Nowadays

Nowadays, Glendale: Worth the Trip to Queens?

Getting into Nowadays is not the problem. Unlike the reservation-only cocktail rooms dominating lower Manhattan, this Glendale venue operates with a walk-in-friendly approach that makes it accessible on most nights. The harder question is whether the journey out to 56-06 Cooper Ave rewards the effort — and for the right visitor, it does.

Nowadays sits in Glendale, Queens, a neighbourhood that sees far fewer bar tourists than Williamsburg or the Lower East Side. That distance from the obvious circuit is, depending on your perspective, either the point or the problem. If you want a bar that feels genuinely embedded in its community rather than curated for an Instagram audience, Nowadays delivers. If you are looking for a quick post-dinner drink near Midtown, it does not.

What the Drinks Program Tells You

The ambition of a bar's cocktail program is often the most honest signal of what a venue actually values. At Nowadays, the drinks operation is tied directly to the venue's outdoor, open-air identity — this is a bar that pairs its program with a large outdoor space and a DJ-driven nightlife format. That combination tells you something specific: the cocktails here are built for movement and socialising, not for slow contemplative sipping at a counter. Think accessible, crowd-friendly execution rather than the technically exacting, ingredient-led work you find at Amor y Amargo or the precision pours at Angel's Share.

That is not a criticism. A cocktail program designed for a 2,000-capacity outdoor venue serves a different function than a 40-seat craft bar, and Nowadays is honest about what it is. The drinks support the experience rather than defining it. If cocktail depth and technical specificity are your primary criteria, Attaboy NYC or Amor y Amargo will satisfy you more directly. If you want a well-run open-air venue with a credible bar operation and a strong music program, Nowadays is one of the better options in New York for exactly that format.

Practical Details

Reservations: Walk-ins generally available; check the venue website for ticketed events, which require advance purchase. Dress: Casual , this is an outdoor, music-forward space. Getting there: The Glendale address (56-06 Cooper Ave) is reachable by subway and bus from central Brooklyn and Queens; allow 30–45 minutes from Midtown Manhattan. Group size: The large outdoor footprint makes Nowadays one of the more practical options in New York for larger groups who want a shared nightlife experience without private-dining logistics. Budget: No pricing data is confirmed, but the accessible, high-volume format typically tracks below the premium craft bar tier.

For broader context on where Nowadays fits within New York's bar scene, see our full New York City bars guide. If you are planning a wider trip, our New York City restaurants guide and hotels guide cover the full picture. For those travelling further afield and seeking similar ambitious bar experiences, Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Jewel of the South in New Orleans, and Julep in Houston represent the same commitment to a specific venue identity done with real conviction.

The Verdict

Book Nowadays if you want an outdoor, music-led night out in New York that operates outside the usual Manhattan bar circuit. Do not book it expecting the cocktail depth of a craft-focused room. The venue is clear about its format, and that clarity is worth respecting. For a night that prioritises atmosphere and scale over drink precision, it earns its following.