The first video in this series features McGuinness’s Saloon at 44-23 Queens Blvd.
March 15, 2021 By Christina Santucci
St. Patrick’s Day is this week and the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District has partnered with a neighborhood group to highlight what local bars and restaurants will be offering on the big day.
The promotion includes a series of videos, in which Sunnyside resident Ty Sullivan interviews the owners of neighborhood eateries and taverns.
The first video — showcasing McGuiness’s Bar — debuted Friday, and the additional ones will feature Arriba Arriba, Maggie Mae’s Bar, The Lowery Bar & Kitchen and Jack’s Fire Department. They are being posted through Tuesday.
For the series, Sunnyside Shines collaborated with “25 for Sunnyside and Woodside’ — a group founded following an online petition that asked local residents to pledge $25 a week toward spending at neighborhood bars and restaurants.
In the videos, Sullivan dishes with the owners and staff about their St. Patrick’s Day menus and how the businesses have fared throughout the past year of COVID-19 lockdowns and capacity restrictions. Fellow Sunnyside resident, Brian Pratt, completed the filming and editing.
“This year St. Patrick’s Day is all about being open and being glad to be open,” said Kieran Murphy from McGuiness’s Bar. “People that want to sit outside — that aren’t comfortable coming in — can still have a good time, and inside we will have a good atmosphere here for sure.”
New York City restaurants are currently allowed to have indoor dining at 35 percent capacity — which will go up to 50 percent starting Friday.
The promotional videos will be viewable on Sunnyside Shines’ Facebook and Instagram accounts as well as the 25 for Sunnyside and Woodside Facebook group.
Sunnyside Shines is also giving away five $50 gift certificates to restaurant/bar goers, as part of a St. Patrick’s Day contest.
Those who patronize neighborhood eateries on Wednesday can enter by posting a photo to the 25 for Sunnyside and Woodside Facebook group — or to Instagram and tagging @Sunnysideshines and @25forthesides. The winners will be selected at random and announced Friday, organizers said.
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