There’s just something about outdoor drinking with the NYC skyline stretched out before you that instantly puts everyone in a good mood. Now imagine that same scene on the water, aboard a floating bar. Better yet, imagine that bar set atop a decommissioned 1961 FDNY fireboat. Now that’s a quintessential New York summer experience.
That vibe officially arrived this week with the debut of Fireboat at Brooklyn Bridge Park’s Pier 6. The brainchild of Crew, the team behind Grand Banks, which is one of the city’s most coveted reservations whenever the weather creeps above 70 degrees, Fireboat pairs tropical bites and drinks with panoramic views of New York Harbor.
While the concept sounds elaborate, the backstory is refreshingly straightforward: Crew acquired the 1961 FDNY fireboat Governor Alfred E. Smith at a city auction in 2016 and has spent the years since restoring the vintage vessel into a cocktail destination. It’s banking on the same undeniable truth that has made Grand Banks such a success: New Yorkers really, really love drinking on boats.
Although you’ll likely spend much of your visit soaking in the views, the menu is worth a look. It’s compact but thoughtfully curated, featuring snacks like ceviche and chips, cod cakes and assorted skewers. There are also three salads —cucumber tomato, watermelon wedges and curried chicken Caesar—plus a lone sandwich option: jerk chicken with bell peppers and slaw. Since it’s the only sandwich on the menu, we’re choosing to believe it’s exceptional. You can pair it with either fries or a pickle.
If you’re mainly there for drinks and dessert, the toasted coconut ice cream and piña colada feel especially on-theme. The beverage program also includes wines by the glass, beers and spirit-free options like the Phony Negroni and watermelon limonata, both of which sound perfect for a sunny afternoon on the harbor.
The tropical cocktails are the real stars, though. There’s the Skipper Key, made with rosé, lemon, strawberry and seltzer; Wildfire, featuring tequila, lime, habanero, strawberry and Aleppo salt; and Tropicalia, a refreshing mix of vodka, watermelon and lime, among other options. You can even add a spirit float to any cocktail if you’re feeling extra festive.
Ladies and gents, summer in New York has officially arrived, and drinking on a fireboat should be at the very top of your seasonal to-do list.
