Frying Pan

Hell we can’t afford to eat out anymore, so we’re taking our happy hour to a new level. Seal level that is. Since 1989, Lightship #115 AKA Frying Pan has made her home at Chelsea’s Pier 66. Becoming a Manhattan hot spot is a storybook ending for this ship who sunk in the late 70’s and lived underwater for three years before being raised by saintly saviors, sold to her present owners and made into a vessel for NYC tours and entertainment.

Um, we were entertained, so entertained in fact that we’re skipping DBGB’s and heading west to the waterfront tiki bar, which serves cold beer, better-than-average burgers and delicious garlic fries. Not convinced? Let me clarify, the whole vessel is a nightlife smorgasbord from the front quarter’s effervescent DJ lounge to live acts in the ship’s belly. New York Magazine described the dated couches and “ratty make-out couches.” Hm, well there are an abnormal amount of make-out nooks. Although I thought the couches were meant to signify male ownership of the jack. A woman would never want to make-out on something described as “ratty.” If it’s nice though, skip (no pun intended) the lounge and plant yourself on one of the deck’s plastic chairs for gorgeous views of the Hudson and a quixotic sunset.

Saturday and Sunday afternoons on the Frying Pan are a great time to unleash your inner swashbuckler. With patrons singing and scary bathroom trips two floors down (go with a friend), a weekend at Frying Pan is one to remember. Or not…depending on how much you drink. Warning: patrons take the nod to seafaring a bit serious and after many Bucket-O-Beers can get rowdy. As far as we can tell, there are few regulations and accidents do happen. (Our friend slipped and sprained her wrist.) In other words, be careful!

Frying Pan Pier 66, North River  W. 26th Street & West Side Highway  212-989-6363