If you are looking for a fun place to hang out during the day or at night, Jackson Heights has a number of fun options. We made our way to three of those places and learned a little more about them.
La Jungla
La Jungla, a sports bar at 78-13 Roosevelt Avenue, offers “a nice and friendly environment” for people looking to have a good time and a few drinks, said Manager Felix Flores.
The bar, stocked with a wide variety of drinks, also has a patio out back for those who want to go for a smoke break. The patio includes tables and seating.
For those who prefer to hang out inside, the bar has a pool table located in the back. The bar also plays music for the mainly Hispanic crowd.
“We have a lot of different music, but mostly Spanish music like salsa,” said Flores.
For those who would rather hear something else, the bar also has a juke box with a mixture of genres.
The crowd usually ranges in age from 25- 40.
“We don’t usually get much older people,” said Flores. “The busiest hours are after lunch and usually Thursdays through Saturday night.”
La Jungla bar is open from 2 p.m. till 3 a.m.
The Billiards Cafe
Located at 70-02 34th Avenue, the family run operation of The Billiards Café prides itself on a relaxed environment.
“We have air hockey, foosball, ping pong, and plenty of pool tables,” Said Nicholas Katelas, co-owner of the café. “You won’t find a place like this anywhere else in the area.”
The café, equipped with a full bar and lounge area, draws a diverse crowd. “All kinds of people come here,” Katelas continued. “Kids can even enjoy the pool as long as they’re supervised.”
On weekends, patrons can be entertained by a live D.J., and a jukebox is available with a wide variety of music.
The café offers a diverse selection of cuisine, including Mexican, Colombian, and continental, and has recently been renovated in order to keep up with trends. “There’s a lot of fierce competition,” Pointed out Katelas. “Especially in the middle of an economic downturn, we have to make sure we’re unique in order to stay in business.”
AMF 34th Avenue Lanes
The bowling at AMF 34th Avenue Lanes is an entertaining experience for children and adults alike.
“We’re a family oriented place,” said Islam Skrine, General Manager of AMF 34th Avenue Lanes. “We focus on customer service and a clean atmosphere.”
The alley sees the most business during the weekends, drawing a mainly young crowd. To cater to this crowd, the alley has developed “Xtreme bowling,” on Fridays and Saturdays, beginning at 9 p.m., and Sundays beginning at 7, which involves disco lighting, music, and projector screens displaying television.
The alley also offers an extensive amount of league play, and regularly hosts special occasions such as birthday parties, and has a fully stocked bar and dining area.
AMF 34th Avenue Lanes is located at 69-10 34th Avenue, conveniently close to the BQE and Northern Boulevard, and has its own parking lot, which helps bypass the difficult parking in the area.
