Astoria’s Sweet Afton celebrates 10th anniversary
Popular neighborhood coffee spot gets exciting facelift and a unique new brew
BY TAMMY SCILEPPI
Astoria has come a long
way … from ho-hum to hipster.
The same goes for its bars.
Sweet Afton (at 30-09 34th
St.), is a great example. There’s
something very special about
this super-popular neighborhood
spot, which is still embracing
and celebrating its hip
beginnings, 10 years later.
So, if you haven’t already,
come by and check out their
smashing revamp and taste
their compelling 10th anniversary
brew – on tap for a limited
time starting later this fall (locally,
at sister bar The Bonnie,
as well).
While you’re shooting the
breeze and sampling Sweet
Afton’s well-known craft beer
offerings and honest cocktails,
don’t forget to order what has
been described as the neighborhood’s
best burger since
2009. That’s when visionary
owner and Ireland native Ruairi
Curtin, first opened the
doors to what was considered
a truly “new wave” bar, with
his savvy business partners
(all young Irish immigrants)
– after opening popular Manhattan
bars Bua (East Village,
2004) and Wilfie & Nell (West
Village, 2008).
It was just what Astoria’s
young creative community
was craving.
“In 10 years, the neighborhood
has changed immensely.
When I moved to Astoria 20
years ago, I couldn’t understand
the lack of nice bars and
restaurants,” said Curtin, who
also owns The Bonnie (Astoria),
as well as The Penrose
(Upper East Side), and is coowner
of The Spaniard (West
Village), The Wren (Bowery),
Bua and Wilfie & Nell.
“For myself and my friends
who worked in Manhattan and
lived in Astoria, the options of
neighborhood bars were pretty
grim – not much beyond the
dingy old Irish bars that had
been there for 30 years or more
– which are wonderful in their
own way, but not always what
you were looking for,” Curtain
said. “The space was originally
a tobacco warehouse when
the building was first built;
Sweet Afton is an old Irish tobacco
brand. We also love the
Robert Burns national poet of
Scotland angle too, though.”
He added: “We’re proud to
be one of the very first more
forward-thinking, restaurants
and bars to demonstrate that
Photo by Noah Fecks
Astoria is more than just a
sleepy, working-class neighborhood
across the river
from Manhattan.”
To celebrate Sweet Afton’s
success, Curtin decided that
a refreshing re-design was
in order.
“I firmly believe you’ve
always got to be reinventing
yourself as a business. You
stand still, you die: it’s always
important to be relevant as the
world changes around you,”
he said.
“But at the core, I don’t
think Sweet Afton has changed
at all. Our original regulars
have grown up a bit, but essentially
we are the same Sweet
Afton that opened 10 years
ago, with the same principles:
great food, great drinks and
great staff in a friendly, welcoming
atmosphere.”
Designer Kris Moran, who
has worked as set decorator
for director/screenwriter Wes
Anderson — in addition to other
projects, like Todd Phillips’
upcoming “Joker” film with
Joaquin Phoenix (out in October)
— was the creative mind
behind the bar’s amazing
facelift. Subtle, cool changes
that enlivened the space include
a mural inspired by the
River Afton (by Brooklyn artist
Mackenzie Younger), tile
mosaics on the floor, vintage
light fixtures that bring out
the warm wood, and more.
Read more at QNS.com
Tues. & Wed. $1895
1 1/4 lb. Lobster, Clams, and Mussels
Served with Corn on the Cob
and Baked Potato
with Purchase of 2 Cocktails,
2 Wines or 2 Beers
TIMESLEDGER,32 SEPT. 20-26, 2019 QNS.COM
/QNS.com
/QNS.COM
