Why Hudson’s should be your favorite place to drink this summer

Does your ideal summer night or weekend brunch involve gentle sea breeze caressing your face as the sound of the Hudson River rocks you into relaxation? Look no further. When Hudson’s sets sail from Manhattan’s shores, you’ll be escaping the horn-honking, jackhammer-drilling cacophony that you’ve reluctantly accepted as your new normal. And this isn’t just any boat: designed by acclaimed New York architect Andrew Franz, this is a renovated, three-story 160-foot yacht styled after the vessels of yesteryear with plush upholstered banquettes and contemporary nautical touches.

Yes, Hudson’s is a boat, but it’s first and foremost a floating restaurant, fitted with a spacious dining room with indoor and outdoor bars. Brunch is a buffet-style affair; menu standouts include smoked bacon, breakfast sausage, chive scrambled eggs, and a melt-in-your-mouth roast tenderloin of beef served with an herbed demi glaze. The best part? Brunch includes bottomless mimosas – yes please!

Come sundown, Hudson’s lights up with one of the best happy hours in town; we’re talking $5 select wines and beer, plus half-price cocktails from 5.30-7.30pm, Tuesday through Friday. Stay for dinner; Hudson’s all-new ‘2018 Harvest to Harbor’ menu champions locally sourced and seasonal ingredients, and even incorporates vegetables and herbs grown on their own rooftop garden. The experience includes a Champagne hour before you sail off into the sunset, as well as a three-course dinner featuring signature dishes like squid-ink linguini with lobster, clams, and shrimp, and braised short rib atop smashed Yukon gold potatoes with carrots and broccoli rabe.

You don’t need to pay the exorbitant ticket price at the Empire State Building to soak up some sunsets and city sights. Hudson’s has all the views you need, from the towering skyscrapers to Lady Liberty herself. Take a step back and capture the panoramic cityscape of Manhattan with 360-degree views atop the ship’s gorgeous, 3,000 square-foot observation deck (yes, it has its own bar too). This may well be the finest rooftop bar in all of New York City.

With 10,000 square-feet of space, you get plenty of real estate for your buck. There’s air conditioning on the two interior levels of the boat, which means you’ll beat the heat on even the most sweltering days. Hudson’s also accommodates groups and special reservations—just give them a heads up if you’re coming with the whole crew (party sizes can range from 15 to 500). Whether you're planning an elegant cocktail affair or looking to host the corporate booze party of the century, let Hudson's' crew of event planners do the heavy lifting.

Whether you come on board for brunch or dinner, you’re guaranteed a swingin’ good time with Hudson’s. With DJ-spun beats and seriously good cocktails accompanying your sail, this will be an occasion worth remembering. Here, drinks live up the finest of cocktail bars with options ranging from The Garden, sloshing vodka with Kümmel, green Chartreuse, turmeric and rhubarb, to the Half Moon Roca, shaking up blanco tequila with Cointreau and pomegranate liqueur. When you’ve got one of these bad boys in-hand watching the sun set behind the New York skyline, you’ll thank us.