New York Other Cities

Welcome to Citysearch!

Click around for recommendations and reviews of restaurants , spas , shopping , hotels and tons of other great things to do near you.
 | close

Best of Citysearch

New York Nightlife 2008

More

Vote Sponsored By

Harry's At Water Taxi Beach

2-01 Borden Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101
Phone:

Ratings & Reviews Summary for Harry's At Water Taxi Beach

What Users are Saying:

  • Prompt seating
  • Good for groups
5 Star Rating
 
(3 reviews)
4 Star Rating
 
(2 reviews)
3 Star Rating
 
(2 reviews)
2 Star Rating
 
(3 reviews)
1 Star Rating
 
(16 reviews)

User Reviews for Harry's At Water Taxi Beach

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

09/09/2008 Posted by grnptgrl

Everything that everyone says. Laughably serious security (they take their jobs so seriously it actually made me laugh out loud which made the guy really mad), rude bartenders and management (an entire drink transaction without a word uttered on their side) and the feeling that you are just not welcome. What is going on here? Great view, great set-up, drinks, games - yet no matter what - a truly awful experience. The only hope for this place is if they sell it and new management takes over. And come on - the "security" is so over the top. I tell everyone I know who mentions going here to avoid at all costs!

Pros: View.

Cons: Everything else, but mostly every single person who works there.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

08/29/2008 Posted by TomasNYC

The Water Taxi Beach is a great summer venue and a great way for the company to showcase their water taxi fleet. However, the security company they hired has too many unprofessional staff who miscommunicate their 'security policies' with promotors and event organizers and intentionally throw people out of the venue. Very scary and makes the whole experience unenjoyable. I will never be going back there.

Pros: large space, late night outdoor parties, food, bar

Cons: security

4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/29/2008 Posted by johnthefish77

I was first at harrys 2 years ago and couldnt believe my eyes. This place had finally gotten it right. Great set up, man made beach, picnic tables, great tap ber and a DJAY. Beers are cheap, i think they had PBR and Rhinegold. You can walk right up to the edge of the fence and the river is below you. By far the best view of the city I have seen. Didnt have any of the food but i did see some bugers and hot dogs. I was going to go back last week but thats when i heard people talking about the $20 cover charge. I dont know if this is true, but i would find out before i arrive. Also get there around 6pm if you want to make sure your in and if you wear anything but sandles or flip flops your an idiot.

Pros: Views, beer and a djay.. Man made Beach

Cons: porta potties, line and steep cover charge

3 Star Rating: Average

06/23/2008 Posted by tadgh

So i have been to this taxi beach a few times this summer now and i have to say i do enjoy it. The location is the best when even i have friends in town i will always bring them there for the day or some drinks before heading out to the city. The security, i get the rules and i understand but there is a way to treat people i guess you dont get it ( even though some people are nuts). The Music is not that bad, the bar staff ,wow the blond older lady is out of her mind relax lady there are a few good bartenders the order guys & sean & jim the irish guy i think. The food i love the burger what ever sauce goes on there love it. Prices well lets look at it $6.00 for a beer not a bad price in the new york area. As for the cover charge i never like surprises like the rest of you. Its a fun place and take it for what it is. See you there this weekend.

Pros: Location

Cons: Security

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

06/19/2008 Posted by RAParker

Went to FoodMovie Festival there last nightome great movies. But I had the same id entry problems as others (I'm over 60 but they insisted as if they had the No Fly list to check me against), this from some rude, unidentifed, amateur-night security kid. That was on the way in. Later after sampling a food item, I had a severe allergic reaction (counldn't breath) and obtained water from the bar and then tried to leave the place. No, I couldnt leave with my little cup of water in hand. There I am weezing and gasping for breath and some kid moron security guy was swearing at me about his liability if I left with a cup in my hand. The best name for this place would be knucklehead beach. They should lose their franchise and somebody with a degree of professionalism should take over the wonderful location. I will write to Water Taxi to complain about these people.

Pros: Great location

Cons: Awful staff.

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

06/17/2008 Posted by arch2417

My girlfriend and I rode our bikes to water taxi beach on saturday, right as it started to downpour. While we were locking our bikes up, we noticed that the guy at the gate(who couldnt have been more than 20 or so, was IDing these guys who appeared to be in their 40s. We thought it was strange but thought maybe he was kidding around or something, but then as it started to rain, we made our way quickly for the gate so we can get in and to the tent, but were stuck behind a (had to be) 60 something year old woman who was spending a long time searching for her ID (she probably hasnt been ID'd for a bar in decades)because he wouldnt let her in without one. He simply would not let her in and said everyone must show their ID no matter what. My girlfriend and I were pointing out how hard it was raining and to please let her in as this was a little ridiculous, and he got really aggitated made her get wet while he finally received her license and inspected it. The fact that this person was being so rude and authoritive and is in charge of who gets in and who doesnt makes me never want to go back ever again, the only reason I didnt leave then and there was becasue of the rain.

Pros: view

Cons: very rude staff, overpriced

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

06/13/2008 Posted by amolsarva

Lousy in unounctable ways. More of a Queens meathead place than a hip or quirky destination. For that, you need to go to the Bohemian Beer Garden in Astoria...

Pros: View

Cons: Price, Service, People

2 Star Rating: Below Average

06/13/2008 Posted by laliq

Cover charge mentioned on your website for May 25 Memorial Day - $5, -- -- was instead $10. Misleading info,

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

06/06/2008 Posted by squabsonforty

This sand thing is pretty big, but not big enough to put up with Euro prices and yes, those psychos doing the security.

1 Star Rating: Not Recommended

05/27/2008 Posted by kak5678

Hello Harry? New Yorkers speaking treat your customers with respect and we will come back and treat you real well, but not until you do the same. I visited the water taxi beach on memorial day. It was great weather, nice bartenders, and cool people hangin out at the place. But the baffeling thing is how the place can be run so poorly. I guess the view and the outdoor beachy environment is the draw but I'm not going to be returning often. Get this one the bar charges like 5 bucks for a bottle of water, but at the food stand only 1.50 heres the real kicker the line for food took me a half hour to get through, my friends thought I got lost or something, and the place isn't that big! Just for a hot dog and a water! And the bar line was really long too. Plus the bottle of water was warm and they won't give you a cup of ice. RIDCULOUS! It was like 80 degrees outside in the hot sun. And I would have loved to hear anything but techno blared all afternoon by the dj. From what I've read on here and what I saw and overheard yesterday the management needs to get it together...although its apparently better than before. I've been in the service industry on and off for 7 years and I know that a business run like this may do ok but why not put the extra effort in and make the place great.

Pros: the view

Cons: awful approach at customer service

Editor's Review

Beach bar party along the East River, with a bar, loud music, and some of the best hamburgers around.  See the full editorial review.

Insider Tips

When to Go

Harry's usually closes for the summer in October and opens in May. Check the website for exact dates. http://www.watertaxibeach.com/hours.html

More Insider Tips

Restaurant Information for Harry's At Water Taxi Beach

Smoking

  • Yes

Hours

  • Mon-Tue 6pm-10pm
  • Wed-Fri 4pm-close
  • Sat 12pm-close
  • Sun 1pm-10pm

Dress Code

  • Casual

Cuisines

  • Hot Dogs
  • American (Traditional)
  • Hamburgers

Payment Types

  • Cash

Meal Price

  • $

Amenities

  • Waterfront Dining
  • Outdoor Dining
  • People Watching
  • Bar Scene
  • Local Favorites
  • Group Dining

Specialty ratings for Harry's At Water Taxi Beach

Specialty Rating  
Outdoor Bar 5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended  

Near Harry's At Water Taxi Beach

2-01 Borden Ave
Long Island City, NY 11101

Site Links:

Citysearch is a registered trademark of Bluefoot Ventures Inc., and is used under license.
© 2009 Citysearch.com All rights reserved.

Partner Sites: