The Strait of New York Bay tells of a Brooklyn boy named Mike who gets an opportunity to study at New York University but has always been unable to raise enough tuition fees. Helpless, Mike chooses to work for the local gangster boss. In addition to having to balance the conflicts between his studies and work, Mike also has many personal issues to deal with. He has just met a beautiful and smart woman named Kathy and is deeply attracted to her. However, he already has a long-time girlfriend whom he promised to marry. Faced with all these problems, what should Mike do?