out of concern for the server's employment, I won't mention which restaurant for now, but i recently learned that a specific restaurant in Astoria was acquired by a new owner and has started to collect the tips for themselves, and are not paid to the servers. so for a couple months now the new owner has been pocketing tips and haven't let their customers know either. even cash tips were told to servers to be forfeited.

I'm pretty sure this is very illegal but the employees are afraid they'll be retaliated against and get fired if anything gets reported. it seems they get paid under the table but im not 100% sure. what should be done about this? i feel like i have information i shouldn't but i also feel terrible for the servers because they're paid minimum wage. i know its technically not my circus to deal with but wanted to get some takes from the community. i used to be server and i hated hearing this.

Looking to have a really fun night of drinking and dancing with everyone in costume and maybe like less than $40 cover anywhere not just astoria. But realistically wish I had friends who threw parties!! If anyone has any recs for Halloween night parties, bars, etc I’d appreciate it. I love having fun but I just don’t know people like that!!

Last night around 10:30, I went to take out the garbage before bed. Since I'd spent most of the day sitting at my desk working, I figured I'd take a quick walk around the block to get some steps in.
I passed Diamond Dogs, and it was pretty lively, with a good crowd of people hanging out. It got me thinking about something I've wondered for a while: Are these the same people who are out at bars on weeknights regularly, or am I just catching different people on their occasional night out? (I know it’s different people, but I still wonder what’s the occasion the people are out for)

And if you're someone who's regularly out at 10:30 or 11 on a Wednesday night, what do you do for work? Do you not have to wake up early? Do you just function perfectly fine on less sleep?

I realize this probably makes me sound like an old man, but I'm only 33. I'm married, we have our first baby on the way, and we still go out and have plenty of fun. But whenever I'm walking around Astoria late at night and see packed bars and restaurants, I find myself wondering about the lives of everyone inside.
Obviously, it's NYC, and the nightlife is part of what makes living here great. I'm not judging anyone. I'm genuinely curious.

So, to the people I see out on random weeknights: Is this your normal routine, or did I just happen to walk past on your one night out that week, month, or even year?

Saw this today on Newtown and 31st st. Want to share with the hood. Hope he is safe.

Whats going in at Frescos tonight?

I'm a learner driver and have been practicing around the neighborhood for the last few weeks ... am I crazy or do emergency vehicles use their lights and sirens to get through traffic?

It's happened to me twice this week alone; Ill be sitting at a light or stop sign and an emergency vehicle will appear (once a fire engine and once an ambulance) all of a sudden put on their lights and sirens, blow past me/run a red light and then as soon as they are through any kind of hold up, their lights and sirens turn back off. Is there another reason for this?? or are they really using their lights to avoid traffic and cut in line? If thats the case it should be so heavily penalized imo they're literally teaching people that sirens don't really mean emergency.

Pls tell me if I'm crazy

Is anyone else having issues with Verizon Fios in the area? The outage map has been inconsistent, but I haven’t been able to connect with the internet all day. I’ve tried troubleshooting the best I can, but now luck.

Edit: Specifically in the Steinway St.-Astoria Blvd. area. Thanks!

Story from a few months ago but still pertinent. Yes, businesses should install ramps but there should be a guarantee somewhere that ramps will in fact go in.

Hi everybody, does anyone have a nearby tailor they use regularly for simple alterations like reducing inseam length or cutting long sleeve to short sleeve? I would appreciate any recommendations for a place, bonus points if it has a spacious fitting room. Thanks!

Hi neighbors! 🌈🥖

We're bringing free sourdough bread tastings to the 31st Avenue Open Street this Saturday in celebration of National Coming Out Day, and we'd love to see you there!

When: Saturday, October 17th, from 12:30 PM to 5 PM
Where: 31st Avenue Open Street in Astoria (corner of 33rd street)
What's happening: Drag performances, local vendors, and lots of community spirit!

We'll be there with samples of our handmade sourdough loaves, French baguettes, and focaccia, all baked fresh that morning. Everything is free to taste, and we'll also have bread available for purchase if you'd like to take some home.

Come celebrate love, community, and great bread with us! Stop by, say hello, enjoy the performances, and grab a bite. We can't wait to see you there! 🍞🇫🇷❤️

Come grab some fall florals this Sunday at Rosalie’s :)

I handed them to one of the park employees!

I was on my way to work and passed by this lady selling Mexican goods outside a deli. She had so many cute plates and mugs (could not resist picking a few up) and tons of incense sticks. Highly recommend checking her shop out, the lady says open every day and is located at Broadway & 38th Street.

Want to treat my staff to something this week or next. Looking for an easy place to grab a box of pastries (or something) on near 31st/Ditmars where I get on the train. Not looking for anything too pricey, but hoping for something a little more unique/Astoria-representing than Krispy Kreme.

I’m looking for a carpenter who can make a custom build out for a closet and possibly a bed frame (wouldn’t be visible) that bolts on to a vintage headboard I’ve got. Looking at traditional listings I seem only to be finding extremely gifted design oriented crafts people with correspondingly high looking prices. I want the kind of thing that my uncle RIP would have been able to do for me—nobody in my life left like that.

Hey Astoria 🙌

Our next producer meetup is happening next Tuesday, October 20 @ 6:30pm at Heart of Gold

Come hang out with other local music makers and talk production

All genres and experience levels welcome

Drop a comment or DM me if you’re interested. Hope to see some new faces 🙌

Does anyone have recommendations where I can donate a large quantity of books? I'm moving to a different apartment and need to lighten the amount of books I own. Any recommendations would be helpful. If you or anyone you know are interested in my collection, I can send you pictures and you're free to take what you wish! Thanks in advance all.

Does anyone have a recommendation for a shop where I can get my laptop screen repaired?

From their IG story - loving the REAL fall drink menu change!

I'm a Residential cleaner for 5yrs. Thorough /Detailed /Quality work. Client Satisfaction a priority. Top results. In Astoria. Available ASAP. Send a DM. Thanks.

Someone posted in this Reddit about how they will make your Halloween costume and I can’t find the post now :( any idea ??

I’ve never lived on a ground floor apt in NY. I’m on a quiet street. But if someone sat on another person’s shoulders, they could see into my apt. I’m still not used to feeling so exposed, I guess. I close my blinds and don’t sleep with window open. Am I being overreacting? Thanks!

Title says it all--I'm looking for the best restaurants in the area that let you pick your own seafood and have the staff cook it right there and then. Stuff like Astoria Seafood, Hamido Seafood, etc. It's hard to pick when there are so many different choices, so I'm curious about any other lesser-known places that people enjoy going to. Thanks in advance!

SLASHBACK 80s • 90s • 2000s HALLOWEEN // First drink free with purchased ticket // Local Bar in Ditmars-Steinway // Rock your favorite '80s, '90s, or 2000s fit!

Channel the grit and glamour of vintage NYC nightlife. DJ u/storiesinmusik takes over the decks for a high-voltage, genre-bending trip through the sounds that defined the eras: Disco, Post Punk, New Wave, Synth Pop, House and Dance music.

Looking to cultivate a Gen X community centered around the best music decades, all other age groups welcome too <3