There are bars in this series that will be familiar almost exclusively to people who call it their local. In this case, Solid State would be in that category, if not for the fact that pinball fans flock here. The beer probably isn’t as much of a draw as the 10 pinball machines here, but it should be. They’ve got 20 draft lines that exclusively pour New York brewed beers and ciders, and even a draft cocktail with New York liquor. The beer list spans the state — from Finback and Eckhart to Dutchess and Drowned Lands to Beer Tree and Genesee (yes, you can enjoy a $6 Cream Ale, if you so desire).
Solid State is a good place to lose track of daylight hours (though only a few of those hours — they open at 4pm most days). The space underneath the 7 Train on Roosevelt Avenue is cavernous and dark. It’s a good escape from the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter. The bar up front tends to hide the spacious seating areas that lead onto a platform well stocked with pinball machines, but gaming can take different forms here. On this visit, a couple is playing chess at the end of the bar while another group is playing Battleship and yet another is debating which pinball machine they’re playing next (Jaws or Pulp Fiction?). The game selection is a great way to waste the evening away and let time pass by. I didn’t want to leave. I’m a day early for Tiki Night, which is the first Tuesday of every month, with Tiki drinks and souvenir glassware to take home. No trouble — I’ve had enough cold fruity drinks already this summer, so I’ll stick to the outstanding Wayward Lane Maibock.
The Tab:
1 Round Table Encuentro $8
1 Wayward Lane Blühen $9
The Location:
Solid State
53-22 Roosevelt Avenue, at 54th Street, Queens
7 Train to 52 St (note: Flushing-bound trains skip 52 St until Spring 2027)