London Is Getting A Rockaways-Themed Bar
As if further evidence were needed of the international spread of Brooklyn-branded (or in this case, Queens-branded) everything—Brooklyn Bowl’s Las Vegas branch opened its doors this weekend, after all—this morning’s headlines bring one more thing to add to the pile: the opening of a Rockaways-themed bar in London.
Rockawayist reported on Shoreditch bar-slash-gallery Far Rockaway (hat tip to Curbed for the link), which opened its doors back in October. From the bar’s website:
“Opened on Friday 11th October, visually stunning new venue Far Rockaway brings New York’s compelling urban culture to the heart of Shoreditch. Named after the buzzing Queens NY resort that enjoyed huge popularity in the late 50s and early 60s, Far Rockaway occupies a 400-capacity space on Shoreditch’s lively Curtain Road.”
“The bar food is NY snack-style, featuring pizza by the slice to eat in or go. A rotisserie oven will prepare spit-roasted organic chicken and suckling pig. More menu highlights include slow roasted baby back cola ribs, blackened salmon fillets, pulled five-spice duck and traditional Knickerbocker Glory desserts.”
The bar’s run by New York ex-pat George Dowling, and apparently pretty committed to a reasonable level of authenticity; Rockawayist notes that Dowling sent his staff to Denino’s in Staten Island for pizza-making lessons, and also snagged himself one of those neon Rockaway Playland signs. Goes without saying they’ve got a few different Brooklyn Brewery beers on offer, too. A little less recognizable? The drinks menu, which includes concoctions with names like the, “Hot Bitch,” “Peanut Butter Cup,” and Cointreau-laced “Dark Side of the Moon.” But then, if their giant bowls of boozy punch started showing up at bars in the actual Rockaways, we probably wouldn’t complain.
Follow Virginia K. Smith on Twitter @vksmith.