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After six years of being open to the public, Governors Island has its first official restaurant/bar/concert venue from Water Taxi Beach. Located on the island’s north side, the spot is different from the Long Island City and South Street Seaport outposts in that it’s only open on the weekends and only until early evening (excluding when there are scheduled concerts). Weekend afternoons bring in families popping by for a lunch of hot dogs and fries eaten on one of the many wooden picnic tables on the blacktop surrounding “the beach.” There’s also a selection of kielbasa, vegetarian-friendly sides like coleslaw and grilled corn, and Ben & Jerry’s ice-cream bars from the walk-up counter. Younger folk go for the sand, either volleying over the volleyball net or sunbathing with a cup of sangria in hand. Beers on tap include Peroni and Gaffel Kosch, and there’s an assortment of top-shelf liquors including Johnny Walker Black Label. But the venue’s best asset is its big stage, located behind the two basketball hoops, where ticket holders can watch well-known names like Mos Def or the B52s alongside prime Manhattan views. — Randi Eichenbaum