Studio Square Beer Garden – Beer and Sausages NYC Style

After years of working on the Eat Big Apple franchise, I have developed quite a bit of knowledge on the New York dining scene. However, every time a friend asks me about where to go before and after a dinner, I’m stumped. For me, having a casual drink with friends is about enjoying the company and atmosphere, not a bum rush to load yourself up with liquor. When I want a conversation,  I don’t need the loud banging bass, and I definitely don’t need a TV with Sports Center on loop.

My usual suggestion? Starbucks and Cosi. Yep, I usually kill the fun just like that.

While I knew about the Beer Garden in Astoria, call my snobby or preppy, but I just didn’t feel like going to a beer garden where the ground is gravel and soaked with beer. Think about the ladies and their open toe stiletto heels, oh the horror.

Then came word that a new Beer Garden has arrived in Long Island City, and is managed like a Manhattan establishment. Perfect for a Friday night’s outing among colleagues after a long week’s work. Before we headed out towards Long Island City, my colleague cautioned me that based on her sources, the crowd includes “men with a lot of men bling”. While hardly a clear description of the demographic, I definitely wanted to validate what she said.

The “new beer garden”, as many people call it (in contrast to the Astoria establishment Bohemian Hall which has been around since 1919), is situated north of the 7 train tracks, in an area most would actually refer to as Astoria. It’s located in Long Island City only by city zoning. The neighborhood felt very artsy, and vibrant, yet organized. We pulled up to a building with a massive display ad on the side for “Studio Square, Beer Garden and Event Space”.

The Studio Square Logo

As it turns out, the entire apartment-like building is an event space, available for rent. And on the first floor, it’s the spanking new Beer Garden that we all came for.

The night club-like entrance.

The garden itself is extremely spacious, nicely decorated, and clean. There is no waiter/waitress service at the tables. You simply buy your drinks at the 4 convenient counters on the main floor, then carry the beers to your seat. There was also a line for food, which included the German (Wursts, sausages), American (Burger/Fries), and the Japanese (HUH?!, yes there are Sushi, sigh…….)

The hallway which leads to the garden.

Just as I was reeling from the sushi sighting, the beer board gave me the full recovery. Bartenders were very knowledgeable, and offered to sample the various brews on tap. I’m nowhere near a beer expert, so I’m going to let you make your own decision if this is a good list. I definitely sampled a great assortment of beers, and left the bar happy carrying a liter jug of brew.

The Menu, updates daily.

After picking a great seat near the edge of the garden by the vine covered walls, I got in line for a wurst and a burger. The cheeseburger was the best I’ve had in a long time. Maybe it was the fact I was having it with beer, but it tasted almost as good as In-and-Out. To you West Coast people, that’s as high a praise as a burger deserves.

Beer, Wurst, Burgers and Fries

A closer look at the tasty wurst

As the sky darkened, the crowd began to form. The atmosphere remained upbeat and fun, people chatted away at their packed tables, but noise wasn’t overwhelming. The line for food became really long, so plan ahead if you want to come here for dinner. The beer, however, was flowing all night, all within easy access.

Handbuilt tables, hand-laid stone floor. This was a separate visit on an afternoon.

After a few pitchers, and a few jugs, we left Studio Square full, tipsy, and satisfied. No, there was no men bling.

The crowd grows as the sky gets darker

Rating:  

CS

Studio Square
35-33 36th Street
Long Island City

Please do not drink and drive.