The absolute marvel of LIC is how great the views are of midtown, and that's the appeal of the Water Taxi Beach. It wouldn't take much to take this very simple pleasure and knock it out of the park. Put up a bar, be friendly, play music that people like, provide a comfortable setting. You wouldn't even need the sand.

It's really shocking how terrible the Water Taxi people have managed to make their little beach bar. It is offensive in nearly every possible way.
1. Cover charge. Tonight it was $20! They don't disclose this till you get their either. Read any other materials and you hear "free" or $5. Get there....all the way there....on foot...and find out it is 4x.
2. Security meatheads. LICNYC got yelled at for showing up with a dog. Apparently it is cruel to bring a dog to a waterfront and tie her to a tree while you have a beer.
3. Terrible music.
4. Poor selection of everything.
5. And apparently, a draw that self-selects a rather...call it "townie" crowd. It's a more Archie Bunker scene than Beastie Boys, to put it rather obliquely.

So LICNYC had to ask: are we the only ones who think so? Here on Citysearch they've managed only 1.5 stars out of five, with angry reviews about... well all the same stuff above. "Misleading Cover Charge", "Atmosphere A+ Management F- ", "Fun place, condescending staff, and... ", "Avoid on all nights", "Obnoxious Security! ". Man!

So where to go instead? It's a warm day. You want to be outside. Have a few beers. Get off the beaten track of bar patios etc. The answer: Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria, on the N, W train. Hands down the best outdoor bar in New York. How to get there

More about the place, which is a giant outdoor beer garden -- German style (or Bohemian...one supposes).