P.D. O'Hurley's Hudson Beach Café

Upper West Side, New York –

A casual dog-friendly hangout tucked discreetly into Riverside Park, the seasonal Hudson Beach Café provides a laid-back oasis for Upper West Siders, young professionals, and nearby Columbia students to kick back with a frozen margarita, a burger, and a view of the New Jersey skyline.

Patrons entering at 103rd Street need only walk down a winding leafy path to the concrete patio, where rows of café tables surround a makeshift bar serving a surprising array of tap and bottled beers to a boisterous crowd.

Those looking for a more diverse clientele can head to the more intimate downstairs bar next to the volleyball courts, where groups of locals and European travelers from the nearby hostel settle in for some serious daytime drinking.

Outdoorsy types and pet lovers fresh from the dog run next door wander in and out throughout the day to relax over cocktails as their pets lounge in the shade lapping water from the complimentary bowls provided by the friendly staff.

Lively but rarely rowdy, Hudson Beach Café does pick up some steam on the weekends when the park is packed and the bar hosts special events, but for soaking up the sun in a festive atmosphere, the place is a great option any sunny day.