New Cocktail Bar Coming To Ditmars Boulevard

Nov. 9, 2015 By Michael Florio

A new bar serving cocktails and local brews will open soon on Ditmars Boulevard.

The Ditty, located at 35-03 Ditmars Blvd., is set to open this month, perhaps in the next two weeks, according to owner Steven Duran.

Duran said a cocktail menu is in the works and the bar will also serve local beer, from breweries including SingleCut Beersmiths and LIC Beer Project.

The bar will also serve food, although Duran is keeping the menu under wraps. However, he did say the bar would not serve the usual chicken wings, burgers and French fries.

“There will be bar-style food, but not the typical items,” he said.

Though the bar’s name sounds like it may have come from the Ditmars Boulevard location, Duran said this similarity was a coincidence.

“A ditty is a short, simple melody or tune,” he said. “That’s what we want to be, an easy going, neighborhood bar.”

Duran has worked with bars for the past 14 years, both as a manager and bartender. He has wanted to open his own bar for years. This is the first bar he has opened.

He knew that he wanted to open a bar in Astoria and said he had his eye on this location – which was formerly occupied by The Blvd – for some time.

“I have walked along Ditmars [Boulevard] for the past three years and always had my eye on this location,” he said. “Once it opened up I couldn’t pass on the opportunity.”

Duran has lived in the area for the past six years. He grew up in Woodside, but said he always frequently visited the neighborhood, so he knew he wanted to open his first bar here.

“Astoria is a great neighborhood,” he said. “It is very busy and home to some great people and businesses.”

The bar will be able to seat up to 60 people. It will be open until 4 a.m., seven days a week, according to Duran. He is still working out what time the bar will open.