User's Guide

User’s Guide: Cold-Weather Outdoor Dining

Heated outdoor seating in Paris, where everything is more civilized.
Heated outdoor seating in Paris, where everything is more civilized. Photo: iStockphoto.com

On November 25, Connolly’s, the summer lifeguard and surfer hang in the basement of a Victorian hotel in Rockaway Park, will ever so briefly reopen for Thanksgiving break, and you can bet we’ll be drinking piña coladas on the front porch, no matter how cold the ocean gales. But during those other nights this winter when we get a spot of cabin fever and want a glimmer of moonlight with our dinner, we’ll need warmth beyond just the heat from the fondue burner. To that end, we’ve compiled the following list of bars and restaurants with heated outdoor spaces. (Drawn from our own “Critic’s Picks,” the list is not exhaustive.)

Riverview
Closing Time: daily, 1 a.m.
Hot Enough for You? The heaters are scheduled to arrive any day now, so call before you go.

August
Closing Time: Su–Th, 11 p.m.; F–S, midnight.
Hot Enough for You? Glass ceiling, windows, plants, and always heated or cooled as needed.

Aquagrill
Closing Time: M–Th, 10:45 p.m.; F–S, 11:45 p.m.; Su, 10:30 p.m. (last seatings).
Hot Enough for You? Heated floors and overhead units.

Avra Estiatorio
Closing Time: M–S, midnight; Su, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Heaters now being installed; call before you go.

Bobo
Closing Time: M–W, 11 p.m.; Th–S, midnight; Su, 10 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Heated, tented.

Cafe Asean

Closing Time: Su–Th, 10:30 p.m.; F–S, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Covered, heated.

Crispo

Closing Time: F–S, Midnight; S–Th, 11:30 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Roof opens and closes depending on outside temperature, and there’s a potbelly stove, fireplace, and ceiling heaters in case that isn’t enough.

Da Silvano
Closing Time: daily, 11:30 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? It’s just the heaters, tables, and chairs, so when it snows, you’re probably better off inside.

DuMont
Closing Time: Su–Th, 11 p.m.; F–S, midnight.
Hot Enough for You? Retractable awnings, patio heaters.

Elizabeth

Closing Time: daily, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? The garden is completely enclosed, and a central heating system keeps it the same temperature as the rest of the restaurant.

Frankies 457 Spuntino

Closing Time: daily, 10 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? The patio isn’t open, but a secondary “stable” space with full glass windows to the outside and a long communal table is available for special events.

Gemma
Closing Time: daily, midnight.
Hot Enough for You? There’s a heater and an awning, but it’s not enough to weather the December-through-February cold.

The Grocery
Closing Time: T–Th, 10 p.m.; F–S, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? The back garden is exposed, but has a few stand-up heating units.

Home Restaurant
Closing Time: M–S, 11 p.m.; Su, 10 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Once it snows, the patio closes.

Hudson River Cafe
Closing Time: M–T, 11 p.m.; W–S, midnight; Su, 10 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Available for private events (or as overflow space if there’s a large number of reservations).

I Coppi
Closing Time: F–S, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Roofs and heaters are in an enclosed Tuscan garden setting.

Il Gattopardo
Closing Time: M–S, 11:30 p.m.; Su, 10 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Enclosed glass roof, heaters, small bar for private parties.

Lil’ Frankie’s Pizza
Closing Time: Su–Th, 2 a.m.; F–S, 4 a.m.
Hot Enough for You? Garden has heaters, but it’s closed when it’s snowing.

Liman Restaurant
Closing Time: daily, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Even at full blast, sometimes it’s just too cold to sit out there. (Although whiskey intake might help with that.)

Mudspot
Closing Time: M–S, midnight; Su, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Tented outdoor space, heat blows in.

Orsay
Closing Time: M–S, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? The heater and awning won’t keep you warm in the snow, but will do just fine otherwise.

Ovelia
Closing Time: Su–Th, 2 a.m.; F–S, 4 a.m.
Hot Enough for You? One side has heaters and no covering, the other has covering and no heaters.

Paradou
Closing Time: M–W, 11 p.m.; Th–S, midnight; Su, 10 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Heated, covered.

The Park
Closing Time: Su–T, 2 a.m.; W, 3 a.m.; Th–S, 4 a.m.
Hot Enough for You? Enclosed area with heating, kitschy wicker furniture, and crimson Chinese lanterns.

The Pearl Room
Closing Time: daily, midnight.
Hot Enough for You? Enclosed, but not enclosed enough to permit pleasant dining in severe weather.

Royal Crown Magnifico Panini

Closing Time: daily, 9 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? The gigantic back garden is fully enclosed, keeping out even the smartest of storms.

Tavern on Dean
Closing Time: daily, midnight.
Hot Enough for You? Spacious back garden, fully enclosed and heated.

Trattoria dell’Arte

Closing Time: daily, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? Heaters, blankets, complimentary Snuggies (we really hope they’re not kidding about that).

El Amacén
Closing Time: Varies, usually around 11:30 p.m., Su–Th; midnight, F–S.
Hot Enough for You? The top deck has an awning to protect against snow, and hopefully the heaters will melt the flakes before they grace your eyelids.

Gnocco Cucina & Tradizione
Closing Time: Su–T, 2 a.m.; W, 3 a.m.; Th–S, 4 a.m.
Hot Enough for You? Although there’s heating, it can’t beat the January and February cold, so you’ll have to enjoy your pizza indoors.

Convivium Osteria
Closing Time: Su–T, 2 a.m.; W, 3 a.m.; Th–S, 4 a.m.
Hot Enough for You? Enclosed and heated, glass doors look out into garden.

L&B; Spumoni Gardens
Closing Time: daily, 11 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? It might be, once it’s fully constructed. Call beforehand to check and see if it’s done.

Shake Shack, Madison Square Park
Closing Time: Daily, 9 p.m.
Hot Enough for You? This New York favorite has eight large heaters up and running.

Additional reporting by Thayer McClanahan and Evan Mulvihill.

User’s Guide: Cold-Weather Outdoor Dining