QUEENS — Ridgewood and Glendale's bar and coffee shop scene has been growing rapidly as the area continues to attract young residents priced out of Brooklyn and Manhattan.
New venues are cropping up in the once-quiet neighborhoods on the border of Queens and Brooklyn, most of them along Myrtle, Seneca and Woodward avenues, said Sarah Feldman, who runs Ridgewood Social, a website keeping track of new businesses and events in the neighborhood.
For instance, a number of bars have opened up in the area in just the past few month, including Milo’s Yard, known for its pinball machines; Bierleichen, a German restaurant and beer garden with a heavy metal soundtrack; and Nowadays, which has an outdoor space and is a favorite of Feldman's because it allows her to bring her "dog there and hang out," she said.
What else is new? DNAinfo has rounded up a list of 10 bars and coffee shops that recently opened in the area:
Nowadays, 56-06 Cooper Ave. near Wyckoff Avenue, in Ridgewood; (718) 386 0111
There's plenty to do at this new venue, which includes 16,000 square feet of outdoor space, picnic tables, a ping pong table, and chess and backgammon sets. Bar fare includes local beers, wines and barbecue classics. Nowadays is owned by two DJs, Justin Carter and Eamon Harkin, who founded the popular Mister Saturday Night and Mister Sunday dance party series.
Topos Bookstore Cafe, 788 Woodward Ave., in Ridgewood; (347) 927 5680
Part bookstore and part coffee shop, Topos attracts locals looking for a quiet nook to read. The store, which offers both new and used books, also serves coffee and locally made pastries. Indoor and outdoor seating is available, but there's no Wi-Fi, because the owners said they prefer guests to talk and read books rather than browsing the internet. The space also plays host to a variety of events, including readings and film screenings.
Milo’s Yard, 564 Seneca Ave., in Ridgewood; (347) 987-4535
Pinball enthusiasts will find several of the machines to play on at Milo's Yard, including some from the 1980s and '90s. The owners, who are considering hosting pinball tournaments in the future, are also hoping to start a team for a league. The venue serves a number of craft beers and international snacks, including vegetarian samosas, Chinese pork buns and Jamaican beef patties.
Milk and Pull, 778 Seneca Ave., in Ridgewood; (347) 627-8511
The coffee shop initially opened in Bushwick and expanded to Ridgewood earlier this year. The venue serves Stumptown Coffee Roasters brews, including cortado and dirty chai latte (chai tea with a shot of espresso), bagels, sandwiches and artisanal doughnuts from Brooklyn's Dough.
Julia’s Beer and Wine Bar, 818 Woodward Ave., in Ridgewood; (917) 909-1314
The bar, run by the owners of popular neighborhood coffee shop Norma’s, opened in January, offering local beers and wines from various New York State wineries. It also serves a tapas-style menu, including cheese plates and turnovers. The cozy space features wine glass chandeliers and a checkered floor.
Cream, 59-09 71st Ave., in Ridgewood; (718) 418 4000
This two-story restaurant and bar, serving new American cuisine, is located near the 71st Avenue Triangle, a popular plaza with tables and benches. Its menu is diverse and includes elements of Mediterranean and Latin American cuisines, like a spicy chimichurri and grilled lamb burger. The interior features brick walls, a wooden staircase and ceilings, as well as a backyard decorated with holiday lights.
Bierleichen, 582 Seneca Ave., in Ridgewood; (718) 366-5381
This German beer hall plays a lot of heavy metal and occasionally organizes themed nights, featuring gothic rock, music from the late '60s and '70s, hardcore and punk.
Bierleichen, German for "beer corpses," serves a number of German and Austrian brews, to go along with its Bavarian pretzels, bratwursts and knackwursts. The space includes a foosball table under the bar's skylight and a backyard with picnic tables.
The Ridgewood Ale House, 5738 Myrtle Ave., in Ridgewood; (718) 456-4495
The two-story sports bar in the heart of the Ridgewood shopping district on Myrtle Avenue features a number of large TVs and takes pride in its wood-fired pizza. The bar also serves a variety of burgers and other entrees like New York Strip steak and pork chops.
K&A Social Club, 66-48 Myrtle Ave., in Glendale; (347) 721-3012
A neighborhood bar with a spacious patio and a plethora of games, including shuffleboard, pool, Big Buck Hunter and Ms. Pac-Man. The venue also offers several large TVs for major sporting events and hosts Karaoke every Wednesday. The bar has no kitchen.
My Coffee Cup, 6553 Myrtle Ave., in Glendale; (347) 987-3379
This unique coffee shop, where patrons sit inside giant coffee cups, offers full espresso and coffee fare, along with gelato, smoothies, bagels, pastries and sandwiches. The shop, which opened only several weeks ago, offers Wi-Fi and those in a rush can call ahead and pick up their order on their way to work.
