The Crow's Nest
East River and East 30th Street, 212-683-3333, Kips Bay
If the idea of spending hours on the water isn't your thing, head to The Crow's Nest, the seasonal top-deck bar of East River eatery The Water Club. Sip cocktails and dine on American classics aboard this eatery reminiscent of a docked yacht while taking in views of the Queensboro Bridge and Long Island City across the water. A small outdoor bar means you don't have to leave the fresh air to fill up your glass. And since this one's firmly planted on the shoreline, there's far less risk of going overboard (at least in the literal sense).
–AG