Large-format beers, BBQ, and ping pong on a balcony on the LES

Blue Ribbon Beer Garden - main

Pushing its way onto the balcony next to Blue Ribbon Sushi Izakaya in the Thompson LES Hotel, BRBG is a Summer day-drinking and happy-houring spot of the highest order, in part because of an Asian garden party-meets-Southwestern roadhouse vibe. And in part because of ping pong. See? Ping pong. For people who love games but hate moving, there's this board game shelf featuring Trivial Pursuit, Sorry!, and Would You Rather. By the way... would you rather be taking down craft beers?Luckily, you don't have to choose. They've got a wonderfully strong selection that ranges from cans, to large-format bottles, to everything in between, including the likes of Brooklyn's Sorachi Ace, Evil Twin's "Hipster" pale ale, and Washington's Elysian The Immortal IPA -- but don't worry, there can be more than only one.And since there's nothing quite like eating BBQ on a balcony and dripping sauce onto the suckers below, there are plates like the dry-then-wet-rubbed ribs sided with "gangsta" corn bread.Although this is basically the only other thing on the menu aside from snacks like boiled peanuts and pork rinds (sorry, "market vegetable of the day"), your appetite will be sated thanks to this 'qued-up Cornish game hen. Or would you rather just keep drinking?

Blue Ribbon Beer Garden - ping pong
Blue Ribbon Beer Garden - game section
Blue Ribbon Beer Garden - craft beers
Blue Ribbon Beer Garden - ribs
Blue Ribbon Beer Garden - cornish game hen