Dutch Kills has been mixing some of the best cocktails in Queens since 2009, and we’ve been sending The Local guests there since we opened in 2013. This is a place that was serving up craft cocktails before that became a thing. The entrance is easy to miss, the room is dark in exactly the right way, and the bartenders know what they’re doing without making a whole performance out of it. Order from the seasonal menu or tell them what you like and let them take it from there. “Something with gin, not too sweet” is a perfectly acceptable drink order here.
It’s a reliable choice for a date, a late-night drink, or a night when you want to go somewhere that feels very New York without getting on the subway. Cocktails run around $18, and Dutch Kills is open from 5pm to 2am Sunday through Thursday and until 3am on Friday and Saturday. It’s about a ten-minute walk from The Local and has been one of our go-to neighborhood recommendations for more than a decade. Places come and go in New York but Dutch Kills is forever.
You don’t have to go far for great food. We’re going to let you in on a local secret – Soothr is actually pronounced “Soothe”. Leave the “R” off when you say the restaurant’s name and you’re officially a local.
The beloved East Village Thai spot opened its larger LIC sibling on 43rd Avenue, just a few blocks from The Local. The original is known for regional family recipes and Bangkok street food energy. The Queens location takes that same idea and gives it more room to play, with a sprawling dining room, bold red and green interiors, neon, patterned tile, woven lanterns, and enough visual drama to make your camera roll look significantly more interesting.
Come hungry and bring friends. This meal is best enjoyed by sharing.
The chicken khao soi is an easy starting point: a rich, fragrant coconut curry with noodles and plenty of texture on top. It is comforting without being boring and currently sits around $24 to $25. The crab fried rice is another crowd favorite, generously crabby and built for the middle of the table. Expect to pay roughly $27 to $28.
For something more specific to the LIC location, look for the Dungeness crab curry or the Yaowarat-style five-spice roasted duck, both part of the expanded Queens menu inspired by Bangkok’s Chinatown. The sizzling oyster pancake is also a strong move when available: crispy edges, soft egg, briny oysters, chili sauce, no notes.
The menu is large, so the correct strategy is noodles plus curry plus one thing you did not originally plan to order. You are on vacation. Order accordingly.
Soothr LIC is lively, polished, and slightly extra, but still solidly Queens. It works for a date, a group dinner, a family meal, or the classic “oops, we ordered six dishes for two people” night out.
Different parts of the restaurant have their own personality. There is a red, cocktail-bar-inspired section, a green diner-like room, and a brighter indoor garden. The hidden Sato Room shifts from tea-bar energy during the day to drinks and small plates at night.
You’ve got to check out this Thai restaurant/occasionally Bangkok nightlife fantasy that is somehow still casual enough to walk over in the clothes you wore sightseeing all day.
Plan on approximately $20 to $30 for most mains, with seafood specialties and a few larger dishes climbing higher. A normal dinner with shared starters, mains, and drinks will generally land around $40 to $60 per person, depending on how enthusiastically your table approaches the cocktail list. OpenTable currently categorizes the restaurant in the $31 to $50 range.
Soothr serves lunch daily from 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, closes briefly, then reopens for dinner from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
For the easiest experience, go for a weekday lunch or arrive right when dinner service begins at 5:00 PM. The East Village original is famously difficult to walk into at peak time, and while the LIC space is much larger, prime dinner hours can still fill up. Make a reservation for Friday or Saturday night, especially with a group.
Soothr means “recipe,” and the original location is at 204 East 13th Street in the East Village. LIC is currently its second restaurant and the bigger, more ambitious version, with additional dishes and multiple spaces under one roof.
But when you are staying at The Local, there is really no reason to cross the river for it. Walk a couple of blocks, order too much food, and congratulate yourself on having excellent temporary-local instincts.
If you’ve got a long stay in NYC during the summer, think about spending an afternoon poolside. It’s not an obvious New York flex but you’ve got real options at every price point, from free to “treat yo self.” Here are our favorites and what you need to know before you go.
The most NEW YORK/Local vibe: public pools
All of NYC’s outdoor public pools are free and open through September 13, 2026, daily from 11am to 7pm, with a 3pm to 4pm break every day for cleaning. Here are three worth knowing:
Astoria Pool is the closest one to us, a quick ride away in Astoria Park. It’s a real lap pool with real depth, less chill energy and more actually swim.
McCarren Park Pool in Williamsburg runs 11am to 3pm and 4pm to 7pm daily, same cleaning break as everywhere else. Fun fact: this pool was closed for many years and ran a series of indie concerts in the aughts. You can easily get to McCarren Park Pool by taking the G train from Court Square three stops to Nassau. Did one of your favorite bands happen to play here?
Gottesman Pool (most people still call it Lasker) sits inside Central Park near the Harlem Meer, same free admission, same daily schedule. It can get a little scene-y on the weekends but feels like a secret treat on weekdays.
Before you go, know the rules, because NYC Parks enforces them:
Hours and specifics can shift over the course of the summer, so it’s worth a quick check of the official pool rules page before you head out.
The private way: day passes at hotels or spas
If you want fewer people and more amenities, day passes to private pools are the way to go.
ResortPass is the easiest way in: it’s a platform for booking day access to hotel pools, spas, and lounges without staying overnight. Passes in New York start around $25. You search by city on their site, pick a hotel, book a time slot, and check in at the front desk when you arrive. What you actually get, pool only versus pool plus gym and spa, depends entirely on which hotel you book, so read the listing before you buy.
Two spots worth the splurge:
Bathhouse Williamsburg has the largest rooftop pool in the city, with skyline views to match. Day passes start around $39 to $40 depending on the day and time, booked directly through their site, first-come first-served, or reserve a daybed or lounge chair if you want guaranteed seating.
QC NY on Governors Island is the full production: an outdoor infinity spa with harbor views, a short ferry ride from Manhattan. Day passes start around $98 on weekdays and can run up to $178 on weekends, and the ticket includes your round-trip ferry.
When all else fails
Grab a chair on our rooftop, buy yourself a misting spray bottle, and enjoy the view of the Queensboro Bridge!
Your Guide to Getting to The Local Hostel from NYC Airports
The Local is in Long Island City (LIC), Queens, which makes us especially convenient to LaGuardia (LGA) and easy to reach from JFK or Newark (EWR) by public transit.
Our address is 13-02 44th Avenue, Long Island City, a few blocks from the subway stop Court Square–23rd Street, where the E, F, G, and 7 trains meet.
Uber and Lyft both serve New York City’s airports. It is worth checking both before booking since prices can change quickly.
You can also use Curb, Arro, or Myle to book a licensed NYC taxi through an app. Obi compares prices across several ride services, which is useful when airport fares are surging.
UberX Share may be cheaper when available, but it is best for solo travelers with limited luggage. Groups should compare the total cost of public transit against splitting a car.
Only use official taxi lines, airport pickup areas, or licensed apps. Ignore anyone inside the terminal offering a ride. New Yorkers know better than to take those unofficial rides. Your first step in assimilation can be to sigh, roll your eyes at them, and keep on walking!
LaGuardia is the closest airport to The Local. A taxi or rideshare usually takes around 15 to 25 minutes, depending on traffic. Budget roughly $30 to $50 before tip, although surge pricing can push the fare higher.
Public transit is also surprisingly easy. Take the free Q70 LaGuardia Link bus to Jackson Heights–Roosevelt Avenue, then transfer to a Manhattan-bound E or F train and get off at Court Square–23rd Street. The total cost is the standard subway fare.
Best choice: Rideshare for convenience, or the Q70 and subway when traveling light.
JFK has the simplest rail connection to The Local.
Take the Jamaica-bound AirTrain to Jamaica Station. From there, follow signs to the connected subway station, Sutphin Boulevard–Archer Avenue–JFK Airport, and take a Manhattan-bound E train directly to Court Square–23rd Street.
The AirTrain and subway cost about $12 combined. Allow roughly 60 to 75 minutes.
The important part: choose the AirTrain marked Jamaica, not Howard Beach.
Best choice: AirTrain and E train for most solo travelers and couples. A car may make more sense for a group splitting the fare.
Newark is farther away and requires a trip through Manhattan. The two main public transit options are NJ Transit or the Newark Airport Express bus.
Take the airport AirTrain to Newark Liberty International Airport Rail Station, then NJ Transit to New York Penn Station. From 34th Street–Penn Station, take a Queens-bound E train to Court Square–23rd Street.
This route is usually the most predictable because it avoids highway traffic, but it involves two transfers and navigating Penn Station.
The airport bus travels from the terminals to Midtown Manhattan. For The Local, the most useful stop is Port Authority Bus Terminal, where you can transfer directly to a Queens-bound E train.
The bus is easier with heavy luggage, but it can be delayed by traffic at the Lincoln Tunnel.
Best choice: NJ Transit during busy traffic periods. The airport bus when you have more luggage and the roads are moving.
Fares, routes, and estimated travel times were checked in July 2026 and may change. The MTA is always keeping New York interesting, so check Google Maps, Citymapper, or the MTA app for live service updates before you travel.
However you get here, drop your bags and settle in. Your easiest New York arrival is complete.
The US Open is back in Queens from August 24-September 13th, and you don’t need box-seat money to see great tennis. Here’s how to do it right without going broke.
Buy tickets now, and know your cheap days
Ticket prices only go up as the tournament gets closer and as demand builds, so if you know you’re going, buy now. If you’re flexible, look at early-round sessions specifically. They’re a different animal from the finals: 2026 early-round tickets are running $115 to $366, sometimes lower, while finals seats can hit four and five figures on resale. Check out current pricing on Ticketmaster.
Even better: the 2026 US Open has a full Fan Week, August 23 through 29, with free grounds admission through a free Fan Access Pass in the US Open app (18 and up, no ticket required). There’s also a separate free grounds day, Open for All Day, on September 10. That’s 8 free days if your schedule can work around it.
Know before you go: outside food is an option – with limitations
You may bring food, but sealed packages of any kind are not permitted. All guests go through a screening process, and you may bring one bag per person, subject to search, sized no larger than 12″W x 12″H x 16″L. Backpacks are not allowed (except single-compartment drawstring bags). Empty water bottles are fine, and there are refill stations inside. Small soft coolers with non-alcoholic drinks are typically okay. You can full information of what to bring or not to bring here.
The 7 train is the only way to get there AND a foodie’s dreamline
Consider picking food up on the way or grabbing a bite on the way to the grounds. The US Open is best accessed via public transportation. From The Local, you can hop on the 7 train at Court Square (direction Queens) and take it straight to the venue at Mets-Willets Point. The 7 train runs right through a corridor of some of the absolute best food in the city. Jackson Heights is a surefire bet with incredible South Asian, South American, Southeast Asian, and Mexican cuisine. A quick hop off/hop on the 7 Train at Jackson Heights – Roosevelt Av/74th Street will not disappoint.
The one splurge: get the Honey Deuce
It’s the official drink of the tournament: Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, topped with honeydew melon balls cut to look like tennis balls. It comes in a collectible acrylic cup people genuinely keep. It’s not cheap, (last year it was $23) but it’s the one drink everyone gets at least once, and you walk away with a souvenir. Did you even go to the tournament if you didn’t get a Honey Deuce [and post a pic]?!
Check your credit card benefits before you go
If you carry an Amex, you may be able to enjoy the US Open like a VIP with these perks: a Card Member Lounge, a checkout-free Amex Shop with local vendors, a one-time $10 statement credit on $100+ spent on-site, free court time at area tennis and pickleball courts, and a free earpiece for ESPN commentary.Check your specific card’s benefits page before you go, some of this needs enrollment ahead of time.
Start at The Local
Come through The Local before you head out. It’s a straight shot on the 7 with no transfers, so it’s genuinely on the way whether you’re coming from Manhattan or already in LIC. It’s a great option to pregame before heading over on the train. If you opt for an early session, head back our way and you can catch the afternoon games on the TV at our bar.
Given that most of our followers are guests from around the world, we wanted to share some resources for all of you to better understand what is currently going on in the United States and how you can get involved, even from afar.
On May 25th, George Floyd, a father, hip-hop artist, restaurant worker and Black man, died after a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd’s neck for almost nine minutes, ignoring his pleas for help. Three other policemen stood by without helping. The officers have all been charged with crimes, but the aftermath has lead to over a week straight of protests, demonstrations and an outpouring of support from around the world. We are hoping this is a turning point in the course of American history, but the United States has a deep history of systemic racism that needs to be addressed before any healing can begin. There is a lot of work to do, and we at The Local are committed to doing the hard work to listen, learn and change the systems in our country to re-affirm that Black Lives Matter.
While you may not live in the US, it’s still important that you understand the current events and hopefully can lend your voice of support. Here’s where to start:
Educate yourselves: Take some time to understand the current situation as well as America’s history of slavery and systemic racism.
(Relatively) unbiased local media sources:
Books and articles about America’s history:
A People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn (a deep look at some historical events in the United States told from different perspectives)
The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein (an explanation about how racial segregation became codified into US law)
The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander (a look at how the US criminal justice situation unfairly targets Black Americans)
How to be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi (an essential book for anyone who wants to go beyond an awareness of racism to the next step of contributing to the formation of a truly just and equitable society)
Other Resources:
This Anti-racism for Beginners guide has a comprehensive list of resources to help you start understanding and tackling these issues.
Attend local peaceful protests: Global citizens have taken to the streets around the world to show their support for these issues. Find you local Black Lives Matter chapter for more information about rallies in your area.
Sign Petitions: Add your name to petitions demanding justice for George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor.
Change.org is a great resource to look for petitions about various current events.
Buy Black: Support Black business, restaurants, artists, writers and makers in your own community and when you travel to the US. Some websites to help you include WeBuyBlack, The Black Wallet, and Official Black Wall Street. Here is a spreadsheet of Black-owned restaurants in NYC.
Donate: If you can, donate to causes that are trying to affect real change. Some of our favorites include:
Black Lives Matter – Their purpose is to eradicate white supremacy, combat violence inflicted on Black communities, and affirm the lives of Black people.
Campaign Zero – They are supporting a platform of research0based policy solutions to put an end to police brutality in America.
ACLU – The American Civil Liberties Union works to protect the freedoms guaranteed to all Americans under the Constitution.
Vote.org – They work to protect everyone’s right to vote and increase voter turnout.
Join us Sunday June 23rd at 9 am for rooftop yoga led by DM. $10 entry includes a yoga mat and a fresh mimosa!
Like good beer? We do too! Join us Saturday, March 24th in our Global Beer Fest where we’ll have 5 local breweries handing out samples of some of their finest craft beers, local food vendors and live bands!
*Tickets are $25.00 for unlimited beer samples.
*21 and over
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/global-beer-fest-18-tickets-43885058391
We understand sometimes it’s hard to plan out your week. That’s why we have you covered here at The Local! Enjoy this list of free things to do around the city for this week.
Monday, February 12th
7pm – Happy Hour at The Local – Join us for happy hour downstairs at the bar from 7pm – 10pm. $4 draft beers, $4 wines and $5 house drinks.
8pm – Queer/Art/Film – This spring’s Queer/Art/Film series features monthly showings of films, followed by post-screening discussions. On February 12, see the Taiwanese love story I Don’t Want to Sleep Alone, followed by a lecture with guest curator Tiona Nekkia McClodden. Located at IFC Center, 323 Sixth Ave.
Tuesday, February 13th
7pm – Drink & Draw! – Belly up to the bar and get creative!
8pm – Show My Goodness – You can always count on Maria Wojciechowski, Evan Morrison, Albert Kirchner and their funniest friends to provide solid sets on stand-up night. Located at Bushwick Public House, 1288 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn.
Wednesday, February 14th
7pm – Live & Local – Join us at the bar for live music. Free, no cover!
8pm – The Fancy Show – The beloved Brooklyn stand- up institution now hits the Douglass for free weekly gigs, hosted by Michael Joyce. Located at The Douglass 149 Fourth Ave, Brooklyn.
Thursday, February 15th
7pm – RuPaul’s Drag Race Viewing Party – Join us every Thursday night at The Local as the girls grace the TV screens on RuPaul’s Drag Race All-stars! Viewing party starts every Thursday at 7pm, show begins at 8pm! Let’s see who will take the crown. Hosted by: Brenda Bordeaux & Cocktails by: Jorge!!
Friday, February 16th
7pm – Asian Gracefully – The delightful Woody Fu returns with this incisive one-man show, which uses his experiences as an Asian-American to explore race in porn, food and beyond. Located at Magnet Theater, 254 W 29th Street
Saturday, February 17th
2pm – New York Distilling Company Tour – One of Brooklyn’s best craft distilleries opens its doors to the public for free tours and tastings on Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Located at 79 Richardson Street Brooklyn, NY.
Sunday February 18th
8pm – Movie Night at The Local – Join us in the lobby where we’ll be screening “The Sixth Sense”, and providing free popcorn!
Ring in 2018 at The Local! Join us for an open bar including our delicious draft beer and wine*, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a champagne toast and live music all night long. The open bar is from 9pm- 1am. Buy tickets before December 25th to get the early bird price! Tickets will be $75 at the door.
All attendees must be 21 and over with valid ID in order to party like a local!
*while supplies last
Come join us for The Local’s First Annual Summer Kick Off Event. This will be our first rooftop party of the season just day’s before the first day of summer!! It will take place on Saturday June 17th 2017 7pm-1am rain or shine so be sure to rock those swim suits.
Expect:
Ring in 2017 like a Local! Join us for an open bar of draft beers and wines, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, a champagne toast and a live DJ spinning tunes all night long. The party goes from 9 pm-1 am. Buy tickets here. Or stop by the front desk and talk to one of our receptionists to purchase tickets. All attendee must be 21 or over with valid government ID! So, why should you come to The Local instead of Times Square? Because no New Yorker would be caught dead there. Nor should you. We’ll have way more fun and will be warm and cozy, watching the ball drop on TV with a drink in hand! We guarantee – our party is WAY more fun.