dreaming + drinking on coney island

Coney Island - Global Dish - Stephanie Arsenault

I’m not sure what it is about Coney Island; it’s just a magical place. Even in the winter, when it’s empty, almost desolate, and even a little bit sad. The emptiness allows for you to use your imagination, to picture what it must have been like in the past: the beach dotted with modestly dressed sunbathers and their brightly coloured umbrellas, long lines of children waiting not-so-patiently for the carousel, barrel-chested spielers barking at passersby about the spectacle that is soon to begin at the sideshow. Oh, to have a time machine.

Since a time machine is out of the question – for now – I’ll take Coney Island as it is: dripping in character, haunted by over one hundred and thirty years of history, constantly evolving into something new.

Regardless of the time of year, busyness of the park, or amount of imagination required to enjoy the show, there is one constant: damn good beer. When in the area, a stop by Coney Island Brewing Company for a pint and a local’s point of view is a must. The beer is delicious, the space is bright, and there’s always someone sitting at the bar with a Coney Island tale to tell.