Happy almost Halloween Astorians! As I usually do, I've prepared a menu of festive Halloween to-dos happening in and around Astoria. It's great that the celebration falls on a Saturday this year, which means tons of fun parties, drinks specials and costume fun. And just in case you're wondering, that's a picture of me in my friend Moses' Freddy mask. Thought it made my Bond Girl outfit a little zestier. Whatever you end up doing, hope it's spooktacular!Cavo - The celebration starts early this year and you can either come by on Thursday, Friday or Saturday. Each night promises a different style of music and costume fun - including Friday and Saturday night costume contests with some really great prizes including $1,000 in cash. 42-18 31st Ave, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.721.1001
The Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden also isn't wasting any time when it comes to Halloween fun. Every night this week, they're having a Jack O'Lantern contest. The winners of all five nights then compete on Sunday to see who'll take home a $250 cash prize. Drinks specials such as a $20 Tasters Special go from 5:00 - 10:00 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.274.4925
Studio Square Beer Garden - A big Fear Garden party is in store on Saturday night, complete with a live DJ, costume contest and fabulous cash prizes. They'll be featuring shot specials all night. If you're interested, there will be another party sponsored by Gooth magazine upstairs in their private event space. Enjoy the party hop! 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106. 718.383.1001
Ovelia's annual Halloween ball starts at 11 p.m. on Saturday with no cover and plenty of good music and costume eye candy. Order a yummy nibble while at the bar, especially their homemade Greek dips. 34-01 30th Avenue, Astoria NY 11103. 718.721.7217
Sunswick is hosting an unusual albeit intriguing Suns Wicked Haunted Dungeon Ball on Saturday night, starting at 9:00 p.m. $5 will get you in, as well as award you with a free shot and a look-see of the haunted dungeon. $4 pints of Witches Brew will also be served. Get ready! 35-02 35th Street, Astoria NY 11106. 718.752.0602
Cafe Bar's Halloween party is on Friday night. Come in costume and enjoy their Happy Hour from 11 p.m. - 1 a.m. with $4 beers, mixed drinks and house liquor specials. $6 pumpkin martinis will also be served. 32-90 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106. 718.204.5273
Mojave is also fun to check out on special occasions such as this one. Costumes are encouraged and they'll be featuring drinks specials. The food offering will remain as is, which is always delicious. 22-36 31st Street, Astoria NY 11105. 718.545.4100
5 Napkin Burger is doing something totally different on Halloween day with a 50's High School theme. You'll not only hear 50's music but you can choose from a variety of burger and sushi specials, as well as a festive pouring of Captain Lawrence Pumpkin Ale. 35-01 36th Street, Astoria, NY 11106. 718.433.2727
Astoria Brewhouse never misses a beat when it comes to a good party. Their Friday night costume contest will be in full swing, along with karaoke and plenty of drinks specials. 28-50 31st Street, Astoria NY 11102. 718.728.0050
Cream Bakery - If you're looking for something sweet, make sure you check out Cream Bakery's Halloween themed cupcakes in various flavors such as vanilla, banana, red velvet and more. They sport fun designs such as a marshmallow pumpkin face, candy corn and more. 31-78 Steinway Street, Astoria NY 11103. 718.545.3800
Image by fifa.com
What an exciting couple of weeks it's going to be between now and July 11th! I'm referring to all the FIFA World Cup soccer coverage from South Africa. It's not only thrilling to watch and support the United States in this major sporting event, but you'll also witness people's allegiances to their home countries abroad. Mine is Slovakia and I'm excited for them to compete.
But part of all the fun is the atmosphere and where you choose to watch each match. Here are a couple of my suggestions in no particular order. Feel free to add in your own picks in the comments.
Testaccio - There's no secret about where Testaccio's allegiances lie - with Italy of course. They'll open each day at 9:30 a.m. and will broadcast all the soccer games. Italian pastries and coffee will be served until noon and you can enjoy a Peroni on the house each time Italy wins. Cin-cin! 47-30 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101. 718.937.2900Yolo - Although they're not open for all the early morning games, they will be featuring brunch this Tuesday for the 2:00 p.m. game. Beer will be on special (i.e. $15 pitchers) as well as morning cocktails such as Bloody Mary's and Mimosas. They'll also have discounted food such as $8 burgers and wraps. 22-55 31st street, Astoria NY 11106. 718.777.1177Athens Cafe - This is the perfect place to watch the World Cup if your loyalties lie with Greece. You certainly won't miss the games with up to 9 plasma TVs showcasing all the action. Enjoy a delicious frappe while rooting for your favorite players. 32-07 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.626.2164 Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - It's just our luck that they started "Happy Hour" today, in time for all the World Cup games. That means $10 pitchers and dirt cheap shots for $2-$3. Enjoy great soccer in this big outdoor space. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria NY 11102. 718.274.4925
Studio Square - Take advantage of this large outdoor (and indoor) area for all major games. See schedule here - games start really early and although there are no specific food & drinks specials, it still promises to be boisterous and fun. 35-33 36th Street, Astoria NY 11106. 718.383.1001
Sunswick - World Cup action goes strong all week with $1 off beers, $16 pitchers and $4 bottles. Enjoy the games in this quaint, friendly atmopshere that serves really good bar food. 35-02 35th Street, Astoria NY 11106. 718.752.0620
Grand Cafe - Another great venue to watch the World Cup if you're a fan of Greece, this place is usually buzzing, but even more so now with all the hard-core soccer fanatics. Food & drinks remain regularly priced and I recommend trying the brunch. 37-01 30th Avenue, Astoria, NY 11103. 718.777.7321
El*Ay*Si - They're ringing in the World Cup with different specials every day. I like that the food & beer specials are themed to the country that's playing each day. They won't be showing the really early morning games, but you can count on 9:30 a.m. games and 2:00 p.m. games to be available. 47-38 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City NY 11101. 718.389.8781
Mojave - Mojave will also show the later games, as they open at 11:00 a.m. Although no specific specials are in place just yet, they're certainly working on it and I'll report back with more details. They have a great outdoor garden to enjoy during warm weather. 22-36 31st Street Astoria NY 11105. 718.545.4100
Astoria Brewhouse - You can watch all the games in this cozy, neighborly bar with a fun outdoor seating space with a retractable roof. They'll feature their usual $4 beer special. 28-50 31st Street, Astoria NY 11102. 718.728.0050
Happy Cinco de Mayo Astoria! I hope you're all planning to go out and enjoy the festivities that go along with this cheery holiday. Although Mexican in nature, you don't have to be Mexican to enjoy Cinco, as there are plenty of different ethnic eateries and bars that are joining in the fun. Take a look at my top 10 options here in no particular order.
Mojave - This modern, Southwestern eatery is going all out with a live band, the Gregorio Uribe Trio and a free margarita with your meal. Call for reservations for parties of 6 or more. 22-36 31st Street Astoria. 718.545.4100 Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Although their international beer selection is extensive, tomorrow night focuses on Mexican beer. A bucket of Corona, which consists of 6 bottles is only $20. The celebration starts at 5 p.m. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925
Club 21 - Another popular Eastern European watering hole, they know how to celebrate with 1/2 priced margaritas and discounted tequila shots, which go for as low as $3 a pop. 30-09 21st Street, Astoria. 718.728.0305
Sunswick - I love that Sunswick is kicking it up a notch for Cinco with an entirely different menu and specials on Mexican beers. A big fan of their burgers, I hope these stay on tomorrow's menu! Check back for more details on their Facebook page. 35-02 35th Street, Astoria. 718.752.0620
Ovelia - It's a double hitter over at Ovelia with an extended happy hour until 10 p.m., with sangria and beer and the Rock 'n Ribs Wednesdays menu offering. Make sure you come hungry! 34-01 30th Ave, Astoria. 718.721.7217
Testaccio - Although it's a restaurant, Testaccio has a great bar in front and drink specials will certainly be in place. Assorted Coronitas will be served in buckets (5 for $10) and there will be specials on tequila. And while you're there, don't miss out on a delicious stone oven pizza with a crunchy crust. 47-30 Vernon Blvd, Long Island City. 718.937.2900
Yolo - This very subway accessible bar is featuring wallet-friendly drink specials including $5 sangria and Corona and $6 margaritas and tequila drinks. 22-55 31st street, Astoria. 718.777.1177
The Creek and Cave - Check out this LIC eatery for a Tecate + shot special for $4 as well as $5 margaritas all day. They'll also have a comedy line-up starting at 8 p.m., so you can get your drink and your laugh on too. 10-93 Jackson Avenue, Long Island City. 718.706.8783
Sparrow - I love this laid-back speakeasy bar, which will no doubt be a good time for tomorrow night. They'll feature margarita specials and maybe some beer specials too. Details are still sketchy so stay tuned or give them a shout for more info. 24-01 29th Street, Astoria, NY 11102. 718.606.2260
La Vuelta - Although they're not running any specials tomorrow, La Vuelta is a Latin inspired bistro so I encourage you to get your sangria, margarita or empanada fix here. All their chicken dishes are delicious but I would skip the paella. 10-43 44th Drive, Long Island City. 718.361.1858
Tomorrow is St. Patty's day and that always promises a fun time, especially in Astoria. The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, offering the perfect opportunity to hop around to different bars and take advantage of various food and drinks specials. Here are my personal suggestions (in alphabetical order):Astoria Brewhouse (fka Indigo) - Always partaking in festivities, Astoria Brewhouse will offer drinks specials as well as an Irish food menu with specialties such as a corned beef sandwich, shepherd's pie, Irish-style fish and chips and more. These specials will run all day tomorrow. 28-50 31st Street, Astoria. 718.728.0050
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Although their drinks special is not St. Patrick's Day related (after all, they are a Czech/Slovak establishment), they will feature a 2-for-1 ladies night special all night. 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria. 718.274.4925
Irish Rover - In addition to their already cheap drinks, they'll have live music starting at 8 p.m. as well as trays of complimentary Irish grub. 37-18 28th Avenue, Astoria. 718.278.9372
McCann's Pub - This Irish pub will certainly be celebrating tomorrow's holiday with various beer specials and typical Irish food such as corned beef and cabbage. Drinks are already inexpensive so you won't have to lay out the big bucks. 36-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria. 718.278.2621
Mojave - St. Patty's day at a Mexican restaurant? The answer is a clear YES and as a matter of fact, their specials are pretty sweet, including $4 Guinness, $9 Irish car bombs, $5 baby Guiness, $5 appetizers and more. 22-36 31st Street Astoria. 718.545.4100
Sparrow - This darkly-lit speakeasy has a simple, no messing around St. Patty's Day special - $9 Guinness + Jameson shot. Enjoy getting nice and toasty. 24-01 29th Street, Astoria. 718.606.2260
Studio Square Beer Garden - Prepare to sing your heart out at Studio Square's Wednesday night karaoke from 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. It's not necessarily St. Patty's Day related but there will be drinks specials all night. 35-33 36th Street, Astoria. 718.383.1001
Sunswick -While drinks specials will be announced tomorrow, there will be a special menu available featuring Irish food such as corned beef and cabbage. And if you're not in the mood for that, Sunswick serves a mean turkey burger. 35-02 35th Street Astoria. 718.752.0620
Sweet Afton - An Irish bar by nature, St. Patty's Day festivities are certainly happening. Classic drinks such as Guinness will be flowing, Irish music will be pumping and their delicious Irish breakfast rolls will be served all day long. Prices will remain as usual. 30-09 34th Street, Astoria. 718.777.2570
The Quays Pub - This neighborhood favorite will feature their already dirt cheap drinks such as $2 Coors Light drafts, PBRs and High Life. Cheers to that! 45-02 30th Avenue, Astoria. 718.204.8435
YOLO - A big party is in store for tomorrow with $5 whiskey shots, $6 pints of stout, festive Irish music and all your favorite Irish nibbles. The celebration starts at 11 a.m. and goes on all night. 22-55 31st street, Astoria. 718.777.1177
