So, you didn’t get the long weekend you were hoping for — but what better place to celebrate the birth of our country than the city itself? Nothing quite says ‘America’ like the Statue of Liberty, fireworks over the Hudson, Brooklyn brews, and backyard rooftop barbeques. From early morning brunches to pick-up picnic lunches to an all-night happy hour to cap off your evening, here’s how to make the most of your one day off … a day you’re particularly likely to find watermelon cocktails all over town. Check out our map of Independence Day dining destinations below, and then plot your courses.
230 Fifth
230 Fifth Ave., twentieth fl., at 27th St.; 212-725-4300
When: Beginning at 11 a.m.
What: Park it here for a day-into-evening celebration, with hot dogs, burgers, Champagne, and a panoramic view of the fireworks show over the Hudson.
Price: Call for pricing details, food à la carte*
Alison Eighteen
15 W. 18th St., nr. Fifth Ave.; 212-366-1818
When: 5:45 p.m. to 11 p.m.
What: Head here for an all-American prix fixe dinner of fried chicken, corn bread, tomato salad, and strawberry shortcake, paired with watermelon margaritas. For those looking to avoid the crowds, the Flatiron joint will be showing the fireworks display on their big screen downstairs.
Price: $38 to $46 per person
Brasserie Beaumarchais
409 W. 13th St., nr. Greenwich St. 212-675-2400
When: Beginning at 1 p.m.
What: A Beau brunch and barbecue dinner party, with chef David E. Diaz grilling up specials like honey-glazed shrimp skewers and pulled-pork sandwiches. Guests can also enjoy beer buckets and grilled hot dogs at the bar and dance through the evening to D.J. Marco Peruzzi.
Price: À la carte
The Dutch
131 Sullivan St., nr. Prince St.; 212-677-6200
When: Lunch, 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; supper, 5:30 p.m. to 12 a.m.
What: “Eat in or Take out” their BBQ plate of Texas-style smoked brisket, mustard-barbecue pulled pork, Asian white boy ribs, Mexican corn on the cob, corn bread, and watermelon. Wash down this meat medley with a mint julep! Call ahead to reserve.
Price: $28 barbecue plates and $10 mint juleps
Five Points
31 Great Jones St., nr. Lafayette St.; 212-253-5700
When: 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What: The local, natural, seasonal team will be serving up beers, burgers, and a “Down & Dirty” low-country picnic with cornbread and spiked watermelon lemonade on the backyard patio.
Price: À la carte
The Highliner
210 Tenth Ave., nr. 22nd St.; 212-206-6206
When: 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What: Pack up one (or several) of their famous picnic dinners to enjoy while watching the fireworks over the Hudson. Choose from the New England lobster roll, roasted chicken sandwich, or a grilled all-beef hot dog.
Price: Boxed meals, from $8 to $20 each
James
605 Carlton Ave., nr. St. Marks Ave., Prospect Heights; 718-942-4255
When: 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
What: The Prospect Heights favorite will be featuring a one-day-only all-American summer menu, with grass-fed beef burgers, cumin-dusted lamb burgers, grilled Kobe chili dogs, lobster rolls with roasted corn, and even peanut butter and jelly sundaes.
Price: À la carte
The Lambs Club
132 W. 44th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-997-5262
When: Lunch, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; dinner, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What: This Independence Day special is being served all week long: Order a burger and fries along with your choice of cocktail or a dessert for one price.
Price: $25
The Lion
62 W. 9th St., nr. Sixth Ave.; 212-353-8400
When: 1 p.m. to 9 p.m.
What: Exercise your right to choose (or choose, then exercise). This menu special includes a choice of one entrée, like spiced beef brisket or fried chicken and waffles, and one side, like scallion black pepper biscuits or fresh watermelon and mint.
Price: $29 per person
Lowcountry
142 W. 10th St., nr. Waverly Pl.; 212-255-2330
When: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
What: Can’t make it down south for the holiday? Head downtown instead, for this all-day southern special of a fried chicken basket, roasted corn and potatoes, cornbread, and a complimentary carafe of John Daly.
Price: Five-piece basket for $28, ten-piece for $50; $5 draft beers and glasses of wine
Marble Lane
355 W. 16th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 212-229-2336
When: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
What: The steakhouse, located in the Dream Downtown Hotel, is offering a lobster boil of one-and-a-quarter-pound lobsters with steamer clams, potatoes, corn, and cornbread on the side. Flag-inspired “red” and “white” themed cocktails will also be available.
Price: $32
Mas (la grillade)
28 Seventh Ave. South, nr. Bedford St.; 212-255-1795
When: 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
What: In addition to their traditional menu, Mas will feature specials “fit for a bun,” like grass-fed beef burgers with smoked tomato ketchup, Flying Pigs Farm hot dogs with beet mustard, and grilled lobster rolls, all served with local pickles and housemade potato salad. Follow with ice-cold housemade ice creams to beat the heat.
Price: À la carte
The Mermaid Inn
96 Second Ave., nr. E. 5th St.; 212-674-5870
When: 4 to 7 p.m.
What: No studies have shown that fireworks are more enjoyable after a few beers and a dozen oysters, but it probably can’t hurt. The Mermaid Inn has your afternoon covered with an extended happy hour and a special snack menu.
Price: $1 oysters, $6 cocktails and glasses of wine, $5 beers
Monument Lane
103 Greenwich Ave., at W. 12th St.; 212-255-0155
When: 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m.
What: To serve hungry firework-watchers headed to the banks of the Hudson, Monument Lane is offering their Thursday night shrimp boil a day early. Honor our nation’s founding by tucking into a spicy pot of shrimp, sausage, corn, and potatoes. With your hands, please.br />
Price: $27
No. 7
7 Greene Ave., at Fulton St., Fort Greene; 718-522-6370
When: Open from 5 until the fireworks on the Fourth.
What: Order by Tuesday at noon to pick up this picnic option: a ten-piece fried chicken meal with broccoli and potato salads.
Price: $35 per person
No. 7 Sub
The Plaza Food Hall
Fifth Ave. at Central Park South; 646-755-3228
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
What: Three if by sub, six if by beer: Every six-foot sub comes with a six-pack of Taiwan Beer. Order by Tuesday at noon.
Price: $150 for your choice of three subs (add $20 for every cheese steak order)
North End Grill
104 North End Ave., nr. Vesey St.; 646-747-1600
When: Lunch, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.; dinner, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
What: Two Independence Day specials: fried calamari po’boy (to stay or to go!) and a (coincidentally red-white-and-blue?) shellfish bake — with littlenecks, mussels, blue crab, striped bass, and linguiça sausage.
Price: $30 shellfish bakes and $10 po’boys
Pera
303 Madison Ave., nr. 42nd St.; 212-878-6301
When: From 11:30 a.m.
What: The family style barbecue (also offered in Pera Soho’s dining room) will feature Mediterranean-inspired American classics like fried green tomatoes, lamb ribs, and watermelon and feta salad … and you don’t have to pay in Euros.
Price: À la carte
Pera Soho
54 Thompson St., nr. Broome St.; 212-878-6305
When: Seatings at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 8 p.m.
What: Just 25 guests (per seating) will get to experience the restaurant’s inaugural opening of its rooftop deck to the public. Rooftop grill specials like Raki Dunkin’ chicken, skewered mussels, and specially marinated Shashlik beef and duck steaks will star on the menu.
Price: $55 for first two lunch seatings, $65 for dinner seating
Riverpark
450 E. 29th St., at First Ave.; 212-729-9790
When: Noon to 4 p.m.
What: If you don’t feel like manning the grill yourself, head over for a three-course menu of American cookout classics like fried chicken, pulled pork sandwiches, and potato salad, then finish it off with brownies and pie.
Price: $28
The Smile
26 Bond St., nr. Lafayette St.; 646-329-5836
When: 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
What: Smile — because this is America, and our cuisine is great. The Bond Street haunt will serve up slaw, root beer floats, and blueberry pie to top off an American dinner.
Price: À la carte
STK Rooftop
26 Little W. 12th St., nr. Ninth Ave.; 646-624-2444
When: Noon til late, with rotating D.J.s beginning at 4 p.m. Reservations accepted starting at 6 p.m.
What: A “Wet n’ Wild” Fourth of July party featuring gourmet corn dogs, boozy patriotic snow cones, and a “bomb pop” martini rimmed with pop rocks. A cotton candy machine and water guns filled with shots will also be available to guests.
Price: $100 minimum per person
Tequileria Maya
1191 First Ave., nr. 64th St.; 212-585-1818
When: 5 p.m. to 12 a.m.
What: Continue the festivities into the evening, with an all-night happy hour at the new tequileria (which adjoins the restaurant). Toast to the opening and our great country with a watermelon margarita or a glass of red sangria, along with tacos and small plates. And then take the next day off.
Price: $6 margaritas, $6 select wines by the glass, $4 cervezas, and $4 Mexican tapas and tacos
*This posted has been corrected to show that 230 Fifth’s bottle-service pricing varies.
