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Categories: Bars, Breakfast & Brunch
Neighborhood: Long Island CityAstoria Blvd (N, W)
Mon-Fri. 4:00 p.m. - 4:00 a.m.
Sat-Sun. 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 a.m.
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In past field trips to Bohemia Beer Gardens, I was acutely aware of The Sparrow's existence but, like the other countless waves of "tourists", dismissed it like it were Danny Baldwin standing next to Alec.
Nowadays, and this is where the previous analogy ceases to work, I realize that is was criminal to have dismissed The Sparrow. This is fantastic news for my roommates and I considering we now live within, as a roommate would say, "stumbling distance".
I'm in agreement with much of the prior praise for the bar in regards to the atmosphere. I feel that it is a great reflection of the what the owners are trying to communicate as a business, and in turn attracted in clientele. There's an obvious cohesiveness without a theme, as if the decor were selected piecemeal but with discretion. I can't quite put my finger on it, perhaps the piano in the back or the earthy tables and chairs, but the place struck me as a modern day saloon, less the implied rowdiness and cowboy asthetic.
Also like most other reviews, I enjoyed the music selection. The choices aren't haphazard, but it' not forced either. It wasn't, "Hey, is this music cool enough for ya?" but rather, "This music sounds good at this time for this moment so please enjoy it as I do".
I'm dissapointingly pedantic when it comes to mixology, and my drink orders are usually limited to "whiskey neat" or "whiskey on the rocks", but the first time we went, the bartender tossed us a free cocktail. Smart move on her part too because their *original?* concoction of rosemary infused simple syrup and Maker's Mark was tasty enough to get me coming back and ordering them again. It's refreshing to see a place explore new recipes and ideas.
On the flip side of things though, the prices are a bit rugged. For example, that above mentioned cocktail runs $8 which is by no means a deal, and maybe even a tad over-priced. If there were no such thing as pre-gaming, I might have been inclined to knock a star off, but then again, there's no reason to be getting college-style sauced at my age, so I could do without cheap booze.
Anyways, even though I had a bit to say, I've only been here twice, and haven't even tried the food. This review might see an update as The Sparrow would undoubtedly see more of me.
outstanding brunch. Moving to Astoria, I now have a replacement for Egg. Plus a full bar! Although they don't have the french press carafes like Egg, but minor quibble when you can replace that with a bloody mary.
Went with the speck & eggs, so good! Eggs over easy topped with Parmesan and over speck (which is like prosciutto, a nice ham) and served with a thick slice of country bread and hash browns (you can pick a salad, but really who does that for brunch?). Excellent dish. And the rest of the brunch menu looked really good too.
Bar looked nice and they had a pretty strong beer selection on their blackboard. Will have to go back for both more brunch and for some beers.
Great brunch hidden away in a cluttered bar.
Tucked away in a scraggly bar across from the Beer Garden is one of the best brunch meals I've had in Astoria. Everything is good.
I suggest the Fries and the Mac & Cheese as good sides for whatever you order.
I miss this place.
Not my favorite place in Astoria but cool enough to keep me coming back. Their food is very decent for bar food, ive had the mussels more than once. They are fantastic. There is always good music playing as the bartenders all seem to have impecable taste.
Once they had a great Alice in Chains album on repeat, I didn't mind at all.
Drawbacks are, I feel, it's a bit pricey for what it is, if they knocked a dollar off the beers prices, i'd be a happier boy. Ill pay good money for beer I can't get just anywhere but for beers that are staples in most bars I feel they should be priced a little lower.
All that being said, ill be back, tis a fun place for a low key drink.
I've been here twice. Both times the bartenders were friendly, offering free tastings of the delicious beers.
The music is pretty good usually, though it actually all depends on the bartender's ipod...
The best thing this bar has going for it is its atmosphere; dark brick interior, black wood, victorian wallpaper, lamps from a Kubrick film.
Naturally, I can't stand the idea of $6 and $7 beer... but its such a damn charming place!!!
Love love love this place. It is such a cozy super cool hangout. The food is top notch. Great cocktails. The atmosphere is magical, low key, unpretentious. The music playlist is always awesome. I want to bring my friends and family here for drinks and dinner. Would be 5 stars with better wine prices.
A side note: I don't mind paying a little more for drinks, but as a wine lover and Trader Joes shopper in this economy, there should be wine specials under 10 or even 8 by the glass. I can get a delicious bottle for 6.99 at Traders. Sparrow I love you, but offer some cheaper wine deals.
Nice atmosphere, good food, will definitely go back. I can't wait to try their brunch some day.
The Sparrow was a great bar a long time ago when it was the Tupelo. You could get a good drink and listen to the best music in any bar in NYC.
Then the owners decided to make it a restaurant.
Now it is just kinda a permanent, weird high school reunion for a dozen people.
If you have a very large beard and live in Astoria there is a 90% chance you hang out at this bar.
Cozy break from the beer garden crowd with a fantastic brunch. Very laid back crowd of locals. Excellent place to meet people.
I really like The Sparrow. I've only been here twice so far. I went on a Friday and enjoyed a nice Lagunitas IPA while my sister had a glass of wine.
Last weekend, we went for brunch which was great. I enjoyed my veggie burger which came with a well-dressed salad and we also ordered a side of wonderful herb and onion covered fries.
Really great place for Astoria.
Sparrow currently holds the title of "Best Brunch in Astoria". Locale comes in a close second... but Sparrow has the mighty Brunch Burger. You could say that it's your average Texan burger (burger w/ an egg on it)... but it's so tasty. Get a little gruyere cheese on it, and it is bliss on a bun. The cilantro-egg sandwich is also wonderful for post-drinking greasy brunch food. The bloody (and "smoked") marys are also the best in the area.
Outside of brunch... guess what? Sparrow is still a great bar! It's especially fun to hang out there in the summer and laugh at all of the Manhattanites waiting in line to get into the beer garden. They've got some choice beers on tap (I usually go for the Bitburger) and the bartenders are knowledgeable and friendly... and usually play pretty good music. The last couple times I went there they were playing Otis Redding on a loop (which is fine my me!).
The bar food menu is also great. The decor is a little Williamburg-y, but not so ironic that it's annoying. It actually looks pretty cute in there. It's really come a long way from when it first opened. It was converted from a Latino bar, after it's original location (the fabled Tuepelo) was closed to become the Bravo Supermarket on 34th Avenue.
Though this place exists in the shadows of the more famous Astoria Beer Garden, it's a gem all it's own. Very cool old wood decor, moderate sized place, great beer selection. What truly makes this place special however is their outstanding weekend brunch. Quality ingredients on a menu where everything is good. Highly recommend the Brunch Burger paired with a Bitburger beer.
I'm reserving the right to give this place a higher rating when I visit again. That being said, the burgers are amazing. They're nice and fat and juicy and sloppy and the juice soaks into the bun......yum. The fries are good too, they come with fried onions and herbs mixed in. There's a tasty salad for those of you who don't like fries and/or pretend to be healthy while you eat burgers.
The best part about this place? It's steps from my apartment. Plus, it's easier to get into than the far more popular beer garden.
Oh yeah and the beer is good! That's probably worth mentioning in my review....of a bar.
Been in Astoria for a week and still exploring but very happy with this place. Happy with the service , the bitburger and my bill.
Similarly to the beer garden across the street, I was in love with The Sparrow when I first moved to Astoria four years ago. I still like it and will have a soft spot in my heart for it forever. Ah the days of impromptu dance parties that happened easily because there were no tables! Nowadays I feel a little disappointed in The Sparrow.
While it still has a good atmosphere and has offered some pretty tasty food for the past year, many of the prices border on ridiculous. $6 for a beer in Queens at the local bar is simply not acceptable. That's at least a dollar more than most comparable places in Manhattan and Brooklyn and while it's just one dollar, that dollar can make a difference when you're on a budget.
Food and wine prices are also pretty out of control. I understand that the ingredients are good and that the wines are much better than Franzia, but it's still unreasonable. You'd think this place would catch on to the fact that we're in a recession and a few solid food and drink specials would make them a profit and build them an even larger following.
On a positive note, the mixed well drinks are similarly priced to the beers which is more reasonable for liquor. And the drinks pack a punch, making them worth the money. Additionally, the music in the bar is usually pretty good -- something that can make or break a drinking establishment.
I will continue to patronize The Sparrow but I just wish they'd take the pretentiousness down a notch and adjust the prices.
grilled cheese amazing best i ever tasted
I wish I lived a little closer to this place. I went here with two friends this past Saturday. A good mix of patrons. Wasn't too crowded but I didn't feel like we were the only ones there. It doesn't seem like they are trying too hard like a lot of bars and lounges in Astoria. There seemed to be a good selection of beer as well.
I definitely plan to go back there some day when I have more money to try some of the good sounding food on the menu. I did get a chance to try the sweet potato fries and regular french fries and both were very good, probably not worth there $7 and $6.50 price though.
This is definitely going to become one of my favoring watering holes in Astoria. I came over one night with friends to celebrate.
The interior is an amusing amalgamation of folksy style, from the old fashioned fans to the early 20th century type wallpaper. It was very charming.
The service was wonderful, and one of the employees was gracious enough to push tables together for 8. We were well taken care of for the rest of the meal as well.
The food was awesooooooome. Rarely do I use so many 'o's to describe bar food, but it really was quite good. My grilled cheese had fancy cheeses rather than American, and I was pleased it came with greens. I was even more pleased when I stole some unwatched fries off somebody else's plate. Fantastic fries.
The drink selection is good and moderately priced.
The bathrooms were tiny, but clean and there was more than one! I approve of the high sinks so you don't have to bend over to scrub.
We came by for drinks and dinner. The menu is brief, but the food is rather stunning for a place like this. Delicious, well prepared, and fresh. I had a delicious hamburger- cooked exactly the way I wanted it- and the French Fries were spectacular. Well seasoned with grilled onion and rosemary on top of them. They were some of the best French Fries I've had- and to think that from the inside appearance you might think you'd expect greasy divey food. It's really a step above many places.
The service is very attentive. They also have a solid selection of beer and a well stocked bar. The wine selection I feel was a bit lacking, but that's only a small negative.
The inside is decorated with old appliances and this amazingly tacky old wallpaper. The restroom (one of them) has this amazing huge chandelier packed into it. I mean, this place is just another one of those hidden gems that I really love about Astoria.
Alright, On the real-
everytime I think of this place I feel decent about life. I think it's a misassessment to call it a "dive" because it's not really divey at all. I get the impression that it's purposefully left stripped down. The food is bangin, if a smidge expensive (best fries in Astoria), and the people are generally very nice. One night I heard them playing The Tindersticks and The Breeders, and I got all maudlin and drippy with nostalgia.
Their brunch is pretty sick too, but also expensive. Never buy an orange juice, especially if you want to be able to retire at 65.
a stop off after the beer hall.
wow! this place is so adorable! dark and cute!
mike s.'s beard-centric review actually GOT us there. but alas. no beardy dudes to be found. ::sniff::
some food was ordered (not by me because i had already eaten like 45 pounds of red cabbage at the beer garden; don't judge me.)
so the food smelled amazing. the beers were an interesting mix and apparently the cocktails, which i didn't have were strong.
so, yes! i don't go to queens that often, but either before or after beer garden, this looks like the place to be.
Ameri-pub atmosphere, reliable food, and one-step-beyond-basic beer list. Third round on the house!
Sparrow is my neighborhood bar; love it. Bartenders play iPod sets nightly, almost always to everyone's benefit. Average pint is about $7, but what I will drink there is minimal: Ayinger (hefeweizen), Kostritzer (black beer), and occasionally red wine ($9 or more).
Food served until 11. Dependable burger and fries ($9, fork over the extra $1.50 for cheese). I almost always get grilled vegetable sandwich on baguette with greens (about $9, but depends on who's working). Online prices are out of date, but close.
Finally got the chance to head back here for brunch and it was fabulous! I had a simple egg sandwich with gruyere and a cup of coffee. The sandwich was delicious--the eggs were cooked just right--and the coffee was great too.
Most of their brunch meals also come with a little side salad. It's not huge or anything, but mine was had incredibly fresh vegetables in it and their simple dressing was very very tasty.
I still have to go back to this place on a night when it's not 95,000 degrees outside to give the bar a more fair write-up; but at the moment I am highly recommending the brunch here.
This place (on most nights) is a phenomenal alternative to the Czech Beer Garden across the street.… Read more »
I can definitely see how this spot is a favorite for many in the neighborhood. I came here for brunch one balmy Sunday and found the interior very soothing in its own little charming way.
Service was nicely attentive however I would expect it with a place as small as this. The food is good and delicious however I found the portions to be a bit minimal especially when looked at in proportion to the pricing.
Overall the non-descript exterior keeps this place off the radar except by word of mouth which helps preserve the atmosphere.
I've been to Sparrow twice. I want to like it. I'm trying to like it.
The first time I took 2 friends in there for dinner. Our waitress/bartender was very sweet & very attentive. The food was pretty good, drinks kinda expensive for my taste.
The second time I went in on a Saturday night around 11:00. We found the bartender to be snotty and he ignored us a bit. He seemed to cater to the people he knew up at the bar more than us noobs. Kind of annoying when you're trying to find your local watering hole. *shrugs* The Yuengling tastes weird there as well. Maybe it's just me.
The decor is probably the best part of the place. Sparrow has a bit of a saloon feel, with gorgeous chandeliers hanging from the ceiling. I'm curious to see how brunch is now that I've seen so many people say how good it is. Maybe the morning staff will be nicer?
Have been going to Sparrow for awhile late-night as it is the only bar in the neighborhood that resembles what you would expect to find in a neighborhood with rents as high as Astoria. The beer selection is above average the booze selection could be a bit better but still fine.
Today I went for brunch for the first time. The food was solid. I will be going back. Astoria has a few choices now and this is certainly a decent one. However, I ordered a steak & eggs which should have come scrambled and the eggs were sunny-side-up. Also I was excited by the peppercorn aioli for the fries which never appeared. The waitress was clueless. Nice but clueless. Little things like forgetting to give us silverware, stapling the customer receipt to the merchant receipt (and putting the customer copy on top), forgetting our order and having to repeat it back to her, etc. The sausage on the side was amazing. Really, amazing! The coffee could not have been better. The steak was OK. The salad dressing would have been good but there was way too much and it was way to intense of a flavor for a side-salad.
All in all a good option for Astoria, would fail in Brooklyn and could use some better help.
Was at this place last night with a few friends. I will say that even though the staff was friendly and the place clean, it didnt warrant $8 for mixed drinks. Sorry folks but I know Astoria is becoming an up and coming place to the midwestern transplants but it is still Astoria. If I want to pay $8 a drink, as I stated in another post, I'll go to Manhattan. Also I was bit miffed that after dropping $200 in drink we did not get not one buy back. I know that buy backs are at the discretion of the bar and/or bartender BUT it would be nice after dropping so much money in drinks and tip. Just a suggestion.
Used to really like this place, but I had a server tonight, with short black hair (possibly named Erica) who was simply the worst server I've ever had the misfortune to come across. I joined a group of friends and, after 40 minutes there, was FINALLY asked if I wanted anything (with an attitude, like "why aren't you buying anything"). After I got my drink, she came to close out one of my friend's tabs and said, and I quote, "next time you come here, everybody has to order something, because, well, that's just the way it is." At this point, I looked around and realized that only ONE of my friends hadn't ordered anything. The rest all had had a couple beers and food... This server should be fired immediately. On our way out, she yelled across the bar, "Don't come back," because we tipped her what she deserved, 0%. I only live a block away and have been here many many times, but I'll never set foot into this place again, especially if she continues to work there. It makes me sad that there are so many deserving people out of a job and she has the gall to tell us that our business isn't worth her time. Pathetic.
I've lived around the corner from this joint for over a year now but always assumed it was a divey little place but then saw all the reviews on yelp and had to give it a try. Came for a sunday brunch and it wasn't very full. Decor is sparse but eclectic, but a piano in the back, random styles of lighting fixtures and chairs. The menu is what really surprises me in this place. I didn't expect to see the words fontina, brioche or brie. I was a little hungover so I felt the need to get the bloody mary and boy was that baby spacey. You could see the pepper specks and I like it spicy but this was pretty spicy or just too peppery so I tried letting the ice melt down and dilute it out a bit. The menu isn't extensive, but I couldn't decide on what to get because everything looked so good! I wanted something eggy and went for the prosciutto and brie omelet, my cousin had the egg salad sandwich and we shared the sweet potato fries. The fries were skinny sliver and on the softer side which doesn't phase be because I was all about dunking it in the honey mustard dip that came with it. My omelet was good but I wish there was a little more brie. The prosciutto was good but I think because I was really hungry the portions were not big enough for me because I dug into my cousin's egg salad sandwich. That really hit the spot. the bread is a great choice for housing the egg salad which had a good balance of egg, veggies and not too mayonnaisey at all.
I'm definitely coming back to try the other goodies on their menu.
The staff is also nice and attentive. It was only 2 people really working the place and that's all you really need because its so small and doesn't seem to get supper busy.
For the locals in the area, the Sparrow is an ideal neighborhood bar that serves up a mean brunch and is a great place to hang out after a night out at the Beer Gardens across the street. Perhaps its by coincidence that each time I've come here the place has rarely been crowded. That's a good thing, as I don't think the place could handle excessive crowds or massive groups. Every experience has been a mellow one, not too rowdy despite its dive bar feel. The service is friendly both on the phone and in person. If all were to fail here, this aspect alone would probably be their saving grace.
Compared to the bars nearby, the beer selection on tap is good and drink prices are solid. For food, portions are average at best and the menu selection is limited to bar food with a bit of a gourmet twist. Its pricier than most places, though the food is consistently decent though not mind blowing. Their burgers are good, a big on the small side but packs a lot of juicy flavor for every bite. The seasoned fries are good and resemble potato wedges (AKA Jo Jos) but a lot greasier. The brunch hour is probably my favorite time to eat here but don't expect a lot of portions for your buck.
The bathrooms feel small which poses a slight problem for tall / wide folks and they also don't deliver as far I can tell. I have come here during the heat of summer and have been sweating while eating because I don't think they have air conditioning (or do they?). It feels and looks like a dive bar, though I must say the piano throws a few people off despite the mp3 tunes blasting in the background.
Some folks who are feeling like venturing out of Manhattan can probably find some homage here for a nice drunken night in Astoria and perhaps a nice meal in a laid back setting. In either case, Sparrow is worth at least one beer, meal, and a visit.
Even though I am around the corner, I just discovered Sparrow this week! Oh my. I have been so distracted by the Beer Garden right across the street, I have never noticed the subtle genius that is Sparrow. The atmosphere is warm and intriguing (how did they fit that chandelier in the bathroom???) and they have some excellent beers on tap!
I am a huge fan of the Bitburger (German beer is my fav), Blue Point and they can pull a pretty good pint of Guinness. I also was a fan of the burger and other sandwiches. If I had infinite funds I would come here every night.
Beers are around $5 and food is around $9 per plate.
Sparrow is one of those rare Euro-style Brown bars that I feel New York just doesn't seem to have enough of. They serve really delicious food from 4PM-11PM. The space is charming and unique. I suggest checking the Men's bathroom for the Chandelier they have crammed in there. It's perhaps one of my all time favorite things I've ever seen as decor in a bar anywhere. They have a quality selection of Single Malts, Whiskeys, Bourbons, Beer and wine. I suggest you also swing by Thursday night from 10PM to 4AM for my little event I have just started there. The goal is to play all those tracks you just really want to hear while tossing a few back on a Thursday night. My boy Rudy M. slings the booze. Expect everything from the newest Indie jams to third wave Ska, Post Punk, No Wave, Soul, Reggae and Rock Classics.
i want to really like this place. been here thrice now. twice for brunch. once for drinks.
both brunches have been underwhelming. yes, i like the decor. but the food and the service are so grade: C / C-.
Yes, this bar is around the corner from my apartment. And no, I never got to go to the much heard of Tupelo bar before it moved here and became The Sparrow.
But this bar has a great musical selection (which really is important to me), fair prices, a good beer selection on tap, and at least one really friendly bartendress (I like making up words that make sense).
I came here for New Years Eves this past year, and the crowd was friendly, the champagne toast was free (!!!!) and people were playing with the party favors provided by the bar. All this fun, and no NYE cover makes for a 5 star review from me.
I'll have to stumble back for some of the food, which I hear is pretty good too.
It's the kind of place I just wish they all shouted my name when I came in (a la the land of TV sitcoms), but that might come if I go there more.
Neighborhood residents and adventurous non-Astorian drink-seekers alike may remember fondly an astoundingly awesome corner bar on 34th Avenue called Tupelo. Many were saddened when several years ago, it was closed to make way for a supermarket/parking garage/bank branch...or some other such sign of urban progress. If you loved Tupelo as I did, or you were fiendishly robbed of the chance to ever go there, then please, heed my advice and check out The Sparrow.
The Sparrow is literally the reincarnation of Tupelo, except slightly bigger and nicer. Opened by the same person/people (I don't know how many there are) that ran Tupelo, The Sparrow boasts an impressive selection of beers by the bottle. The vibe is relaxed with the usual crowd being a mixed bag of hipsters, rockers and people who didn't feel like waiting on line to get into the nearby Bohemian Hall Beer Garden (it's across the street).
Don't expect any frills, just great music and a comfortable atmosphere. There are several tables, a couch, and a large wooden bar. Finding a place to sit is usually not hard, and it's rarely, if ever, over-crowded. The music is such that several times during an evening you may find yourself stopping in mid-sentence to notice, and possibly point out to your friends, how good you think it is (bonus points if you own the album!). If you want to meet a handful of friends for a chill drink at a place with no pretense, then The Sparrow is a must. Especially if you live in the neighborhood! Another note, after 11pm the enforcement of certain regulations regarding the use of lighted tobacco delivery systems indoors is noticeably absent. A bonus for some...
You MUST try Sparrow's burgers... unbelievably delicious... make sure you get the fries that come with...
The waitress was friendly, and the burger was tasty. However, the draft selection was minimal. Maybe they know they can't compete with the beer garden? I also thought the food was overpriced for the venue. With their laidback decor, I'd rather more beer and less fancy grub.
Three star bar (during the summer), four star brunch. Yes, they still obviously don't believe in air conditioning, but their food more than makes up any heat or humidity you're having to deal with. I had an egg sandwich with cilantro pesto, and I am absolutely one of the few and the proud who loves cilantro, so this was great. Plus, when it serves as a restaurant, you really get to appreciate the atmosphere more- it's a neat space where they let the bartender/waitress hook up her iPod as people trickle in for some good food. Who doesn't want that?
As much as I'm sure this place doesn't want to be the bar you go to when the Beer Garden's too… Read more »
Foodies pay attention. This place has some of the least noticed yet most fantastic pub food in the city. No joke, it is an exceptionally well executed menu. Cheese plate, amazing. Cured meat plate, amazing. Steak sandwich, among the best in town served with surprising accompaniments like a white bean dill salad. It sounds wrong but it works, really really well. The menu is more Parisian then Mediterranean and it is a success both in concept and execution. Yes it is a fun bar with great music, but the food is the silent star. For a great meal and a very modest price it cannot be beat.
Edit: I just marked the rating down a notch. On a recent trip the food was not as stellar. Still very good, but not as awesome. It was Sunday night, so maybe they had someone else in the kitchen.
Cool place, but overpriced. Good alternative for the packed Beer Garden across the street. Interesting beers on tap, which is really first thing I look at when I go to a bar.
Check out the chandelier in the bathroom when you go there.
Food is surprisingly good. First time I've ever had Speck, which is basically awesome bacon (as was described to me).
Wait staff is... interesting. Sometimes good sometimes bad (You could probably say this about anyplace though).
I'd go if I was in the area, but I wouldn't make a trip for it.
Free coffee or tea!
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