SoHo's best outdoor bars

At Gilligan's, you are transported to a tropical oasis, where you're welcomed by large plants, wood planks, and beachy decor everywhere you look. To embody the Montauk vacation mindset, try the infamous Frozen Watermelon Margarita, Frozen Limoncello Piña Colada, or Sloop Juice Bomb IPA. When you get hungry, order a seafood dish like the crudo or steamed mussels sourced from a Long Island fisherman, or share the roasted corn ribs and local burrata toast.

This seasonal SoHo outdoor bar welcomes private events, including brunch, evening receptions, and seated dinners, accommodating 100 seated or 250 standing. But if you just want to stop by with a few friends, it's only open from May to September, so get there before the season ends.

We can all think of a rooftop or two to go to on a Friday night, but how many come to mind with a pool? JIMMY is 18 stories high and open year-round. During the warmer months, you can lounge on the pool deck or have a sunset cocktail, and during the colder months, you can stay inside near the fireplace.

In addition to the beer and wine lists, specialty cocktails include the Bourbon Brulee, Grilled Pineapple Mojito, and Not So Hot Chocolate. The snack menu also includes caviar service, cheeseburger sliders, and cookies. The indoor and outdoor areas, with bar service and catering, can accommodate 150 guests for events.

A few blocks away from Washington Square Park is 142 Sullivan Bar, a cool space that appreciates vinyl records and funky art. Inside is a long bar with a white stone backsplash, but the space continues outdoors with street seating that never loses musical inspiration.

You can get a classic Espresso Martini or something out of your comfort zone like the No - Groni No Cry, Fall in Love, or the Duke & Duke, and most drinks are served in funky slanted glasses. They also serve white and red wine, beer, and small bites.

If you love music and outdoor bars and need to host an event, this venue can accommodate up to 25 standing guests or 12 seated.

You may need a Mediterranean escape but don't have the time to actually fly to Europe. Pera Soho combines culture, cuisine, and cocktails to bring an easier escape to the city. Out back is a wooden patio surrounded by brick walls, creating a cozy courtyard feeling.

Under the dim outdoor lights, sip on the SoHo Blossom, Turkish Apricot Margarita, or Spicy Cucumber Cooler while exploring the Mediterranean flavors in dishes like the dip sampler, soujouk lollipops, and phyllo rolls. If you happen to stop by and realize you need to come back to bring everyone you know, there are various private event packages with different areas, and the entire restaurant accommodates 220 seated guests.

Now, we know Antique Garage is a restaurant, but just like a real garage, the front facade has an open sliding door so seating can spill onto the street. The space also feels like you are in an elevated antique shop that has curated mismatched furniture, dishes, and paintings, but somehow, it all just works.

Main courses include variations of kebabs, seafood dishes, and manti, and drinks include beer, wine, Turkish Raki, and cocktails like the Pink Martini, Berry Smash Whiskey, and Cucumber Cosmo. If you want to host your next event at this unique venue, contact Antique Garage directly for more information.