We really screwed up this year on trying to figure out what to do for July 4th. We were supposed to go to Mike’s rooftop to see the fireworks from his place, then he decided to take off to Buffalo. So at the last minute, my options were paying $150/ticket for standing room at the Hudson Terrace (a 60 feet height place on 11th ave and w 46th with the view of the hudson river), or $250 cover at the press lounge at 187 ft with a wraparound terrace, or the sold out seats range between $79 all the way to $250 i think for the cruises by the piers. We decided to just go to the closest bar and grab food and hopefully we can get a glimpse of the fireworks.
We know we want to be as close to the water as we can say 11th or 12th ave, and between 23rd and 59th st on the west side. We found landmark tavern, actually a very nice bar with their own lagers and ales. Both were pretty good too. We ordered Scotch eggs and they were weird but good (wish they could give us more than just one egg) anyway, we also got a burger and fish and chips. Jason said the fish was fried fluffy so i guess that was pretty good too. The fries are not very crispy. But check out the view from our sitting area and occasionally we stepped out to take a few pictures of the firework.
Next year, if we are in NYC, we would definitely go with a cruise, so we can sit down, eat, and enjoy from the water the fireworks 
