Just when you thought Long Island’s best Main Street couldn’t get more fun, downtown Patchogue is welcoming a new addition to the drinking and dining scene.
To help celebrate, Arooga’s Grille House and Sports Bar is throwing a grand opening celebration on Sunday, Aug. 21, at its prime spot in New Village.
At 7,300 square feet, the massive newcomer occupies the old Swezey’s site at the northwest corner of Patchogue’s historic Four Corners, perhaps the most prominent location in downtown Patchogue.
Boasting over 100 HD TVs, manager Fernando Pepicelli says Arooga’s offers “a view of every game for every seat.” (Unlike the current home of my beloved Islanders).
WiFi and synced bar games (Trivia, Texas Hold ‘Em) also helps keep diners connected, whether or not they’re sports fans.
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE BEER, MAN?!?!
With over 44 taps, the sheers numbers would dictate Arooga’s will have something to appeal to all palates.
Goose Island, Sam Adams, and the usual macros are on the line, of course, but there is also a healthy focus on our locals, including Fire Island Beer Company, Oyster Bay Brewing, Barrier, Port Jeff and Crooked Ladder, to name a few.
Of course, the ubiquitous Blue Point is on hand as well. And the Patchogue brewery is providing a firkin of Hoptical Illusion — a cask version of one of their best-selling recipes — that will be tapped at Arooga’s grand opening Sunday.
But Arooga’s, a franchise that has about a dozen locations in Pennsylvania and New England, isn’t just for sports fans and bar flies.
Management is pushing family friendly at the Four Corners as well.
Smaller flat screen TVs at the booths keep the tots occupied with Dora or Disney (or whatever it is they watch these days) so momma and poppa can actually enjoy a night out as well.
The food options are what you might expect at a typical sports bar, but with have been up-scaled, so to speak.
“Wagyu Kobe” burgers, which are steroid- and hormone-free (unlike our pro athletes) and angus beef franks and brats (some Dogfish Head Brewery beer-infused!) immediately caught this carnivore’s eye.
There are also over 70 gluten-free choices, as well as organic produce options for the conscientious diner. And of course, there are wings!
WINGS, GLORIOUS WINGS!
What would a night watching the fights be like without mounds of satanically-sauced, artery-clogging goodness?
‘Twould be a sad night indeed!
Like other places, you can order the wings boneless or traditional and in varying sizes starting at 5 (you’re not dieting, are you?) a more respectable 10, a big boy 20 portion and a hefty 50 count (you’re definitely not dieting!)
Over 30 different sauces range from the sweet and savory, gastroenterologist-approved “safe” to the blistering “Ghost Face Killah!”
This name must have been Wu-Tang Clan approved (one hopes or else, BLAM! BLAM! BLAM!), since you actually need to sign a waiver for that bad boy.
video below of someone trying them
But the joint isn’t only about food and fun and hot sauce-induced tears, of course.
Arooga’s also has a “Funds For Friends Program” which allows participants an easy way to fund-raise, managment says. The local Arooga’s, the first in New York State, has also hired over 100 people, more than half of which come from the greater Patchogue area.
Given Patchogue’s vibrant night life, Arooga’s presents another nice option when out on the town.
You might just catch me down there some night.
I’ll be the one not eating the Ghost Face Killah wings! Whuf!
As part of the grand opening celebration, the first 100 guests to register in person at Arooga’s on opening day – Sunday, Aug. 21, after 6 a.m. – will receive free wings for a year.
For complete rules, visit www.aroogas.com.
