Astoria’s Beloved Hell Gate Social Is Back… For One Night Only

We know some of our readers remember the late, great Hell Gate Social, a bar that set up shop in an old Greek restaurant on Astoria Blvd between 12th and 14th Streets—out in the western reaches of Astoria. It opened in 2006 and closed in 2013; it was a good 7-years. For a long time, the only indication that there was anything in operation there was three red lights burning hight above the front door—which didn’t really look much like a door, either. Eventually they put up a sign outside that read, “Hell Gate Social,” but the semi-secret nature of things was part of the original charm.

I still miss their cool, dark environment, the friendly staff, the Hell Gate Social Lemonade, Guitar Hero/Rock Band evenings, movie nights, community gatherings, and the pig roasts in the backyard year after year. A lot of people miss the place, too, so the news of a Hell Gate Social reunion on Wednesday, January 25 at 7pm is a welcome one!

It makes sense that William Hallet is the home for this event—George Rallis, who runs William Hallet, was also the owner of Hell Gate Social. Here’s the info from their Facebook post:

“Get ready for Rock Band, Miller High Life & the crappiest shot of whisky shot, Burlesque, Hell Gate Social Lemonade, NASCAR chili, The Hell Gate Turkey Sandwich, David Gillen bitching about something or other.

Guest Bartenders (in no particular order) Sal Milazzo, April Rose, Rebekah Payton, John Elezovic, Eleni Evileni Koutsouradis, Morgan Jenna and whoever else shows up. Make sure you take the next day off because you’ll need it.”

George also tells us that they be dressing up the place to look like the exterior of Hell Gate Social (here’s hoping for those red lights). Sweet Magma, Hell Gate Social’s unofficial house band, will be playing, too.

See you there Wednesday night!

Hell Gate Social Reunion at William Hallet
36-10 30th Ave, Astoria
7pm