Jackson Heights Life

Been enjoying the flurry of discussions about what can/can't/will/won't work in Jackson Heights in general and the Bruson Building in particular.  Who knows?   We might be just spinning our wheels but it could also focus attention and inspire some ideas that can work.   

I think that there is room and demand for a good, local bar.  Don't get me wrong--I often frequent the superb Terraza 7 but that's more of a lure for live music and not always an easy place to just hang out and talk (small, minimal seating).  My wife and I also go to Cafe 75 and the Ready Penny but they are both mostly suited for watching sports and the latter cranks a little too much metal and 80's power ballad schlock for my taste. 

And Lord knows there are a plethora of Gentlemen's Bars up and down Roosevelt.  No shortage of those.

Most of those bars (well, Terraza excepted) are more geared to a male clientele.  I wonder where, for example, a woman would feel comfortable and welcome grabbing a beer on her own after work.  Would there be a demand for a place that would fit that bill? 

Seems like the neighborhood could sustain a bar that was geared less towards sports and TV and more towards a good beer selection, an exciting and varied music selection and an all-around good, non-dude-centric hang.

And, hey, Dudley's joint just might be just that place!  Can't wait for it to open.

And, in practical terms, how difficult do you all think this would be in terms of zoning and cost?  And would it be popular?

In the meantime, our neighborhood is fantastic, maybe the best neighborhood in the 5 boroughs, and it's a daily joy to live here. 

Kickstarter! There was a shuffleboard bar where I used to live in Gowanus that raised $40k this way.

It's not enough -- and a bar in Jackson Heights would probably raise a lot less -- but it's the kind of thing that (a) ensures that there will be a healthy group of customers on launch day and (b) shows other potential investors that there is real community support (c) gets press (d) gives you a little bit of money...

I have zero business sense or the funds, but the notion of starting a local bar with wider appeal has also crossed my mind.

I like Ready Penny and Terazza 7 fine but there is not really anyplace in the neighborhood where a woman on her own could get a drink, or possibly socialize with friends, and not draw unwanted attention. (Despite many mentions, UFC and Espresso 77 just don't fit the bill.)

I just chalk it up to neighborhood demographics--this is a very family-centric neighborhood where residents are mostly settled down or retired (which I'm not). I recently escaped the extreme opposite (Williamsburg where everyone is under 28 and unencumbered) so that's not what I'm calling for. It would just be nice to have a cocktail on a weeknight without having to hop on a subway.

I have zero business sense or the funds, but the notion of starting a local bar with wider appeal has also crossed my mind.

I like Ready Penny and Terazza 7 fine but there is not really anyplace in the neighborhood where a woman on her own could get a drink, or possibly socialize with friends, and not draw unwanted attention. (Despite many mentions, UFC and Espresso 77 just don't fit the bill.)

I just chalk it up to neighborhood demographics--this is a very family-centric neighborhood where residents are mostly settled down or retired (which I'm not). I recently escaped the extreme opposite (Williamsburg where everyone is under 28 and unencumbered) so that's not what I'm calling for. It would just be nice to have a cocktail on a weeknight without having to hop on a subway.

If you're on the east side of the neighborhood, how about Amaru on Northern? Gets good reviews from single female Yelp reviewers.
http://www.yelp.com/biz/amaru-pisco-bar-jackson-heights-2

If you're on the west side of the neighborhood, Saints and Sinners is a brisk walk from 74th Street, I go there for brunch a lot. http://www.yelp.com/biz/saints-and-sinners-woodside

So, nice to hear your perspective on this Kristag.  I agree!  I don't know the first thing about opening a bar but I sure wish I could.  I would say that most neighborhoods in the city have at least one bar that appeal to more than one gender.  There are about a dozen Gentlemen's Clubs or Sports Bars along Roosevelt Avenue.  Would be great if even one of them could serve this purpose.  Anyway, it's hard to say IF it can happen or WHAT it would take to make it happen.  But I think the interest is there.

In the meantime, Amaru is a great place with great drinks and food.  And definitely less crowded on weeknights.

So, nice to hear your perspective on this Kristag.  I agree!  I don't know the first thing about opening a bar but I sure wish I could.  I would say that most neighborhoods in the city have at least one bar that appeal to more than one gender.  There are about a dozen Gentlemen's Clubs or Sports Bars along Roosevelt Avenue.  Would be great if even one of them could serve this purpose.  Anyway, it's hard to say IF it can happen or WHAT it would take to make it happen.  But I think the interest is there.

They're not going to, because they serve a very specific clientele: Latino immigrant men who come to the US solo, to work without their wives. I think they're supposed to be destination bars, serving guys from all over Queens. This explains them a bit better:

http://opencitymag.com/the-longest-night-a-peek-into-a-taxi-bar-dancers-life/
http://nymag.com/news/features/52013/index1.html

http://eateryrowforesthills.blogspot.com/2014/12/end-of-century-bar.html

Interesting bar recently arrived in Forest Hills. It was recommended by a friend.

I was a little surprised to hear about a tiki/serious mixology bar in the residential part of Forest Hills. I went to End of the Century Bar opening weekend and asked the bartender if they had considered Jackson Heights and he said the neighborhood was too Mexican (he was also Mexican and I'm half, for what it's worth). Whether this is true or not, I do think there's a perception that nothing non-Latino could flourish here.

the commercial rents are way out of line, compared with other neighborhoods in the area. but honestly, residents need to shake off the 37th avenue-centric mindset. roosevelt is not that scary, northern is not a monumental trek.