In Astoria, there is “everything you could ever need” in a single neighborhood. According to interviewees Anthoula Vasiliou and Christina Tsopanidis (both college students), the main things to do are going out to eat at restaurants and hanging out at Astoria Park. Another attraction is Steinway Street, which boasts restaurants, cafes, bars, hookah lounges, and shops. It is dominated by Arab businesses from Egypt, Syria, Yemen, Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria. It has even been dubbed “Little Egypt”. Greek bars also have family nights and host shows whenever famous Greek singers come to town. Greeks from and outside of the city enjoy the Greek culture and atmosphere whenever they visit Astoria.

An advertisement for a Greek singer’s show as seen at a grocery store in Astoria

Astoria Park

Astoria Park’s pool in the summer

Astoria Park’s Skating Ring

       Astoria Park is a 60 acre park located along the East River in Queens, next to the Triborough and Hell Gate bridges. The park has New York City’s oldest and largest swimming pool, bocce courts, fourteen tennis courts, two playgrounds, a skatepark, and one track.  It is also run by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. Upcoming events hosted by the park are posted here on the department website.

Steinway Street runs between Berrian Boulevard in Astoria and Northern Boulevard in Long Island City. It was named for the family company that came to be known as piano makers: Steinway & Sons. Today, it is a major part of the business improvement district known as the Steinway Astoria partnership. Richard Hellmann also started his first factory for Hellmann’s mayonnaise on Steinway. To get there, take the E, M, R trains to Steinway Street. You can also take the Q101 bus travels Steinway Street from 20 Avenue.

Night life in Steinway, Astoria