Willows Tavern opens Friday, January 19 on Fresh Pond Road in Ridgewood.
Photography by Anthony Medina
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A Ridgewood bar that brings Southwestern customs to Queens residents is preparing to host an all-American-themed Fourth of July barbecue celebration tomorrow with affordable food and drinks.
Willows Tavern, a relative newcomer to the Ridgewood bar scene, debuted nearly five months ago at 64-18 Fresh Pond Rd. Co-owners Cassie Bollas and Jesse Sullivan started the business with the goal of creating an affordable drink menu for working-class residents.
In a conversation with QNS ahead of the July 4 celebration, Bollas says she’s staying true to her mission of making affordability a priority at her bar with $5 burgers, $2 hot dogs and $3 24-ounce BUDs all day long.
“I really want to be part of the community,” Bollas said. “I just want it to be like the local place for their customers, where they want to be and where they feel comfortable.”
Bollas explains that the idea to host a July 4th event came from an idea shared by the bar staff and a need for a place in the neighborhood to celebrate the occasion together.
After talking with his four business partners, Bollas shared that they couldn’t decide where to host a barbecue for themselves, so they decided to host a celebration at the bar itself instead.
In total, Willows Tavern plans to have 75 burgers and 75 hot dogs ready to grill for guests looking to enjoy the Fourth of July in style. Sullivan, as co-owner of Willows Tavern and owner of the Windjammer Bar in Ridgewood, is expected to serve as grillmaster Thursday afternoon through late evening.
The Willows Tavern’s backyard, recently renovated with picnic tables for ample seating, also comes equipped with its own barbecue grill, furthering the bar’s ability to embrace an all-American atmosphere.
The barbecue will start at 3 p.m. with help from friends and bar employees, Bollas said. The event is expected to last until closing around 2 a.m.
“I want to barbecue every Sunday. So even if we’re not the ones barbecuing, maybe someone else comes in and barbecues,” Bollas told QNS, with the goal of adding more pop-up food vendors and live music as the bar continues to grow.
A recurring icon of the Southwest music scene, Charles Watlington (better known as DJ Moonshine), will be showcasing his talents at Willows Tavern from 4pm to 8pm on July 4.
Bollas encourages everyone to stop by Willows Tavern to join in the festivities and try one of his red, white and blue gelatin shots.
