Sure, you could shell out your hard earned dollar bills for a prime seat on a West side
rooftop sitting next to some Wall Street wanker dunking sparklers into his bottle of
Veuve. But as the great American Benjamin Franklin said, "A ploughman on his legs is
higher than a gentleman on his knees." So forget the velvet lounge pillow and get on a
bar stool. The view's better up there.

Fourth on Franklin Bar Crawl: Whether donning body paint or full flag regalia, you'll
get free PBRs from 2 p.m.-3 p.m. for your patriotism when this crawl through Greenpoint kicks
off. Shayz Lounge, Pencil Factory, Black Rabbit and Van Gogh's Radio will be decked
out national monument style and t.b.d. Brooklyn will top it off with a costume contest.
Togas, torches and chemical weathering welcome. Franklin St., Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

Sycamore: Ditmas Park flower front cum bar garden gets down with the essence of
the 4th -- barbecue and beer. From 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the outdoor patio, burgers and hot dogs will be flipped and Bear Republic and Six Point will be poured. 1118 Cortelyou Rd., Ditmas
Park, Brooklyn, (347) 240-5850.

The Rusty Knot: It's not the Frying Pan, but it's pretty close and the drinks are a hell
of a lot better. That is, unless you go posh and take advantage of their 25¢ Busch beer
special. Just like those classy family reunions you so miss. 425 West St., (212) 645-
5668.

The Vanderbilt: So there isn't a view, but for a very American $35 there is a Southern-style three-course meal (smoked pork cheeks, fried chicken, fruit cobbler) and unlimited
Six Point Uncle Sam's Lager and Sweet action. We could all use a little action on July
4th. 570 Vanderbilt Ave., Prospect Park, Brooklyn, (718) 623-0570.

Water Taxi Beach South Street Seaport: Hot Dogitos (tortilla wrapped franks) and
American beers galore. Admission is free to this Manhattan sandbox all day long. 89
South St., (212) 284-4490.