Outdoor Bar Hopping in Manhattan and Brooklyn

Southwest Porch at Bryant Park has porch swings and comfy chairs, plus a bucolic midtown setting. The only downside--drinks are served in plastic cups.

Drink one of the three local beers on tap: Sixpoint IPA (Brooklyn), Ommegang Witte (Cooperstown) or the signature Southwest Brew (Blue Point, LI).

The full bar also has specialty cocktails perfect for sipping on a swing: one with lemon vodka and fresh watermelon juice and a mint iced tea spiked with bourbon.

Snacks are from 'wichcraft, which also has a park kiosk.
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Address: 6th Avenue and 40th Street
Phone: 800-435-9792
Hours: Monday through Saturday 12pm - 11pm; Sunday 12pm - 7pm

Bryant Park Cafe, at the other end of Bryant Park, is open mid-April to November. The cafe, larger than the Southwest Porch, offers a much greater selection of wines by the glass (alas, also served in plastic).

The cafe is an ideal setting for the free movies shown in Bryant Park on Mondays in summer.

You can hop on the B, D, F or M train on the corner and take it to West Fourth and transfer to the A, C or E to Canal for your next stop or get a cab.

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Address: 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues
Phone: 212-840-6500
Hours: Sunday through Thursday 11:30am - 11pm; Friday and Saturday 11:30am - 12am

The Yard at Soho Grand Hotel has an outdoor grill and plenty of greenery. It is on the side of the hotel, reached by its own entrance, and is dog friendly. DJs or live music provide the backdrop.

Sink into a lounge chair with the Perfect Ten: a concoction of vanilla vodka, pineapple juice and fresh lemon. This is the most expensive outdoor bar on the list, but worth it for the SoBe vibe.

Take a cab to your next stop.
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Address: 310 W. Broadway
Phone: 212-965-3588
Hours vary.

This bar (there's also a branch in New Orleans) specializes in single malt whiskey, small batch bourbon and rare tequilas. There is also a huge selection of bottled beer and beer on tap, and hand-drawn ales. Drink in the huge rear patio.

The best way to your next stop is by cab.
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Address: 41 First Avenue
Phone: 212-475-5097
Hours: Open Daily 1pm - 4am

Feel the sand between your toes at Beekman Beer Garden, where a brew or a margarita (frozen or on the rocks) is de rigueur. The South Street Seaport bar, open May-October, has live music or a DJ at night, a boardwalk, flat-screen TVs, and pool, foosball and ping-pong. Early in the day, families come for the nine-hole miniature golf course. There are also hammocks.

Snacks include a raw bar, hot dogs and burgers.

To get to the next stop go to Fulton Street and take the 2, 3, 4 or 5 train to Brooklyn to Atlantic Avenue-Pacific Street. Walk south on Fourth Avenue.
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Location: 89 South St. (Behind South Street Seaport, on the north side of Pier 17)
Phone: 212-896-4600
Hours: Daily 12pm - 3am

The Cherry Tree has a brick-walled garden down a couple of steps in the back. Sit at a picnic table or around a fountain in the smoking corner.

The bar offers a huge selection of beer on tap and in bottles, and cheap pitchers of Pabst Blue Ribbon.
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Address: 65 Fourth Ave., Brooklyn
Phone: 718-399-1353
Hours: Daily 11am - 4am

Sip a craft beer and watch Park Slopers walking their dogs and kids going to the playground from the Gate's large fenced in patio. Since the bar serves no food, people get dinner delivered through the fence.

There is a revolving selection of beer on tap and bartenders are happy to give a taste of unusual ones.

Check out the Revolutionary War exhibit at the Old Stone House across the street, or in the summer stop by for live music, plays or movies, all free.

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The Gate
Address: 321 Fifth Ave., Brooklyn
Phone: 718-768-4329
Hours: Monday through Friday 3pm - 4am; Saturday and Sunday 1pm - 4am

The Old Stone House
Address: 336 Third St.
Phone: 718-768-3195
Hours: Saturday and Sunday 11am - 4pm