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A good old beer garden takes the social element of beer culture to its fullest expression. You get long communal tables instead of cramped sidewalk seats, with chatter and merriment beneath trees. The leisurely ritual of drinking outdoors has deep roots in Queens, where Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden has been pouring frothy pints since the 1910s, according to its history pamphlet. Widely regarded as New York City’s oldest beer garden, the institution began not from a German enclave, but as a community hall for the neighborhood’s Czech and Slovak immigrants. It retains the convivial spirit of its early days more than 100 years later, with shaded outdoor tables, Czech and Slovak cuisine and beer, and cultural events that bring music and folk traditions to the garden.
Today, Astoria is a foodie neighborhood with trendy charm, but when Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden first opened, it was a largely rural corner of Queens, a patchwork of farms, woods, and scattered development. In fact, the two lots that were bought to make way for Bohemian Hall were part of a farm. Astoria had become home to a substantial Czech and Slovak immigrant community in the late 19th century, per the Czech Center New York, and that community wanted a place where their traditions, language, and social life could continue in their new home. The Bohemian Citizens’ Benevolent Society conceived of Bohemian Hall as a place for community meetings and celebrations. The outdoor garden section was completed in 1919 — somewhat unfortunate timing, given that Prohibition would go into effect the next year, but the institution survived. Standing in the bar’s entrance today, you’re actually in the original first hall that was constructed.
Come for the Czech cheer of Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden
Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is one of Astoria’s most popular places to gather. Tripadvisor ranks it the top nightlife attraction in Astoria, as of this writing, and Best of the Boro has repeatedly named it the Best Beer Garden/Hall in Queens. Its outdoor space is vast, with over 100 tables, adorned with string lights and wide umbrellas. “The massive, tree-shaded outdoor area is unbeatable for relaxing with an ice-cold pitcher on a beautiful day,” a Google Maps reviewer wrote. Other reviewers have found the crowds to be a drawback, but if you enjoy the atmosphere of a full house with lively energy, then you might see that as a plus…