Anable Basin Sailing Bar and Grill

In a city where many waterfront restaurants build the cost of the view into their $28 cocktails, Anable Basin keeps a straightforward shorefront vibe with $6 hot dogs and buckets of six beers for $42. Who needs fancy seafood towers or fussy caviar-topped potato chips when you’ve got the skyline glittering in front of you for free?

The vibe: Laidback and casual, it brings the staycation energy without having to spend $199 for a one-day pool pass at a hotel. It’s a huge bar with plenty of picnic tables, but don’t be surprised to see it fill up fast on a beautiful day. The view of Midtown from Long Island City is well worth the price of admission, which happens to be $9 for a beer. 

The food: Easy eating like burgers, shrimp rolls and kielbasa served with pita, mustard and sauerkraut can all be had for $20 or under. There are salads for a little something lighter, or a $25 snack plate with hummus, olives, veggies and pita bread to share with your increasingly rowdy friends. 

The drinks: 16 beers can be had for $9 a pop, or put into a bucket; hard seltzers and ciders are also on the menu. A handful of bottles of wine are around $60, and summertime faves like Moscow mules, margs and Aperol spritzes are $15.

Time Out tip: You can’t reserve the picnic tables, so roll up early (they open at 3pm on weekdays and noon on weekends) to save a seat.