Went there this weekend for my birthday and these folks knocked it out of the park before we even got there when I emailed them about parking and a dress code (plenty of parking garages nearby and no dress code, btw) and they got back to me in a half hour. Then when we got there, every staff member was genuinely friendly and wished me a happy birthday even though I only mentioned it to one of them. Our waiter was very chill, and when they gave him the wrong wine, he still gave it to me anyway since they would have had to toss it and they didn't charge us for it. And as a bonus, they brought us a sweet scoop of ice cream with coconut flakes. The food is delicious and while the menu is limited, it's all SUPER fresh. It's kind of nice having a more limited menu so you don't get overwhelmed, and feels more like a relaxing little bar that does upscale dishes with an insanely beautiful view. On that note: it's on a boat so things do tend to rock a bit, especially when the ferry shoots by in the river and creates some wake, but that kind of adds to the fun. After two glasses of wine I thought I was more tipsy than I should be, and was having lots of giggly fun, but realized when I got off the boat after dinner that it wasn't the wine - it was the boat rocking lol All in all a great place for a relaxing meal, great views, and lovely people. Can't wait to go back! read more

Such A great night, having dinner overlooking the manhattan skyline. Great seafood, and it's a dog friendly spot. Nice for people watching, and great drinks. Will be coming back! read more

My best friend and I went on a Sunday afternoon to celebrate a special occasion. We were greeted warmly and given an excellent spot on the front part of the boat. The General Manager congratulated us along with the server which made it even more special. The oysters, lobster roll and sparkling rosé were all fantastic and the service was great. Also, the view of the city is unbeatable! read more

Pilot - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

We went for our anniversary dinner and could not have been happier. We had 2 different kinds of oysters (the pink noon were delicious!), burrata, scallops, steelhead, and key lime mousse. Everything was fantastic! The cocktails and wine were a perfect compliment. When our allotted time was up, we were able to move to the oyster bar and finish our wine and dessert there, which was nice. I can imagine that this was possible simply because it was later at night and there were open seats. We are already looking forward to going back and exploring more of the menu. read more

This is a very special place on the water in New York. Absolutely amazing. Food is great service is great. A true gem.

If you're looking for a romantic setting, this is the perfect place. The vibe is nice, views are phenomenal especially at sunset, and food is decent. We had the oysters, soft shell crab and scallops and enjoyed it all. Great place for a date, or to bring someone from out of town to enjoy the NYC skyline. read more

Nice idea to have a restaurant on the water. Pretty small though. If you go on a nice day, it's a great experience. I went on a beautiful day, however every now and then the waves got higher, so the boat rocked a bit harder. My menu flew in the water and my fries fell over. The waiter was nice enough to give me some more fries, at no extra charge. The drinks were weak though, and I mean weak. I don't think there was even any alcohol in it. I had the Tropicalia and it was more salty than sweet. I wouldn't recommend that drink. Overall, this restaurant is nice. The waiters were all nice and checked on my table regularly. Even waiters that were not assigned to my table checked on us which I thought was very nice. If you don't eat much seafood, I would not recommend this place. The menu is very limited. It's main focus are drinks and oysters, from what I've seen. So if you're not a seafood person, you can just go for the view and the fun. I was just disappointed that there wasn't even any fish on the menu, or real food. I'm guessing they keep the meals small and the drinks low in alcohol so people aren't throwing up all over the place. But anyway, great experience. read more

I almost don't want to write this review because we wish we could keep Pilot to ourselves... What an absolutely incredible place! Stunning location, views to die for, the coolest setting, not to mention great drinks and food. But mostly I have to say the staff are top notch. Attentive and thoughtful and so helpful with reservations and changes and special requests. They went out of their way for my boss the other day and I couldnt have been more appreciative. Thank you to Carlos and Ashley and Will and Mata and Alexis. read more

The service here is atrocious! From the bartenders to the hostess everyone who works there has a chip on their shoulder as if they don't need your business and you aren't paying for your services. Yesterday I ordered a $60 bottle of wine on tap! The tap ran out and the bartender disappeared for 20 minutes with no sign or warning of course that was after he swiped my credit card. When I asked how long another bartender was annoyed That I was bothering him. Then we went to sit in the front of the boat and got yelled out by the waitress that there are rules here. We'll you should post your rules! I paid good money to be there and certainly did not Come to be yelled at. The two hostess said if your eating you have to sit. But there wasn't enough seating. All we wanted to do was enjoy our cocktails and have an oyster- then again the waitress came over to ask if we wanted to see a manager. Which made me even more upset and our experience unpleasant. The best part was the kid who was chunking oysters. He calmed us down and made us laugh. I tipped him well! Beautiful boat and scenery but be prepared to be treated like Crap and pay top Dollar for your ice down drinks. It wasn't an enjoyable experience as we all had look forward too. read more

I had a lovely experience celebrating Father's Day at Pilot this year! The drinks were tasty and the view was lovely, even while the rocking of the boat did take a little getting used to. And while I wish the menu had a bit more variety and the food items were on the pricy side, the location can't be beat and the service was also fantastic! Would definitely come again! read more

Came here this afternoon with my family and wish I had a better time. It was quite packed so on a nice day I would highly suggest making a reservation and ask for a seat under the shade. We ordered a number of drinks (the limonade is excellent) and a dozen oysters and a lobster roll. They wait stuff served us a roll and I took a bite of it before realizing it was the not the item that we ordered. The manager tried to suggest that we had made the mistake and then we should pay for it. Then they brought us the wrong order of oysters and tried to play it off. While the view and the drinks are nice, the management and system are lacking so be prepared for a few mistakes while you're there read more

We had a wonderful time at Pilot. Gorgeous views, unique atmosphere, lovely service, delicious oysters, fun and yummy cocktails. Fabulous experience. read more

Definitely recommend for a unique NYC experience - calmer than the original, Grand Banks, but offers a similarly amazing setting. Perfect spot for a date or to take a group. Having a full meal here does get pricey, but oysters, french fries and rosé make for a lovely summer evening. Dogs are welcome and the staff is friendly. read more

I had a great first time experience at Pilot. Service was excellent-everyone was very friendly and helpful. Cocktails were delicious. Overall the environment made for a perfect Memorial Day outing! Highly recommend. read more

Love the vibes of sailboat, sunset, nyc skyline. You actually feel like you're vacationing somewhere magical. The downfall is it's overpriced mediocre drinks. They have no top-shelf liquor, so I had an old fashioned made with Jameson. Just blows my mind that they are charging top dollar for this. read more

I had a cocktail and dinner with my 84 year old mother last night, and we both enjoyed the drinks and food. My mother uses either a cane or walker for balance and had both with her. The staff were extremely helpful in making sure she got situated properly. The wait staff was perfect, attentive but not hovering. And of course the view is incomparable. I stumbled upon Pilot while taking a walk through Brooklyn Bridge Park, but I hope to be back many times now that I have found it. read more

Beer was ok. Bar tenders were great! Especially Luis! The owner on the other hand... not so great! Friends and I were sober on my birthday and we were just trying to have a great night but he wanted us off his boat. A shame honesty. read more

Pilot is a very special NY experience. To enjoy a cocktail and lovely meal while the City skyline embraces you, is a wonderful way to spend a few hours, especially in late afternoon/early evening as the sun sets. I have been to Pilot on three occasions, bringing out of town guests with us, and have not been disappointed. The service is friendly and helpful, and the food very good and with nice presentation. The meatballs, lobster roll, burrata, and watermelon salad were all well received. My only suggestion would be to offer a larger choice of menu options, as not everyone is an oyster person. read more

Had an absolutely lovely evening with friends here last night. Drinks, food, service and of course the gorgeous setting were perfect. Scallops, lobster roll, buratta, and oysters were delicious and beautifully presented. Thank you you for a wonderful time!! read more

My party had dinner at Pilot last night, a 7:45pm reservation that mercifully was free from a mid-summer downpour. Despite being on a boat, the tables are spaced with ample room so you don't feel like you're on top of the other diners. We ordered the oysters, naturally, which were delicious. For mains the lobster rolls, and the truly outstanding Steelhead. The service was excellent and food came out in a timely manner considering how small the kitchen must be below deck. The sunset was sublime as well. Overall could not have had a better experience. Get the steelhead while it lasts! read more

So glad Pilot is back for the season. We ate at the bar. It felt really safe. The service was excellent. Everyone was so kind. We had oysters, caviar, a lobster roll, and Mac and cheese. All excellent! read more

Wholeheartedly recommend! My girlfriend and I had a great evening at Pilot, with great food, great views and great service (Hunter, great guy!). Anyone looking for a great dining experience, in great surroundings and a great atmosphere, Pilot should be top of your list. read more

I went to Pilot for the first time this past weekend. The cocktails were delicious and I loved how they have maintained a fun atmosphere even with no-contact ordering. The seafood was fresh. We ordered the lobster roll, an order of fries, and the hash brown caviar, we were very impressed by all the dishes! The view is impeccable and there is great service with friendly staff. Will definitely be coming back! read more

Another wonderful evening onboard the Pilot watching the sunset and the skyline light up with dear friends. The service could not have been better, so friendly and attentive. Welcome back Pilot! to NYC Summer 2021 read more

We were the very first people to arrive at the boat right at 3pm when it opened was greeted harshly and was talked over and told to get off the boat because they were not ready. Waited off the boat after our reservation. Taken to a table with absolutely no view right next to the dock and told we couldn't move tables because the reservations were set specifically to whatever table that they assign you and there is no moving because for some reason they can't move the bill that they attach to that table. Sounds like a joke. We were the very first people on the boat and made the reservation weeks in advance. We decided to leave because it wasn't worth spending more money on the boat when we couldn't even see the view or be next to the water. Waste of money and waste of time. read more

View is breath taking. Atmosphere is very cozy and comfortable. Menu is small but so delicious. We had scallops and lobster roll and it was phenomenal! read more

We held our COVID micro wedding at Pilot in October at the captain's table. The city views, location, drinks and food were superb. Carlos and the team were consummate professionals, following all COVID safety protocols to the letter and going out of their way to make our special day gorgeous. From day 1 of the planning to the end of the event, Carlos was great at communicating and understanding our needs. He even suggested ideas to help with the decorations. Overall, we couldn't be happier booking with Pilot and highly recommend it! read more

Came on a quiet Monday night. Had a rez and was seated promptly. The staff was very nice and attentive--I think it helped that there were only a few other occupied tables. The food was unremarkable but the great view and lovely drinks more than compensated. I was expecting a little attitude based on some of the reviews but didn't find that at all. I think it's a great idea and a perfect spot--just far enough from public transportation to keep the crowds down. I would prolly come back again when I knew it was quiet and just sit at the bar. Due to the occasional rocking, the stay unfortunately will never be terribly long. read more

I'll be honest - I only came here because I was in nyc looking for oysters in Brooklyn that weren't crazy expensive, or at the very least a place that has a decent selection. Well, I found this place with a great selection!!! I loved eating on the boat, the weather was perfect . The oysters were great. I got the crab claws as well, which were slightly lackluster but still good. But I would definitely go back to get dozens of oysters again read more

Went for an adventure walking through Brooklyn Bridge Park, got hungry & found this gem. Step onto the boat, takes a minute to adjust to sea legs, but am in love with the cool/relaxed ambiance and the view of the city skyline at night. Seems close enough to touch. Ordered a beer and the lobster roll with fries. Food was surprisingly TO DIE FOR. Aerated french fries (extra crispy) with their special ketchup and sauce. Lobster was so fresh with enough crunch from the cucumber and flavors (want to say coriander). Our waitress Elizabeth made us feel at home, very warm personality. Highly recommend for a summer night outing! read more

This place is legendary. First of all when you go to Pilot you will be eating and drinking on a 100 year old sailboat that was designed for speed, was used a research vessel, and has circumnavigated the world... twice. The boat is in the water and you can feel the gentle rock of the waves which gives you all the magic of going on a cruise around the city without the pain of actually being stuck on a boat. Getting to the actual energy and mood of the restaurant, I would consider the vibe there to be island, chic. Everything is upscale but approachable and welcoming. The drinks and food were top notch and if you are interested in oysters the number of options will keep you busy for a while. On top of all that, the view of New York City's financial district is as good as it gets. This is the most famous cityscape in the world and aboard the Pilot you have an unobstructed view. I'm serious, the view is worth the trip alone. Last but not least, in the early evening you get the sunset setting over NJ which really is the finishing touch on what is truly one of the most magical experiences you can find in the 5 boroughs. Anyway, check it out, you will not be disappointed. read more

Visiting Pilot for drinks or dinner is always a magical experience. The food and drinks are exceptional and the vibe makes us feel like we're on vacation in our own backyard. And the views!!!! Fuhgedabowdit! It's truly one of our happiest places in NY. read more

We had a great experience at Pilot last night. We were seated promptly, the staff was friendly, and the food/drinks were very good. I had the lobster roll, which was excellent- not too much mayonnaise and served woh a delicious side salad. My partner raved about the steelhead and we shared French fries. This was our second visit to Pilot- It's a lovely special occasion spot for us with amazing views of Lower Manhattan. We look forward to returning before it closes for the season. read more

This is strictly a drinking mans review, and I really already had enough drinks to not really remember much of the bar. But I will say the vibe of drinks on a boat overlooking the most amazing city in the world makes it all worth the pretty steep drink prices. Nothing over the top NYC prices, but expect to pay around $15 per cocktail. They WERE very good cocktails. I think this is a really fun addition to the Brooklyn Bridge Park. I'll need to revisit for food and to update this quite short and lameish review. read more

Memorable service, unbeatable view, classy. Great date spot! Can't wait to come back!

Terrific food, friendly expert waiter service, nasty manager. There is a two-hour limit to your table here, and, at 1hr 56min, without prior or even nice warning, we were gruffly told to get up and take our drinks to the bar because the table was booked and our time was up. We were just finishing our desert, and had been seated ten minutes late because our carefully pre-made reservation had been lost in the shuffle. Please! We were a mixed-race, mixed-age group and it is absurd to demand seniors and people with babies to get up and stand at a bar for the last 5 minutes of a mea. This could be a good place for all-. Pilot, please train your managers to a more humanistic approach in enforcing your protocol! read more

Always Love the vistas & setting. The patient staff was very helpful when the rain & drizzle & customer angsts set in on what to do.

Amazing food, staff and ambience! The food and cocktails were delicious! The skyline of Manhattan is gorgeous! It was a great dining experience. read more

Drinks with gorgeous city views! Yesss! Of course as expected this place is overly crowded and there is an endless wait of you wish to get a table. But its summer and the atmosphere is just right so who can resist? read more

Amazing views, nice bartenders and waitress but the food was bland. My lobster roll wasn't everything I expected it to be. If I ever decide to return it will be for the view and drinks. read more