Overview
With grand vaulted stone ceilings and spectacular sunsets over the Hudson its no surprise this venue draws a huge after work crowd.
The Boat Basin Cafe is a truly unusual place. Leased out from the New York Park Services, its a historic venue with vaulted stone ceiling and a giant veranda overlooking the boat docks, the Hudson and the New Jersey skyline. It's half restaurant and half bar but there is so much space that both halves are enormous. The food is unspectacular picnic fair, its way to crowded, and the drinks are best ordered by the dozen, but the atmosphere is so intoxicating that you'll find yourself coming back again and again.
Why you should go
- The Boat Basin is far and away the best after work scene on the Upper West Side. Crowds of hundreds show up to soak in the atmosphere.
- As you walk down the tree lined stone stairs that lead into the cafe you can't help but feel like you've stumbled onto some hidden treasure - well you and the 500 other people.
- On a Thursday night the Boat Basin can be an unrepentant meet market.
What you should know
- The bar is located in a pit in the center of a traffic circle Once while we were there an SUV carreened out of control flipped over, and falling into the center of the bar. So you may want to keep your head up.
- It can be tricky finding the place. Take the 1 or 2 train to 79th St and walk west past Riverside Drive. Walk underneat the green highway overpass and take the staircase on either side.
- The Boat Basin is owned by Michael O'Neil proprietor of the Lincoln Center's O'Neil's.
- Make sure you check their website, the place closes often for private parties.