Johnny Famous

So I only went to Johnny Famous about 3 times and I had a good time each time I went. I heard that they closed on this week which doesn’t surprise me because this place seems to change ownership/​name/​theme every few years.
This is the one place on Bell with the biggest dance floor which is fun when that is what you are looking for. It was nice for me and my girlfriends to be able to have a place close by that we could go to and have a good time.
They do charge a cover which is kind of lame and a reason why we most of the time skipped going here and chose anywhere else on Bell that doesn’t have a cover. They also have a card scanner at the door so don’t try bringing a fake ID. The mechanical bull is funny and goes with the theme. It is always a good laugh to watch people try to stay on the bull. My friend did it once and lasted about 30 seconds! They had a restaurant within it that was open during the day called Smoke on the Side and it was a BBQ restaurant but I never got to try it out to see how it was.
The most fun I had here was this past New Years Eve. We went after midnight and there was no cover and we stayed until the place closed! The DJ was great, playing a mix of so many different songs keeping the party going.
I have to see if they really are closed and if so, what is coming next.

The first time I’ve ever been inclined to write a review which should give you an idea how bad this place is. One of the previous reviewers Adrian V, gets it right — the owners, bouncers, bartenders, DJ and bull operator are just douchebags. Just because they work there, they think they are all important and feel they can disrespect their customers.
I left within 30 minutes after struggling to get one drink. Sure it wasn’t too expensive but its simply not worth it. Pay a little more and go into Manhattan for a much better time. I wouldn’t come back here even if «Rocco» offered a night of free drinks and bull rides.

I have a slightly biased review to share with all you wonderful people. I’m partial to Mr. Famous because he took care of two first for me all in the same night!
One.I’ve wanted to ride a mechanical bull FOREVER! I was too young for the only other place I knew so this was exciting.
And two… this is the first spot I used my fresh out the envelope 21 year old id! I felt like a boss.
Boom. Ladies night. I didn’t even know until I got inside so that was cool. Certain drinks free, some lesser priced. That was nice. The bar tenders were cute but not the most attentive. I always expects servers or bar tenders to be super friendly. Especially when their girls. You’re supposed to be flirty .even if I am a chick.
I got on that bull yes the hell I did. and I rode it like no body’s business. Then I got on it again. and again. I handled it. Straight boss!
The music was cool. I wasn’t that drunk and I did a lot of dancing so I know it was decent stuff. The… emcee I guess you’d call him. or hype man .was pretty fun. Danced with me and my friends. amped up the bull rides. did his job.
They don’t serve any food here aside from some bar nuts that are probably gross. BUT no one complained when I went down the block to Bell Burger and came back with mozzarella sticks and ate it at the bar.
Another thing. I wore my bikini and I’m sure everyone could see it and no one judged. that was awesome.

I pretty much agree with everyone else– it’s tacky, cheesy, and all of the above. I went there once and never went back. Also, for some reason, it really smells like urine in the area where you show the bouncer your ID. Pretty gross if you ask me.

Although I’m not a massive fan of Johnny Famous I don’t think the bas reviews are truly warranted. Its a decent place. It totally depends on the DJ. If you like to dance and the DJ is good then the rest just blows in the wind. You get all kinds of people from asshole’s to sweethearts there. However, there is no doubt that is is sprinkled with douche bags. They space is a good size with a siting area, a dance floor, two bars and of course the mechanical bull, which they do not charge for and you can use as many times as you want.
However, the motivator or dancer dude is a little intense and generally i am no where near drunk enough to handle his existence.

If I had to describe this place in one word, it would have to be «pretentious»…I went with a couple friends on a night where their was bikini bull riding and it was absolute trash… girls with cellulite riding a mechanical bull is not the most attractive thing in the world.
The crowd is pretty mixed with a couple douche bags here and there… However, it’s a decent sized place and the music was appeasing to the ears… If you are into the whole western themed bull riding thing, then go ahead… if you are into a more upscale /​classy atmosphere, i suggest someplace else.

I don’t even know what to say here without being insulting.
Pros: Crowd is mixed and friendly. Drinks are cheap. Many attractive women.
Cons: Bouncers are douche bags. The DJ is a douche bag. The guy who operates the mechanical bull is a douche bag. A handful of douche bags in the crowd.
All-​around corny atmosphere typical of Bayside nightlife. This place is fine for college students or for locals who just want to grab a quick drink.

I go here once in a while with my girlfriends. It’s pretty much the only place on bell blvd that has a lot of space with a dance floor. The music is good, and the drinks are OK. They shouldn’t have a cover charge (guys I feel for you.) and my only other complaint is that the DJ should be open minded about what he plays. I tried asking to request a song but he was 10 feet up in a booth and didnt pay any mind to me. Play something for me and my girls to feel sexy to!!!

Bar w/​Mechanical bull.
Definitely worth a look if on the Bell Blvd strip — $ 7 admission and a load of douche (douche: noun– can be identified by popped collar shirts and too much hair gel or that ridiculous looking mohawk wanna-​be look where they push all their hair towards the middle of their heads — that is NOT a mohawk you tool, go shave the sides of your head and be a man already…) milling about both inside and out, but no one hassles you from what I saw.
The mechanical bull is a hoot — although charging $ 5 to ride is kind of cheesy. A good time can be had just watching the semi and fully inebriated on the bull– some hot stuff there with the young chicas…
The drinks were fine — some other reviews about watered down booze — probably have no idea what they are talking about. Prices for drinks were reasonable considering the cover charge and all.
Scanner at the door: Yup– so if you are a douche using a fake I.D. go elsewhere and you won’t have to worry about it.
All in all — a fun place to people watch but go with a group for maximum enjoyment!
Parking on street or muni lots.

Unless you live on this side of Queens and Bell Blvd. is your only option on nights you are feeling lazy and don’t feel like driving… stay as far away from this place and other Bell Blvd. establishments as possible, you’ll thank me tomorrow.

$ 7 to get in. not now chief, im in the zone.

This place is a fucking joke, I got thrown out of there and was supposedly «banned» for life! I Got banned for life, like about 5 seperate times. The place I tell you, is a fucking joke!
Now I’m welcomed back to ride a mechanical bull???
Every time i step foot in the place after 3 minutes I ask myself why i spent $ 7 to watch 3 lonely fat girls dance around the middle of the bar.
There is a black guy running around who thinks hes white and dances like an idiot trying to hype up the 12 people that are in there.
Look If your down on your luck, and youre thinking of commiting suicide but need something to push you over the edge Johnny famous is the place to go, It is the Dr kavorkian of bars.
Its even worse than luckys, and i didnt think that was possible
If youre thinking about going here, might as well poor gasoline on your head and jump into a camp fire

I came here with some people the night before Thanksgiving to see what the buzz was about. Only myself and my best friend stayed… There was a $ 10 cover plus a $ 3 coat check fee, Bull ride cost 5 dollars, and you haven’t had a drink yet. Prices we thought were a little excessive for a Bayside bar, but what are you going to do? There are two stocked bars that do not serve wine (broke my heart) and the DJ played up to date pop and dance music while tossing in some old school songs that brought me back to memories of sweet 16 parties. We left once the Go-​Go dancers came out and started gyrating their hips on the corners of the bars. Overall, a little tacky for my taste, but I could see this as being a fun place to be with the right mix of people and the right mix of drinks. Its a fun place to dance because the songs are generally good.