booze cruise new york

10 Best NYC Boat Parties & Booze Cruises For The Summer

Take a trip on one of NYC's famous rivers, all while enjoying some cocktails, music, and a magical view!

Is there a better way to spend a summer afternoon than cruising around NYC waters with some boozy drinks? We think not! It’s time to grab your crew and hit the open waters for a day (or night!) of fun. We gathered up some of our favorite NYC booze cruises that are perfect for sipping on tasty cocktails, dancing the night away, or even just grabbing some food.

Check out our picks below!

1. Dance the Wave Sunset Yacht Party

NYC is full of spots to catch a gorgeous sunset –like from a boat on this sunset booze cruise! For only $15 (one of the cheapest NYC booze cruises), you can snag a ticket to the “Dance the Wave” sunset party, which allows you to ride around the East River while sipping on delicious cocktails. Plus, DJs will be spinning the latest hits for you to dance to, all while taking in the breathtaking views of Manhattan. Don’t forget the star of the show too, the sunset, which can be watched from the top floor of a luxurious yacht.

Lock in your tickets here !

2. Latin Music Boat Party

Fulfill your love for Latin music and exotic cocktails at this Latin Music Boat Party, taking off from either Pier 40. By purchasing a ticket, you gain entry into one of “the hottest parties on the water with views of The Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and more.” Dance the night away to reggaeton, top 40, Latin-Brazilian beats, house, rock and Latino hits all night long. Tickets are GA, but you can upgrade to VIP with express entry, or even “VIP Champagne Dinner” which comes with a buffet-style meal, and a glass of champagne.

Learn more and buy tickets here !

3. Art Boat

For one of the more relaxed NYC booze cruises, consider Art Boat, which is a floating art gallery and museum. Step into this immersive art and drink experience and prepare to be awed. Along with the stunning street art that makes up every inch of the boat’s interior walls, there are works from over 30+ NYC artists on display inside the boat. This can make for the perfect photo opp! Plus, a booze cruise wouldn’t be complete without drinks, so be sure to grab a beer, wine, or one of their signature cocktails so you can get the full experience!

Learn more about Art Boat here .

4. Teksupport at Sea

NYC events collective Teksupport is well known for bringing some of dance music’s hottest names to the city, and they’re hosting a ton of boat parties throughout the summer too! Dubbed “Teksupport at Sea” the floating concerts welcome star-studded DJs aboard the Cornucopia Yacht for an afternoon/night of dancing, drinks, and music! See their remaining cruise lineup below, and learn how to grab tickets here :

• August 10: Cristoph
• August 24: Nicole Moudaber
• August 30: PAWSA
• August 31: Sven Vath & Victor Calderone
• Sept 2: Chris Stussy
• Sept 14: Dixon

5. Circle Line Dance Cruise

Circle Line Cruises is once again hosting their summer dance cruises, making for the perfect booze + dance party! The Summer Dance Series  has its two final dates on August 7 and September 5, which includes a 2.5 hour cruise around NYC waters as well as dancing, seasonal cocktails, and themed costume contests . What’s better than learning how to dance and jamming out to Usher hits with a drink in had? We think nothing. Learn more about it here !

6. Skyline Cruises

For more private events, Skyline Cruises offers some of the best top-class dinner cruises, yacht charters, and party boat cruises in the city. They’ve operated for over 25 years and have mastered the art of hosting NYC cruises. Rather than our previous picks that are already organized, Skyline Cruises operates on a booking basis, where you’ll have to inquire about a particular event. Whether you’re looking for a wedding cruise, corporate cruise, or looking to throw your own private party booze cruise, we suggest going through this company. Plus, their variety of piers that they sail out from makes the cruises accessible to all!

Learn more about Skyline Cruises here .

7. La Barca Cantina

Although La Barca Cantina isn’t technically a cruise, this floating Mexican restaurant serves some of the best cocktails and most authentic Mexican street food around. Located on Pier 81, this spot is perfect for grabbing a bite and enjoying some waterfront views. We’re personally a huge fan of their Bucket List Golden Margarita and Tequila Bandera, but you really can’t go wrong with anything on the drink menu. If you’re really looking for some nightlife, be sure to stick around for “La Barca After Darka” on Friday nights which is their 21+ nighttime fiesta, complete with music, snacks, views, and overall great vibes!

Read more about La Barca After Darka here !

8. City Cruises

Arguably one of the biggest cruise providers in NYC is City Cruises, who specialize in dinner, lunch, cocktail, holiday cruises, and so many more. City Cruises truly has a booze cruise for any occasion, but our favorite has to be the Bateaux cruises. These are luxurious experiences on Hornblower cruise boats that include food, drinks, and panoramic views of the NYC skyline.

You can check out their full lineup of cruises here .

9. Rocks Off Concert Cruises

Looking for a bit of entertainment while you cruise? Rocks Off Concert Cruises is an all-in-one concert/cruise experience that takes the term “booze cruise” to the next level. Hosting over 200+ live shows, theme nights, parties, and events on boats from April to October, Rocks Off hosts anything from live rock bands to pop party dance nights. Cruises leave from the Skyport Marina 30 minutes before the scheduled start time.

Check out the full event listings here to plan which night you want to dance!

10. NYC Ferry

Okay so hear us out…what sounds more fun than a little BYOB booze cruise around the NYC harbors? Hop on the NYC ferry for only $4 and enjoy some drinks while the cool breeze hits your face! Be sure to grab a spot on the top deck so you can take in all the breathtaking views of the city! Plus, did we mention there’s an on-cabin bar that you can purchase alcoholic drinks from?! It’s the perfect day trip idea!

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Skyline Cruises

NYC Booze Cruises

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Premier Luxury Yacht for NYC Booze Cruises

Full Service NYC Skyline Harbor Cruises

  Skyline’s NYC booze cruises keep the drinks coming, the music playing, and the party hopping no matter what the occasion!

Smooth Sailing

Our yacht is a floating banquet room designed for year-round cruising. It is fully climate-controlled for year-round outings and because it sails in the calm, sheltered waters of the famous New York Harbor or Long Island Sound, you’ll experience smooth sailing.

“Skyline rocks!!!!!”   – Marino Catalan     “Great cruise! Will go again!”   – Kim Phelan

For more information about our booze cruises or public NYC dinner cruises , give us a call at (718) 446-1100 or contact us through the inquiry form. We look forward to cruising with you.

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The 8 best boat parties to sail away on in NYC this summer

New York! Get boozy on a boat in 2024

This summer, the heat is on and the best way to cool down is to get out on the water. You athletic types can try kayaking NYC’s rivers , and landlubbers can stick to the city’s prominent waterfront restaurants and boat bars , but if you have any hint of seafaring fun in you, a boat party in NYC is one of the best things to do in the summer . Open waters, sea breezes and stunning views of Manhattan are all on tap when you embark on a booze cruise in NYC. Oh and did we mention full bars, great food, and live music?

Take your summer celebrations to the next level and set sail with these incredible NYC boat parties. There’s something for everyone, whether it’s a cantina-themed boat, a lobster-centric excursion, a fine dining cruise or a leisurely happy hour float. You’re more than welcome to rock the boat on a rock n roll cruise, and cocktails are tastier when sipped on a yacht. Check out these NYC boat parties for a totally nautical summer.

Want more watery fun?

Discover NYC from the water on one of the city's most amazing boat tours .

Take a dip at one New York's 17 most amazing beaches .

Refresh yourself with a sand-free swim at one of NYC's best public pools. 

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

The best boat parties in NYC

1.  north river lobster company.

During the summer,  North River Lobster Company  (New York City’s beloved floating seafood restaurant since 2014) offers four daily sailings at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm and 7pm from Wednesday to Sunday every week. Afternoon cruises are 1 hour and the 7pm cruise is a two-hour route to the Statue of Liberty and back —how beautiful! On the menu: Maine Lobster Rolls, seafood platters, burgers, and ready-to-share appetizers. New menu items this year include tuna tartare, clam dip and chips, The Skagen shrimp roll, and sweet lobster clawsicles in four different flavors (mango, piña colada, strawberry and lime). The best deal on board may be the $17 glass of rosé and 3 oyster special, or you can go all out with the epic 28-inch lobster roll (dubbed the world’s largest lobster roll) for $149, to feed a group.

2.  Evening Jazz Cruise

Here’s one for the schmoozy, romantic vacationers who are seeking a maximum NYC experience. This sunset sailing cruise with a live jazz band will have you gazing (and jiving) out as the sun drops below Manhattan. Sitting on a 1920s sailing boat, you’ll sail past NYC’s biggest landmarks (including the Statue of Liberty) while a live band plays a mix of beloved classics to contemporary R&B renditions. With an alcoholic drink in hand, live jazz in your ears, and the city lights sparkling in your eyes across the water, you’re in for a swingingly good time.

3.  Alive After Five Happy Hour Cruise

You didn’t forget all about Happy Hour, did you? It’s basically your dang right after making it through your day job. Gather your clocked-out coworkers and friends and board the Alive After Five cruise, which makes the most of happy hour—it actually lasts two hours —along the Hudson River in City Cruises’ Sensation yacht. You’ll have two climate-controlled desks to choose from, plus a covered roof deck, and multiple dance floors if that’s your jam. And if you still have sea legs for social life after all that social distancing, the cruise has a DJ to get the party moving.

4.  Rocks Off Concert Cruises

If you’re looking for yacht rock, look away: the savvy organizers of this floating concert snare hard rock bands like Murphy’s Law, Badfish, and Electric Six that draw die hard fans for serious—and often seriously sweaty—rock sessions. They know the ropes when it comes to pulling off a bash in a boat, so make sure you’re ready for plenty of percussion and less calls for mutiny than encores.

5.  Bateaux New York Dining Cruises

Is it really a party if you’re sitting down? Yes—it’s called a dinner party . On the fancier side (semi-formal dress is encouraged), this dinner cruise looks particularly swell inside the European-inspired Bateaux New York, a glass-roofed boat that soaks in Manhattan’s lit skyline after sunset while navigating the East and Hudson Rivers. The experience takes it up a notch with live music—a two-piece acoustic band led by a female vocalist—and takes dinner to the next level with seafood towers, filet mignon, and lobster tails.

6.  Evening Cocktail Cruise

Head to Chelsea Piers and say cheers with an evening cocktail party aboard a 1920’s inspired yacht, an intimate little party boat that rounds out a 1.75 hour journey with modern riffs on old-school cocktails, like a Sake Gimlet or a Rosemary Rickey. The charter, Sail NYC, runs a tight ship—and we mean that literally, considering the boat’s smaller size—that’ll get you tipsy in no time. Yes, the focus is technically on the booze, but also on the views seen from the yacht’s large windows as you ease past classic sites like the Statue of Liberty, Brooklyn Bridge, and Ellis Island.

7.  La Barca Cantina

La Barca Cantina , the only Mexican restaurant on a boat in NYC, serves a summer street food-inspired menu that’ll get the party started for you and your friends. Based at Pier 81, next to its sister-restaurant North River Lobster Company, La Barca spans three levels with an expansive outdoor top deck with a bar and table seating, a bi-level interior space with two bars, table seating and booth-like tables—perfect for large groups.  Even better, it takes short cruises multiple times per day, five days a week, offering up sweeping views of the NYC skyline. (It's a must to reserve a table for cocktails at sunset.)

8.  Narwhal Yacht Charters

A party is what you make of it, especially when you make it your own . For a little more privacy, groups of up to six can rent their own excursion with Narwhal Yacht Charters—it’s on the pricier end, but the seasoned charter is worth their salt, having just celebrated its 10th season on NYC’s waters. The captain provides the necessities (bottled water, sodas, ice, napkins, that sorta stuff) but the rest is up to you. Pick up food from your favorite restaurant, bring all of your favorite booze, and set sail with your besties.

Looking for more boozy fun?

Check out the best bottomless brunch in nyc.

There’s more to great brunch than mimosas. Get your taste buds tingling at the best bottomless brunch NYC has to offer.

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Alive After Five Cruise NYC | City Cruises™

How long is the new york alive after five cruise.

The New York Alive After Five Cruise lasts 2 hours.

What sights can you see while on the New York Alive After Five Cruise?

While on the New York Alive After Five Cruise, you can see the New York City skyline, including the Brooklyn Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and the Freedom Tower.

What should I wear on the New York Alive After Five Cruise?

Casual attire is recommended for this cruise.

How much is the New York Alive After Five Cruise?

The cost of the New York Alive After Five cruise varies based on the package and booking time. Please check the website or contact customer service for the most current pricing.

Where to have happy hour on the water in New York?

For a memorable cocktail cruise, the New York Alive After Five offers stunning skyline views of New York City.

Is there live entertainment on the New York Alive After Five Cruise?

Yes, the cruise includes live DJ entertainment to enhance your experience.

Are there any upgrades available for the New York Alive After Five Cruise?

Yes, there are several upgrades available including drink packages, buffet station access, as well as window table reservations for the best views.

Is the New York Alive After Five Cruise a good option for a cocktail cruise?

Absolutely! The cruise offers a perfect combination of delicious dining, stunning sunset views, and a festive atmosphere, making it an ideal way to spend happy hour on the water.

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