There is a thriving immigrant enclave not too far from here that has survived a century. With a steadfast following, this New York relic is one of the last of its kind. Kept hidden by the contours of the Triborough (soon-to-be RFK) Bridge, Astoria’s Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden is not just anywhere you come to throw back a beer and slowly digest a sausage on a hot summer day; it’s a focal point for a whole community of Czech Americans.
In this sprightly place of old and new New Yorkers, I sat on one of the garden’s numerous picnic tables savoring a grilled kielbasa and a pitcher of Krusovice Dark. Out from behind, a figure appeared over my shoulder—a seventy-plus year old German decked out in his favorite leisure suit.
“Excuse me,” he said with a heavy accent. “What…uh… kind of beer… are you drinking?”
I told him.
“It is…much darker than the one I am drinking. I like the dark beer. I will buy some of yours…next time.”
I offered him a sip of mine to make sure he liked it, but he insisted on purchasing his own. And I couldn’t fault him for it. All of the beers I’d tried so far, the Staropramen, the Hoegaarden, were delicious in their own way; a pitcher of Krusovice Dark would not disappoint even the inexperienced palate.
Aside from being a summer mecca for bargain-conscious, young Astorians and au courant Manhattan/Brooklynites, this hall serves as a neighborly gathering spot. On the day I stumbled in for a pint and some pork. I found myself in the midst of a youth gymnastics exhibition. The marked disconnect between cheering parents and half-drunk yuppies was quite apparent, but somehow didn’t seem out of place. After all, this is New York City. In a town that’s become increasingly compartmentalized into neighborhoods and enclaves, it is comforting to know that we haven’t completely lost touch with this sense of community. Cheers, Na zdraví!
How to get there: You can reach the Beer Garden on the N or W train to Astoria Boulevard. For exact directions from anywhere on Manhattan, click the HopStop link below. (Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, 29-19 24th Ave., Astoria, NY 11102, bohemianhall.com)
Sarah Knapp is a Brooklyn based entrepreneur whose love for the outdoors and community building led her to the October 2013 creation of OutdoorFest. She has a BA in History, is a Wilderness First Responder and a NY state hiking, camp and boating guide. Her proudest achievement to date is reading the Aeneid in Latin. 
Allison was one of our first top writers and Chief Editor but is no longer working with offMetro. Allison is a native New Yorker, who has lived in Rome, Tuscany, Melbourne, Toronto and Los Angeles. She frequently contributed travel pieces to Family Travel Forum, using her own children as guinea pigs as they travel the globe. She never missed a chance to sample local delicacies, as her love for travel goes hand-in-hand with her love for food and wine. 
Josh Laskin is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in the White Mountains of New Hampshire. When he is not at work or on the road, you can find him in the mountains snowboarding, climbing, hiking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and eating bagel bites.
Annie is a travel writer, environmentalist, and surfer based in Venice, CA. She heads up our West Coast team, keeps our grammatical errors in check, and makes sure our California writers always have a plan for their next adventure. Follow Annie’s travels @annelisemcb.
Carly Pifer is a freelance writer who has been known to follow whims inspired by romantic movie scenes or colorful street style shots to India, Japan, Tunisia and Argentina. After stints living in Seoul, Boston, Paris and Los Angeles, writing and searching for something intangible, she landed somewhat steadily in Brooklyn and has begun to find inspiration in her more immediate surroundings. 
Kate E. O’Hara is a New York based freelance writer and photographer who loves all things food—especially the people who make it and market it. Her writing aims to capture the essence of the food experience; the stories that go well beyond a plate of ingredients. In addition to her love of food, Kate is also known to have a hankering for red wine and craft beer. You can also find Kate on Instagram