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Three Long Islanders have officially launched a one-of-a-kind venue in Middle Island, blending cornhole, cocktails, and community.
They call it The Backyard.
Now open, the 13,000-square-foot space offers a mix of bar vibes and game-night fun. [Scroll down for a photo tour.]
How it happened
Mike Massian, who owns an excavation company, his wife Diandra, and their longtime friend Amanda Howe were just “BS-ing one day” when inspiration struck.
“We were in a cornhole league and bought some boards,” Mike Massian said. “Then I started the Northeast Cornhole Association (NCA), and that just snowballed. We were running games at different bars, and it just clicked. We thought, ‘Why not create a space of our own?’”
Mike Massian, now a regional director for the American Cornhole League, was searching for a tournament venue when he came across a vacant property at 1241 Middle Country Road in Middle Island — a space that had been temporarily used by the Longwood Public Library.
“I passed this place a couple of years ago and thought it could work,” said Mike Massian, a Ridge local who graduated from Longwood High School in 2002. “We reached out, and about 8–10 months later, the landlord gave us a great opportunity.”
By October, they had the keys. The space needed a complete overhaul — “Ceilings were falling down,” he said — but after months of hard work, they were finally ready to open.
A grand opening is set for March 14, featuring drink specials, music, giveaways, and more.
If you go
The Backyard offers much more than cornhole. Guests can enjoy bocce, pool, air hockey, ping pong, darts, and shuffleboard — both mini and full-size.
The full bar offers a rotating menu of creative cocktails, including co-owner Diandra Massian’s specialty — the Backyard Tea, a blend of lemonade, iced tea, and peach vodka.
Diandra Massian and Howe, longtime friends, both spent years in the hospitality industry as bartenders. Their passion for crafting cocktails shines through.
“We’ll be changing up the drinks weekly or biweekly,” Diandra Massian said. “And if someone needs a recommendation, I love creating something on the spot.”
The trio aims to make The Backyard a year-round community hangout, showcasing all sporting events on their TVs throughout the facility.
Tournaments & more
Leagues are already forming, with both casual and competitive tournament nights planned. The team also hopes to host corporate team-building events.
“We’re just excited to open the doors and bring something different to the area,” Mike Massian said. “This is about giving people a fun place to hang out, whether they’re hardcore cornhole players or just looking for a good time.”
The grand opening weekend kicks off March 14, but doors are already open Friday nights. After launch, regular hours will be Sunday-Thursday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Photo tour
Photos by Nick Esposito/GLI
Top photo: (L-R) Diandra Massian, Mike Massian and Amanda Howe, the three co-owners of The Backyard, a new sports bar in Middle Island. (GLI Photo/Nick Esposito)
