Southwest Porch in Bryant Park

Bryant Park has a new spot for outdoor lounging, drinking, and eating. The Southwest Porch in Bryant Park opened last week and hosted a grand opening bash last night.

Guests including Chef Tom Colicchio, restaurant review guru Tim Zagat, and Parks Commissioner Adrian Benepe lounged on porch furniture and enjoyed cocktails and 'wichcraft delicacies.

For a city of apartment dwellers, it's nice to finally have a porch (and one with a fully-stocked bar). The Southwest Porch in Bryant Park will be open through September. No purchase is necessary to lounge, people watch, or catch up on some work (wifi is free in Bryant Park). The Southwest Porch is sponsored by Southwest Airlines.

As we sipped ginger margaritas and nibbled on soft-shell crab sandwiches on the Porch, we watched as hundreds of New Yorkers gathered for the weekly HBO Film Festival movie screening in Bryant Park. If you haven't yet caught a movie in Bryant Park, here are some photos to show you what you've been missing.

Thanks to Alex for all the great photos.