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Categories: Bars, American (Traditional) [Edit]
Neighborhood: Manhattan/Upper West Side79th St (1)
I've been to the Boat Basin a number of times. And each time I went, my experience has been constant, good friends and good times.
I think with Boat Basin, you're going to have to go on certain nights if you would rather not deal with the crowds, say take Monday nights as an example.
They have a good happy hour special, $2 off all drinks - not just beer. The margaritas are yummy, the vibe is chill, and yes, the view is amazing, especially at sunset.
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As pretty much every other yelper has said, the view is lovely. Based on previous reviews I was expecting a long wait, but a table for 5 on a Tuesday night didn't take more than 15 minutes.
The food was pretty decent. I had the chopped salad which was a nice blend of sweet and savory (mangoes, raspberries, tomatoes, grilled portabello mushrooms...interesting combination, but the flavors meshed well with the raspberry vinaigrette).
Despite our waiter giving us the wrong bill and forgetting to bring a cocktail that was ordered, our waiter was very apologetic and quickly resolved all issues.
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I've been here for lunch twice, and for a private event once. It is a fun, certainly unique, place, but I wouldn't quite say the location or view are "lovely". While the stone structure that houses the restaurant is stunning itself, it loses its effect when you see the raised platform in the middle of the courtyard (complete with a tacky, bright blue, vinyl banner covering the sides and 15-20 tall stacks of weathered white plastic chairs and tables). The last time I went, there were also several dozen cases of cheap beer stacked along the courtyard wall - right where you have to walk if coming from the street. I know it's a casual, outdoor space, but it would certainly have a nicer feel if they just stored furniture and beer somewhere more out of the way.
I've personally never faced a significant crowd, but imagine that during peak lunch and dinner times you could.
The food was nothing special. I had a salad that was decent and a chicken sandwich that was just a chicken sandwich. Prices are reasonable and there is a decent beer selection.
One downfall is that everything is served on disposa-ware, which seems wasteful. Furthermore, you can easily lose your napkin, flimsy silverware, and paper plates to the wind if it picks up any.
The service was good to mediocre. No one was rude and, at times, people were quite friendly and attentive. But too many times was I ignored as my waitress or other server ran by with a worried or preoccupied look on their face (we're talking trying to get someones attention for 10-15 minutes just for another beer).
All in all, this place is mediocre. However, when the weather is nice and you want to feel like you're out of the city, this is a great place to go. The prices aren't bad so you're not investing a whole lot. It's also a crowd-pleaser if you want to throw a happy hour or party for 20-50 people and want something casual and different.
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Everyone says it's all about the view.... well if you want the view buy a six pack and discreetly drink them on the lawns either side of the boat basin because it will be a much better experience. The place gets over-crowded, the bar staff are rude, the food really isn't worth buying. Just because they have a good location should not exempt them from making an effort.
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This place is a stellar venue for some outdoor drinking during the spring and summer. It's nestled on the Hudson River at 79th St., and is really easy to get to from midtown. As you walk down from the busy intersection of 79th St and the West Side Highway, it appears like a little urban oasis, and you marvel at the existence of such a spot in New York City.
Physically, the rotunda area is round, stone cutout with an elevated seating area in the middle where you can sit and eat serviceable, but typically NYCoverpirced, burgers and such fare. We held a private fundraiser out in this area, and though the venue is fantastic, it isn't the easiest place to hold this kind of thing. We were happy with it though since we had such great weather and everyone had fun.
In the covered cafe space has more tables, and backs all the way up to the river, overlooking a boat dock that feels like you are in the Marmaroneck Yacht Club or something, except you remember you are in NYC when bikers almost run you over as they cruise down the wooden path that separates the cafe from the river. There is definitely a slight steakhead factor represented amongst the crowd, but on the whole it is a cute, fun bunch of folks out here. Good times.
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Good for a casual gathering. But be prepared that this place is completely packed whenever the weather is nice. Be also prepared to wait a long time for a table if you're here during peak hours.
I would recommend coming out here when it is still light, during the day and towards the evening. I also recommend this place more as a beer stop. You don't really get any view unless you are sitting or standing right near the western edge of this place. So if you're for instance, cycling along the west side and decide to take a break here for a cold beverage, then you're golden as you will be able to enjoy the view but not have to deal with the crowds for too much.
This is no gourmet joint but it has some decent bar fare. The barbecued ribs were actually pretty good and very tender. The bratwurst was juicy and smoking and delicious; it comes in a bun with some sauerkraut on the side.
Summertime in NYC=dining on the Hudson!
I was visiting some friends in NYC Memorial Day Weekend and we hoofed it from their place to this funky spot on the water.
The food was no frills and chips instead of fries with your burgers (or in my case a chicken sandwich), but the view and open air dining are the draw. Try the cornbread for a nice spicy surprise.
Overall, the sunset was the best part of the evening.
Service was fast at first, but then we were pretty much ignored. Again you're going for some brews and the view.
A great summer spot to relax and have some drinks. It is wonderful here when the weather is nice. A very casual, relaxed atmosphere with decent (and decently priced) drinks. The food is okay, but not the best. I'd say it's more of a spot to go grab drinks with friends after work on a nice summer evening than a place to go meet up for dinner- although after a few margaritas, you can bet I'll be having a menu in my hand and ordering a burger or some such thing. It does tend to get crowded and the tables closer to the water fill up rather quickly, so be ready to sit a little off the water or wait awhile. Not sure if they take reservations. Definitely worth checking out in the summer. Don't worry, you can show up in shorts a T-shirt and flip flops. Kind of reminds me of So Cal a little :)
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Since it was the end of the Spring trimester (4/23), a group of Fordham MBA students decided to have a few drinks at the Boat Basin. We walked down the stairwell and into a wonderful surprise. I never knew it existed.
There were many people waiting for tables. Every five minutes, some reservation was being called.
"Jerry, party of 2"
"Jack, party of 4"
"Boris, party of 2"
You could hear it all night. Annoying.
It took a few minutes to capture the bartender's attention but we decided to stand and observe the area. It could have been a mild mannered dog run. A lot of dog owners. A lot of ladies strutting their stuff. I thought I was watching an episode of "The L Word", sans heavy petting and nudity.
The restroom was nasty (open to the public) and probably a haven for pan handlers to wash up. Overall, the Boat Basin is a nice place to drink a few beers and enjoy the view.
As we left to go to the Gin Mill, my friend chuckled, "I'm sorry guys for taking you to a lesbian dog bar..."
Damn, it was not fun going back up those stairs.
IFHTP 1
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The Boat Basin is an institution. The wait for a table can be long and the food is a solid ok, I dont recommend anything more sophisticated than a hamburrger. During the summer time it has a great bar scene and there are very few places in Manhattan where you can drink outside and enjoy the summer air, which is what makes the place special. Even better is eating on the deck overlooking the Hudson, the wait for one of those tables can easily top an hour, but if you are in the mood, the wait is worth it. So yes, the bathrooms are lousy, there are bugs and it is not the most comfortable place in the world but when it is warm in New York, it is a great place to hang out and have a drink or three.
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I really love the Boat Basin. I somehow end up here every time I visit in the summer. Its now pretty much a tradition.
Sure the service isnt great and the food is basic....but its solid. The prices are very reasonable and the drinks are fairly cheap. It reminds me of some of the cheap and cheerful places i frequented in college-- You will probably end up blitzed but the view and the atmosphere are why you actually keep on going back.
I've actually never had to wait more than 5 min for a table...but from what i hear i'm extremely lucky. The bathrooms are pretty gross...but at least there are a lot of them.
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The Boat Basin is one of the most fun places to go in the summer! It's a lovely space, right along the Hudson -- even though you're tucked away under the West Side Highway, you can squint your eyes and pretend you are far from the city. The drinks are plentiful and fairly cheap, and they have a bunch of frozen options. I've never had the food, but I hear it isn't bad. It gets quite crowded at night, so be prepared to contend with the crowds. You can take your drinks out to the water, though, so it's easy to find a space to hang out with a group.
Lets get this out of the way quickly.
Your food will be average for Manhattan, and your service will most certainly not be good.
However, it's not every place that can boast that it's on top of the Hudson River. You should have unobstructed views of a lovely sunset if you show up at the correct time. Make sure you do show up BEFORE said sunset, however, as it can get crowded around that time. In fact, it is these intangibles that give this spot a 4-star rating instead of a 2-star rating.
I wouldnt call this place a hidden secret any longer, but it is true that not that many outside of UWS residents know of its' existence. It is a FANTASTIC place to get drunk on a steamy hot summer Thursday, Friday, or Saturday night. The coolness factor that you are under the West Side Highway only adds to the ambience. It is also a VERY dog friendly establishment, with canine water bowls every 35 feet or so.
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The main reason to go to the Boat Basin is easy: The View, The View, The View. (And the fact that you can have a beer - or four - while enjoying it.) I finally went for the first time this past Sunday and the view -- of the water and the sunset -- was phenomenal. I love how tucked away this place is -- it's one of the few water-side bars I've found in NYC that reminds me of other coastal cities (San Francisco, Charleston, etc.). The lines were intense when we arrived and we put our names on two of the seating lists (for the veranda and inside) and drank beers on the steps and enjoyed the scenery while waiting. Then we realized there was a 3rd seating list for the tables in the inner circle. We were seated there 2 minutes after we signed up. The food - very basic grilled fare - was unimpressive, but again the only real reason to go here is to enjoy the View and frosty beverages with friends.
I've read some past reviews where people fault the Boat Basin for not being trendy or cool enough. That's SO not what this place is about. It's about relaxing by the water with a drink, very casually. If that's what you're looking for, the Boat Basin is brilliant.
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this is a nice summer venue. awesome space, good frozen drinks, and nice view right by the river. if you're on the westside, this is a nice RELAXED place to go to for a few drinks with friends.
When the sun is out, the shorts and summer dresses are on and you are thirsty and hungry for some quintessential summer fare, there is no better place to go then THE BOAT BASIN!
This is only open during the summer months, as it is completely OUTSIDE. This is a place to sit back and spend all day with your friends chit chatting and sipping on something refreshing and alcoholic :)
Seriously, it feels like you have left Manhattan and you are in another world. It's tucked away off of 79th and Riverside right next to Riverside Park...walk down some steps and there you are...transplanted into a BBQ, margarita, and beer oasis. It really doesn't get better than this if you can't make it out of the city on a summer weekend.
LOVE the burgers, LOVE the margaritas, LOVE BOATHOUSE!
It loses a star because they don't have fries...who doesn't have fries?
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Summer is the perfect time for this place. In fact it isn't even open in the winters.
Its situated under the west side highway (henry Hudson parkway) on the westside. a little hard to find if you have never been. take a few stairs by the turnaround downstairs and walk under the bridge and you are there.
An open space and a full stock bar, with yummy Mexican influenced food. The food can be better. But what beats watching a sunset over the Hudson river.
You get your drinks in plastic cups, shots in plastic containers, feels like your in an outdoors frat house. Which sometimes can be a turn off, but works pretty well here.
The reason this place closes in the winters, is because they don't have an enclosed area, everything is out doors, thus I imagine, when its rainy its probably not the best idea to go.
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On a Saturday afternoon in midsummer, a large group sits laughing at a table at the Boat Basin Cafe. A cool breeze ruffles our hair. Boats sail by below us. A waitress comes over and begins to take our order. The door to the kitchen bursts open, and a young man runs out, waving his arms, yelling:
"F**K YOU! YOU SUCK! I just JERKED OFF on the burgers and PEED in the gaspacho!!! I QUIT!"
He stomps up the stairs and disappears. The waitress, cringing, says to Neila: "Er . . . can I get you something to eat?"
Neila thrusts her fist into the air and yells "GASPACHO!!" The whole table then follows suit, fists outstretched, shouting "GASPACHO!!" in tandem.
Needless to say, we didn't eat much that day, but sheer comedic value gets the Boat Basin four stars.
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The Basin Cafe is a great summer spot to be social out on the deck with other likeminded NYC twenty-and-thirty-something folks after a long hard day of work.
The beer is cold-ish and comes in a liquid form.
The food is foodlike: lumpy and warm, possibly even cooked in some sort of heating device.
The chairs are comfy green plastic, especially out on the deck.
The service is good in that you can order things and eventually they'll bring them to you. I suggest that you drink lots of beer, and then you'll be pleasantly surprised when your order shows up. Hell, order another round while the server's at the table. It's important to plan ahead!
One thing you see around here in the summer is a lot of very boobular women. There's more cleavage here than in a Russ Meyer movie.
Another thing you see here in the summer are the GIANT FUCKING COCKROACHES that SKITTER BY ON THE WALL AND ONTO YOUR TABLE while you're eating. Then you realize that you're totally surrounded by the entire bug population of New York City.
Uh, no thanks. I prefer my meal to be vermin-free.
Nice view of the river, though.
(And I agree wholeheartedly with the reviewer who said " If you are the type to bitch a lot - go somewhere else, because if I'm around I don't want to hear your whiny ass." That's perfect, because I won't be around for you to hear my ass whining about it. I'll be drinking at a much more quality establishment, and trust me, I will not be whining. Enjoy your evening with las cucarachas!)
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Great place to meet up with friends after work - for simple beer and boat watching. To watch a sunset and sit on the steps and talk about way back when.
The servers are very nice, the food not so much. If you want a tuna salad sandwich with chips and beer - this is right up your ally. If you want gourmet, seriously, look elsewhere.
To unwind - go here.
If you are the type to bitch a lot - go somewhere else, because if I'm around I don't want to hear your whiny ass.
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4 stars for atmosphere, 2 for food. This is not a place to go have a nice meal; it's all about the location and view of the river.
The happy hour specials aren't that amazing- something like $2 off drink prices- but there's always a young crowd and it's very dog-friendly.
(Although sometimes TOO friendly- do dogs on tables gross anyone else out?)
I usually take my tourists here because the atmosphere is great, and I always have wacky waiters who make dining there very entertaining.
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This place serves everything from the frozen-foods section that my mom never let me put in the grocery cart when I was a kid!
The view is fantastic, but your order of nachos? It will come with cheese-like sauce, and three solo containers with salsa, sour cream, and jalapenos. Seriously, they don't layer it, and they don't bake it.
The burgers are decent, and the 16 oz draft Blue Moon is a reasonable $6. You're here for the view.
The wait staff sucks as well, at least the guy we had did. Really awful service. The food and service are one star, for sure, but man, what a location!
The place is beautiful and the view is even better. I would come back here, but for drinks only.
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Beatles version:
Sun sun sun, here it comes!
My version when I am at the Boat Basin Cafe:
Beer beer beer, here it comes!
Either one applies at this place.
Sunny beer
Beery sun
It's all good.
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I like this place for the atmosphere. But don't like this place because you can only sit if you are eating. And eating here is not a pleasure.
The sunset was amazing, even if it was setting over New Jersey...
Go for the views and the brews (sorry, I had to rhyme) or take tourist friends.
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On a nice day, this place is perfect for groups, or just hanging out with a date. Sitting by the water makes you feel away enough from New York that it's enjoyable.
If only they had good food. It barely breaks bar food status.
Only go for the drinks...
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It constantly amazes me the extents this city will go to to accommodate to those of us who especially consume intoxicating beverages. Where better than to place yourself outside on the water on a sunny day and literally take it all in.
Buckets of beer are a must here- food so, so..but quite frankly who really cares when you have an icy Corona to indulge in and all of NYC and the Hudson to glare at in a silly daze of happiness.
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Great "WOW" factor, insanely gorgeous, and the service is surprisingly friendly and on point. The food is only ok, but who cares. It isn't usually that crowded, either.
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Location, Location, Location
That is the main thing this place has going for it. I was here for a benefit party, and had a good time. It overlooks the river and marina, so it is nice to be able to walk out and admire all the boats. Drink prices are reasonable, albeit a small selection.
The food was nothing special, a few times while they were cooking smoke from the grill filled up the covered space, brought the smells of summer back.
The restrooms are on either side of the rotunda, and are very large with lots of private stalls. I was a little worried when I first entered, but it was all for not, as they were clean, and so-so stocked. 3 Flushes (though during the summer season it could get pretty nasty I have a feeling)
+ Great venue in the summer time
+ Guys: best vintage urinals in the City, rivaling even those at Pastis.
- Don't get the bbq pulled pork, it's dry and tasteless. You're better off travelling north a few more subway stops and going to Dinosaur
- An environmental disaster in terms of their plastic utensil, cup and plate usage. With the high volumes of customers and catered event clients who frequent this place, I would encourage management to invest in a dishwasher and real cutlery. With the large staff and huge kitchen, they can afford both the labor and the space.
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Just the location alone makes me dream about warm weather! Come on sun!!! We miss you!!
Date Rating: 8 (on a warm day)
Pick up Scale: 6 (try a weekend on a warm day)
Strong Suggestions: Do not attempt to swim or jump into the water after becoming intoxicated!
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The barely warm weather I just experienced walking home from the gym made me think about spring, and spring means outdoor drinking and outdoor drinking on the West Side means the Boat Basin. This rating was very difficult to determine because some things about the Boat Basin are SO wonderful (the sunshine, the smell of grilled food, the people watching, the dog watching, the sunshine) and some things about it are truly awful (the raunchy women's bathroom, the fact that there's sometimes a bathroom attendant to be tipped in the raunchy bathroom, the snarky waitstaff). The food is completely mediocre and they don't seem to believe in the "every 5th round on me" NYC rule, but I still love going to the Boat Basin.
An illustrative example: during one visit last summer we ordered a bucket of Coronas. With our six Coronas came four limes. I very politely went up to the bar and asked for two more limes, to which the bartender responded by practically throwing a plastic cup filled with limes at me. Another time our bucket of beers was low on ice, so we asked to "borrow" a little ice from a small satellite bar that was set up near where we were lounging. They totally refused to share their ice with us! It's little things like that that make the Boat Basin what it is, I guess. They will never have to treat you very nicely because they know full well that once the weather cracks 60 degrees and there is any hint of sunshine they will be overrun with winter-ditching drinkers.
Bring your friends, bring your kids, bring your dog to the Boat Basin and have a great time this summer. Just don't forget to bring your patience.
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As a bar, this is 5 stars just b/c of the location. It's sometimes tough getting a table but standing room by the bar is just fine. Great place to just relax, have some beers (or frozen drinks), and transform the Hudson River and western NJ landscape into whatever picturesque seaside escape you can trick your mind into envisioning.
As for food, it's 3 stars on its best day. Reminds me of the food I cranked out as a teenager at a swim club food concession. Burgers no better than a backyard picnic, decent salads, ok fried apps. I think they have 'entrees' but my hopes for fine food wither somewhere between Broadway and West End.
Part of me wishes a better restaurant would win the bid and have food that rivals the space. The other part of me is kind of glad the food is so pedestrian b/c it would make it that much tougher to get seating.
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There aren't many places in the city that can accommodate a group of 28 with only an hour's notice (granted it was a misty July evening). We were seated and served promptly and they didn't even mess up a single order. The food is as expected... backyard/picnic/bbq fare. Pitchers of beer were just what we needed and the scenery is enchanting. You can almost forget you're in the concrete jungle.
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Smart enough to take advantage of their surroundings and also to meet the preferences of Riverside Park users. Housed by the river, under the traffic circle at the 79th exit of the Henry Hudson Parkway, yielding a great view of and breeze from the Hudson, the stone masonry supporting the road above transmits cooler air, making this a great place to duck out of the heat on a hot summer day, maybe just after a good run or skate, boat, bike or kayak ride, tennis, soccer or LIttle League game, dog run, or hang out in the park.
They're not picky about reservations, what you wear, how many kids, strollers and dogs you have or where you want to park your bike ... a good thing yesterday because a couple hundred of us NYC triathletes descended on the place right after the race. (One thing we triathletes worry more about than most people: where's my bike. If you devote to your bike what we do to ours in time, toil, blood and sweat, not to mention buck$, you understand).
The menu is just what you want in a casual grill: several steps above fast food, plus the bar is a lot better stocked than Mickey D's. Don't get fancy; just order according to the grill smoke wafting out into the park: burgers, including turkey, if you must.
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This is such a GREAT spot for drinks in the late spring and summer. Some friends and I crashed a party here, quite accidentally a few summers back and absolutely fell in love. I was just thinking of the gorgeous view, the breeze.... for me, its the essence of summer in Manhattan!
It somehow achieves a delicate balance of being perfectly New York while feeling like a beautiful escape that is somewhere else all together.
BRING ON THE WARM WEATHER!
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as far as i'm concerned, you could find a lot worse ways to while away an interminable height-of-summer NYC day than by staking out a table and having some burgers and a couple of buckets of beer at this place. that's what it's great for. order anything else and i'm going to go out on a limb here and say you're probably going to be pretty disappointed.
minus a star because while, yes, you're sitting on the water, you're staring at weehawken or wherever, new jersey. coming from SF, i could never quite get over that.
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I need to take my boyfriend here. To watch the sunset and throw back a few. It sure has ambiance. I came here for an alumni happy hour and was pleasantly surprised with the open air seating shading you from squinting.
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In most of the cities in this country, you find various establishments that pretend to be better than they are. In Baltimore, for example, there is BAR Baltimore, which is a complete hole with bad drinks that smells like urine, yet the bouncers make you tuck your shirt in -- even if it's a sweater that isn't meant to be tucked.
There is something similar going on with the Boat Basin. While they're not pretentious, they're either all on speed, or the management is some sort of Destro-type whip cracking evil boss. Want a table when the place is completely empty? Wait to be called over the intercom anyway. Waiting for someone to show up late? Can't hold on to that extra menu, there must be a shortage. Almost done with your beer? Too late, someone has taken your glass away - table must've been too cluttered.
What are they thinking? The food is blah. The beer is blah. If they tried to run a restaurant like this anywhere in the city, it would've lasted one week, tops (well, besides times square, where it probably would've thrived).
Why three stars? It's great for groups, and the view and river breeze are amazing. Get some people together, ride your bikes there, drink some semi-skunked Sam Adams. It's your right as an American, as someone else put it..
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I'll have to totally agree with Scott on this one. For the food alone, I too would give it just 3 stars max...but the mere fact that we have such a place to eat so close to the Hudson is some sort of blessing, so it gets another star for that...and the fun vibe it brings in warm weather. Definetly a party atmosphere near the bar area.
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One of my favorite summer places! It's great to get a good group of friends together and chill by the water. It's totally low-key, they don't gouge you on drink prices, and who doesn't love boats????!!!! Food's nothing to write home about, but that's not what this joint is about, now is it???!!! Fun for everyone.