Honorable William Wall

Great views!!!

A yearly outing tradition for the firm. Always a wonderful time. The setting is uniquely beautiful in New York harbor.

Unique! Classy! Fun! Relaxing! (Google says it has an address in New Hampshire, but don't be fooled. It is located in New York Harbor adjacent to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty.) I went to the Willy Wall for the second time in August 2016. It is the floating race barge and clubhouse for the Manhattan Yacht Club. The public is invited to watch the sailboat races from the barge a few nights per week during the warm season. I live in Philly and I originally learned about the "booze barge" from an article in the New York Times. I go to the Willy Wall as a tourist and spectator, because I love being in New York Harbor with all its boat traffic, because I am a sailor, and because of the magnificent views of the NYC skyline, the Statue of Liberty, and Ellis Island. When you go, the first step is to book a $20 reservation on the motor launch that is operated by the yacht club. During my first visit in 2014, I boarded the motor launch at Battery Park City's marina. But now the routing has changed a bit, and this time I boarded the motor launch at the Surf City restaurant in Jersey City. Both times, the ride to the launch went without a hitch. The two men who operate the motor launch are professional and courteous, and the boat is very nice. After a 10-minute motor cruise, you arrive at the 2-level barge. You walk up the stairs to the main deck containing a bar and restaurant tables beneath an open-air roof that provides shade for everyone. Drinks are reasonably priced, and in fact, the whole evening turns out to be inexpensive, especially considering how special the experience is. Parking is free at Surf City restaurant in Jersey City. What do you do on the barge? You relax! You sit there and have cocktails and watch exciting sailing, you watch the wide variety of motor yachts, ferries, tugs and ships cruising the harbor, you gaze at the Statue of Liberty and the sunset, you chat with the other spectators, and most of all, you look at the wonderful NYC skyline. You are sitting in one of the coolest spots on planet earth! The motor launch returns you to your point of origin every 30 minutes. I was on the barge from 6:30 to 9:00pm. Everything is well organized. The employees are kind and pleasant. For me, driving from Philadelphia, the Jersey City departure shortens my travel time a great deal and simplifies my trip (although it is also fun to visit Battery Park and Lower Manhattan, where you can still board the launch). My evening was stress-free and the whole experience was classy. I love visiting the Willy Wall! It's a hidden gem. It's unforgettable.