Veronica's Bar

I don't go here often as I have to be in the mood for it.  

I would give it 4 stars for being one of the most unique bars in NYC. However, this is something in between cool under the radar dive bar  and an old fashioned neighborhood bar catering to an older crowd.  The decor is that of a very clean well-appointed Irish bar with a nice pool room and good jukebox. It has unique NYC touches with a little commemorative plaque of one of the people who died helping victims of 9/11.

I also love the facade of clear blocks of glass and the awning - very cool and welcoming.

So, I give it 3 stars ONLY as it is not a bar for people seeking trendy dive and featuring bands from Brooklyn and Queens. Maybe it will change maybe it won't - I know the owner's husband and he tells me he likes to keep it a low key Irish bar but he does welcome new patrons.

Also, it can seem almost dead on a Friday night at 11 pm but then you could have a crowd at 4 pm in the afternoon, or they'll share some hot dogs and bbq with the neighbors and patrons on a warm summer afternoon.   The patrons tend to be older with some small groups of younger people coming in to start the night or end it.  Yet, Out Astoria has done their nights out here and young groups do a pitstop here and have a good time.

The bartenders are great - Veronica works quick and is very professional.  My other favorite is the Sunday night bartender.  She told us how she was evaluating patterns for a new get-up as she made great tips whenever she dressed as Marilyn Monroe or another famous star for her shift. TO boot she is from LA!  

The prices cannot be beat with Guinness at $3 during Happy Hour and good cocktails.    

During my last visit,  one of the patrons was a serious Bowie fan. I could tell when he rocked out to Bpowie's Queens Bitch and the bartender and he enjoyed Cracked Actor.  And yes, the bartender buzzed us in as she said she was the only one manning the bar. It was puzzling as the area is safe, but I understand as a woman the extra precaution. So these are some of the quirks of the bar.

So, definitely a must if checking out Queens. If you are visting NYC for your 2nd or 3rd time or staying in the hotels in LIC, definitely worth including into a trip to Queens as nearby are some good to excellent restaurants and further away museums, beer gardens, and a few salsa clubs.

A charming, friendly dive that I have enjoyed twice with large gatherings of friends. Veronica herself is a firecracker of a woman and she's half the entertainment here. It's a great place to either start your night, end your night, or just BE your night. Great happy hour specials ($4 for a beer and a shot? Boom). Check it out!

A funny find really late at night in Queens. Never had I been to a bar where the owner lets you in and then closes the metal gate when you are inside... You begin to wonder. Then the bartender asks you to be quiet because people are sleeping upstairs. I wonder again, "but why did you let us in in the first place?" Interesting times in Queens, never a dull moment. We had  a good time. This is the type of bar to end your night to.