Beer, Wine & Spirits in Long Island City

Countless fiber-optic cables comprise a titanic custom chandelier in Vango Lounge & Sky Bar’s main dining room, casting a glow over tufted-velvet walls and plates of Japanese continental cuisine. During a typical meal, yellowtail and grilled vegetables may top small plates of crostini, and wasabi mashed potatoes sidle up to larger entrees such as braised-beef short ribs in sweet teriyaki sauce. As chefs compose eel and avocado rolls or slice delicate pieces of salmon sushi, bartenders mix specialty cocktails, such as the Sundance with Absolut Raspberri and Godiva white-chocolate liqueur. Luxe decorations—including wall nooks that display sleek bottles of vodka and a wall that holds 200 inlaid fresh roses every night—dapple the 8,000-square-foot lounge. Upstairs on the roof deck, revelers can admire the surrounding skyline from a seat at the bar, boogie on the dance floor to nightly DJs, or secretly read comic books under the covers of king-size lounge beds.

In a converted brick electrical plant where machines once hummed and pumped power to the railroad, streams of craft brews flow into glass jugs branded with the Growlers Beer Bistro logo. The New York Times-praised gastropub has earned a spot among the 31 best bars in the county, according to Westchester Magazine, and boasts an ever-changing draft list that has featured Brooklyn Brewery reserves, Two Brothers’ Midwestern suds, and Smuttynose ales. Bartenders funnel the liquid gold into pints as well as half-gallon growlers for at-home enjoyment.

Growlers’ seasonal cuisine menu is designed to harmonize with the current selection of brews and features upscale pub fare, such as the Devils on Horseback—bacon-wrapped prunes stuffed with blue cheese and featured as Westchester Magazine's Dish of the Week. The hearty fare also includes a burger of beef, pork, and veal topped with a relish of bacon, onions, and pickles.

The building's industrial past shines through with accents of exposed brick and ceiling beams, complemented by decorative additions that include a polished concrete floor, a long communal table, and reclaimed barn wood that frame an illuminated wall. Along with their Tuesday–Friday "Hoppy" Hour, the pub hosts regular events throughout the week, from Tuesday trivia nights to Friday ladies’ nights with live DJs, open only to those given the style “lady” by Queen Elizabeth II. Saturdays feature live music, and the kitchen now serves brunch on Sundays. Occasional classes douse gray matter in beer knowledge, including food-pairing advice and brewing tips, and brewery events are held the second Thursday of every month.

True to its name, Just Grapes Lounge focuses on wines, with more than 30 vintages poured by the glass and 18 more varieties sequestered on a reserve bottle list. Microbrews, champagnes, and ports round out the lounge's full bar, complementing a Mediterranean-tinged tapas menu. Small plates, ranging from hummus and crostini to stuffed baked clams, are ideal for smothering appetites or boosting a tiny table's self-esteem. Three styles of rustic pizza artfully pair tomatoes with cheese, whereas molten fondue, served in a bread bowl, comes in varieties including gorgonzola and double-cream brie.

At Wine Legend, owner Mahesh Lekkala and his team of wine enthusiasts introduce oenophiles and first-time sippers to sundry varietals from around the world. The shop’s selection features a massive inventory of reds and whites from Italy, France, Australia, and California. Wine Legend’s consultants help patrons pair wines with meals or tiny ships to build inside the bottles. Wine tastings are available in the shop on Saturday afternoons and can set up tastings at offsite events in homes or offices, paired with house-prepared platters of cheese, crackers, and breads.