BEST FIRST DATE
VENUE
BOURBON STREET
40-12 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 224-2200
www.bourbonstreetny.com
New Orleans, who? Bourbon Street –
Bayside’s French Quarter-inspired bar and
restaurant – is renowned for its top-notch
management, awesome events and trendy
rooftop bar. Serving up Cajun fare in true
New Orleans fashion – with, of course,
an extensive yet affordable drink menu to
match – Bourbon Street is the perfect first
date venue. Established in 1998, the Bayside
bar has been a fan-favorite for as long as
many Queens residents can remember. From
Sunday brunch to themed parties, Bourbon
Street has something for everyone (and every
first date).
BEST HAPPY HOUR
BOURBON STREET
40-12 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 224-2200
www.bourbonstreetny.com
Who doesn’t love a good happy hour?
Queens sure does. Bayside’s New Orleansinspired
watering hole Bourbon Street offers
the happiest of happy hours. Stop by the
French Quarter-esque bar, smack dab on
Bell Boulevard, any Monday through Friday
from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. to enjoy two-for-one
appetizers and unbeatable drink specials that
the team at Bourbon Street promises will
“make all of your worries just melt away.”
BEST IRISH BAR
DONOVAN’S OF BAYSIDE
214-16 41st Ave, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 423-5353
www.donovansofbayside.com
It’s all in the name. Donovan’s of Bayside
– voted best Irish bar in the whole borough
– is a favorite among locals and newcomers
alike. The longtime Irish pub, first opened in
Bayside in 1978 after premiering in Woodside
in 1966, serves up burgers and other
beloved comfort foods, all in a traditional
Irish setting. Dubbed by lifelong locals the
“House of Eats,” Donovan’s is noted for its
exceptional burgers, steaks, seafood and
plentiful trimmings. Of course, the drinks
are also terrific. A New York institution and
Queens staple, it’s no wonder Donovan’s of
Bayside takes the crown.
BEST LIQUOR
STORE
NEW GOLDEN WINE & LIQUOR
41-07 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 428-1552
www.newgoldenwines.com
New Golden Wines & Liquors, at home
on Bell Boulevard since 1979, houses over
5,000 SKUs, from bubbles to still, from New
York and California all the way to Australia
and beyond. Complete with an in-house
temperature-controlled wine room within
its 4,000-square-foot store (and over 100
bottles to choose from), New Golden Wines &
Liquors is a one-stop shop for all your liquor
and wine related needs. But it doesn’t stop
there. The famed Queens wine and liquor
store also offers free tastings, as well as
weekly specials you can’t find anywhere else.
BEST MARGARITA
TEQUILA SUNRISE
34-37 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 631-0377
www.baysidetequila.com
In the mood for an ice-cold margarita?
Look no further than Bayside’s own Tequila
Sunrise. The colorful and festive restaurant
offers traditional Mexican fare, fresh
guacamole, live entertainment and – dare we
say it – the best margarita in the borough.
Their famed margarita – available frozen
or on the rocks – comes in a variety of
mouthwatering flavors.
BEST MOJITO
TEQUILA SUNRISE
34-37 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 631-0377
www.baysidetequila.com
This flavorful Mexican restaurant, at home on
Bell Boulevard, take the top prize not just for
its unbeatable margaritas, but also for – you
guessed it – its minty fresh mojitos. A fanfavorite
among loyal patrons, Tequila Sunrise’s
mojito is easily the best in the borough.
BEST MARTINI
DONOVAN’S OF BAYSIDE
214-16 41st Ave, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 423-5353
www.donovansofbayside.com
Donovan’s of Bayside, a longtime Irish
pub, first opened in Bayside in 1978 after
premiering in Woodside in 1966, serves up a
mean martini (or, according to residents, the
meanest martini in town). Order one at their
happy hour or with the best burger in town!
BEST NIGHTCLUB
DON COQUI
28-18 31St. Street - Astoria, NY 11102
(718) 274-7474
www.doncoqui.com
Located in the heart of Astoria, Don Coqui is
not only the premier destination for purely
authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, but it’s also the
best nightclub in Queens. Upscale eatery meets
nightlife lounge, Don Coqui is the place to go for
a good time in the borough. Considered by many
as a shortcut to Puerto Rico, the nightclub excels
in both good food and strong drinks, designed to
make your next night out on the town a hit. Plus,
there are party packages that could make just
about anybody happy (bottle service, anyone?).
54 BEST OF THE BORO 2017 • winnER’S GUIDE • BESTOF.QNS.COM
BEST
ROOFTOP BAR
BOURBON STREET
40-12 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 224-2200
www.bourbonstreetny.com
Bell Boulevard’s famed New Orlean’s themed
bar and restaurant has an unbeatable outdoor
atmosphere. Located right on one of Bayside’s
most popular strips, Bourbon Street comes
complete with an impressive outdoor area on its
exclusive rooftop bar. Bourbon Street is one of few
rooftop dining and drinking areas in the borough,
and it also happens to be the absolute best.
BEST OUTDOOR
ATMOSPHERE
BOURBON STREET
40-12 Bell Blvd, Bayside, NY 11361
(718) 224-2200
www.bourbonstreetny.com
Speaking of its rooftop bar, it’s no coincidence
that Bayside’s own Bourbon Street also takes the
cake for best outdoor atmosphere in the borough.
Enjoy a cocktail (or even a sit-down meal) on
the New Orleans-themed watering hole’s fancy
schmancy rooftop bar.
BEST SPORTS BAR
KATCH ASTORIA
31-19 Newtown Ave, Astoria, NY 11102
(718) 777-2230
www.katchastoria.com
Located in the heart of Astoria, the stunning
2,000-square-foot space called Katch is easily
the borough’s best sports bar. Renowned for
being both modern and upbeat, Katch features
craft selectings from small local breweries like
Grimm, Finback, Big Alice and Barrier (just to
name a few), as well as unique specialty crafted
cocktailed from the staff’s expert mixologists.
The watering hole, which features a 40-foot first
class bar with 50 taps, a cushy banquette space,
high top tables and over 70 HD TVs, also comes
equipped with a 2,500-square-foot beer garden,
making it the ultimate drinking and dining
experience, fit for the biggest of sports fans.
BEST SINGLES BAR
KATCH ASTORIA
31-19 Newtown Ave, Astoria, NY 11102
(718) 777-2230
www.katchastoria.com
It’s not just for sports lovers. The impressive
Katch Astoria, at home on Newtown Avenue, has
also been dubbed the best singles’ bar. Perhaps
it’s the bar and restaurants impressive drink
menu, or its large-and-in-charge beer garden;
either way, according to Queens residents
themselves, it’s the perfect place to hang out, have
a drink, and maybe meet that special someone.
BEST
WINE BAR
BLVD WINE BAR
47-20 Center Blvd, Long Island City, NY
11109 - (718) 440-8520
www.blvdlic.com
Looking for a good wine bar? Look no further
than BLVD Wine Bar in Long Island City.
The chic and cozy hub, located in the heart of
Center Boulevard bordering the scenic Gantry
State Park on the East River, serves up a
plethora of red and white wines on tap, as well
as craft brews, artisanal cheeses, charcuterie
and other bites. Promising an unforgettable
experience, the borough’s best wine bar truly
believes that a fine wine is where it’s at. Home
to some of the best wines from around the
world, BLVD believes in assisting its guests
in finding their ideal glass of wine (and, boy,
do they have plenty of them). Serving, all
in all, more than 20 wines by the glass and
bottle, bubbles, bubbly cocktails, ports and
more, BLVD Wine Bar is the perfect space
for tastings, parties, work functions, family
gatherings and just about any event your wineloving
heart desires.
NIGHTLIFE AND SPIRITS
Visit us at: bestof.qns.com