Alcohol is returning to the Staten Island Ferry after a five-year dry spell, giving riders a fresh on-board option just in time for the weekend rush. Starting Friday, passengers will be able to grab canned cocktails, beers and hard seltzers on one of the fleet’s newest boats, with other vessels set to join in over the coming weeks. The drink rollout pairs with an expanded snack lineup that includes pretzels and popcorn, building on the coffee service that made its own comeback last year.
The New York City Department of Transportation announced the change Monday, with the first alcohol sales set for the SSG Michael H. Ollis this Friday and the Sandy Ground and Dorothy Day to follow, according to CBS News. NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn has called the crossing one of the best and most scenic rides anywhere, and local officials are pitching the return of booze as a commuter-friendly perk. Riders will still get the same fast, fare-free trip across the harbor, just with more grab-and-go options along the way.
How concessions returned and who’s running them
City officials first laid the groundwork for on-board concessions in late 2024, selecting Dunkin' to run the snack bars under a multi-year lease that also allows alcohol sales, according to earlier coverage by Dunkin' to Serve Coffee. The agency said the first concession sites would go onto two of the fleet’s Ollis-class vessels and noted that the ferry carries roughly 45,000 riders on an average weekday and more than 15 million riders a year. Officials framed the move as part of a phased comeback that started with coffee and snacks last year and is now widening to include alcohol.
What riders will find aboard
Beyond drinks, ferries are bringing back pretzels and popcorn as part of the expanded menu, CBS News reported. The initial rollout will focus on boats that already have concession space built in, with any expansion to other vessels depending on permits and operational logistics. For many commuters, the changes amount to one more small convenience on a free, 25-minute harbor ride.
Permits and rules
City officials are stressing that alcohol service still hinges on permitting and regulatory approvals. The December procurement allows for alcohol sales, and the concessionaire is now pursuing the necessary permits, the NYC DOT said. The department has not yet released full details on hours, pricing or exactly where on board passengers will be allowed to drink, and has said operators must follow all applicable laws and rules. Transit staff will keep an eye on how things go as service expands, with an emphasis on safety and maintaining a family-friendly commute.
The return of alcohol sales is the latest step in restoring full-service concessions to the iconic route after pandemic-era cutbacks, and it gives New Yorkers one more reason to hop the free run between Staten Island and Manhattan. Officials say additional details will roll out as permits are approved and service extends across more of the fleet.
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