Icon Bar

Favorite place to go first off the staff is amazing I was at the club last night Friday night that DJ had me in the dance floor all night and he was so hot anything that I wanted to hear he will play … The bartenders were amazing too very friendly that will def be my every Friday spot keep up the good work

Love this place. The music was fantastic and the staff was incredibly welcoming and warm. It was a quiet night, and rather than blowing off the few people there, everyone made a spcial effort to make sure the songs we wanted to hear were played, that our drinks were filled and we were dancing.
Really, everyone was very cool, and it should be especially said that Karina stood out in particular. She was the first to greet us and make sure we had a drink, She remained attentive the entire evening while also clearly ensuring everything was running smoothly from the business end. She didn’t ever lose her smile but it’s clear when one has been in that same position like I have, how very good she is at her job. she’s a star among a terrific staff.

Wow… awesome time. Staff is phenomenal. Owners are phenomenal. Best hangout in astoria.

Fun bar with very interactive bar staff and patrons.
It was a little quiet on the day that my partner and I went; it was a early week night, so I think the rest of Astoria were perhaps nursing weekend hangovers.
We got nice and friendly with the owner of the bar who was buying us rounds of shots, we were getting so much attention by the end of the night we had to sneak out of the bar.
I should also say that I’m Australian — and was hugely funny to hear people at the venue think that I was «Astorian». LOL
Be careful if you plan to use the mens room. Its missing a door.

Had a great time when I went, was very well taken care of by the people working there. They went above and beyond to make sure my friends and I were having fun! Will be back if I’m in Astoria.

Only giving it 3 stars because I didn’t stay long enough but I wanted to. Came on a Saturday night after I left another Astoria bar for a birthday. It was crowded and the music was good but only stayed for 2 drinks. Definitely gonna come back again with friends.

The 2 stars says it all.
If not, here you go. Place is really small and the restroom is always packed with, wait for it, the bartenders. I’m like, wtf are you guys doing always in the restroom? Of course I didn’t say that lol. The crowd isn’t that great, and if you’re thinking what I mean by that, go figure.

I recently went to Icon’s on a Wednesday night during happy hour. Upon entering we were
greeted by the bartender and served us our drinks promptly. What I liked about the place is that
the music wasn’t at a deafening level. I was able to have a conversation with my friend without shouting into each other’s ear. Now, I don’t know if that’s a consistent practice of the bar but I have to say it was very pleasant. I don’t know if the place draws a late night crowd during the week cause it was empty that evening. They also had a dancer on the bar after happy hour. I have to say it was very nice eye candy. I would definitely go again.

Stopped in tonight for Happy Hour for the first time. Rey at the Bar was very welcoming. Looking forward to coming here again the next time I’m visiting Astoria.
Domingo

Somebody checking this place with the liquor board? They served me a drink from a bottle that was definitely not the liquor it was labelled. I called them on it, and they poured a straight shot of it to smell/​taste it, with the manager admitting it was indeed not the liquor on the label. «It must be the higher end version of it. They must have filled it with the wrong thing.» I can tell you it was not. Refilling empty liquor bottles with other stuff? This place should be put out of business. Sketchy sketchy sketchy.
Edited to reply:
Thanks for taking the time to respond. You are correct I was not happy with the service. Your manager verbally confirmed to myself and the bartender that the bottle did not contain what was on the label (Jack Daniels), and the bartender agreed. Saying twice to myself and the staff that it was because «someone filled it up with the wrong thing downstairs.» So while the review may be judgy, I don’t consider it unfair. And the business practices are not «alleged» unless your manager was confused. Only repeating what I was told by the staff.

Bartender are awesome, owner is amazing, love this place but DJ is a piece of sh*t. Nobody was dancing, everyone was drunk and he refused to change the music. I went up to him and said hey let’s play this. Nope… at a queer bar he was so uptight. So regretfully yours gen

Two stars for the location. Bars need good bartenders that can make cocktails. Unfortunately don’t ask for more than a beer here. If you decide to risk it, be okay being served on cheap plastic glasses and terrible drinks. I do want the bar to stay but please hire friendly bartenders that can actually make drinks. It can be a great busy spot if that little detail (good drinks) can be addressed.

Just left there after ordering 3 drinks with my friends. There was NO ALCOHOL in my jack & ginger making it a very expensive ginger ale. The bartender serving it however was ridiculously hot. I’m hoping that it was an isolated experience as I have had some good times at Icon in the past and I love that there’s gay bar in Astoria.

Ive been here three times. I’ve never been to a bar where you have to beg for the bartenders attention. He’s too busy flirting with his perspective flings to tend bar and fill my cup. I’ve been waiting for a drink for a while. Adi the bartender likes to takes his time.
The first time I was here the owner let me buy him a shot without telling me he was the owner. It seemed very sketchy to let me buy the owner/​manager a Jamison shot without disclosing he drinks for free.
The drag show here was nice to see. A couple of Neighborhood «gurls». Gina Marie vitale was a sweetheart. The best part of the bar experience. Everyone else seemed to have an agenda.
I recommend you move on to another bar.

Went to Icon for my birthday this November and had a great time! The bartenders were super cute and great at what they did. And the dancers were hot! Brought two of my straight girlfriends with me and they had a great time too. Wonderful, welcoming atmosphere! Thumbs up!

Big changes are coming to this place. I am on the board of a social group that had a lot of trouble with a prior owner. Well, that owner is no longer involved, and the general manager issued us a full apology and announced several positive changes upcoming to the vibe and event schedule of this place.
I’m therefore writing an update in hopes that ICON becomes the positive-​attitude, neighborhood bar that it always had the potential to be. Astoria needs gay bars run by people who understand what an Astoria gay bar should be, and it looks like ICON is moving that direction!

Fun crowd, great atmosphere, and really sweet bartenders. They’re not pretentious like some manhattan gay bars.

I’m always a little cautious when going to gay clubs, as I’ve gotten stank eye at a few for being a straight girl in what some guys consider a private space. None of that issue at Icon. I felt so welcomed and had such great service the entire night. I came pretty early for a double bachelor party. ½ price drinks and fruit and cheese platters!
DJ honored the groom’s request for 90s /​00s pop, which was hilarious and so danceable. After happy hr drinks are standard NY prices, don’t think you’re getting out cheap for being in an outer borough.
Bathrooms aren’t fancy, but clean. Regular guests clearly aren’t used to having ladies around because I got walked in on several times.
The place started to fill up after 10 and by midnight things were in full swing (if ya know what I mean). Clothes came off the bartenders, dancers appeared, shots were being poured…
This spot doesn’t take itself too seriously. I know i’m in the right place when RuPaul comes on and multiple people know the choreo from the video. I apparently was having so much fun that the grooms went home and left me on the dance floor.
Icon: not just a great gay club, a great club overall.

Icon is the therapy of Astoria. It smells like a place that really cares about doing business right. There are so many bartenders it feels very easy to get a drink, and they have other people mixing with the party to sort of create a vibe of being involved. You know this is a good business because all of the employees wear a uniform.*
As to the crowd, there was a nice mix of people. It didn’t feel like the bro-​ness of Industry nor like scum. Drag queens were filtering through the crowd who were fun.
A couple of amusing points, they have a VIP bottle service table which I find mildly amusing, but people were definitely using it. There is a nice row of couches on the wall to make out and put your feet up.
There is a dance floor, the music mostly feels really fun and perfect for getting your twerk on, and people actually used it! I’m not sure this place would be as fun on a Monday-​Tuesday night, but it was awesome on a Saturday.
Also, this place takes credit cards!!! I think I’ve died and gone to heaven. The drinks were not cheap on the booze either, like I’ve had at other places.
I am definitely going back.
* basically blue underwear, muscles, and a bowtie.

So it was my boyfriends birthday Friday night and the group of friends we have in Astoria wanted to go somewhere close by. You know, not much effort in traveling but still going to a great bar.
We decided to go to Icon because I’ve been there on a dead Monday night before and it seemed pretty cool. When we arrived with our group of 10 people it was still early in the night and not too busy. We went to the back of the bar and was greeted by a server that asked what we wanted to drink.
Drinks came out, dancing began, and everything seemed to be going well.
Then the bouncer came up to us and said we need to check your coats. My friend said «ok I’m gonna put my coat on for now and then head outside. When I come back in I’ll check it.» The bouncer then started cussing at him and went into this crazy rage that made all of us nervous. It was absolutely unnecessary and at one point when I was trying to walk away it looked as if the bouncer was going to punch me in the face for trying to walk away.
My boyfriend then said to everyone «we are leaving and never coming back here.»
As we exited the owner of the bar ran up to us outside and had a talk with us. He asked what happened, told us that he has had problems with that bouncer before, and asked that we come back inside. The crazy bouncer was outside being talked to by three other employees which we later found out one of them was the other owner.
When we came back inside the owners brought us to the bar and told the bartender to give us a round in the house. The drink was so good/​strong I didn’t need anymore for the rest of the night.
After the incident the entire night was amazing. The coat check guy was amazing, requesting songs with the DJ wasn’t intimidating like most DJs can be, in fact we hung out with the DJ all night and I can’t stress enough how incredible his song choices were and how fun he was to hang out with.
The entire experience was amazing and a HUGE thanks to the owners who handled that incident earlier and made sure we had a great experience. Another shout out to the bartenders, coat check, and DJ. Thank you!!! Best bar in Astoria!