New in Brooklyn Bridge Park, NYC: Fireboat, a Floating Bar on a Retired 1961 FDNY Vessel

At the northwest end of Pier 6 in Brooklyn Bridge Park, a retired FDNY firefighting vessel from the 1960s now operates as Fireboat, a floating, Caribbean-inspired bar. The ship is the 1961 Governor Alfred E. Smith, and its fire hoses have been converted into taps for pouring drinks. Photos from the venue show the original brass water cannons still mounted on the upper deck, where yellow-and-white striped umbrellas and teak chairs sit beside them.

Fireboat comes from Crew, the hospitality group that also runs Grand Banks, The Yacht Club, Holywater, Drift In and High Tide in New York. Crew specializes in venues set on boats and the waterfront, and this is its latest addition.

The drink list is built for the waterfront: refreshing spritzes, crisp sparkling wine, island cocktails, summery wines and frosty beers on ice. The food leans toward Caribbean-inspired bar bites, including salt cod hushpuppies, fresh ceviche, BBQ prawn skewers and a signature jerk chicken sandwich. Piña colada ice cream rounds out the menu as dessert.

Fireboat runs in the summer months, open 4pm to 10pm on weekdays and 11am to 10pm on weekends. The official site lists it as closed for the season. For regular visits there are no reservations: all seating is held for walk-ins, first come, first served. Groups wanting the upper deck, or anyone planning a private event, can use the inquiry form on the Crew website.

The boat sits inside the park, close to DUMBO and Brooklyn Heights, and its decks face New York Harbor and the Lower Manhattan skyline. Eater has described it as a seafaring party pad with harbor views, tropical cocktails and Caribbean bites. For now it is one to keep in mind for the next summer season.