Locals pack Harlem Tavern’s huge front patio as well as its indoor sports-centric bar showing games on TVs. Superior cafe fare includes a flavor-loaded burger topped with crispy onions, cheddar, mozzarella, bacon, avocado, and truffle aioli. Groups can freely and easily grab outdoor tables, plus the restaurant has extensive more formal options for up to 400.

This open-air cafe within the 79th Street Boat Basin brings New York history, a view of the Hudson River, and dramatically arched ceilings. Food and drinks are unexceptional but satisfying, particularly on a pleasantly thirst-quenching day. Reservations aren’t accepted, but the large circular area with a bar works well for parties. Just be prepared to stand.

Bring your own food — cake! — to Diamond Dogs in Astoria, a casual neighborhood bar with above-average cocktails and beer. Beer fans will geek out over the rotating can selection, preferably on a sunny day in the picnic table-filled backyard. There are no reservations, so arrive early to stake some space.

Danny Meyer’s cocktail bar requires a trek out to 11th Avenue, but that’s part of what keeps it low-key. The woody, low-lit interior is sophisticated without trying too hard. Knowledgeable bartenders can make any classic cocktail, and the seasonally changing drink menu is always a safe bet, as is the Southern-style food. Private events can get pricey, but if a group isn’t massive and doesn’t mind standing, the first-come-first-served bar area is suitable.

Arts and Crafts aims to be a much cooler living room. The craft refers not just to the 24 rotating tap beers, but also to the creativity the bar fosters with regular art exhibitions, lectures on numerous topics, and tastings. The East Village location’s short food menu includes pizza and hot dogs, while the Morningside Heights outpost has a wider selection of bar bites. There’s no charge for occupying one of the large tables, and the bars accept requests for private events.

This bar takes inspiration from old-timey Caribbean mansions. The outré decor — complete with lion statues — and a pool table encourage an entertaining night out. Tiki-ish cocktails like the drunken coconut (rum, coconut water, and pineapple juice served in a coconut) are decently priced (for the East Village) at under $14, and island-influenced small bites range from coconut shrimp to jerk chicken wings. Reservations are accepted for groups of six or more, and the bar has a front room that can be reserved for a group to gather.

The straightforward burger at this East Village mainstay is continually underrated. Little else has changed since it opened in 2006, including the sports fans fixated on games at the bar inside and the rustic patio area, which can be easily and freely reserved.

Spritzenhaus has become Greenpoint’s go-to party locale. The vast room of communal tables, with several bars, means easy access to space, and the expansive beer list, cocktails, and German-style dishes are easy party fare. The bar opens up to the outdoors in nicer months, and in winter, wood fires make things cozy. Large groups can freely reserve space, but last-minute partiers can also hover for communal seating in a pinch.

The three-floor club right off the Williamsburg Bridge is much more casual than that label implies. The main bar, basement performance space, and especially the covered rooftop filled with couches and plants are popular for birthday parties that put an emphasis on dancing and all-around raging. Many sections can be reserved at no cost.

The pizzeria that helped put Bushwick on the map keeps expanding its footprint while giving loyalists new reasons to linger. Large groups should skip the restaurant proper for the outdoor, beer garden-style space, which has picnic tables, a dedicated bar, and a limited menu of popular appetizers and pies. DJed events on the weekend are usually raucous affairs. The garden, like the rest of Roberta’s, doesn’t take reservations unless it’s a private booking, so it’s best to simply show up early.

The coolness quotient of Ridgewood has increased again with Nowadays, a giant outdoor destination for drink, play, and vegetarian-friendly food. Opened by the founders of the Mister Sunday dance party, it also has a thoughtfully designed indoor area called “Indoors” featuring rotating DJs and a dance floor with a ban on phone use. Up to three eight-person tables at Nowadays can be reserved with a $150 no-show fee.

A Southwest-themed, San Antonio Spurs-endorsing bar might seem like an odd fit for Bed-Stuy, but that’s part of Doris’s charm. The white-hued decor provides a soothing backdrop for late-night hangouts, while eclectic DJ playlists range from Steely Dan to old-school hip-hip. Friendly, unpretentious bartenders make affordable cocktails, and the kitchen slings comforting grilled cheeses late into rowdy nights. A backyard and ping-pong table keep things interesting even when the conversation lulls. There are no reservations, but call ahead to block off a table.

The view of Gowanus Canal may be less than romantic, but Lavender Lake is a dreamy-looking oasis in this stretch of Brooklyn. The cavernous bar leads to an outdoor wood deck, including a fire pit used during colder months. In addition to a curated list of beer, wine, and cocktails, a robust dinner menu is available until 1 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, the bar takes free reservations for large groups and offers optional pre-ordered selections of food and drinks.