Beer Garden- the reason Astoria is the best

A few blocks from my great apartment is the Bohemian Beer Garden (take the N R W to Astoria Blvd, 24th avenue and 3oth street). The last beer garden in New York City, the Bohemian is cheap and great for summer drinking. Think extended backyard- rows and rows of picnic tables, thick trees, strings of lights and Czech BBQ. Mugs of beer are $5 and pitchers are $14- may sound pricey, but they have great beers, like Hoegaarden, Erdinger and Spaaten. Bring a deck of cards or a board game. The weekends get pretty crowded and sometimes there will be a long line to get in. And don't even try to steal a mug, the extensive security staff will check your bag on the way out to make sure you aren't a thief. The Hall itself is really cool- and huge. Aside from the outdoor area, there's an oddly lit auditorium, indoor bar area, and finished basement. If the bar is too full, try the cute tiny bar, The Sparrow, across the street. Cheers.