Social distancing guidelines have definitely gotten restaurants to be extra creative, like The Rooftop at Pier 17 which has just opened a new dining experience where guests can book one of 28 “mini-lawns.” Called The Greens, the experience has transformed the South Street Seaport rooftop venue into private cabana-style plots, each of which can accommodate eight guests.
Pier 17–a food/drink, retail, and entertainment complex designed by SHoP Architects–opened in 2018, with its 1.5-acre rooftop space serving as a restaurant and cocktail lounge. In addition to an annual summer concert series, in the winter months, the rooftop transforms into the city’s only open-air rooftop ice-skating rink.
The Greens is the rooftop’s newest incarnation. The mini-lawns measure 14′ x 14′ and come with lounge chairs, an umbrella, a beverage cooler, and USB ports for charging electronic devices. There will be proper cleaning procedures, hand sanitizer stations throughout, and contactless ordering done through guests’ individual phones.
Guests also have the option to reserve one of four gaming lawns, also available for groups of up to eight people. They each measure 12′ x 48′ and have available games to rent like bocce ball, cornhole, and giant Jenga. There will be a 32-foot-wide LED screen on the north side of the rooftop, where guests will be able to watch a game. They can also look forward to live music, DJs, and the return of Seaport Cinema.
When it comes to the menu, there are plenty of snacks like calamari, corn on the cob, and hummus. The rest of the food menu consists of seasonal items like a tomato strawberry salad, fish and chips, a lobster roll, and a burger. The cocktails are fun and summery and include a frozen jalapeno-watermelon margarita, a pineapple colada, and a mint tropic punch.
The Greens officially opened on August 1st and is open seven days a week from 11 am–11 pm, weather permitting. Online reservations for the mini lawns and gaming lawns are preferred and can be made in advance on the Pier 17 website.