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.

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User Reviews (20)

ambiance	100.0% positive	“nice atmosphere,good” “always got enough crowd to give it atmosphere, good tunes.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “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.” “If your looking for a great place to chat and drink this is the spot.” “awesome neighborhood bar” “The bar staff were attentive and friendly, as were the couple of locals we shared some chat with.” “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).” “great, great food at cafe bar.” “The music is cool, the drinks are great but make sure you don't expose your bare skin to the vinyl sofas, OUch.” “The drinks are good and the food is delicious.”
food quality	81.25% positive	“food/drinks. their staff is about the worst i have ever experienced in any establishment including the dmv.” “The drinks are good and the food is delicious.” “The menu is good if a little overpriced, and the food does take a while to come out.” “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.” “Very bad service but great food.” “The mimosas are fantastic, and I've never been disappointed with a dish here.” “food is very fresh and very good.” “great, great food at cafe bar.”
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	“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.” “It's a great place to sit and relax at pretty much any time of the day.”
service	68.75% positive	“would recommend this place for everything except the service.” “Very bad service but great food.” “kid you not--I've been to Cafe Bar and the place would be very cool if it wasn't for the service situation.” “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.” “Ultra friendly atmosphere” “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.” “The bar staff were attentive and friendly, as were the couple of locals we shared some chat with.” “This place is just plane terrible when it comes to prices and service.” “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.” “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 :)” “food/drinks. their staff is about the worst i have ever experienced in any establishment including the dmv.” “The place is good if you don't mind horrible service.” “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 bad waiter is gone, and the new staff is great.”
value	60.0% positive	“This place is just plane terrible when it comes to prices and service.” “Weekends they do have some good brunch, but wow no free mimosa or coffee at such a high price IN Astoria?” “and you thought manhattan was expensive.” “The menu is good if a little overpriced, and the food does take a while to come out.” “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.” “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.” “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.”

04/21/11

cafe bar is awesome!

by Cecco at Citysearch

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.

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06/04/10

awesome neighborhood bar

by julmarcla at Citysearch

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

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09/29/09

love this place

by onlyonethe at Citysearch

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

Pros: best quiet place in astoria...

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04/25/09

Burger at the Bar

by chefnap01 at Citysearch

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

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10/05/08

Great brunch spot!

by Vanny66 at Citysearch

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.

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Monikas Cafe Bar

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What People Are Saying About Monikas Cafe Bar

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Editor's Tips

04/21/11

cafe bar is awesome!

by Cecco at Citysearch

06/04/10

awesome neighborhood bar

by julmarcla at Citysearch

09/29/09

love this place

by onlyonethe at Citysearch

04/25/09

Burger at the Bar

by chefnap01 at Citysearch

10/05/08

Great brunch spot!

by Vanny66 at Citysearch

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