The Life Aquatic: Sea-Faring Restaurants & Bars

237 E 5TH St, New York, NY 10003 (map)

Brace yourself for the inevitable pun: What a dive! But this is just the kind of dive bar you’ve been looking for. Covered in aquatic murals, a hodgepodge of sea-related knickknacks and vacation souvenirs brought back from loyal patrons, this joint is cozy, laid-back and always friendly.

310 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013 (map)

Rope-wrapped columns and striped walls give this bar the feel of an Abercrombie & Fitch store, which perfectly complements the omnipresent striped shirts of the male clientele. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing: People are here to get drunk, have fun, dance to the DJ's great mix of music, and, if things go as planned, reel in some fresh bait.

363 W 16th St, New York, NY 10011 (map)

You'll feel like you're on the Lido deck--sans swimming pool, of course--as you sip cocktails from the comfort of blue-and-white striped benches at this al fresco bar, nestled on the roof of the cruise ship-themed Maritime Hotel. As an added bonus, if you've had one too many or want to seal the deal with a fellow shipmate (but isn't that really one and the same?), you can get your very own stateroom inside.

243 Fifth Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215 (map)

A low-key Park Slope Bar that stands out for the 15 microbrews it has on tap, and that's about it. Oh, right, and all the lighthouse tchotkes.

369 W 46th St., New York, NY 10036 (map)

At happy hour, this nautically themed bi-level spot feels like a gay cruise; on the weekends, it feels like an all-male version of the Staten Island Ferry terminal during rush hour. Either way, this gay bar welcomes all ages and everyone will enjoy themselves on account of the different energy levels on each floor and the outdoor wedge-shaped deck.

425 West St, New York, NY 10014 (map)

If Captain Nemo were your stoner best friend in high school, this is what his rec room would have looked like. Between the fish tank, pool table, juke box and drinks--which range from double-digit blender concoctions in tiki cups to 99-cent beers--almost anyone can get along swimmingly at this West Village pseudo dive.

111 South Street, New York, NY 10038 (map)

You may not be able to buy your fish at Fulton Market anymore, but you can still eat it in this restaurant, located right across the street from the old stalls. Black-and-white photos of the storied market line the walls of this small spot, while fishing nets and dim hurricane lamps create a romantic ambiance. What's not to like about that?

55 E 54th St, New York, NY 10022 (map)

Board this luxe ocean liner only if you plan to swipe someone else's credit card when your gastronomical voyage ends. But if you can afford the trip, settle in amongst the power-lunchers or well-coiffed dinner crowd and prepare for a treat, as this is one of the city's most well-regarded seafood restaurants.