Modern Day Beer Garden Studio Square Opens

Photo Tony Barsamian Gathered for the opening of Studio Square Beer Garden (l. to r.) are: Steve Tallides, co-owner; Larry Cerallo, co-owner; Sophia Ganosis, Queens Chamber of Commerce chief of operations; Joseph Risi Esq.; City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr.; Chuck Roberts, Queens Chamber of Commerce; Frank Macchio, Queens Chamber of Commerce; Albert Pennisi, Esq., president, Queens Chamber of Commerce; Taso Pavlou, co-owner; former Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr.; Paul Vallone, Esq., candidate for City Council in the 19th District, and Tommy Demaris, co-owner. Located in the heart of Long Island City, Queens, New York, Studio Square (S2), a 30,000 sq. ft. beer garden, opened May 14. Bridging the spirit and culinary traditions of an open-air German beer garden with one of the most diverse urban landscapes in the world, S2 is a destination for all to gather, eat and drink in modern merriment.

"Studio Square takes old and new beer garden traditions and combines them with the lure and appeal of modern day drinking and eating," Steve Tallides, one of five partners in S2, said. "This is a destination where large and small groups alike can meet, gather and get festive in an open-air environment. We want people to come to Studio Square, leave their worries at home and just relax and have fun."

S2's menu reinvents the traditional flavors of a German beer garden. The beer garden's self-serve, cash only menu features German and American grill favorites. The menu offers high-quality German Bratwurst and Weisswurst and Polish Kielbasa from Schaller & Weber, Queen's own legendary meat purveyor, served with sauerkraut and rustic country white bread. S2's grill menu also features Certified Black Angus hamburgers, chicken and pork souvlaki and pulled pork sandwiches made with S2's signature BBQ sauce. Oversized soft pretzels served with two different dipping mustards are also offered.

Boasting several indoor and outdoor bars, S2 offers more than 18 imported, domestic and craft beers on draft, including German favorites such as Spaten Oktoberfest, Franziskaner Hefe Weiss, regional U.S. standouts such as Dogfish Head 60 Minute IPA from Delaware and Stone Levitation Ale from San Diego and local brews such as Captain Lawrence Freshchester Pale Ale from Westchester County, New York. To ensure the perfect pour, all beers are served from a temperaturecontrolled tap system designed specifically for S2 and served in traditional glassware in liter and half-liter sizes. Other beverage highlights include wines by the glass and an impressive list of spirits, as well as S2's housemade Sangria served on tap.

Studio Square is located at 35-33 36th St. between 35th & 36th Avenues, Long Island City. Studio Square will be open Monday through Friday, 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. and Saturday and Sunday from noon to 4 a.m. including holidays. For more information and a calendar of upcoming events, call 718-383-1001 or visit www.studiosquarenyc.com.