

What is it? An queer-friendly bar for all to enjoy. 

Why we love it: Good Judy, “a home for queers + allies to join together in unity and solidarity” has it all: A piano bar, lounge, dance floor and a patio all at one address. Toast to longer days and warmer nights all season long with cocktails, beer, wine and frozen drinks. 

Time Out tip: The yearly summertime block party is not to be missed if you like drag, dancing, and really, overall fun. 

Address: 563 5th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Hours: Mon 5pm–1am; Tues–Thurs 5pm–2am; Fri 5pm–4am; Sat 3pm–4am; Sun 3pm–2am

What is it? A Miami-imported Caribbean-inspired rooftop bar.

Why we love it: Freehand has yet another hot spot inside this Manhattan hotel, just take a look at the James Beard nominated nod and the winning plaque from Tales of the Cocktail’s Best American Hotel Bar. But if you don't really care about awards, you will certainly care about its drinks. Knock them back on the wraparound terrace with its funky, laid-back decor. 

Time Out tip: Among $13 margs and cocktails, the daily happy hour (from 5–7pm) also includes light bites like Spicy Tuna and curry shrimp skewers.

Address: 23 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10010

Hours: Sun and Mon closed; Tues and Wed 5–11pm; Thurs– Sat 5pm–midnight

What is it? Coffee shop by day, a sprawling beer bar by night. 

Why we love it: This walk-in-only, bi-level bar and event space sprawls across 5,000 square feet in Gowanus, most of which is relegated its outdoor patio. All the fantastic brews you'd expect from Threes' are on the menu, in addition to terrific cocktails that you might not.

Time Out tip: Even in the winter months you can enjoy the great outdoors thanks to heated tents that keep out the chill.

Address: 333 Douglass Street, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Hours: Mon–Sat noon–12am; Sun noon–11pm

What is it? A dive in the truest sense of the word with a nice patio out back. 

Why we love it: In a city overflowing with dive-themed dive bars, Ice House is the real deal. It’s dark inside, its booths are battered and the bar’s been known to get a little sticky. It’s honestly a breath of fresh air, and so is the big, sunny yard out back. 

Time Out tip: Check the chalkboard for daily specials like the solid burger. 

Address: 318 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231

Hours: Daily noon–4pm

What is it? A moody cocktail bar where the drinks are nice and the date night vibes are high.

Why we love it: Find terrific drinks at this approachable, neighborly bar, where the back patio feels like a getaway from the middle of industrial Bushwick. The Narrows also serves small bites and has a great happy hour from 5–7pm, when cocktails are $10.

Time Out tip: Its a cash only bar so bring some money with you.  

Address: 1037 Flushing Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11237

Hours: Daily 6pm–2am

What is it? A Williamsburg bar that turns up on the inside but keeps it chill on the patio in the evening.

Why we love it: Brooklyn bars with DJ-scored electricity inside and a relaxing kick-back-with-drinks space outside can be surprisingly hard to come by. Midnights has it all, and it's bursting with style, too. Fortunately, all the cool is softened in its tranquil backyard with unpretentious cocktails, which all hit under $16. 

Time Out tip: The ivy covered patio is one of the best, and it fills up fast when the weather warms.

Address: 149 N 6th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Hours: Mon–Thurs 4pm–2am; Fri 4pm–3:30am; Sat 2pm–3:30am; Sun 2pm–2am

What is it? A former gas station and mechanic shop turned brewery. 

Why we love it: Brooklyn brew hounds can kick back at this massive 13,000-square-foot beer garden. Sixty taps dispense 17 different craft brews. In warmer climates, order yours with a burger or hot dog at outdoor picnic tables. 

Time Out tip: Order a burger on Monday and you get a free beer. 

Address: 555 7th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11215

Hours: Mon and Tues 3–11pm; Wed and Thurs 3pm–midnight; Fri noon–1am; Sun noon–11pm

What is it? A popular German beer hall with a year-round patio.

Why we love it: Inspired by breweries in Cologne, this beer garden pours German brews like Gaffel Kölsch and Radeberger Pilsner, plus wines from its namesake region. Populate picnic tables for hearty fare like bratwurst with sauerkraut and schnitzels with fries. No lederhosen required. 

Time Out tip: If beers aren't your thing, the bar has plenty of cocktails, including the Frozen Aperol Spritz. 

Address: 7 Rivington Street, New York, NY 10002

Hours: Mon and Tues 5pm–midnight; Wed and Thurs 5pm–1am; Fri 5pm–4am; Sat noon–4am; Sun noon–midnight 

What is it? Danny Meyer's candy-colored taqueria in Dumbo.

Why we love it: Danny Meyer's Shake Shack at Madison Square Park started as one simple stand. So has Tacocina, so we will keep an eye on a burgeoning taco empire. But for now, we can head to Dumbo to order tacos stuffed with pork and salsa verde, mushrooms and cheese or fried cod with cabbage slaw, all on the Williamsburg waterfront.

Time Out tip: Happy hour happens everyday here, too. Most days the happiest hour goes from 3-6pm, minus Fridays with adjusted hours of 1-6pm. 

Address: 25 River Street, Brooklyn, NY 11249

Hours: Daily 11:30am–9pm

What is it? A bi-level restaurant and bar that overlooks the Hudson River on the Upper West Side.

Why we love it: Stroll up on your own, or gather several hundred of your closest friends for Hudson River views, cocktails to stay or to-go and crowd-pleasing menu items like pizza, burgers, hot dogs and an abundance of bar food standards right inside Riverside Park at 105th Street. 

Time Out tip: This spot is completely outdoors and often at the will of the weather. Check their Instagram for any rain updates. 

Address: Inside Riverside Park 105th Street, New York, NY 10025

Hours: Daily 11am–9pm

What is it? A photogenic 90s-esque bar founded by a Run the Jewels collaborator. 

Why we love it: We thought we lost Kareem Bunton's world famous bar due to a fire that decimated their back patio last year. But with the help of the community, the bar is back and better than ever. That goes for the patio, ready to welcome you back with dancing all spring and summer long. 

Time Out tip: The Sorrel Daiquiri on the patio sounds like just the fix. 

Address: 1005 Broadway, Brooklyn, NY 11221

Hours: Mon closed; Tues and Wed 5pm–2am; Thurs–Sun 5pm–4am

What is it? A Williamsburg dive that is just as excited to see you as it is your dog. 

Why we love it: A big reason we love Lucky Dog? Our four-legged friends are welcome. Twenty or so beers on-tap plus the ability to drink 'em alongside our canine companions is enough to keep us coming back. 

Time Out tip: While there isn't any food here, you are more than welcome to bring in your own food for you and your pup. 

Address: 303 Bedford Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11211

Hours: Daily noon–4am