Car Rentals
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New York Car Rentals and the Bohemian Hall
What better way to spend a summer in New York than to park your New York car rental for the day and lounge outside in the warm summer air, eating and relaxing with a drink, while taking in the sights and sounds of Bohemian life. There is only one place this can be enjoyed, and that's at The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden! Located at 29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria, Queens, the beer garden is the last large outdoor beer garden in New York City, and one of the best places to visit in Queens. This may not be obvious when passing by in your New York car rental, however once you enter the beer garden you are welcomed to a wide-open space, surrounded by a high walls, seating several hundred people comfortably at picnic tables shaded by big old trees.
How Bohemian Hall Began
In the late 1800's, as many Czech and Slovaks fled the oppression of Austria-Hungary, they made their way to America. Many such people found a home in Astoria, Queens.
In 1892, the Bohemian Citizens' Benevolent Society was formed, named after the medieval Kingdom of Bohemia in the Holy Roman Empire. Eighteen years later, in 1910, the Society began raising funds for a home for the Czech people in the community. It was to be a haven where the traditions of the homeland would be maintained.
By 1919, what now stands as the Bohemian Hall was completed, but just in time for prohibition which banned the sale of alcoholic beverages in America for over a decade! The welcoming atmosphere and culture of the hall was enough to keep people coming and it managed to stay running even today. In fact, where there were once over 800 beer gardens in New York City, there now only stands one - The Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden. This is one place that you cannot afford to miss during your New York car rentals vacation!
What You Can Expect from The Bohemian Hall
Right in the heart of urban Astoria, the Bohemian Hall's proud facade looks like the Czech and Slovak cultural center that it is. A narrow entrance leads into a dark room with a nice wooden bar and booths. As you make your way to the right through the bar, you walk out to the amazing garden.
Although summer is a popular time to visit the Hall, as the beer garden opens for the season in the spring with the warm weather, there are still events throughout the year that are fun for the entire family! You can always count on live music, both inside the dining hall and outdoors on the stage. Be sure to call ahead or check the Hall's website for special events and cover charges.
If your New York car rentals vacation has you visiting during the summer however, then be sure to stay for Memorial Day weekend, as the Bohemian Hall hosts the largest Memorial Day Weekend's Czech and Slovak Festival. This two-day festival of folk dancing, brass band music, and beer drinking, will surely be the highlight of your New York car rentals trip!
There's More!
Not only can you get $12 pitchers of great Czech beer such as Pilsner Urquell, Staropramren and Krusovice, but you can also take in a great mean before continuing out on your New York car rentals adventure. Just some of the house specialities include kielbasa, chicken paprikash, Prague cutlet, potato pancakes, all served with knedle, or "Czech dumplings". Goulash, barbecued kielbasas and savory crepes are also a favorite. But probably the best known entrée available at the Bohemian hall has to be the fried cheese, with the slice of ham in the middle and the tartar sauce on the side.
