Published August 26, 2009
The Afton Party
Astoria's Best Non-Beer Garden Bar
Never say never.
It's a daring, swashbuckling way to go through life.
And that philosophy has paid off—how else could you explain that night you fell asleep in a limo on
the way to the West Village and woke up in a Jacuzzi in Atlantic City with two showgirls and a blackjack
dealer.
So there may come a time when you find yourself not in A.C., but in the far off land that is Queens. And
when that day comes, you're going to want a burger just the way you like it and a martini dirtied up with
pickle juice.
Introducing
Sweet Afton, a mischievous new bar from the crack team that brought you Wilfie and
Nell, soft open now in Astoria.
Let's run through our Astoria Emergency Plan just so you're prepared before or after your next trip to the
beer garden: just direct your associates down a bustling stretch of 30th Ave and when you find the beckoning
Sweet Afton storefront (originally home to a tobacconist) you'll enter a scene that should feel a little
familiar—dim light from glowing exposed bulbs, reclaimed wood from old shipping crates and loud rock
music guiding the way.
Just slip into a booth or head to the back patio, order up your
Dirty Pickle Martini and an Irish
cheddar–topped burger (chef PJ Calapa spent six months working with
Pat LaFrieda
perfecting this beast) and prepare for the type of rambunctious booze-and-pub-food evening that you've spent
months perfecting at Wilfie and Nell.
But that's a story for another borough.
VITALS
Sweet Afton
30-09 34th St
(btwn 30th & 31st Ave)
Astoria, NY 11103
718-777-2570
official website