Fair Theatre
90-18 Astoria Boulevard,
Jackson Heights,
NY
11369
90-18 Astoria Boulevard,
Jackson Heights,
NY
11369
11 people
favorited this theater
Not too far from the Shea Stadium (now demolished and Citi Field built on the site in 2009) and LaGuardia Airport on Astoria Boulevard in the Jackson Heights section of Queens. The Fair Theatre opened in 1939 and was named after the World Fair which was held on Flushing Meadows.
After years of being a neighborhood theatre, it went over to screening XXX adult porn movies for many years. In around 2006, these were dropped in favour of screening Bollywood film productions. By 2009, Kung Fu type movies were also being screened as well as adult movies.
Contributed by
SteveSmith
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Recent comments (view all 377 comments)
Aw okay I see I will go this weekend, although I heard the place is loaded with security watching every step u make!……thanx
I was just there today. The security is there basically to keep the place clean. You can go into a booth with whoever you want and have plenty of privacy. Just can’t do anything in public spaces.
One VERY noticeable change is the marquee â€" it could be used as a landing marker for nearby LaGuardia Airport. The old “Edison-style†(incandescent) tinted bulbs that spelled “FAIR†have been replaced with incredibly bright screw-base CFLs in a ghastly yellow-ochre color. You could spot it from a plane, not to mention the far depths of Astoria Boulevard!
Upon close inspection, the bulbs don’t even look suitable for outdoor use (they are the unprotected “cone-shaped†type commonly used indoors and in enclosed outdoor fixtures). They were installed this summer – how they will operate or survive in extreme cold or harsh winter weather conditions is anyone’s guess. This isn’t the first time that the owners have made questionable (i.e. tacky) choices that are supposed to pass as “upgradesâ€.
I applaud management’s initiative for trying to save energy AND at the same time brighten up the old marquee, but to me it’s extreme overkill. Couldn’t they have used lower-wattage bulbs in a more subdued color? (To my eyes, it loses its authenticity) In comparison, the older bulbs, with their soft orange-amber glow, made the marquee look somewhat dull and tired, yet at the same time warm and inviting – that was part of its vintage charm.
Speaking of excess…they should remove the numerous oversized Indian movie posters that are randomly hanging above the marquee. They are covering up the facade’s decorative brickwork – and the movies aren’t even playing there anymore.
If you want to “dress up” the place, start by cleaning the brickwork, then install some decorative (yet tasteful) architectural accent lighting.
This theatre is celebrating an anniversary of sorts – 40 years since it became the “Adult Fair” in 1971 (although it has been quite a few years since it dropped the “adult” from its name, probably when it tried to disassociate itself from porn by discontinuing XXX movies on its main screen). However, it still carries on to this day with porn in its smaller theatres and viewing rooms. Truly a survivor!
Much to my surprise – as a “Thank you”, management is treating its loyal customers to free donuts and pastries (every morning and into the day) and pizza slices (Friday & Saturday nights only, 8-9 PM, delivered from Airways Pizza across the street – in my opinion, some of the best pizza in NYC)!
Here’s to another 40 plus!
The donuts are excellent too! I’ll be sampling some more tomorrow.
Donuts, too?!
And I thought the Castro here in San Francisco had a decent sense of community! I’m profoundly impressed.
The Fair has been sprucing up! Full length mirrors have been added to the booths. All the furniture (couches and chairs) have been replaced in the front, making things alot more comfortable. The theatre hosted both Super Bowl and Oscar parties, showing both events on the big screen. Along with this,free pizza, donuts and coffee. As a friend of mine said, at only 5 bucks a pop (if you buy a discount book) this place is the best bargain in NYC! Aside from the Staten Island Ferry of course!
full length mirrors, that’s an interesting concept. I would’ve loved to attend the Super Bowl party at the Fair, wow. Porn, football, donuts and socializing – just like my activities at home…
My kind of guy!
They just opened up the balcony.