Alba’s is a little off the main path for most Astorians, but if you live within their delivery zone, you probably only get your pizza from them. They’re a neighborhood institution on Ditmars and their sauce is the stuff of legend (they even sell it by the quart). Don’t let the idea of “pizza” stop you from checking the place out too – even if pizza isn’t your thing, they have a huge menu of Italian food to choose from including some amazing pasta dishes and a great selection of draft and bottled beer. If beer isn’t your thing – they have wine and soft drinks too!
Whether you’ve been living in Astoria for just a few months or the better part of ten years, you’ve probably been here at least once. The Friday night karaoke is everything you’ve probably heard about from other friends and gaybors you know locally. But even on their slower nights, sometimes it’s good to just stop by with a friend or two, have a few drinks, play some pool, a few songs on the juke, and chew the fat with the bartender on duty. It truly is a neighborhood landmark.
The New York Times calls them “adventurous theatre in Astoria” for good reason! The Astoria Performing Arts Center has grown a small group of talented individuals into a force to be reckoned with in the NYC theatre scene. They always find a way to give Out Astoria members a discount even in the leanest of times! They effortlessly balance their offerings between large scale musicals like Ragtime and children of Eden, and the more experimental plays like Pillowman, to the classic dramas like The Children’s Hour…you don’t want to miss their next production!
Been here with us for dinner? How about brunch? Either way you probably already know why this little burger joint that could has jumped across the river to Manhattan…they make one of the best burgers out there! Made fresh daily from ingredients that are completely organic, these burgers are the fantastically flavorful! Make sure you try one along with one of the many indie beers they have on draft and the french fries cooked in 100% peanut oil to be dipped in that lovely curry ketchup sauce…you’ll be able to see why people keep coming back to Bareburger even with the new 5NB in town (but we like them too, so don’t worry).
Out Astoria has hosted a few dinners at this local staple of Mexican goodness. A reviewer of the venue once called the food “porn you can eat” and we certainly understand the sentiment! Viva El Mariachi always manages to deliver the goods in a most sincere way. You won’t find extravagantly decorated platters or exquisitely arranged entrées, but what Mariachi lacks in style and flair, they more than make up for with flavor and authenticity. There’s no host or hostess, everyone just picks a table where they want to sit and enjoy the food (and believe us, you will enjoy it!).
Back when Albatross was the only game in town for us, George, one of the three brothers who run Hell Gate Social, reached out to us offering their venue for a mixer or two and showing all of us that the next generations of Astorians really don’t see things as rigidly as the old-timers. This place is a great hang-out any night of the week (especially during the summer out on their patio). come for the great selection of beer and wine, stay for some of George’s own cocktail concoctions, have a bite at the bar (or out back during BBQ season), or mosey in at night for their movie screenings!
Owned and operated by Out Astorian, Andrew Purdom, Inside Astoria is a fantastic gift shop filled with a collection of items ranging from furniture and mirrors, to books, kids items, cards, and jewelry! Still going strong into his fourth year, this is one of those stores where you can find something for the most finicky of gift recipients. Enjoy a glass of wine while shopping, or the next time you stop by to peruse Andrew’s display items!
Aside from the fantastic venue, one wonders why there are few tables to be had for brunch each weekend. You only need to eat here once to figure it out for yourself. Windows everywhere, lots of natural light, fantastic food, and a drinks menu that must be seen to be believed!
Our first dinner here was such a success we knew immediately that we’d be returning soon after. With happy hour drink specials and food that takes you far beyond what you might expect of a place with the word “mexi” in the title, you’ll have no problem finding something on the menu that agrees with your finicky taste! Even their seafood fusion dishes are impressive; from the tuna tartar burger and the ceviche flights, to the overwhelmingly popular tuna burrito, this place does it perfect every time!
During the summer you’ll find their outdoor seating to be one of the most popular places in the neighborhood, but as the colder weather months appear you’ll soon understand why this eatery has enough seats for an army! Their drink selections and margarita blends are fantastically refreshing along with their New Mexican infused cuisine (cowboy cobb salad? chile glazed meatloaf? Yes, please!) has made this a venue we love coming back to for dinner, lunch, or brunch. You can even take a shot at their punisher tequila challenge (but don’t say we didn’t warn you)!
We first came to Mundo for dinner, and enjoyed it so much we came back again…and again. This small but cozy eatery never seems to have a problem filling each and every table for dinner, where you’ll be invited to enjoy a bottle of wine and a few of the many small plate offerings like the shredded chicken croquettes and empanadas stuffed with ground beef, raisins, and olives–fried to order, creating crusts that shatter at the touch of a fork!
You might have walked by Queens Comfort on your way to Mix, or heard some of us talking about it after our last group dinner there…it’s a place really unlike anything else you’ve seen in Astoria. Their constantly evolving menu items are more than enough to keep you coming back to try something new, but their BYO policy for diners is a great way to seal the deal on where you want to spend your dinner dollars with your favorite wine, beer, or whiskey! Check their blog for updates on the menu – they change weekly. If you’re lucky they’ll be trying out something new when you’re there too. Everything they put on the menu is worth trying, but if you need a suggestion their pulled pork and baked mac & cheese are worth every penny! They also have a monopoly on being the only local venue to serve Portland’s own Stumptown Coffee – and that makes them a popular brunch spot too!
Once upon a time they were in danger of losing their little experimental black box digs in Long Island City, but after few strategically savvy donations along with the determination and vision of Artistic and Managing Director, Richard Mazda, they not only kept the black box space, but opened an even larger performance space! The Queens Players staff up most of the productions here ranging from re-imagined gangland Shakespeare to lesser known gems like The Raft of the Medusa. But we love them most for their annual productions of Vampire Lesbians of Sodom!
We’ve partnered with Why Leave Astoria on a mixer here, held our own, attended many various fundraisers for organizations and have always been amazed at the fun and diverse crowd this little Irish bar pulls in on any given evening! Pool table, TVs, Wii, jukebox, karaoke, dj, and enough specialty nights to fill out a year, people keep coming back to this old standard again and again because they know it’ll always be that safe haven in a sea of hookah lounges!
Owned and operated by Out Astorian, Mackenzi Farquer, SITE is about inspired design and wit. Are you looking for something handmade, vintage, or just something fun to give to that special someone as a gift? Perhaps you’ve already stopped by SITE for one of Mackenzi’s famous evening shopping parties with music, cupcakes, and wine? The store has been featured in the New York Times, Time Out New York, and was named “One of the city’s best (and least-known) new home decor emporiums” by Lucky Magazine. If you get an invite to the next evening shopping event – make sure you check it out…we bet can’t leave without buying a little something for yourself!
After we hosted a brunch here, our members returned with increasing frequency. Sometimes it was to grab a pre or post show drink when seeing the new production at APAC, sometimes it was for a quick bite on the way down to the movies, sometimes it was just to settle in for a cocktail or three with friends. Sweet Afton has a little something for anyone who stops by. Solid drinks and locally sourced food without pretense, Sweet Afton is a bar for all seasons!
This was the site of Out Astoria’s first major dinner. We needed a place that could accommodate 30+ attendees with a smile. Thai Pavilion has a large interior and food that backs up their need for so many seats! The quality put into even the simplest of dinner entrées is noticeable before the food even makes it to the table…the intoxicating aroma of quality Thai food is undeniable. We make it a point to have at least one dinner here each year, partly because they always have the space to accommodate us, but mostly because of the fantastic food!
This casual cafe, wine bar, meeting spot, open-mic/live music/performance venue is a mainstay for anyone living on or near Ditmars Boulevard! Husband and wife proprietors, Pedro and Song, have always been glad to have Out Astoria in house for our game nights, or just letting us conduct our meetings in peace while managing to get us a snack or two, or refilling a wine glass before anyone realized the glass was empty. Check out their schedule to see what’s coming up next!
Our friends over at Why Leave Astoria aren’t so much a “place” as they are an “everything but the kitchen sink” site about the neighborhood we all know, love, and live in! To make the most of the site you’ll need to create a profile (don’t forget to join the Out Astoria group on there!) and take part in what has come to be known as the Facebook for Astoria! If you’re looking for a fun place to have a party, have dinner, or just want to take part in one of WLA’s crazy-fun events, you’ll want to make sure you have a connection to this site!
After Out Astoria hosted a few dinners at this venue, we knew the owners were onto something special. Though we always took over the large center communal table, we could always see the smaller tables around us filled with smaller groups of friends, couples, and locals who looked like they just met while sitting at Winegasm’s bar! Take the extensive wine list, couple it with a few small plates, a cheese and meat selection, add some live music or quiet ambiance, and you wind up with an understanding of a quality night out with friends.
