Harry's at Water Taxi Beach   (Photo: Joe DeLessio)

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
29-19 24th Ave., nr. 29th Ave., Astoria; 718-274-4925
This ample garden was made for balmy summer days, with row upon row of wooden benches, jolly drinkers hoisting frothy mugs, and paper plates of tangy sauerkraut and sausage.

Gowanus Yacht Club
323 Smith St., at President St., Carrol Gardens, Brooklyn; 718-274-4925
The sunburned, sand-in-your-flip-flops, beach-front vibe at this low-key, outdoor corner spot is irresistible.

Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn
4254 Arthur Kill Rd., nr. Sharrots Rd., Staten Island; 718-984-1202
This beer garden rocks for its international oompah bands like the Blue Meanies—as well as its open-air courtyard with a gazebo bar and fir trees. Once a month in the summer, a whole lucky pig goes on the outdoor smoker and everybody feasts on crunchy-skinned pork.

Harry's at Water Taxi Beach
2-03 Borden Ave., at 2nd St., Long Island City; no phone
Four hundred tons of trucked-in sand, spectacular views of midtown, and swimsuit-clad boys and girls await at this Long Island City sandbox. A rotating cast of D.J.’s, frozen cocktails, and a beach-volleyball net simulate a Cancún vacation.

The West 79th Street Boat Basin Café
79th St., at Henry Hudson Pkwy.; 212-496-5542
This is the Upper West Side's unofficial summer HQ, full of grill smoke, dogs on leashes, and babies in carriages. The draw is the views—especially of the sun sinking behind the Palisades every clear night.