It will be a blast!
Fourth of July is almost here and Macy’s will again launch its display of colorful fireworks on the East River, giving Brooklyn the best view of the pyrotechnics. Make a plan early so you can pick the perfect spot along the water to celebrate the land of the free and the home of the brave.
America’s
front yard
Pack up a blanket and picnic basket and grab a spot on the grass at Brooklyn Bridge Park to watch the rockets’ red glare light up the sky. Pier 1, Pier 6, and Pier 5’s promenade will be open to the public, but be sure you head over early — all local streets will close to cars at 4 pm. Enter through Old Fulton and Furman streets, Joralemon and Furman streets, or Old Dock and Furman streets.
Brooklyn Bridge Park [334 Furman St. in Dumbo, (718) 222–9939, brook
Prominent spot
Right above Brooklyn Bridge Park is the Promenade in Brooklyn Heights, which will offer some of the best views in the borough. Spots along the skyline walkway will fill up quick, and police will block the entrances to avoid overcrowding, so stake out your bench as early as you can.
Brooklyn Heights Promenade [Enter at Montague Street at Montague Terrace, or along Columbia Heights between Pierrepont Place and Cranberry Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 722–3214, www.nycgo
Stars and stripes
Head on over to Northern Territory in Greenpoint for an eyeful — and earful — of the fireworks. The patriotic pyrotechnic display is so close to the bar’s rooftop, you may have to cover your ears. The bar, though Australian, will show its love for all 50 states with red, white, and blue drinks and a special menu filled with American grub. The 200-person rooftop fills up quickly, and the bar will abandon its usual reservation system for a first-come, first-served policy, so get there before the sun goes down.
Northern Territory [12 Franklin St. between Meserole Avenue and N. 15th Street in Greenpoint, (347) 689–4065, www.north
Cuatro de Julio
If you crave Mexican food while you celebrate America’s independence day, reserve a spot on Alma’s rooftop bar near the waterfront, where the fireworks are sure to illuminate the skyline. The restaurant offers a prix fixe menu on its main floor for $50 — but you’ll want to splurge for the roof, at $75. For that price, you will get a three-course meal and unbeatable views.
Alma [187 Columbia St. between Degraw and Sackett streets in the Columbia Waterfront District, (718) 643-5400, almar
All day
and all night
Williamsburg’s McCarren Hotel and Pool will host a rooftop fireworks party with a fancy raw bar and DJs Sleepy and Boo spinning live sets. A general admission ticket for $25 will get you into the bar, with a view of fireworks out of its retractable roof. And for $75, you can get to head up to the terrace for passed food, a champagne toast, and panoramic views of the East River as the fireworks fall into the water.
McCarren Hotel and Pool (160 N. 12th St. between Bedford and Berry, (718) 218–7500, www.mccar
