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  4. I ate at an outdoor restaurant in NYC built on what was once the world's smallest aircraft carrier. The vibe was great but the food was a huge dissapointment.

I ate at an outdoor restaurant in NYC built on what was once the world's smallest aircraft carrier. The vibe was great but the food was a huge dissapointment.

Thomas Pallini   

I ate at an outdoor restaurant in NYC built on what was once the world's smallest aircraft carrier. The vibe was great but the food was a huge dissapointment.
Eating a Baylander Steel Beach in Manhattan.Thomas Pallini/Business Insider
  • The "world's smallest aircraft carrier" is now an outdoor bar on the Hudson River in West Harlem, New York.
  • The Baylander Steel Beech opened for business in early July offering Manhattanites a reprieve from the standard outdoor bars that have popped up across the island.
  • I boarded the ship on Wednesday to see how well my two favorite topics – aviation and food – could live together in harmony but left with a hole in my wallet and an empty stomach.

Watch out, Intrepid — New York City has a new decommissioned aircraft carrier, and this one has an outdoor bar on its main deck.

Just a few miles north of the iconic museum on the same river sits the Baylander, a Vietnam War-era Navy ship that was later used to train helicopter pilots how to land on boats.

Its tiny stature meant that only helicopters could access the ship, though it's often referred to as the "world's smallest aircraft carrier," according to Museum Ships, and for good reason. From bow to stern, the Baylander stretches a mere 125 feet, nearly seven times smaller than the famed USS Intrepid.

Commissioned in 1968, Museum Ships reports, the ship has been bouncing around different branches of the military for decades and eventually ended up in New York City after its retirement from the service. After entering private hands in 2011, the Baylander was moved to the West Harlem Piers and converted into an outdoor bar called the Baylander Steel Beach. It opened for business in early July.

With New York City still holding back on opening up indoor dining, outdoor bars have been in high demand so I went to the Baylander on Wednesday for dinner and drinks with friends to see if the concept held water.

Here's what it was like dining on a former aircraft carrier turned restaurant.

I first noticed the Baylander while driving down the West Side Highway earlier in the month and saw tables, umbrellas, and what appeared to be an outdoor bar.

I first noticed the Baylander while driving down the West Side Highway earlier in the month and saw tables, umbrellas, and what appeared to be an outdoor bar.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

After finishing work on Wednesday, a few friends and I decided to make the trek down from 155th Street to the West Harlem Piers, located off 125th Street.

After finishing work on Wednesday, a few friends and I decided to make the trek down from 155th Street to the West Harlem Piers, located off 125th Street.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And we discovered the Baylander open for business!

And we discovered the Baylander open for business!
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

As an aviation reporter and food lover, it was clearly a match made in heaven to be having dinner and drinks on an aircraft carrier.

As an aviation reporter and food lover, it was clearly a match made in heaven to be having dinner and drinks on an aircraft carrier.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

As we approached the ship, a bouncer checked our IDs to make sure we were of legal age.

As we approached the ship, a bouncer checked our IDs to make sure we were of legal age.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The menu was incredibly simple with classic options like hamburgers, fried clam strips, and lobster rolls. The drink menu also had a mixture of specialty cocktails.

The menu was incredibly simple with classic options like hamburgers, fried clam strips, and lobster rolls. The drink menu also had a mixture of specialty cocktails.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Despite the outdoor setting, masks still had to be worn unless sitting and social distancing was required.

Despite the outdoor setting, masks still had to be worn unless sitting and social distancing was required.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The name, Baylander Steel Beach, is in reference to the Navy parties held on the decks of aircraft carriers, known as steel beaches.

The name, Baylander Steel Beach, is in reference to the Navy parties held on the decks of aircraft carriers, known as steel beaches.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

We had great weather and were expecting smooth sailing as we walked aboard.

We had great weather and were expecting smooth sailing as we walked aboard.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Before we were given permission to come aboard, the hostess took our temperatures to ensure we didn't have a COVID-19-related fever, with hand sanitizer available also upon request.

Before we were given permission to come aboard, the hostess took our temperatures to ensure we didn
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

With New York City still restricting indoor dining, the outdoor bar was the perfect environment to hang out in rather than a bar with a makeshift and unprotected outdoor seating section along a busy avenue.

With New York City still restricting indoor dining, the outdoor bar was the perfect environment to hang out in rather than a bar with a makeshift and unprotected outdoor seating section along a busy avenue.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Seating on the main deck included a mix of picnic tables and counters with bar stools along the ship's edge.

Seating on the main deck included a mix of picnic tables and counters with bar stools along the ship
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Umbrellas also provided a slight reprieve from the sun as it set.

Umbrellas also provided a slight reprieve from the sun as it set.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Social distance signage lined the ship with reminders to wear masks and stay six feet apart.

Social distance signage lined the ship with reminders to wear masks and stay six feet apart.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

To avoid crowding in line, the bar had installed placards on the ground telling patrons where to stand while waiting to order.

To avoid crowding in line, the bar had installed placards on the ground telling patrons where to stand while waiting to order.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Here's the main bar near the ship's bow from where food and drinks are ordered.

Here
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The bar featured a beer draft system fashioned from ship pipes with a Titanic-style engine telegraph for decoration.

The bar featured a beer draft system fashioned from ship pipes with a Titanic-style engine telegraph for decoration.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

All cocktails were $10 and over, standard for New York City, but there was a Bud Light bucket deal on offer with five cans for $25.

All cocktails were $10 and over, standard for New York City, but there was a Bud Light bucket deal on offer with five cans for $25.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

I went for the boat's signature drink, the Big Apple Froze, and had a great view of the Hudson River and Midtown. The cool cocktail was refreshing and tasty.

I went for the boat
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Located in West Harlem, though, the barge also provided great views of the nearby George Washington Bridge to the north.

Located in West Harlem, though, the barge also provided great views of the nearby George Washington Bridge to the north.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Instead of table service, patrons were given a buzzer for food orders and picked them up at a window in the back of the ship.

Instead of table service, patrons were given a buzzer for food orders and picked them up at a window in the back of the ship.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

As I waited for my food, my friends received their order of fried clam strips, buffalo wings, and french fries. It was mouth-watering, to say the least. but not cheap as this order came to $30 before drinks.

As I waited for my food, my friends received their order of fried clam strips, buffalo wings, and french fries. It was mouth-watering, to say the least. but not cheap as this order came to $30 before drinks.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

I ordered the fish and chips tacos, an interesting take on the English dish.

I ordered the fish and chips tacos, an interesting take on the English dish.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed with the portion size, especially with the $12 price tag.

Needless to say, I was a bit disappointed with the portion size, especially with the $12 price tag.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

It took all of two bites to finish one.

It took all of two bites to finish one.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

It was definitely tasty but did not do anything to quash my appetite after a full workday.

It was definitely tasty but did not do anything to quash my appetite after a full workday.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

After wrapping up the meal, we took a walk around the miniature aircraft carrier. There was additional seating behind the bar for those who wanted to enjoy the views of New Jersey.

After wrapping up the meal, we took a walk around the miniature aircraft carrier. There was additional seating behind the bar for those who wanted to enjoy the views of New Jersey.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

But the real treat was the upper deck that offered near-360-degree views.

But the real treat was the upper deck that offered near-360-degree views.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

This was arguably the best seat in the house.

This was arguably the best seat in the house.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

The views of the river were unbeatable, especially as the sun was setting.

The views of the river were unbeatable, especially as the sun was setting.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Back down on the main deck, there are still some holdovers from the ship's time in the Navy.

Back down on the main deck, there are still some holdovers from the ship
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

There's also an additional seating area near the ship's stern with more picnic tables.

There
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

And those wanting to see some of the ship's inner workings need look no further than the restroom, where there's some leftover equipment.

And those wanting to see some of the ship
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Come fall, the Baylander will serve the scores of Columbia University students and faculty in the area, with the main campus just a few blocks south and some university buildings visible from the ship.

Come fall, the Baylander will serve the scores of Columbia University students and faculty in the area, with the main campus just a few blocks south and some university buildings visible from the ship.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

After venturing back onto dry land, I found myself still hungry.

After venturing back onto dry land, I found myself still hungry.
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

Luckily, there was an old familiar bar waiting at the end of the pier, 123 Burger Shot Beer, where we could get some cheap hamburgers for the 30-block walk back.

Luckily, there was an old familiar bar waiting at the end of the pier, 123 Burger Shot Beer, where we could get some cheap hamburgers for the 30-block walk back.
123 Burger Shot Beer      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

True to name, the burgers were only a dollar.

True to name, the burgers were only a dollar.
123 Burger Shot Beer      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

While the Baylander did provide a unique and enjoyable atmosphere, I think next time I'll fill up before getting on board.

While the Baylander did provide a unique and enjoyable atmosphere, I think next time I
The Baylander Steel Beach NYC.      Thomas Pallini/Business Insider

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