For the first time since 2009, the East River will be hosting the Macy’s Firework Show—rah rah Brooklyn and Queens! But before you go to watch the spectacle of 40,000 fiery explosives being shot into the sky (festivities start around 9:20 at South Street Seaport), you’ll probably want to eat, imbibe, and maybe watch a World Cup game, too. Here’s what New York City has in store for America’s 239th birthday.

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(Courtesy of Grand Banks)

OUTDOOR PARTIES

  • $5 Tito’s Slushies, $3 cans of beer, burgers, brats, and a kiddie pool make Extra Fancy’s backyard hangout look like the Fourth of Julys of your childhood. Call ahead if you want to reserve a boiled Maine lobster; otherwise, stick to corndog fritters with spicy peach chow-chow, watermelon salad, and Dutch apple pies.
    302 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg // 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. // Free to attend

  • Alternatively, set sail (sort of) on a historic schooner and enjoy an oyster bar, champagne, and 4th of July-inspired cocktail on deck while you're at it. Sherman Zwinker, New York Harbor's largest wooden vessel, boasts great views of the Statue of Liberty from its home in Hudson River Park's Pier 25. You will also be able to watch fireworks on board, so long as you're willing to shell out $250.
    Pier 25, Hudson River Park // (212) 960-3390 // 5 p.m.-11 p.m. // $250

  • South Street Seaport is catering to the rest of you land lubbers with their pier party, running from July 3rd through 5th. Family-friendly activities include live music and marching bands while adults can enjoy the rustic craft beer hall Ambrose or its adjacent beer garden and surf bar. The Macy’s Firework Show will take place in the skies above the pier at 9:20 p.m.
    South Street Seaport // Various activities // Free to attend

  • It’s Fireworks Night at CitiField, and what’s more American than baseball? For as low as $18, you can get tickets to root root root for the home team against the Texas Rangers. The ballgame's namesake spectacular will begin after the final inning.
    CitiField, Flushing // 7:10 p.m. // Tickets start at $18

  • Maybe the most adorable option would be heading to the Louis Armstrong House Museum. They will be hosting a garden party and concert complete with birthday cake and sweet tea for Satchmo's Birthday. If you buy tickets in advance, not only will they be cheaper but they'll come with a six-month pass to the museum. Emily Asher's Garden Party will be performing.
    34-56 107th St., Corona // 2 p.m. // $18 advanced, $20 day of show

  • Bed-Stuy's Do or Dine are hosting a Rub-A-Grub that'll feature three rounds of eating and drinking in the restaurant's backyard area. Also on hand, several DJs who'll be soundtracking the day's festivities; this won't be your typical BBQ hot dogs and hamburgers.
    1108 Bedford Avenue // 2 p.m. // Tickets are $15

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    (Courtesy of Mira Sushi & Izakaya)

    HOT DOGS, BBQ, BEER & BEYOND

  • Bring your own supplies or eat what Freddy's has prepared for their backyard grill. The all-American Independence Day party lasts from 3 p.m. until late with $4 taps, $2 PBR and High Life, and $1 off everything else. Bop Monroe & Pocket Monster perform at midnight.
    627 5th Ave, Brooklyn // (718) 768-0131 // 3pm // Free to attend

  • If oyster shooters, lobster rolls and a make-your-own-Sundae bar sound more appealing than hot dogs, then The Gander in the Flatiron District has you covered. The bash boasts live music, a ping pong tournament, karaoke, and, of course, booze. You won’t even have to miss the fireworks; Gander's event ends at 8.
    15 W 18th Street // 12 p.m. - 8 p.m. // $60 food only. $100 food, drinks, gift bag.

  • Taking hot dogs to a whole new level, chef Brian Tsao of Mira Sushi & Izakaya is cooking up Japanese-inspired mini hotdogs with the 4th of July in mind. The result is made with smoked kurobuta pork sausage from Japan and topped with jimaca mango slaw and red onions. Woof!
    46 W. 22nd Street // (212) 989-7889 // 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., 4:00 - 11:30 p.m. // $7 for two kurobata dogs

  • If you're the reluctant host this year, consider a $189.95 giant hero party package from Sarge’s Deli. Designed for a group of 10, you’ll get everything from potato salad to ice cold beer—with two bags of ice included.
    (212) 679-0442 // 4th of July menu



    • Where To Watch the World Cup Quarter-Finals While Also Celebrating FREEDOM
  • The World Cup doesn’t stop for the celebration of, well, us. That’s okay though, because you can still watch the game (France or Nigeria playing Germany or Algeria and Brazil or Chile playing Colombia or Uruguay) at BeerBQ, hosted by Paulaner. Vegetarians beware: a suckling pig will be on display, and the rest of the menu includes house-made pork sausages, open-faced sandwiches and Bratwurst burgers. But if in-house brewed beer is your cup of tea, celebrations begin with the first game. 265 Bowery // Call for platters for large parties, (212) 780-0300 // Check FIFA's schedule for game times

  • Open air café The Fourth and its downstairs, Botequim World Cup Pop-Up are open all day with classic 4th of July food (lobster rolls, potato salad, watermelon ice cream and mojitos) and Brazilian munchies (bolinho de bacalhau, grilled shrimp on the beach). Cachaça infusions include the fabulous-sounding pineapple-lemongrass, chili pepper-kaffir lime, and chamomile-honeycomb.
    132 Fourth Ave // 7 a.m. - 11 p.m // $5 beer special, drinks $10 and up