By Alex Robinson
A new Bayside bar has given thirsty residents endless options.
Beer Belly’s opened its doors, at 39-17 Bell Blvd., last week, boasting 50 beers on tap and 70 different types of whiskey.
“Craft beers are very, very popular and the bourbons and whiskeys are also very popular,” said owner Scott Bass. “I don’t know of anywhere else in the immediate area that has this.”
Hoping to capitalize on the surging popularity of craft beer, Beer Belly’s offers a long rotating list of beers from all over the world.
The bar has four specialty tables hooked up to four personal taps each, which charge patrons by the ounce once they are finished drinking. Beer Belly’s will also sell growlers — gallon jugs — for beer drinkers who wish to enjoy their suds in the comfort of their own home.
Although the bar’s drink possibilities were immediately plentiful, it opened with a limited food menu, which included burgers and wings.
“There is much more to come. Our current menu is a preview of the full menu that will be introduced in the upcoming weeks,” the menu read.
Once fully operational, the bar will serve traditional smoked barbecue as well as typical bar foods. Bass said the bar would also start serving lunch in two to three weeks.
“It’s good bar food. It’s comfort food. I’m not a gourmet restaurant. I don’t claim to be. Everybody seemed to like the food last night. We give you a good portion,” said Bass.
Dec. 5 marked a soft opening for the bar, which is still figuring out all the kinks before it announces a grand opening.
“The feedback last night was positive. As far as I know, everybody loved the food,” said Bass, a native of Long Island who has managed and owned bars for years.
Beer Belly’s is Bass’ first venture in Queens. And he jumped at the opportunity to open a bar in the area.
“This was a great location. Bell Boulevard was always a hopping place. Maybe we can bring some new people into the area,” he said.
The concept of the bar is one Bass said he had been working on for a couple years and he came up with the name with an old friend.
“Originally, we were going to do Beer Belly’s with the ‘Bell’ highlighted or in a different color,” he said. “The only problem is that, God willing, the place is successful and I want to do another one of these, it isn’t going to make sense if I open it up on Susquehanna Avenue.”
The bar will be open from noon to 4 a.m. every day.
Reach reporter Alex Robinson by e-mail at arobinson@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4566.
