Pint&Pen&Paper Week 128 (Vol I)
If I Got It
If I Got It
- Hutch Astoria (@hutch.astoria)
- Judy & Punch (@judyandpunchnyc)
- Maggie’s Hall (@maggiehallsastoria)
- YouTube Rabbithole
Alright @YouTheReader,
Today’s tune is Aaron Frazer’s If I Got It because it was on in the background at one of these many fine drinking establishments in Astoria, Queens, last December.
^This was me at the bar, remembering this song was used in an NFL Visa commercial supporting local businesses during COVID.
On to the pints…
#GuinnessChallengeSeason
Commonly Asked Questions
What the hell is “hashtag Guinness Challenge Season?”
I don’t know; it was invented after a Jets loss and quite a few pints on New Year’s Day of ‘23. The “Season” was supposed to last from New Year’s to Saint Patrick’s Day, but the bit has stuck for 128 weeks now.
What is a Guinness Challenge?
When you split the G of a proper pint of Guinness in one sip, it's fun. You should try it next time. See the picture above for reference.
Is there a difference between Guinness at different places?
Why yes, of course, great question. Guinness varies more than any other beer. It comes in all shapes and sizes, like bottles, cans, and drafts (draughts, as the Euros say it). A proper pour of Guinness is a work of art. Guinness kegs must be run quite a bit, and their lines must be cleaned extensively. As a self-proclaimed Guinness connoisseur, my 0.0 to 10.0 scale is extraordinarily nuanced, but for reference, the only perfect 10.0 will be at the Guinness Factory.
Hutch Astoria (@hutch.astoria) 12/7 ‘24
Service & Staff: A
Guinness: 4.0 (Standard Can)
Guinness Challenge: N/A (Tall Glass)
Song On In The Background: Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Back in Astoria, Queens, for a few pints of Guinness. It’s the Saturday of the College Football Conference Championships. Timothée Chalamet was on College GameDay giving out picks. I’m shocked he knows a knower of ball, but he took Miami (Ohio) in the MAC Championship, and they’re slaughtering Ohio on the Gridiron. The Hutch has a lovely Christmas tree with white lights in the corner and Christmas balls hanging from the ceiling. Against their exposed brick wall is a yellow neon light stating “‘Cause every time we Hutch,” paying homage to Cascada. Ellie is the bartender. The Hutch is a Croatian bar, and she recommends their Espresso Martini or Holiday Mule.
The Hutch has a Happy Hour during the work week from 2 to 7 PM with $5 Domestic Bottles and Well Drinks. On Sunday, June 22nd, Hutch will have Joe Rayome performing live presented by the Astoria Music Collective. They’ll also have more live performances the rest of the summer. A cool spot, The Hutch specialize in Croatian dishes paired with classic drink cocktails!
Judy & Punch (@judyandpunchnyc) 12/7 ‘24
Service & Staff: A
Guinness: 7.6
Guinness Challenge: Count It! ✅
Song On In The Background: All the Young Dudes by Mott The Hoople
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: The smell of buttery popcorn smacks you in the face as soon as you walk into the bar. Smells great. I spotted a dog walking in, so the place is a pro-doggo institution. Behind the bar is a giant bathtub full of ice. They also have a massive painting of the shark from Jaws on the wall, along with a sheep and a wild boar’s head with sunglasses on. Their outdoor patio backyard is open in the warmer spring and summer months. Dina is the bartender. She said, “Punch and Judy rolls off the tongue. It also pays some homage to Coney Island.” The cool napkins with drawings hanging up were made by artistic patrons. Right before leaving, there was talk about the UHC CEO's assassination. “It’s crazy out here. The guy is still on the loose.”
This was a couple of days before Luigi went to McDonald’s so it was quite the talk of the town. Punch and Judy originated as a 17th century Italian puppet show over in between Punchinello and his wife Judy. The puppet play eventually made it’s way over to Great Britain and was performed for King Charles II in 1662. The famous play stuck around long enough to be performed at Coney Island in the 1880s. For modern sports references, the phrase is also used to describe baseball hitters that hit for high average with very little power. For instance, a famous Punch and Judy hitter would be Ichiro or Tony Grwynn. Today it would describe Luis Arraez and Steven Kwan type of hitters. Anywho, Judy and Punch in Astoria has excellent popcorn to pair with their 14 rotating draft selections. Cool spot and fun historic name!
Maggie Hall’s (@maggiehallsastoria) 12/7 ‘24
Service & Staff: A
Guinness: Forged Stout Substitute
Guinness Challenge: N/A (Forged Stout Pint Glass)
Song On In The Background: If I Got It by Aaron Frazer
Notes if you can’t read my sloppy scribble: Collin is the bartender. Craft beer spot, no Guinness, but they have Forged Irish Stout as a substitute. Nice teal paint on the walls of the hall. Maggie is a pretty solid name, too. They offer a Beer + Shot Special, pairing a beer with Misguided Whiskey for $4. Maggie’s Hall hosts Trivia Night on Mondays with $50 Gift Certificates for 1st Place. They also do a Wine Wednesday with $7 glasses and $25 bottles. Every Thursday night, they have live music starting at 8 PM. Maggie Hall’s is the sister bar of Judy and Punch next door.
A nice compliment next to Punch and Judy, Maggie Hall’s will be hosting a Candle Making Craft Night tonight from 7 PM to 9 PM ET. Enjoy one of their many craft beer selections or cocktails options at the candle-making workshop. For $45, you make your own custom-scented candle and enjoy a complimentary drink. Check out their website or socials for a spot. Very chill spot, they have plenty of more events booked this summer on their calendar too.
