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The Ultimate Guide to the Astoria Bar Scene

Astoria has become a popular neighborhood among young professionals looking for a decent and affordable place. Living in New York City isn’t cheap, but Astoria offers a great medium between expensive NYC living and affordable neighborhoods.

friends drinking in a bar at astoria nyc

If there is one thing young professionals like after a long day, it’s a good drink at a nice bar. Luckily, Astoria is packed with awesome bars that range from divey to upscale for whatever mood. Knowing where to get a drink in Astoria is the key to a fun experience.

Whether you are looking for a craft cocktail or a simple beer, Astoria bars offer everything you could want and more. I traveled around the neighborhood testing out the top Astoria bars, so you don’t have to!

Check out my list of the best bars in Astoria below!


Bohemian Hall

29-19 24th Ave, Queens, NY 11102
Phone: 718-274-4925
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Bohemian Hall
Source: Bohemian Hall

The Bohemian Citizens’ Benevolent Society of Astoria owns and operates this beer garden to keep the Czech and Slovak spirit alive and well in the neighborhood.

The Bohemian Hall caters to lots of events and is a huge space perfect for fun events and gatherings. It is also a relaxing environment to grab a drink with a buddy and enjoy the NYC weather. Since I’m not a crazy person, I ordered a beer at the beer garden!

I opted for the Coney Island Merman IPA because I like IPAs, and I like fun names. It was a refreshing but flavorful beer that came with a foamy head that had me excited before the first sip. Following the Bohemian vibes, I ordered a pretzel with cheese sauce and finished it in less than 3 minutes.


SingleCut Beersmiths

19-33 37th St, Astoria, NY 11105
Phone: 718-606-0788
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SingleCut Beersmiths
Source: SingleCut Beersmiths

SingleCut is the spot for beer lovers. They offer a range of beers brewed in-house and have the vibes of a traditional brewery bar. The bar is located in the heart of Astoria and provides guests with a relaxing environment where friends can chat, hang out, and play board games as they drink fresh brews.

SingleCut brewery prides itself on innovative brews that are unique and don’t mimic other breweries. From hibiscus sours to chocolate milk stout nitro to plain pilsners, SingleCut offers every type of beer in its own style.

I tried the 18-watt IPA, a juicy, citrus-forward brew that was heavy with a tropical aftertaste. It was perfect for a spring day outdoors, and SingleCut has plenty of outdoor seating where you can soak up the sun.


The Bonnie

29-12 23rd Ave, Queens, NY 11105
Phone: 718-274-2105
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The Bonnie
Source: The Bonnie

The Bonnie is a medium-sized bar located in the center of Astoria’s nightlife scene. They serve unique craft cocktails in addition to an impressive beer menu. They have a tasty, upscale menu of small plates, burgers, and traditional bar food.

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The patio is the real star of the show here. It has a cobblestone floor with picnic tables and umbrellas for people to relax outside and enjoy the weather. The indoor area isn’t anything special, so I recommend sitting outside if you have the option.

My friends and I decided to try the Fall Sangria that consisted of Cabernet, Sauvignon Blanc, brandy, orange, cranberry, allspice, honey, ginger, and lemon. We ordered the large carafe for the four of us, which was just enough of the sweet nectar to have us all satisfied.


Sweet Afton

30-09 34th St, Queens, NY 11103
Phone: 718-777-2570
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Sweet Afton
Source: Sweet Afton

A beautiful bar with tasty food and enchanting artwork, Sweet Afton is a lovely place to pop in for a drink or enjoy brunch with friends. They have a mesmerizing but small patio decorated with greenery, murals, and fairy lights.

They’ve been in Astoria for ten years, serving up sweet cocktails and savory food. Their food portions are generous and filling, so this is a great spot if you are hungry and on the hunt for a decent drink after a sushi dinner.

Bourbon isn’t my usual drink of choice, but I couldn’t resist the Honey Bones cocktail, which had Jim Beam Bourbon, Teeling Small Batch, Wolfamer Orange Amaro, Haber’s Lavender Tonic, honey, and lime. It did not disappoint. It was a citrus, smokey drink with just a hint of floral flavor from the tonic; I had two.


Mosaic Craft Beer, Cocktails, and Wine

25-19 24th Ave, Queens, NY 11102
Phone: 718-728-0708
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Mosaic Craft Beer, Cocktails, and Wine
Source: Mosaic Craft Beer, Cocktails, and Wine

This spot has a speakeasy-Esque vibe with bronze bar tap handles and exaggerated decor that screams Great Gatsby and makes you feel like you’re back in the Roaring Twenties. With its striking wallpaper, textured ceiling, and dramatic lighting, this bar has a ton of character.

Their cocktail menu is fantastic, and they have a house shot with whiskey, lemon juice, and peach liqueur that is surprisingly tasty and smooth! I ordered an array of appetizers and must say the absolute winner was the spinach and artichoke dip. It came out piping hot and was well seasoned, and had a huge portion.


Queen’s Room

3602 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11105
Phone: 347-987-3994
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Queen's Room
Source: Queen’s Room

The Queen’s Room is as fancy as the name sounds. With classy leather booths and craft cocktails, this is the perfect spot in Astoria for a romantic date or birthday celebration. The food has Mediterranean influences and adds an upscale flair to everyone’s favorite comfort meals.

I visited for their brunch and ordered their sensational whipped pumpkin ricotta toast. It left me wanting more despite how full I was. To go with it, I drank the Oatmeal Stout on draft that was fresh, foamy, and delicious.

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The Queen’s Room is the spot to go if you feel like a lavish dining experience where you can dress up. The food presentation matches the elegant aesthetic of the decor, making it overall a beautiful experience.


Sunswick 35/35

35-02 35th St, Astoria, NY 11106
Phone: 718-752-0620
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Sunswick 35/35
Source: Sunswick 35/35

Sunswick 35/35 has a pub vibe with an American menu for a homey, laid-back vibe. They have a great assortment of beers on tap and a mean-loaded Bloody Mary that hits the spot on a Sunday morning.

Their menu features traditional bar food that is loaded with flavor to enhance your beer drinking experience. Many would consider this a dive bar, so it’s perfect for a casual drinking night or a solo stop for a nightcap.

The staff and guests are wonderful and create a convivial environment where anyone can stop in and have a great night.


The Ditty

3503 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11105
Phone: 347-617-1747
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The Ditty
Source: The Ditty

The Ditty describes themselves as your “friendly neighborhood cocktail bar,” and lives up to this statement perfectly. The highlight of the bar is the old trolley that sits outside for people to chill on or take pictures to remember a fun night. 

I felt frisky when I went, so I got the Red Bull Mojito with watermelon Red Bull, Diplomatico Rum, mint, and lime. It was a cocktail that got me buzzing with caffeine while enjoying the heavy watermelon flavor. It surprisingly tasted closer to a classic mojito than I expected!

This bar has a little something for everyone and is great for any casual occasion.


Sek’end Sun

32-11 Broadway, Queens, NY 11106
Phone: 917-745-0745
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Sek'end Sun
Source: Sek’end Sun

First off, this bar is unbelievably gorgeous. The light-colored brick walls combined with the wood ceiling and floor offer a homey and rural vibe that is dressed up with NYC flair.

They have a full menu with interesting small plates and mains, but I went for the sriracha mac and cheese which was a gooey, spicy bowl of heaven. I washed the meal down with their “better than most” cocktail that was made of scotch, applejack, amaro, cherry liqueur, and ginger. The cocktail combined sweet and acidic flavors for a well-balanced drink that wasn’t too strong or too weak.


Diamond Dogs

34-04 31st Ave, Queens, NY 11106
Phone: 929-522-0061

Diamond Dogs
Source: Diamond Dogs

A dog-friendly, food-friendly, inconspicuous bar that is beloved by locals and visitors alike. By food-friendly, I mean this place is BYOF. So before you stop in for a beer, you should patronize one of the many food trucks in the neighborhood.

The bar is unmarked from the outside and dimly lit, making it an unlikely contender for best bars in Astoria, but people love it, and I loved it.

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I played it simple and got a classic margarita that was anything but ordinary. It is hard to find a bad thing to say about this bar since the staff and guests are always high-spirited and charming.


Veronica’s Bar

3404 36th Ave, Astoria, NY 11106
Phone: 718-255-1886

Veronica's Bar
Source: Veronica’s Bar

Veronica’s Bar is a hole-in-the-wall bar with divey vibes and great company. The staff, as well as the regulars, are super friendly and welcoming.

It is the people that make this bar a ton of fun on a Saturday night. Veronica’s is the definition of an inviting neighborhood bar where everyone is invited.

The old-school NYC vibe radiates from this place, and they will whip up any drink you ask for, so this isn’t just a place for beer lovers. They also have live music every so often, making it an entertaining stop if you aren’t sure what to do with your night.


Albatross Bar

3619 24th Ave, Astoria, NY 11103
Phone: 718-204-9707
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Albatross Bar
Source: Albatross Bar

Albatross is a charming gay bar bursting with pride. The cool, modern lighting gives the bar a party vibe where people can dance and make friends. This spot has a pool table, dartboard, and entertainment every single night.

From trivia to karaoke, there is always something to keep you entertained as you sip on an excellent cocktail with a raunchy name. Their holiday cocktails include the “Hot Thottie”, “Ho Ho Hoe?”, and more hilarious names. This is not a place to bring the kiddos but is awesome for a fun night out with friends.


The Last Word

31-30 Ditmars Blvd, Queens, NY 11105
Phone: 718-440-3378
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The Last Word
Source: The Last Word

Last Word is an upscale bar with brick walls and a rustic feel. This is a popular bar among 20-somethings because of its innovative cocktails and fantastic happy hour deals.

The glass disco ball is the highlight of the decor and makes it feel like the perfect place for a party. I enjoyed their signature cocktail “The Last Word” that combined gin, chartreuse, Maraschino cherry, and lime for a refreshing but rich drink.

Last Word is like a speakeasy, which is a popular style of a bar as people reignite the Roaring Twenties. Their menu offers yummy snacks, like charcuterie and bruschetta, to keep you satisfied while you chat with friends and strangers.


Many residents of Astoria leave the neighborhood when they go out for a drink, but there are some really special spots in this historic neighborhood to check out. There is no reason to leave the lovely neighborhood to find a good time.

So if you are in the mood for a fancy night on the town or just a casual bar crawl, The best bars in Astoria have a lot to offer you and your crew. If the Bloody Mary I mentioned had you aching for a great brunch, check out these brunch spots in Astoria.

Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!

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Written by Ryan F.

Ryan is a local foodie who enjoys checking out the area's restaurant scene every chance he can. Ryan also enjoys traveling and checking out local eateries in every city he visits.