Nightspots: Live fun and great food make Junior's a local favorite
The Poughkeepsie Journal - Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
Subjects: Holiday decorations; Restaurants
Author: Pietroluongo, Lindsay
Date: Dec 13, 2013
Start Page: n/a
Section: Nightlife
Document Text
In my former life (OK, it was four years ago, but it feels longer), I worked at the Culinary Institute of America and the twenty-somethings from my department regularly went to happy hour with Marist employees. One night, a bunch of us wandered into Junior's Lounge. We ended up singing karaoke, or maybe we line danced, I can't exactly remember -- but we definitely enjoyed our pints without the company of students from our respective schools for once. Which brings me to my point: while Junior's is close to more than one campus, it's definitely not a college bar.
Backdrop
Junior's has brick walls, a cozy fireplace, Christmas decorations and a tree ... but people don't go there for the humble digs. Football games on TV; beer and liquor with a low price tag; delicious homemade pub grub; the welcoming, laughing regulars -- that's why this bar is one of Dutchess County's best loved and most well-kept secrets.
Mixology
Domestic pitchers are $8.50 and imported pitchers are $15.50.
What's cookin'
Order a house-made burger (hand-packed fresh ground beef, not frozen) and fries for $7. Try their new wing flavor, Cajun Dry Rub. During football games, get a dozen each of steamers, wings and pizza bites, all for $12.
Highlights
Tonight, the Rock and Roll Christmas Party goes from 8 to midnight. Two bands will perform: Johnny Dell and UFB, plus Vito Petroccitto and the Fatheads.
Karaoke is every Thursday night and there's a live band most Saturday nights. Cray and Dempsey pop in every now and then for a performance, so keep your eyes on Junior's Facebook page for information about their next show. If you've never heard of this longstanding Irish duo, you're missing out. They combine various styles of music, put their own twist on an eclectic choice of songs, throw in some insult humor and ask for crowd participation. They're talented, hilarious and certainly worth the night out, if you need an excuse.
Junior's hosts one of the only horseshoe leagues in the area and you'll have to wait until someone keels over to get on the team -- that's how popular it is.
Details
Open 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday-Wednesday; 11:30 a.m. to 3 a.m., Thursday-Saturday; noon to midnight, Sunday.
Visit online at Facebook.com/JuniorsLounge.SaltPoint and search for their business page, too.
Lindsay Pietroluongo writes about nightlife in the Hudson Valley for the Poughkeepsie Journal. Email her at [email protected].
Junior's Lounge, 504 Salt Point Turnpike, Poughkeepsie; 845-452-6963
