Astorian Weekend Edition 09.07.09

We've finally hit summer! There's nothing better than chillin' at a fabulous outdoor venue in the sun, whether a cafe, a bar, a beer garden or a new park.

Join the Drinking Liberally group this Friday at 7:30 p.m. at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden for some good-natured fun and potent brew. They’ll meet outside where you can spot them, sporting their black t-shirts with a blue bottle logo. Cheers! 29-19 24^th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925

If you’re in the mood to check out a new beer establishment, visit the Studio Square Beer Garden. They’ve made some changes in the menu, now also serving sushi and festive homemade cupcakes, which are perfect if celebrating a birthday. They even supply candles—how thoughtful! Tip – get their as early as you can, as this place gets packed after 8 p.m. 35-33 36^th Street, Astoria. 718.383.1001

Looking for a delicious summery brunch? I recently tried Vesta’s offering and loved it! Besides the scrumptious whole-wheat French Toast with apricot preserves and the Hangover Pizza, I enjoyed the summery white grapefruit sorbet (pictured above). It’s paired with fresh fruit and is simply to die for. 21-02 30^th Avenue, Astoria. 718.545.5550

Another great brunch option is Ovelia, featuring tasty Greek omelets and interesting alternatives such as the Tiropita Toast. They were recently the runner up in DCA’s 4^th Annual Sidewalk Café Mix Off with their signature drink, The Sikatini. Made with dried figs and Metaxa, this refreshing concoction should not be missed. 34-01 30^th Avenue, Astoria. 718.721.7217

Gantry State Park in LIC is the perfect way to spend a warm afternoon. In the words of an enthusiastic resident, "it’s simply delightful. They have wooden lounge chairs, hammocks, lots of grass and even a cool concession stand, which will open soon.” Sounds like a winner to me! 474 48^th Avenue, Long Island City. 718.786.6385

Drinking Liberally this Friday

Those crazy kids from Drinking Liberally will be gathering together again this Friday, July 10:

Our next Queens Drinking Liberally will be this Friday, July 10th from 7:30 pm onwards, at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria.

We will likely be meeting outside this Friday and I will be wearing a black shirt with the blue and red Drinking Liberally logo on it.

The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden is at 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY. It is closest to the N/W train stop at Astoria Blvd (1 stop before the last). The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden is the only old-fashioned outdoor beer garden in the city.

Cheers,

Donald & Stephanie

Astorian Weekend Edition 12.03.09

Party into the weekend on Thursday at the LIC Community Boathouse 2009 Fundraiser Party , from 6 - 9pm at The Foundry (42-38 Ninth St, LIC)

Also on Thursday, Waltz Astoria, hosts an evening of live chamber music with artists from the Manhattan School of Music's Contemporary Performance Program. For the $10 cover, you'll get
a drink so it's kinda worth it, I think! You've got to rsvp, so email saltshuler@msmnyc.edu or call 917-493-4595.

Friday, Drink Liberally at the Beer Garden with a special guest from the Empire State Pride Agenda. Drink for the greater good is what I say.

We told you there was a new CSA in town: well, Saturday you get a chance to look a little closer. Meet the farmer that will be supporting the Harvest CSA from 11am - 2pm at Church of the Redeemer on 30th Ave and Crescent St.

Club One (25-22 34th Ave) is getting its craic on on this Saturday night and starting the St. Paddy's Day celebrating early. Go green with Louie the Leprechaun and compete for cash prizes! You'll get DJs galore and drink specials until midnight.

Sunday at the Beer Garden (29-19 24th Ave) there's a Seeds of Love Sale. Shop for a good cause then get your keilbasa on from 1 to 6 p.m. Bargains -- I tell you -- make your $5 go far.

Drinking Liberally - What's This All About?

Here and there, we've posted about Drinking Liberally. What is it? Well, here's the latest announcement:

Hello Lovely Liberals!

Please join us this Friday at Queens Drinking Liberally, March 13th from 7:45 pm onwards, at the Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden in Astoria, with myself (Stephanie) and Donald Graff as your hosts.

We will likely be meeting at tables in the dining area in the basement, but if the weather is nice, we may be outside.

This week we will have a special guest joining us: Matthew Brunner NYC Program Organizer for the Empire State Pride Agenda, NY's largest gay, lesbian, bi-sexual, and transgender advocacy group. This organization does community organizing and outreach surrounding the Marriage Equality Bill, the Gender Expression Non-Discrimination Act, and the Dignity For All Students Act. So come meet Matthew, have a pint, get involved.

The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden is at 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, NY. It is closest to the N/W train stop at Astoria Blvd (1 stop before the last). The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden is the only old-fashioned outdoor beer garden in the city.

Astorian Weekend Edition 12.02.09

This weekend brings us two things - Valentine's Day and a three day weekend (thank you dead presidents!). Valentine's Day falls on Saturday, and there are lots of places in the 'hood for a great meal. There's a good summary here, including meals at Vesta, Locale, Mundo, Tournesol, Rest-au-Rant. Foodista has a number of other picks - an Astoria Valentine's Day has much promise!

Also in the Valentine's vein, Vine Wine in LIC (12-09 Jackson Ave) is having a tasting of sparkling wines from 3-6 p.m.

On Thursday, head to Bungalo (32-03 Broadway) for Eastern Nights: House, Balkan and Eastern European music. Mention "East" at the door, open bar from 10-11 p.m.

Friday the 13th brings us another meeting of Drinking Liberally at Bohemian Hall (29-19 24th Ave) at 7:30 p.m. Join the locals for some pints and political discussion.

Sunday night the Pub Quiz is back at the Irish Rover (37-18 28th Ave)! From 7:30-9 p.m. bring your team and $10 (per team) and try to win the pot with your brilliance.

I hope you get the holiday off, too!

Astorian Weekend Edition 22.01.09

Looks like we'll warm up a bit this weekend! The best day is Friday, where a balmy 41 degrees is projected. Maybe this weekend is a good one for a walk in the park.

On Friday at 7:00 p.m. at the LaGuardia Performing Arts Center (31-10 Thomson Ave) World Cinema Showcase presents "In Between Days" with director So Yong Kim (in person). This film won a Special Jury Prize at Sundance, and traces the joys and risks of first love for a young Korean-American immigrant. A discussion with So Yong Kim, moderated by Chief Curator David Schwartz, follows the screening. Free for MOMI members, $10 non-members, $5 CUNY students. Members RSVP to 718.777.6810. Advance tickets available online at ($2 surcharge) and on day-of-show at the LPAC box office (718.482.5151).

For something completely different, join the Queens Drinking Liberally group for some politics talk. They will meet this Friday, January from 7:30 pm onwards, inside the Beer Garden (29-19 24th Avenue) at one of the tables downstairs.

On Saturday from 10 p.m to 4 a.m., SUBKULTURE returns to Hell Gate Social (12-21 Astoria Boulevard). DJ’s Bellladonna and Scandal spin all sorts of styles from the 70’s-90’s, plus cult music flicks! This month…Long Island City’s INS & OUTS magazine will be snapping shots of the DJs for their March issue. Free. Cabs to HGS are about $7, fyi.

Also on Saturday from 2-5 p.m., PS1 presents a performance event in the P.S.1 Café. In conjunction with the exhibition of Reductive art presented by the Brooklyn-based collective Minus Space, Bibi Calderaro will perform the work PRESENT. In the piece, the artist reads books about seemingly unrelated topics and writes her instantaneous responses in a typewriter, which are then offered to the public. The written word is the main element, the artist a medium for thought.

Restaurant week starts this week! Water's Edge in LIC (The East River at 44th Drive) is the only participating Queens restaurant, but it's a nice one. Dinner is $35 for a three course meal.

Sunday brunch is always worth mentioning. Some favorites are Grand Cafe (37-01 30th Ave), Vesta (21-02 30th Ave), Ovelia (34-01 30th Ave), Sparrow (24-01 29th St), Locale (33-02 34th Ave), and Tournesol (50-12 Vernon).