Alive on the River: Patchogue's Fourth of July on the Water

This Fourth of July, Patchogue is throwing America a birthday party on the water, and you can float right through the middle of it. Alive on the River turns five riverfront bars into one celebration for the country's 250th, connected by a water taxi that runs all night.

How it works

On Thursday, July 2, from 5 to 10 PM, hop the unlimited water taxi for 10 dollars and cruise between five spots on the Patchogue River. Live music at every stop, a 10 dollar Patriotic Punch waiting when you land, and the whole river lit up for the 250th. One ticket, five docks, and no reason to move the car. For reservations and details, call 631-714-4950.

The five stops

Drift 82, Bayman's Clam Bar, The Patch Bar and Grill, Dublin Deck, and The Oar Steak and Seafood Grill are all in, each with live music on the night. Drift 82 anchors it with Nicolls Road on the deck from 5:30 to 8:30, and the water taxi launches right from its docks. Down the river, The Oar brings Dean Silva from 6 to 9:30, The Patch cranks up the rock with Redline at 6, and Dublin Deck folds its Thursday Ladies Night into the crawl with DJ Kaution spinning from 8. Bayman's Clam Bar rounds out the five stops with live music of its own.

A few neighborly tips

• The 10 dollar water taxi runs unlimited between all five stops, so you never have to pick just one.
• Get there on the early side. A Fourth of July weekend draws a crowd to the river.
• This is a night that is better with a group. Bring your people.

America turns 250 once. Spend the night of it on the Patchogue River.