The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden Photo: Wallyg
New Yorkers love a craze. Speakeasies.
Daytime dance parties. Gourmet pizzas. If it's hot, everyone wants a
slice of the action. And in a city where more is always more (despite
what the gloomy economists may say) that means plenty of choice for the
discerning zeitgeist-follower. This summer, it's all about the beer
gardens. While across the pond the good people of Munich are busy
gearing up for Oktoberfest, over in NYC we're already getting our drink
on. While the basic elements stay the same - cool brews, hot wursts,
sun-dappled backyards - competition for drinkers have meant that both
the old timers and the johnny-come-latelys have upped their game. Since
the more established establishments in the outer boroughs have history
and cheap prices on their side, the newcomers have had to get a little
creative. Whether you're looking for microbrews or sangria on tap, a
quiet pint or a total scene, New York has the beer garden you never
knew you always wanted.
The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden: The One That Started It All
For years now, in-the-know New Yorkers have been making their way up to the far reaches of the N/W line to visit this Astoria drinking den. But don't expect The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden to be all hipsterfied. Instead, this massive courtyard (founded back in 1919 as a pre-prohibition drinking den for the Czech community) offers cheesy music, cheap drinks and enormous platters of sausage and sauerkraut. Definitely worth the hike up to Queens, especially if you can get there before the hoards descend.
The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden 29-19 24th Avenue, Queens
Studio Square: The Slick New Kid in Town
Long Island City's Studio Square takes the beloved beer garden recipe and throws a few fancy new ingredients into the mix. Sure you can have a bratwurst, but if sushi's more your speed they can sort that too. Likewise beerphobics will like the addition of jugs of straight-from-the-tap sangria. If you like your good times super-glossy and line-free (for the time being!) then go bag yourself an urban-chic table and get the pitchers in.
Studio Square 35-33 36th Street, Queens
Der Schwarze Koelner: The Uber-Germanic Fort Greene Contender
What it lacks in extensive outdoor space Der Schwarze Koelner makes up for in atmosphere and accessibility (just one stop on the Q from Manhattan). Combine a visit to BAM or the lovely Fort Greene Farmers Market with a visit to this brand-spanking-new beer hall, where the communal seating and $3 Euro brews make for a speedy ice-breaker.
Der Schwarze Koelner 710 Fulton Street, Brooklyn
Killmeyer's Old Bavarian Inn: The Off-the-Beaten Track Beerlover's Paradise
While Manhattan boasts most of the glitziest restaurants, stellar museums and must-do tourist destinations, when it comes to beer gardens the outer boroughs really come into their own. Take the Staten Island Ferry out to Killmeyer's 150 year old Bavarian Hall for its live music, all-you-can-eat deals, mind-blowing beer list and friendly, hype-free atmosphere. Just don't tell everyone, ok? Some of us like a little elbow room with our litre of Warsteiner.
Killmeyer's Old Bavarian Inn 4254 Arthur Kill Road, Staten Island