The Frying Pan

Built in 1929, this historic lightship (one of the few remaining) spent three years at the bottom of the Chesapeake Bay before being salvaged and brought to Chelsea Piers to become the ultimate seasonal “dive” bar. The boat, docked on a railroad-car barge, boasts a musty, barnacle-encrusted interior (complete with catwalks and an exposed engine room) straight out of a Nine Inch Nails video. The far end of the barge often serves as a moody DJ lounge and stage for live acts. Booze, burgers, and seafood are served up on the pier, and a 100-foot observation plank offers a fantastic view of activities on the Hudson, including the occasional water salute from the Frying Pan’s neighbor, the John J. Harvey fireboat.