Cooling Off at Forest Hills' New Biergarten

As summer is winding down, something interesting has opened up in the neighborhood that many still don’t know about: the first “OUTDOOR” biergarten in Forest Hills.  

Cobblestone on Queens Blvd and 78th Ave. has taken their outdoor extension area which was a basketball court originally and transformed it into quite the scene. 

It's called Forest Hills Biergarten, a German-themed outdoor setting with plenty of tables, standing room, a beautiful bar that's covered, and tons of games to talk about.  

Tired of going to Astoria all the time to visit their two beer halls? Well I am. I'm just glad we have more options with outdoor areas.  

This one happens to even come with a host of fun activities such as giant jenga, board games, corn hole or bean bag toss.

Yeah, and did I mention solid GERMAN beer?  The food scene has stayed just about what it has always been -- decent bar food, and a couple of additions to their menu on the outside.  

I personally haven’t eaten there yet, just enjoyed some quality bean bag competition and thrown down a few tall beers.  

Their paint job came out very nice, and with music playing, tons of socializing, and after work group parties, this could potentially give other bars such as Queens Bully a run for their money!  

Not sure why no one has really mentioned anything about it. For those who don’t like to venture off down Queens Blvd., away from Austin St., they could hop the subway two stops to the 78th Ave and Kew Gardens station head up the south side of the stairs and WHAM, follow your ears to the sounds of the outdoor excitement.  

It's a father and son (The Massaros) joint effort to bring some life into the East End of Forest Hills, and to them I say PROST!  

Hoping to see some outdoor music venues back there, in addition to some bean bag or corn hole tournaments, along with some happy hour prices, but other than that for my first few trips, I give it two big thumbs up wrapped around pint glasses.

Cheers! Coach

Coach is an avid reader and Twitter follower of Edge of the City. Have your own story or local experience to share? Email edgeofthecity@gmail.com. We are always looking for new writers and new content!

Queens Bully Taking Shape

Thanks to Bud for the pic! I can't wait for this place to open. I was wondering why the place made Zagat's list of most anticipated Spring restaurant openings, so I did a little digging online and found out that one of the owners is the son of the founder of the Baluchi's Indian restaurant chain. Queens Bully, if it lives up to expectations, has the potential to bring new energy to what is a rather run-down part of Forest Hills, that stretch along Queens Blvd. from Ascan to Kew Gardens. There have already been some notable openings along that strip, but the entire thing is in need of a makeover of some kind. In any case, look for throngs of newcomers to venture down that way once Queens Bully opens.

Congratulations to Banter!

... on its three year anniversary today! Banter was among the first of the new wave of restaurants that have changed the food scene in central Forest Hills over the past few years. (They've also saved me a lot of money from having to constantly hop the subway into Manhattan every time I wanted a decent meal! And for that I'd like to say a hearty thank you!)

Queens Beer Week

Participating in Queens Beer Week are: @FHStationHouse @AustinsAleHouse

Daily News Reports on Queens Breweries

There are 4 new breweries in Queens now, with 2 more on the way!

What's a sign of an improving neighborhood in the City today? Having its own brewery! When are we gonna get ours?

Queens now home to four breweries, with two more in the works
It started as a trickle of beer lovers opening breweries, but now the suds are flowing furiously in Queens. The borough lays claim to four breweries — with two more on the way. They range from large facilities, replete with tap rooms, to scrappy operations where brewmasters experiment with beets, coconuts, tomatoes and other such unorthodox ingredients in concocting their libations.

Relaxing with a Brew

Savoring a brew (Purple Haze Raspberry Wheat from Louisiana's Abita Brewing), courtesy of Forest Hills' new gastropub Banter.

Mr. Vino's Cucina Opens This Week

This new gourmet food store on Austin St. will be opening sometime this week, possibly Wednesday. And what's more, in what many may find as a really great surprise, it features an enormous selection of craft beer! Check out their extensive menu here (ignore where it says it's opening Monday. I'm told that's been pushed back.)

Where Can We Fit One of These?

Now, this would be amazing here in FoHi. Where could we fit one?

Cologne-influenced German beer hall opens in Slope

Brooklyn is getting another whiff of Cologne thanks to a massive new beer hall inspired by the German city. A 200-seat pub opened for business on St. Marks Place near Fourth Avenue under the name Die Koelner Bierhalle — the borough’s second tribute to Germany’s fourth largest metropolis.