QUEENS COUPLES
FEBRUARY 2 0 1 8 I BOROMAG.COM 31
Blythe Irish and
Kevin Tully
Blythe Irish and Kevin Tully were fortunate
to match on OkCupid, but they really
hit the lottery once they found out they
both reside in Astoria. The couple went
on their first date at The Sparrow Tavern
off 29th Street and 24th Avenue the first
week in June in 2011 and have been together
ever since.
“Kevin suggested Sparrows after
noticing we both lived in Astoria and
wanted to keep it local,” Irish said. “He
told me it was one of his favorite local
places. I still remember standing on
the corner outside and thinking how
much cuter he was in person as he
walked up. We wound up staying at
Sparrows from around 8 p.m. till 1:30
a.m. just talking and went and swung
on swings at the Astoria Boulevard
playground afterwards just because we
didn't want the evening to end.”
While Irish bounced around neighborhoods
and boroughs for a few years before
she decided to make Astoria her home, Tully
had only lived in Long Island City and Astoria.
After their four-year mark, the couple
chose to move in together in Astoria, their
favorite neighborhood.
“We both love the strong community
in Astoria and love to attend public
events, such as movies and music in
Astoria Park, art in Socrates Park, and
events at Museum of the Moving Image.
The local food scene and shops also
keep us in the neighborhood. We also
love exploring all the restaurants and
bars that open in the area. We recently
discovered karaoke night at McLoughlins,
which was a lot of fun,” Irish said.
Favorite Date Spots:
Butcher Bar
Sparrow Tavern
HiFi Records
Loveday31
Snowdonia
BY ALLISON KRIDLE
Photos courtesy of Blythe Irish and Kevin Tully
Valentine’s Day may be approaching, but love is always in the air in western Queens. We
have romantic date spots, breathtaking sites and head-over-heels couples who not only live
here, but also met right here in the neighborhood.
Seven local couples shared with us their love stories that blossomed and grew in our
beloved borough. Trust me, this isn’t some “500 Days of Summer” movie tease; these are, in
fact, love stories. So grab a glass of red wine and milk chocolate and get ready to hardcore
swoon over these western Queens love birds and their serendipitous how-we-met stories.
VALENTINE’S DAY