A crowd gathers at the Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden for an evening of karaoke last week.
The crowd that gathered at Astoria’s Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden last Thursday night was one as eclectic as the neighborhood that surrounds it – there were the young professionals belting out karaoke versions of Tom Petty and Katy Perry songs, the older men who, over pints of Staropramen, could tell you about their lives in what is now the Czech Republic and Slovakia, the Serbian families keeping an eye on rambunctious toddlers, and those from throughout Queens who try to make a weekly pilgrimage to the city’s oldest beer hall.
A group of friends pose after performing a karaoke song last Thursday evening. They said they frequently come to the beer garden for a variety of musical events.
It was a scene that has played out countless times in this 103-year-old beer hall that has gone from serving as a community center primarily for Czech and Slovak immigrants who, prompted by the revolutionary movements sweeping Central Europe in the mid-1800s, began to move en masse to New York City, to its current patrons – everyone from native Astorians to new transplants from around the globe.
“This is a historical landmark – it’s the oldest beer garden in New York City and the only one to have survived Prohibition,” said Mark Metivier, a management consultant at the garden, located at 29-19 24th Avenue.
Owned and managed by the Bohemian Citizens’ Benevolent Society of Astoria, a nonprofit, the spot offers a wide variety of beers – including five Czech brews that are always on tap – and traditional Czech food, such as bratwursts with sauerkraut or spicy marinated knockwursts.
Bartender Marcel Schuller fills up one of many pitchers of beer last week. The bar has an extensive beer list, including five Czech beers that are always on tap.
And, this summer, the garden is a hotbed of activity, offering karaoke nights each Thursday, live music on Fridays and Saturdays, and a family “Sunday Funday” each week – which includes a clown, face painting, balloon animals and cotton candy for the younger residents who can’t yet drink the $6 mugs or $16 pitchers of beer.
“We’re really family friendly here and always have things going on for parents and kids,” Metivier said, adding that the garden is once again hosting the Astoria Market in its courtyard this summer. The artisan market draws vendors selling handmade, baked and vintage goods – everything from cookies to t-shirts emblazoned with symbols of Queens neighborhoods.
The market began on Wednesday, July 17 and will also run on Aug. 14 and Sept. 18 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The beer garden hosts a karaoke night, run by the group Lounge Lizards, every Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., which draws people from throughout the city.
“The karaoke nights are awesome,” said Neepa Sata, of Kew Gardens. “It’s really fun and low-key here. It’s really relaxed, and there’s all kinds of people – people with babies, people with friends.”
Astoria youngsters Gabriel Antal, left, and Marko Erdeljan play together in the beer garden’s courtyard. Families say the beer garden is one of the few family-friendly bars in Queens because of its large outdoor space and numerous activities for the younger residents.
Rebecca Diaz, an Astoria resident who hosts the karaoke night each week, said she is especially looking forward to a karaoke competition – the New York City Karaoke Showdown – that will be held at the beer garden at 7 p.m. on Aug. 15. The event will include a panel of judges and prizes. Those interested in participating have to register in advance at thenyckaraokeshowdown.com.
Metivier has also booked live music for each Saturday evening throughout the summer, including a “summer jam in the garden” on Saturday, Aug. 20 beginning at 6 p.m. The jam will feature performances by Pauline Pisano at 6 p.m., Brian Gallagher at 7 p.m. and Station at 8 p.m.
Whatever the event, parents said they frequently bring their children to the area because of the family-friendly environment – as well as the large outdoor seating area in which their youngsters can run around.
Traditional Czech food – as well as standard American fare – is available at the beer garden, including bratwursts with sauerkraut.
“It’s very spacious for the kids, and my husband and I love the music,” said Marija Erdeljan, an Astoria resident originally from Serbia. “It’s the biggest outdoor space around here, so we all love it.”
Metivier also pointed out that the money raised at the garden goes to the Bohemian Citizens’ Benevolent Society of Astoria – a nonprofit that supports and promotes Czeck and Slovak heritage through a variety of ways, including by offering Czech language classes.
“If you drink here, you’re supporting the arts,” Metivier said.
For more information about the beer garden or the benevolent society, visit www.bohemianhall.com or call (718) 274-4925.
Story and Photos by Anna Gustafson
