I usesd to LOVE this place. Inexpensive pitchers, diverse crowd, lots of space. However, recently there always seems to be a line, not because there are more people, but because they are letting fewer people in at a time. I hate waiting in line outside then going in and waiting in line to get beer and waiting in another line to get food. It's getting ridiculous. The security seems unnecessary (although I appreciate that you never know in large crowds) but they act like they're about to stop some serious crime and there are more of them than necessary. The cost of pitchers has gone way up $14... still not out of control, but for Astoria where there are 1000 people there at a time it makes the trip less worth it. Also, the major benefit of being outside has been hindered by the arrival of very large open-air tents, I'm assuming so that they don't lose a buck when it rains. I don't like it at all though, it changes the atmsophere for the worse.
Pros: Different for a NYC bar
Cons: LINES!
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