Soon you’ll be able to drink Beck’s on deck when a floating beer garden docks in Long Island City.
Local company Plaxall recently purchased the Prudence Ferry in hopes of converting the old boat into a neighborhood beer garden, furthering the rapid revitalization of the area’s formerly industrial waterfront. According to Matt Quigley, a representative from Plaxall, the boat was purchased for $70,000 just outside of Boston three months ago.
The boat, now located in Anable Basin between 45th Avenue and 46th Avenue in Hunters Point, formerly transported people around the Rhode Island area. According to Quigley, the 30×100-foot rig still runs.
According to Quigley, Plaxall got the idea to install a floating beer garden from the late John Krevey, who owned The Frying Pan, a vessel turned restaurant and bar on the Hudson River. Quigley believes the venue will add life to an area now laden with parking lots and warehouses, bringing people right to the waterfront.
“We’re excited about the fact that Long Island City is in the midst of transformation,” said Long Island City Partnership Executive Director Gayle Baron. “It’s almost like a domino effect. One new exciting amenity comes into place and you know something great is on the horizon.”
The ferry would share a neighborhood with the Anable Basin Café as well as the Water’s Edge Restaurant.
“This is a way to get onto the water and liven things up,” said Quigley. “It’s not intended to be a disco boat or a water taxi. It’s a lot more calm.”
The Plaxall spokesperson also said the company intends to keep the vessel looking like a ferry boat by keeping many of its original parts intact.
Quigley said the beer garden is expected to be open by next summer.
