A brand-new hotspot for sports enthusiasts and foodies has recently opened its doors in Middle Village, just weeks before one of the biggest sporting events of the year.
If the plethora of wall-mounted televisions in the bar and dining area of this establishment doesn’t already convince you to watch the NFL Super Bowl 2024 here, many rave about the delectable wings that make the visit worthwhile.
Bridie’s Bar and Grill, located at 64-54 Dry Harbor Rd., made its grand opening debut on Jan. 8, offering customers a modern industrial-style entertainment space in the heart of Middle Village.
Overseeing the day-to-day operations at Bridie’s is Sebastian Parada, a chef by trade and dedicated member of the community who’s worked nonstop since the new location opened its doors.
“The phone’s ringing all day,” says Parada.
One of the elements of Bridie’s Grillroom that Parada says traveled with the bar and grill from it’s original location on Woodhaven Boulevard, in Rego Park- where it was operated for over 40 years, is its multigenerational customer base.
Having managed Bridies for over 12 years, Parada has seen patrons of all ages come with their families and continue to visit for the food, drinks, and energetic environment.
“I mean, their grandparents, probably their parents, and then the kids come here,” Parada says. “We’re definitely a neighborhood place.”
Parada says one of the most notable benefits of the new location are the influx of new faces walking through Bridie’s. While the demand from Middle Village residents has been relentless, Parada acknowledges that it’s a favorable predicament for the newcomers to the neighborhood.
In past years, that wasn’t always the case for Bridie’s. During the height of the COVID pandemic, when the city’s restrictions shuttered bars and restaurants, Bridies had to close down three times, Parada recalled.
Despite the challenges of running a restaurant amidst mask mandates and social distancing, Bridie’s managed to retain its staff, with a majority of those employees still on board today.
Now, in just one week, Parada has doubled his staff to keep pace with the neighborhood’s demand. He also continues to sponsor local sports leagues like the Middle Village Players Roller Hockey League and a community based dart board team to help maintain its status as a neighborhood sports pub and eatery.
Bridie’s active presence on it’s Instagram page, with over 24K followers gives all future and present patrons a chance to keep tabs on all the fun. The business encourages all customers to visit their page to learn more and keep in touch.
