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    The Local

    4.4 (65 reviews)
    Closed 2:00 pm - 4:00 am (Next day)
    Updated 2 months ago

    The Local Photos

    THE LOCAL ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Juke Box
    Casual
    Good for groups

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    Reviews With Photos

    Mabelle L.

    Found this bar through Yelp. Don't really live in this part of Astoria but figured I was bored with the ones I always go to so wanted to try some place new. Conveniently located on 31st Ave and 41st Street (one block off Steinway). Right when you walk in there's a chalk board on the left to show you all the beers on tap. It's a long bar with 3 large TVs. At the back there's a few dart boards. Jason was our bartender for the night. He is an awesome bartender. Some customers weren't sure about some of the local beers offered and he was glad to give them samples to try it out before committing to the whole glass. Whenever the bar didn't offer the drink that the customer was requesting, he would think outside the box and try to make or give you something in similar taste. My boyfriend wanted an old fashioned and Jason told us he didn't have 2 of the ingredients (sugar cubes and bitters, I think it was). But he said he could make something else close to it. My boyfriend tried it and he loved it. He let us know that they have late night karaoke on Friday nights (10:30pm starting time) and Thursday nights they have a live band that sets up in the back. I went on a Wednesday night and was surprised to see how many people came in throughout the night. Not packed but all the bar stools taken and a few of the side tables taken as well.

    Stephanie P.

    So years ago I walked into this bar with my beau and asked the bartender what were some of the best beers they had on tap...her response was Blue Moon was their craft beer. I felt a knot form in my stomach and instead of correcting her I simply nodded and said we would each take one. It was late and we wanted a nightcap. It was also skunked. It was a skunked Blue Moon and being toted as a craft beer. My beer loving soul was sad - we consumed what we could and left. I vowed to not return. About 2 years later my friend Ingrid S. and I were walking by during this 2016's really bad January snow storm. My face was literally in a state of hurt - as if 872 needles were being inserted into my numb face at one. Snow is powerful like that man. I turned to her and in a high-pitched tone said I needed to enter a place with a roof to warm up before we continued our journey to a friend's house where I was throwing a surprise birthday party. I walked in here expecting to hopefully drink something decent. My eyes glazed over their (BRAND SPANKING NEW!!!) craft beer list and tears pooled in my eyes (which later turned into ice, lol) because it was such a beautiful list. IPAs, Milk Stouts, Porters, Cream Ales - it was beautiful, all reasonably priced and I vowed I would be back again (and again, and again, and again!). I've now been back a handful of times since this fateful snowy afternoon when I learned that they were now under new management, serving a very nicely curated list of craft beers (both local and a little less local), free popcorn and FREE KARAOKE on Fridays which I stumbled onto by mistake and have now enjoyed on multiple occasions. There is also a nice, small-ish outdoor patio in the back and lots of ample seating in the back (indoors) for larger groups who want to have their own little area by the darts board. This bar is the epitome of fun, quality beers and fun clientele! Shout out to Devon, the karaoke guy and one of the owners who is a musician and who my friends and I broke day with awhile back for a friend's birthday. I love this bar so, so, so much.

    Cezary K.

    This was a first from our Queens Beer book. Even though the place was dead on Sunday and employees order food to be delivered into the establishment. At that point we just finished our free beers and moved on to a next location that would offer food. Good choices of beers and being that they were free it couldn't get better. Great local bar to stop in for a beer and catch up with friends.

    Ingrid S.

    This is totally unassuming to be a fantastic craft beer bar. . . . . but it exceeds all expectations! For awhile now this had been known as the crap dive sports bar across the street from DiWine. My friend and partner in crime Steph P. insisted that the only beers they had on tap were Guinness and Blue Moon and she had stumbled in there with her man one day. They were nice people but not a place she would seek to come back to. Which is why we avoided bothering to go inside until as of late. Insert epic blizzard of 2016 back in January. We were trying to get to both a grocery store and someone's apartment for a surprise party and couldn't see in front of us or feel our faces. Mascara was running down my face to a clown show extent and we both decided you know. . . . . that blue moon or guinness doesn't sound all too bad right about now. We popped inside and our jaws dropped when we looked at their chalkboard menu. So many porters, stouts, ipas, saisons, sours, browns, ales of different and notable breweries. Some beers I had never heard of before. . . . . . what happened?! When its not happy hour everything is $6-7 which is a pretty fair price. When it is happy hour, don't quote me on this, but I think everything is $5. They have karaoke late on friday night. We accidentally recently stumbled upon this and did not sing Ricky Martin like dying cats. They have darts in the back. Also free popcorn. ALSO, they have a byob on sunday. No, not beer. Get your head out of the gutter. This is a bar. It's bring your own brunch! Bring in your food and imbibe in $4 brunch cocktails or you know, just drink some more craft beer. Awesome laid back place that really went from an utter old man bar to a cool dive.

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    4 years ago

    Came in for a drink and had a great drink with the bartender Derek. Great atmosphere and fun crowd. Definitely coming back.

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    7 years ago

    This is a fantastic little spot in Astoria that isn't like most others.The beer selection is great and Megan is one hell of a bartender!

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    7 years ago

    Great time tonight even on a Thursday. This place is more than just beer but the beer is plentiful.

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    Page 1 of 2

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    Review Highlights - The Local

    Paulette, Devin, Chris and the other bar tenders are all so friendly.

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    Bemelmans Bar - Piano player

    Bemelmans Bar

    3.9(443 reviews)
    2.6 miUpper East Side
    $$$

    Dropped in Thursday night with a group of 4 to celebrate a birthday. Thankfully we were able to…read moresnag some seats at the bar and eventually a table as we did not have a reservation. Servers were very kind and attentive, it's a very well decorated bar and we appreciated the live music as well. Drinks are pricy, but they are boozy and very well balanced when it comes to the flavors. I tried the Jackie O and the Ludwig's Brush and enjoyed both however the Ludwig's Brush was a more unique drinking experience (Apricot forward). From sampling my friends drinks I can also say they make a very good Dirty Martini.

    I recently visited Bemelman's Bar with friends. Given the high price point and the prestigious…read morelocation I anticipated attentive service and high quality cocktails. The service however was mediocre and did not meet the standards usually found at a luxury hotel bar. It felt impersonal and lacked the professionalism I expected for the cost. The cocktails were such a disappointment. I ordered a gimlet from the menu and it was incredibly basic. At these prices I expect a level of craft and balance that was simply missing. It was a standard drink that could be found at almost any mid tier bar in the city. The atmosphere was also difficult to enjoy because of the noise level. It was loud enough inside that maintaining a conversation was a struggle. The space seems to have become more of a scene for a specific social crowd rather than a place for a nice drink. On a positive note the restroom was well maintained and clean. It is a small space with two stalls. I do not quite see the allure of this spot based on this visit. The lack of creative or at least well crafted drinks and the loud environment made the experience feel like a poor value overall. There are several better options nearby for someone seeking a quality martini and professional service.

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    Bemelmans Bar
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    Bemelmans Bar - Interior

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    Interior

    The Local - divebars - Updated May 2026

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