Benders
Oct. 7, 2015 By Michael Florio
The lead actors in a new TV sit-com will be at Maggie Maes Thursday night to watch the show that was filmed, in part, at the Sunnyside pub.
Benders, which first aired on IFC on Oct. 1, is about a group of guys who have an obsession for their amateur hockey league and enjoy a few drinks at their local bar Maggie Maes.
Several of the shows lead actors will be at the 41-15 Queens Blvd bar for the screening including Andrew Schulz, Chris Distefano, Mark Gessner and Ruy Iskandar,
James Moore, a co-owner of Maggie Maes, said Lindsey Broad has not confirmed at this time but is likely to attend.
Moore said that the bar will be open and everyone is welcome to attend.
The show will air at 10 pm, but the actors are set to arrive between 8:30 and 9 pm.
Moore said both the upstairs and downstairs bars will be open for the screening and the actors will be floating around between the two.
41-15 Queens Blvd.
Moore is hopeful that the screening will expose the downstairs bar, which recently opened, to the community. He plans on hosting many events downstairs.
This Thursday will be the second episode of the show. However, the first episode was more about getting to know the characters and the hockey team, Moore said, while this week will be the first episode that will heavily showcase the bar.
The bar will be referred to by name in the show and bartenders will wear shirts that say Maggie Maes on them.
Moore is unsure if Sunnyside is referred to in the show, but said clips of the neighborhood such as the 40th Street- Lowery Street subway station are shown.
Moore is excited to see his bar on TV, and believes it is a great way to get its name out.
“This is great exposure for us,” he said. “It gives us a chance to show off everything we offer.”
If Benders is well received, Moore said they will be back in April to begin shooting a second season.
