Monikas Cafe Bar

In Short – The devoted local crowd appreciates the bar's eclectic eats, extensive cocktail selection and funky interior. The mismatched, space-age decor--chrome lighting fixtures, beaded curtains, Lucite chairs--is culled from area flea markets, second-hand stores and even the street, while owner Monica Contantinides encourages her staff to contribute its own aesthetic sensibilities. During the day, the emphasis is on the menu of salads, sandwiches, wraps and crepes, with a Mediterranean flare. At night, it transforms into the bar.

Editor's Tips

When to Go:: There's live music on Tuesdays, a DJ on Saturdays and intermittent movie nights.
Know Before You Go:: If you're longing for a midnight snack, better order before the clock strikes. The kitchen closes at 12am.
The Extras:: Cafe Bar offers cheap Internet access and a bookshelf full of novels for old-school entertainment.

Write a Review

User Reviews (20)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“is great looking and very comfortable but can't save its very poor service (you can wait 20 minutes for someone to even take your order) and the incredible concert-volume thump thump thump of the speakers.” “nice atmosphere,good” “The Eurogals and guys that work there are fun and if you hangout long enuff you might even find other interesting people to talk to you.” “always got enough crowd to give it atmosphere, good tunes.” “Ultra friendly atmosphere”
drinks	90.0% positive	“food/drinks. their staff is about the worst i have ever experienced in any establishment including the dmv.” “The bar staff were attentive and friendly, as were the couple of locals we shared some chat with.” “great, great food at cafe bar.” “If your looking for a great place to chat and drink this is the spot.” “The drinks are good and the food is delicious.” “We like the eclectic look of the place, which is a lot different from most other Queens bars (i.e. it doesn't have 4 televisions over the bar).” “awesome neighborhood bar” “Weekends they do have some good brunch, but wow no free mimosa or coffee at such a high price IN Astoria?” “the cafe must be the best place in Ny to be anytime of the day from morning coffee with chris to lunch, bunch and after work there is always some the you know and the staff are good people, but it might take one or two visits to see it.” “The music is cool, the drinks are great but make sure you don't expose your bare skin to the vinyl sofas, OUch.”
food quality	81.25% positive	“The mimosas are fantastic, and I've never been disappointed with a dish here.” “food is very fresh and very good.” “Very bad service but great food.” “The drinks are good and the food is delicious.” “great, great food at cafe bar.” “If you order food here, you'll have to wait 60-90 minutes to get it--even if the place isn't busy and the dish isn't complicated--and what you get won't be worth the wait.” “food/drinks. their staff is about the worst i have ever experienced in any establishment including the dmv.” “The menu is good if a little overpriced, and the food does take a while to come out.”
menu variety	100.0% positive	“The menu is good if a little overpriced, and the food does take a while to come out.”
overall	100.0% positive	“It's a great place to sit and relax at pretty much any time of the day.” “If your looking for a great place to chat and drink this is the spot.” “the cafe must be the best place in Ny to be anytime of the day from morning coffee with chris to lunch, bunch and after work there is always some the you know and the staff are good people, but it might take one or two visits to see it.”
service	68.75% positive	“Ultra friendly atmosphere” “went back a few weeks ago and I have to say that it's still a fabulous place AND the staff are super friendly and attentive now :)” “The bad waiter is gone, and the new staff is great.” “Up until last fall they had a great and attentive staff who were capable and friendly and knew we were regulars.” “food/drinks. their staff is about the worst i have ever experienced in any establishment including the dmv.” “Then they disappeared, and seem to have been replaced by just one awful waiter who would sit down while taking our order and was somewhat disrespectful at times.” “The bar staff were attentive and friendly, as were the couple of locals we shared some chat with.” “would recommend this place for everything except the service.” “The place is good if you don't mind horrible service.” “is great looking and very comfortable but can't save its very poor service (you can wait 20 minutes for someone to even take your order) and the incredible concert-volume thump thump thump of the speakers.” “Very bad service but great food.” “Sure, the service is a bit slow, but I find that to be the case with most places in Astoria, so it doesn't bother me at all.” “the cafe must be the best place in Ny to be anytime of the day from morning coffee with chris to lunch, bunch and after work there is always some the you know and the staff are good people, but it might take one or two visits to see it.” “The Eurogals and guys that work there are fun and if you hangout long enuff you might even find other interesting people to talk to you.” “This place is just plane terrible when it comes to prices and service.” “kid you not--I've been to Cafe Bar and the place would be very cool if it wasn't for the service situation.”
value	60.0% positive	“and you thought manhattan was expensive.” “This place is just plane terrible when it comes to prices and service.” “The menu is good if a little overpriced, and the food does take a while to come out.” “Weekends they do have some good brunch, but wow no free mimosa or coffee at such a high price IN Astoria?” “If you order food here, you'll have to wait 60-90 minutes to get it--even if the place isn't busy and the dish isn't complicated--and what you get won't be worth the wait.”
wait time	75.0% positive	“The Eurogals and guys that work there are fun and if you hangout long enuff you might even find other interesting people to talk to you.” “is great looking and very comfortable but can't save its very poor service (you can wait 20 minutes for someone to even take your order) and the incredible concert-volume thump thump thump of the speakers.” “Sure, the service is a bit slow, but I find that to be the case with most places in Astoria, so it doesn't bother me at all.” “If you order food here, you'll have to wait 60-90 minutes to get it--even if the place isn't busy and the dish isn't complicated--and what you get won't be worth the wait.”

04/21/11

cafe bar is awesome!

by Cecco

Cafe Bar has improved BIG TIME !! The new staff is definitely much much better, the service is really attentive and yes, the food takes a little while, but is really fresh and super delish, try the skirt steak salad or the tilapia or the cold cuts and cheeses platter.

We've tried this place many times and i must say, Cafe Bar has improved big time ! Last Saturday we had the best time EVER, the live music was awesome, the wait staff was excellent, it was an ugly, rainy, cold night, but at Cafe Bar was summer all over.

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

06/04/10

awesome neighborhood bar

by julmarcla

My husband and I visit Cafe Bar about once a week, and it's definitely our go-to spot. The drinks are good and the food is delicious. Their patio is really nice (but tough to get a table) in good weather. We like the eclectic look of the place, which is a lot different from most other Queens bars (i.e. it doesn't have 4 televisions over the bar).

Cafe Bar seems to have gone through some upheaval lately. Up until last fall they had a great and attentive staff who were capable and friendly and knew we were regulars. Then they disappeared, and seem to have been replaced by just one awful waiter who would sit down while taking our order and was somewhat disrespectful at times. Then they did the renovation, and there is a new staff. The bad waiter is gone, and the new staff is great. I am not sure I love the renovation, but we still go there all the time and are glad that they seem to have sorted out their issues with their waitstaff. I love Cafe Bar!

Pros: drink & food menu, staff, relaxed atmosphere, weird decor
Cons: slow and erratic service

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

09/29/09

love this place

by onlyonethe

already going there more than 2 years-and everytime is nice crowed,nice meals...overall cool place !

Pros: best quiet place in astoria...

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

04/25/09

Burger at the Bar

by chefnap01

The bartender ruined my experience. He was rude and pretentious. He told me I had to be patient he was busy when he avoided giving me my change for 10 minutes.

Pros: Decent Burger
Cons: Obnoxious Bartender

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

10/05/08

Great brunch spot!

by Vanny66

I love going here for brunch, especially when the weather is nice enough to allow outdoor seating. The mimosas are fantastic, and I've never been disappointed with a dish here. Sure, the service is a bit slow, but I find that to be the case with most places in Astoria, so it doesn't bother me at all.

helpful (0) not helpful (0) comment share

Write a Review

See more Monikas Cafe Bar reviews

Monikas Cafe Bar

Hours:

Category:

Payment Methods:

Bar & Club Special Features:

Smoking Permitted:

What People Are Saying About Monikas Cafe Bar

Contributor

Contributor

Editor's Tips

04/21/11

cafe bar is awesome!

by Cecco

06/04/10

awesome neighborhood bar

by julmarcla

09/29/09

love this place

by onlyonethe

04/25/09

Burger at the Bar

by chefnap01

10/05/08

Great brunch spot!

by Vanny66

The Details on Monikas Cafe Bar

Place Categories:

Things To Do Nearby Monikas Cafe Bar

Lists In Queens

Recent Reviews In Queens

More Info

Contact

More Navigation

Partner Sites: