Been a minute since I did after-work drinks in LIC. I've got three coworkers coming tomorrow around 6:30 and they all want "a rooftop, but casual." I told them that's basically a unicorn now. Usually I'd fall back to Gantry Park with tallboys, but one of them has a bad knee and wants an actual seat.

What's the move? Anyplace around Vernon/Jackson or further into Dutch Kills where four of us can just walk in, get a round, and not drop a whole tab on a reserved couch? Doesn't have to be a full skyline view, just air and no table minimum. Extra points if the music isn't at club volume by 7.

Depends what you mean by rooftop. If you want a real elevated deck with seats, the walk-in window is earlier than 6:30 on a decent weather Thursday. The places by Gantry fill by 5:30 or 6 in my experience. I've had luck at Anable Basin around 5:45 on a Tuesday or Thursday, but not on a roof—more the outdoor patio by the water. It's not high, but you're outside and there's usually a bench if you circle.

For actual rooftops, the hotel spots around Queens Plaza are more loungey and go reservation-heavy when the weather is good. I wouldn't send a group there without one person holding a booking.

If you're okay with a backyard instead of a roof, LIC Bar has a small back area and is the most walk-in-friendly in that pocket. Dutch Kills is excellent, but it's a cocktail room—low-lit, no view, and small. Good for two, not four coworkers standing around.

My honest suggestion: do a two-stop plan. Start at Fifth Hammer for a first round while the sun is still up, then check the second-floor deck at The Last Word or the patio at Alewife as a backup. None are true rooftops, but they scratch the outdoor itch without a rope line. If someone insists on elevation, you probably need either a 4:30 walk-in or a Thursday reservation.

Wait is Penthouse 808 still open? I saw photos and it looked like exactly the vibe. Is that reservation only now? Also what's the deal with weekends around here—does the walk to Gantry feel fine at night? I just moved to the area and I'm still figuring out which spots are actually worth it.

I tried this last Thursday actually lol. We went to that new-ish spot near Gantry—maybe the one with the big planters? The host looked at us like we had three heads and said "we're fully committed." By 6:15! I said fully committed to what, there were four empty tables. We ended up sitting on the rocks by the ferry dock with a bodega seltzer. Not complaining, but a chair would've been nice. Def following this thread.

Dutch Kills is a rooftop?? I thought it was a basement bar or something from the name. Shows what I know. Are there any spots in LIC where you can sit inside but still get a breeze? I need somewhere I can actually hear someone talk.

Ha, Dutch Kills isn't a rooftop. It's a solid cocktail spot, but it's not open-air. You're just getting thrown by the name.

@big_city_beth "fully committed" at 6:15 is wild. That's exactly the energy I'm trying to avoid. Maybe I'll just do LIC Bar backyard if we're early enough, then have a backup by the water.

@DykerNewbie Penthouse 808 is real, but it's exactly the reservation-and-velvet-rope thing. Fine for someone's birthday, not a random Thursday with coworkers.

One clarification because it'll save people a walk: Penthouse 808 has been open seasonally, and the entrance is inside the hotel. The roof portion gets closed for private events on weekdays more than you'd expect, so call before you pilgrimage.

For the breeze plus conversation request from @fresh_off_metro: Anable Basin has an indoor-ish bar with big open roll-up doors, so you get air without full sun. The chairs aren't fancy, but you can hear people until it fills. The Baroness is more of a bar room—no view—but weekday volume is usually conversation-level.

Also, nobody mentioned LIC Landing. It's technically a concession by the ferry, outdoors, with plenty of tables if there isn't a wedding or event. You can buy a drink there, and I've seen people bring things from elsewhere without issue. That might be the best no-plan seat near the water if the weather holds.

Okay thanks all. Ended up just doing LIC Bar and it was perfect—walked in at 6, got the picnic table in the back, not a single velvet rope. Anable Basin line looked insane though. Going to try Fifth Hammer next time and maybe make a rooftop res for the one friend who won't shut up about views. Good thread.