You are reading

The Beast Next Door to open late November

beastOct. 28, 2014 By Michael Florio

The beast is coming soon to LIC.

The Beast Next Door, a neighborhood café and bar located at 42-51 27th Street, is set to open in about a month.

It will be a café by day and a full bar by night, according to owner John Veenema.

The menu will consist of combination plates, which will include Italian cured meats and French cheeses–served with bread, slices of fruit and nuts. There will also be sandwiches, salads and pastries.

“We want to serve high quality food items,” Veenema said. “There will be no fried food served here.”

To drink, Veenema said he will have four beers on tap, which will consist of two light and two heavier beers.

He said that he is considering beer brewed by the Rockaway Brewing Company.

beast4There will also be a full liquor bar and a variety of wine.

Veenema said he is in the final stage of opening the bar. He is currently hiring staff, ordering drinks, as well as purchasing supplies such as glasses.

He said there will be a grand opening event, perhaps with live music, but the details still have to be worked out.

Veenema, who has a background in visual arts, has gone to great length in designing the cafe/bar. Inside, hangs an old chandelier and placed alongside the walls are old church pews, which will be used as benches. Meanwhile, the tables are made out of salvaged pallets and even a wooden prison door.

The café/bar also features a raised area toward the back of the establishment, which will serve as a seating area at times and as an area for live music.

Along the back wall there is a woodcut Turkish design mural, which Veenema made himself.

“The bar will be elegant and have a romantic feel,” he said. “I want people to feel comfortable here, to have a conversation, and for people to get to know one another.”

The café/bar has room for about 74 people, and while there won’t be sidewalk seating there will be French-style doors, which will open up to the street.

“It will feel like you are outside on nice days,” Veenema said.

This is Veenema’s first bar, but he has experience in the industry as he previously worked at Block Star, a Manhattan bar that has since closed.

Veenema, who is originally from Canada, has lived in LIC for the past five years. Prior to that, he spent 15 years living in Manhattan.

Veenema said there is a great deal of interest in his establishment.

“I can’t go outside without people stopping me and asking me when will it open,” he said.

He added that his café/bar is in a section of Long Island City that is undergoing a great deal of development, yet still offers limited options for residents. He hopes to create a friendly environment where customers will come in and know one another.

“We want to be a place where residents can come and have a conversation,” he said. “It will be a place to come, hang out and relax.”

He knew he wanted to open his business in Long Island City and landed on this location once he was able to obtain the lease–as most property owners were looking to sell, not rent.

beast1

dunkin'Meanwhile, in other news, signage for a Dunkin’ Donuts has gone up at 44-80 21st Street.

The sign caught the attention of students passing by who shouted: “Yes! Can’t wait for it to open.”

 

 

email the author: news@queenspost.com

7 Comments

Click for Comments 
Tom

I give it 6 months at best. Another no restaurant/bar experienced owner trying to open because he thinks he can make it look cool.

Reply
Chad

Awesome. I hope there is wifi, would be a great work spot for lunch into the afternoon (and some evenings)!

Reply
Adam

The beast looks like it can be a cool spot. Not looking forward to Dunkin Donuts though. F the chains! I want local businesses in LIC. Don’t support them!

Reply

Leave a Comment
Reply to this Comment

All comments are subject to moderation before being posted.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Recent News

May races in Queens: JFK Airport 5K, Forest Park trail classic and a Queensborough 5K

May. 16, 2025 By Paulina Albarracin

The energy of May is on full display across Queens, with a lineup of local races that invite runners of all levels to hit the pavement and the trails. With mild temperatures and sunny skies setting the stage, it’s the perfect time to take advantage of the spring weather before the summer heat sets in. From the Forest Park 4 Mile Road and Trail Classic to the festive Great Hawaiian Luau 5K at Flushing Meadows-Corona Park, these events offer more than just a workout—they foster community spirit and personal growth. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen before lacing up and heading out. Whether you’re a seasoned runner or new to the sport, these May races offer a chance to challenge yourself and connect with others in motion.

Mayor Adams marks one year of ‘Padlock to Protect’ with pizza and progress in Queens

Mayor Eric Adams marked the one-year anniversary of the launch of the city’s “Operation Padlock to Protect” initiative at a pizzeria on the Rego Park and Middle Village border on Wednesday and touted the significant progress in shutting down more than 1,400 illegal smoke shops across the five boroughs and seizing more than $95 million in illegal product since last May.

“The city was fed up. We heard it at every town hall. This time last year, there were thousands of illegal smoke shops plaguing our city with unlicensed cannabis endangering our children,” Adams said. “One year later, we are proud to announce that we have turned the tide. Thanks to the tireless efforts by our city’s law enforcement officers, we’ve padlocked thousands of illegal shops and created safer streets for children and families. But we’re not stopping there.”