The best outdoor spaces in NYC for summer gatherings and parties

Carroll Hall is a hidden oasis in Williamsburg, blending industrial aesthetics with lush greenery. Located at 2 Vandervoort Place, this botanic garden and event space feels like a secret retreat from the city’s energy. Its high ceilings, skylights, and reclaimed wood create an airy, organic atmosphere while the garden buzzes with birds and urban wildlife. Whether for a chic work event, an intimate dinner, or a lively art show, the space feels effortlessly cool and inviting. With its mix of nature and modern design, Carroll Hall is the perfect spot for those seeking a unique, laid-back venue in Brooklyn.

Down in Brooklyn’s Red Hook, Strong Rope Brewery is an ultra-relaxed venue that is sure to put a smile on any pissed-off New Yorker’s face. Indoors, you will find a classic brewery space: minimalist and stylish with a smattering of vintage wooden barrels and more than a smattering of hand-crafted beers. The highlight, however, is the open outdoor patio, which looks over the bay and onto the State of Liberty.

This venue re-opens freshly renovated in April 2025 and offers a truly memorable location with a seated capacity of 140 and a standing capacity of 250.

Ivy Terrace is a bright, floral rooftop venue in Midtown Manhattan, perfect for warm-weather birthdays, bridal showers, corporate get-togethers, and more. With 4,100 sq. ft. of rooftop outdoor space, it accommodates up to 30 seated guests and 150 guests cocktail-style. Lush greenery, natural light, and floral accents create a warm, inviting atmosphere, and the mixture of indoor and outdoor space gives you some insurance against Manhattan’s occasionally ferocious winds and moody weather patterns. Ideal for summer parties, the terrace offers a stunning city backdrop while an indoor lounge is plushy and sophisticated. ONTHEMARC Events customizes every detail, from handcrafted cocktails to curated menus featuring dinner stations, plated meals, clam bakes, and barbecues.

Nowadays is a laid-back, open-air venue on the Ridgewood-Bushwick border, perfect for everything from daytime parties to so-late-it’s-early raves. With a spacious indoor lounge and an even bigger outdoor area, it balances a relaxed, park-like vibe with city energy. The venue is a mix of a beer garden, grill, and ping-pong arena, and can host intimate seated dinners or large-scale laid-back events, making it ideal for birthdays, weddings, and casual hangouts for families and friend groups. Designed by Future Green Studios, whose portfolio includes work at the Met Breuer, the High Line, and Brooklyn Children’s Museum, it features onsite seating for 350 with customization options for even more. Their standing capacity is 800, but the space can easily be compartmentalized to make smaller gatherings feel comfortable.

Cobble Fish is a seasonal open-air seafood restaurant and bar on Pier 16 in Manhattan’s South Street Seaport. Founded by Neil Mossberg and locally owned, it offers a relaxed, waterfront atmosphere with stunning East River views. With a palette of turquoise and white punctuating the venue, it has the light and airy feel of a trip to England’s boutique south coast, with food that is just as good as any Cornish fishmonger. The venue accommodates events ranging from intimate 20-person birthday parties to large-scale gatherings of up to 1,500 guests occupying the entire pier. The menu features seafood favorites like lobster rolls, fish tacos, and fish and chips, paired with an extensive cocktail selection. Cobble Fish also hosts trivia nights and live music.