Eat
Aunt Rosie’s
In search of an authentic diner experience? Search no more. Aunt Rosie and her family are straight out of an American TV show. The food is tasty and the price is right. Start your day off with a hearty, finger licking breakfast or stop in for lunch with the regular crowd who’ve been eating there for ages. This place is the real deal. 43-57 11th Street - (718) 786-7759
John Brown’s Smokehouse
We can’t get enough of this good old American BBQ. In Local territory, every hour is “John Brown o’clock”. Head over there for fantastic meats and local brews. Chow down on their daily meat special or their famous cornbread side. When the weather is nice, enjoy the sunshine at the picnic tables out back. On select nights, you can enjoy live music as you get your meat on. 10-43 44th Drive - (347) 617-1120 JohnBrownSeriousBBQ.com
LIC Market
While the name is a bit confusing - there is no market per se - all the food is market fresh at this neighborhood restaurant. LIC Market is a go to for brunch on the weekend and their soups and salads will have you coming back for more. Sometimes there’s a line but it’s worth the wait. We’ve never met an LIC Market sandwich we didn’t like. 21-52 44th Drive - (718) 361-0013 LICMarket.com
Drink
Dutch Kills
Dutch Kills offers the best of NYC’s cocktail scene. The bar tenders are pros and you cannot go wrong. The speakeasy vibe brings you back to another time in American history but the cocktail list features plenty of new inventions along with the old classics. This cozy spot is one of our favorites. 27-24 Jackson Avenue - (718) 383-2724 DutchKillsBar.com
LIC Bar
If you prefer a chilled out scene with a classic NYC vibe, this is the place. LIC Bar is a neighborhood institution and as authentic as it gets. While it’s simply a cool place to grab a drink, some nights they have live music or trivia contests. The garden out back is one of the best outdoor drinking spots in the city. 45-58 Vernon Blvd. - (718) 786-5400 LICBar.com
See
MoMA PS1
This funky outpost of Manhattan’s Museum of Modern Art is right in our backyard. The former schoolhouse is an exhibition space rather than a collecting institution so MoMA PS1 always has some of the newest, most experimental art in the world. Things heat up in the summer with their famous WarmUp DJ parties on Saturdays. All year round, you can pop in for a bite at the kitschy M. Wells Dinette, a pleasant déjà vu if you’ve ever eaten in an American school cafeteria. 22-25 Jackson Ave - (718) 784-2084 MoMAPS1.org
Silvercup Studios
Our neighborhood is the best place to celebrity spot. If you’re watching a show filmed in NYC, chances are it’s being filmed around the block from us at Silvercup Studios. Sex and the City, Girls, The Sopranos, Gossip Girl… yep, that was all here. You frequently see trailers and film crews in the streets around the hostel. From time to time, they’ll block off our very street at night to film TV shows and movies. We bet you’ll recognize our neighborhood in films and shows after you come visit! 42 22nd St - (718) 906-2000 silvercupstudios.com
Do
LIC Flea
LIC Flea & Food is the largest outdoor artisan market in Queens County. From June to October, the market is open rain or shine every Saturday and Sunday from 10am-6pm. Enjoy some great eats, find a hidden treasure, discover new artists and great local vendors all while taking in breathtaking views of the Manhattan skyline. Bring your friends and family to enjoy the perfect weekend. 5-25 46th Avenue - (718) 866-8089 LICFlea.com
The Laughing Devil
The Laughing Devil is more than just a comedy club, it is the best night out in LIC, or NYC for that matter. Whether you are watching a performance by some of the world's top comedians, or attending a party in one of their awesome event spaces, you'll be having one hell of a good time. 4738 Vernon Blvd. - (347) 913-3845 LaughingDevil.com