Since surely half the American population has a beer in their hand right around now, we thought we’d offer up an adult beverage-themed post. After passing it while sprinting to the train several dozen times, we had the unique pleasure of actually stopping and enjoying a few al fresco drinks at Pershing Square last Friday.

What made it so uniquely pleasurable? A number of things. For one, it’s literally about 60 feet from Grand Central. They’ve closed off the western side of Park Avenue between 41st and 42nd for the outdoor cafe, so one gets to experience an outdoor drink in Manhattan without cars rushing by, with about a 60-second walk to one’s train.

Another reason, and we’re clenching our teeth as we write this next sentence, is that pints of good beer are only $6. Indeed, the word “only” should not precede the mention of $6 beers until at least 2023, but we expected worse. After all, a premium pint in an outdoor setting of a commuter/tourist-friendly place in midtown Manhattan might fetch eight bucks or so. So we were pleasantly surprised to only plunk down $6.

We scored two tables, met friends, had a few drinks, and still had Little G home before the sun went down (mind you, our nightlife has very little “night” left in it anymore). And every time the bambino grew bored, a quick trip to the corner of 42nd–cop cars, buses, fearless pedicab drivers–seemed to snap him out of it.

Trainjotting gives the outdoor cafe of Pershing Square a full 4 pints of Brooklyn Lager out of a possible 5.