Jackson Heights Life

The Brooklyn Paper reviews the March 21st Kagero performance at D'Antigua.  Sounds like it was a great show.

Legend's Bar & Grill made it on Gothamist's top 10 neighborhood bars in NYC!

http://gothamist.com/2008/05/09/sponsored_post_7.php

Wow I'm shocked!!  I go to Legends almost every Monday night and sometimes on other nights and although I like the place and I am grateful that we still have a neighborhood bar in JH I wouldn't even place it in the top 10 neighborhood bars that I've hung out in.

I decided to look into how gothamist came up with this list and if you follow a few links you will see that they asked for readers to post in the comments section of a "sponsored post" (a way for one of their advertisers to get more exposure) to say what's their favorite neighborhood bar. 

There weren't very many comments on this particular gothamist thread.  ONE person liked Legends, and it turns out that one vote was enough to put it on the list.

http://gothamist.com/2008/05/06/sponsored_post_6.php

I wandered into Terrazzo Cafe last Wednesday night.  It is definitely a different type of place that we have had in the Heights before.  Clearly a Latin/American crossover feel.  The Beers are $4.00 for any bottle and $6.00 for a Guinness or Brooklyn Lager on tap.  Being a member of the 40+ group I was older than almost everyone there  although I did talk to some friendly people.  I would come again but not by myself as many people there seemed to know each other.  All in all I think it is a nice addition to the neighborhood especially for the younger artsy crowd.

Now I don't mean to sound Naive here... I know we have a large gay and/or hispanic community here in the neighborhood, but why aren't there a few places on Roosevelt or east of 80/west of 90 that are bars that cater to straight white folk?

I know about Penny Whistle and Legends, and the other Irish bar down on 31st and 72 or sumptin that I haven't been able to walk to, but I know I'm not the only straight white man in this part of Jackson Heights who'd like a neighborhood pub he can walk to for a beer from time to time.

I moved here right after Bud's (on 37th where Gothic Cabinet is now) closed and I hear it was a loveable dive, but somewhat of an eyesore for 37th... is the crap going on up on Roosevelt any better?  Now I'm upset I have to walk past a shooting gallery if I want to get a beer in a place I feel comfortable in.

Donovan's is the nicest, closest Irish pub and that's over in Woodside.  Nothing here.  It's too bad Legends hasn't renovated or changed much except for a downward direction.  The only other bar I know locals go to is the Cavaliar.  I have no idea what it's like though.

When the Gemini Bar  which was across the street from the Cavalier closed in 2000 I started frequenting the Cavalier and Buds. The Cavalier got some of the Gemini's customers so I went there in the beginning.  I found the place very boring.  It was more of a restaurant than a bar so music and voices were had  to be kept down.  I still stroll in a couple of times a year to say hello to friends but I always leave quickly.  The crowd at the bar has some seniors and a mixed crowd gay/straight.  They remodeled about two years ago and have some music now and flat panel TVs.  The owner and his family are nice people and it is an option to grab a drink for those who live down that way.

....... Just wish there was something closer, or that someone could clue me in to something closer, but I think I'm sh!t outta luck until I open something.

Listen if you open something puleeeze make sure it has a nice variety of beer, both in bottles and on tap, AND outdoor seating, preferably both back yard (away from street noise and fumes) AND a couple of tables out front where we can sit and chill with our dog buddies.  Ummmmm great burger and fries naturally and for the vegans on board here, salads and veggies.

Did I leave anything out?  :2funny:

Sorry Buddy,

If I did open something, it'd be a dive.  Beer and a shot joint, dusty and dimly lit.  Jukebox, pool table and maybe 2 TV's tops, decked out like the bar in the basement of your granddad's with old Miller High Life schwag for decor.  Taps would probably be domestic fare with one Guinness and one Seasonal, but we'd keep Heineken, Sam, Corona, Amstel and a few others in bottles for variety.

And call me a traditionalist, but a bar doesn't serve food.  A restaurant serves food, which can contain a bar, although Legends is the one exception, the only bar I've ever been to that contains a restaurant, but if I opened a bar... well pretzels and beer nuts is about the best I'd do.

I never made it to the Starting Gate when I was in Woodside, but remember hearing a few good things about it in passing.