Hey all—moved to Dyker Heights not long ago, but my new job has me bouncing between LIC and Jersey City. A few coworkers keep suggesting 'let's do a rooftop' after work on Thursdays. I don't really know the scene yet, and the couple of places I've tried in Manhattan had a huge line by 6:30. Not trying to drop a fortune or wait an hour for a drink. Are there any rooftops or dive bars with a skyline view that can handle 4–5 people without a guest list or a whole production? Brooklyn, Queens, JC side, whatever. I just want somewhere we can actually hear each other and watch the sun set. What's the move?

Welcome. Honestly the Manhattan rooftop thing is overhyped unless you're on an expense account. For after-work in LIC, just hit the bars along Vernon Boulevard near the water. Some of the older rooftop places let you walk in before 5:30 but after that good luck. If you're on the Jersey City side, the beer garden spots near the PATH have picnic tables and views of downtown, not technically rooftop but the skyline is right there. Divey, loud later. Avoid Thursdays if you can—it's the new Friday.

To tag on what Woodhaven said: Thursday after work is a mess because everyone is pretending to be in finance. If you must do Thursday, go directly from Jersey City PATH to the Paulus Hook or Exchange Place area instead of heading into Manhattan. There are a couple of low-key bars with back patios and the World Trade view. For Brooklyn, I'd skip the new Williamsburg high rises unless you want a bachelorette party in your ear. The older Irish dives in Woodside have no view but they'll take a group of five before 7 no problem. Not exactly sunset glam though.

Since your job has you split between LIC and Jersey City, you may want to map this around which office you're leaving from, not which skyline you want. I wrote a longer note about the LIC/Jersey City shuffle in the earlier thread here: Offer says 'NYC office' but my first day is in LIC and one day in Jersey City—normal? — it has some quirks about the commute timing. But for bars, a few things worth knowing:

• In LIC, the waterfront bars near Gantry Plaza are the obvious choice but they fill fast after 5:30. Try going on a day when the weather looks iffy; you'll get the view without the pack.
• In Jersey City, the places near the Colgate Clock / Exchange Place are better for standing with a pint than for sitting four or five people. If you want a table, walk a few blocks inland toward Paulus Hook—some small wine bars and back patios are less scene-y.
• If you're coming from Dyker Heights on a day you don't go to the office, consider Sunset Park or Greenwood Heights. Not rooftops, but a couple of dives have backyard patios where you can see the harbor cranes and the Verrazzano in the distance. You'll actually hear your coworkers.

The key with a small group is to pick a place that doesn't have a door person at 6 p.m. Door guys usually mean lines, minimums, and a vibe that your crew isn't necessarily looking for. I'd avoid anywhere advertising 'skyline views' on Instagram; that's all you need to know.

Lina's right about the Instagram thing. I'm over in Gowanus and the amount of 'hidden gem roof' posts that are just a fire escape with string lights is criminal. If you're in Brooklyn, look at the old social clubs off 3rd Ave. They're not rooftops, but some have roof decks and cheap beer. Not sure how late they stay open on weekdays. JC beer garden by the water is fine if you get there before 6, otherwise it's a high school reunion. Honestly Thursday is the worst night to try a new place. Do Wednesday if anyone can flex.

I'll be the dissenter: sometimes the Manhattan rooftop is worth it if you pick the right one and go early. There's a spot on the east side around 40th that has a bar menu and lets you sit if you show up at like 4:30. Not gonna name names because it's already bad, but think hotel rooftop with no pool. The view is north-facing though, so you see Chrysler but not downtown. For downtown view, Jersey City beats most of Manhattan anyway. Also, Dyker, you're not getting back to Dyker Heights late from any of these without a long subway ride, so factor that in before you commit to a second round.

Okay this is super helpful. I didn't realize Thursday was that bad—I thought Friday was the mess. My office is actually near the Journal Square PATH, so from there I can get to Exchange Place pretty quick. Maybe I'll suggest we do Wednesday next week instead and try one of those Paulus Hook places. Are there any where you can actually grab a chair, or is it mostly standing? Also good call on the ride home—I live off the D and it can be a slog. Do any of these places have food that isn't just chips? My one coworker gets hangry.

Journal Square to Exchange Place is easy on PATH, but the bars right at the waterfront get standing-room only. Walk up Montgomery or York and there are a few places with actual tables. One spot near the light rail does a decent burger but doesn't have a view from the table—you have to stand by the window. For Dyker and a hangry coworker, I'd lean toward the old German beer garden in Jersey City. Long tables, you can sit, and they have sausages and pretzels. Not skyline, but the PATH ride back is only a couple stops and you're not starving.

A few caveats on the Paulus Hook / Exchange Place stretch, because it varies by season. In warmer months, some patios set out high tables but they're stool seating, so not great if anyone has back issues. In colder months they wrap the patios in clear plastic and the view turns into fogged-up vinyl, so you lose the whole point. If the skyline is the priority, go before sunset and commit to standing. If sitting and hearing each other is the priority, go inland. You can't always get both at 6:30 on a weekday.

For DykerNewbie's hangry coworker: the German beer hall is the safest for a group that wants to sit and order food. The more 'craft cocktail' places in Paulus Hook have small plates that disappear fast. Avoid the spots that only have a window counter and a line for the bathroom.

Also, if you're coming from Dyker Heights on a weekend or a day off, don't sleep on the Staten Island ferry. Walk on, get a beer at the terminal, ride back and forth, and you get the best skyline view for the cost of a beer and zero cover. It's not a bar, but it's the most underrated move in the city.

The Staten Island ferry beer move is elite, Lina. Especially if you don't want to fight crowds. But for the actual Thursday question: Dyker, your best bet may be to just tell your coworkers to meet at the PATH station and go to the beer garden. It's the only reliable no-reservation group spot in that whole area. The guy at the door doesn't care if you're five or eight as long as you're not wasted. Food is solid, beer list is boring but fine. Last call earlier than you think though, so check the time if you're out late. Also don't drive—parking around there is a joke.

Agree on the beer garden. I used to work over there and it was the default for a reason. You can push two tables together if it's not slammed. The only issue is if there's a game on—then the back room turns into a bro fest. Check the sports schedule before you go. For Dyker, if you want view plus sitting, another option is to take the ferry from Jersey City back to Sunset Park or Bay Ridge. You can walk around the industrial stretch and find a dockside bar that isn't in any guide. It's more of a weekend thing though, not a Thursday after-work thing. But it beats the D train home.

It's settled then: Dyker, do Wednesday, take PATH to Exchange Place, walk to the German beer garden if anyone needs food, and do the ferry for a view on a weekend. If it's too packed, there's a backup around Paulus Hook with a small patio but the tables go by 5:45. I won't post the name publicly because it's already borderline. But you'll see it—look for the string lights and the one bartender who looks annoyed. That's the good one. Also, on the D ride home, get off at 36th and walk if the weather's nice. You'll pass some actual neighborhood bars that are empty on weeknights.