WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES DECEMBER 8, 2016 21 ARTS & LEISURE Sci-fi inspired cocktail bar thrives on Ridgewood border BY SUZANNA HELDRING EDITORIAL@RIDGEWOODTIMES.COM @SUZYHELDRING Jupiter Disco, the new concept cocktail bar recently opened on Flushing Avenue off the Jeff erson Street L train stop, is defi nitely worth a visit if you haven’t been already! Owners Al Sotack and Maks Pazuniak are career mixologists and longtime friends who share a passion for music and records, sci-fi, and craft cocktails. Al worked at cocktail bar The Franklin down in Philly, and Makz previously at Maison Premiere in Williamsburg and the two “had a shared mutual respect for each other’s work as bartenders” when they started talking bar-opening. What started as a “drunk talk” became a dream in the works of realization when Al moved to the city and the two began scouting locations. The bar has little to no outdoor signage or obvious indication it’s even there to begin with, but that’s part of its charm. Inside you’ll fi nd a small, dark space with booth seating, a DJ stand, and dim-colored lights. The cocktails are written on TV screens, a “digital menu,” in 1980s green-on-black text style. The whole concept of the bar was inspired by the pair’s love of music and sci-fi , and you see nods to this all over, such as in said menu or their exceptional sound system and vinyl setup. This menu, written entirely by Al and Maks, can, and sometimes does, change daily. It is all synced to their website as well so you can check the night’s specials before you commit. Cocktails range from $11-$13, well drinks $7, and beers from $7-$10, depending on what is available from their constantly rotating draught and can selection. They also have guests DJs spinning every evening Thursday through Saturday. Whether you are a fan of vinyl, sci-fi , or great cocktails, check it out! This article fi rst appeared on BushwickDaily.com. SHIFT concert knocks down the doors in Maspeth BY ANTHONY GIUDICE AGIUDICE@RIDGEWOODTIMES.COM @A_GIUDICEREPORT You would think that the doors of a former door factory in the heart of a small town’s industrial area would be sturdy, but the SHIFT concert, featuring talented up-and-coming artists and DJs, absolutely blew the doors off the Knockdown Center in Maspeth on Saturday night, Dec. 3. The concert was headlined by Brooklyn’s 23-year-old hip-hop sensation Young M.A. She was joined by fellow Brooklynites funk-rock-soul fusion quintet The Skins, Kodie Shane, Asmara of NGUZUNGUZU, Matt Sebastian of WcKids, Hitmakerchinx, HU DAT, CurlySavv & Dah Dah, MISTA MISTA IAN JAY, Dollar Bin, and Antwan Duncan and Fresh Daily. The entire event was hosted by Judnikki. Each artist was given a short set, but they all made the most of their time on the stage, getting the audience jumping and moving. Young M.A. dazzled the crowd with her sensational beats, and The Skins got the audience rocking with some punk jams. The 50,000-square-foot Knockdown Center comfortably held the crowd of people who migrated to the front of the stage for the show. The sound system allowed the music to fi ll the massive venue, from the stage, all the way to the bar area, but was never overbearing on the ears. Speaking of the bar area, the Knockdown Center has two separate bars, one in the main section of the venue to serve concertgoers and visitors of the various arts events held throughout the year, and one inside the building’s open atrium — called the Ready Room. The Ready Room made for the perfect place for a respite from the concert in the much larger main area, and has all the off erings of a full bar including wallet-friendly drink specials, delicious cocktails and draft beers, as well as a food menu featuring tasty roasted pepper tamales, veggie chili, chips and queso, and nachos. The vegetarian chili — priced at $8 — was chock full of all types of beans and was served with a helping of crunchy tortilla chips to scoop the chili. While the Ready Room is a more intimate bar, it does come fully equipped with its own DJ and small dance fl oor for those looking to boogie the night away. The Knockdown Center has plenty more events slated for the end of the year. To fi nd out more about the Knockdown Center, located at 52-19 Flushing Ave., and their various events, visit http://www.knockdown.center. Photos by Anthony Giudice/RIDGEWOOD TIMES The Knockdown Center in Maspeth hosted the explosive SHIFT concert on Saturday, Dec. 3.
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