Steinway Cafe-Billiards operated in Astoria for three decades

It’s the end of an era for a neighborhood staple in Queens.

Steinway Cafe-Billiards in Astoria abruptly closed its doors last Thursday, announcing the news with a handwritten note on the door, The City reported. The pool hall had been part of the community at 3525 Steinway Street since 1990.

Like so many other businesses, the pandemic made it harder for Steinway to keep up with its bills. The landlord, identified in court documents as the Wilbee Corporation based on Long Island, alleged the billiards hall owed $440,000 in back rent after it stopped making payments during the pandemic.

In December, a judge ruled in favor of a warrant being issued for Steinway’s eviction. The tenant appealed, dragging out the process for another six months. Last week, however, a judge declined a motion from the tenant demanding the landlord show cause for the eviction.

The business owner could not be reached by The City for comment. The Real Deal could not immediately reach Wilbee for comment.

The sudden closure put roughly a dozen employees — some of whom had worked at the space for years — out of work. Owned by Georgiois Nikolakakos, the hall was also a gathering hub for the local Greek community.

“I feel a lot of depression. It’s pretty sad,” employee Luisa Patino told The City after finding out her 13-year run at Steinway was at an end.

The business only recently survived another threat to its existence. As the publication previously reported, Steinway was in danger of getting closed or uprooted due to its location smack in the middle of the Innovation QNS development. Local council member Julie Won was ultimately able to secure Steinway’s home for another three to five years and a recent discount for when it would have to relocate upon the completion of the $2 billion project.

— Holden Walter-Warner