Looking for a laid-back pint, a well-made cocktail, or a night of live music? Saratoga County’s after-dark scene covers all the bases. Here’s a roundup of spots locals turn to when the sun goes down!

 

glass of beer being held

Whitman Brewing

Where To Find Bar Games, Cold Beers, And Casual Vibes

A relaxing evening with good friends, good brews, and good fun can be found at plenty of Saratoga County bars. 

Pint Sized by DIVE on Broadway in Saratoga Springs is a beer lovers paradise with endless craft beer options, outdoor seating and classic video games like Mario Kart and more. A Caroline Street hit, Spa City Tap & Barrel serves over 30 beers on tap in a cozy space that hosts game nights, trivia night and live music performances. Thirty minutes outside of downtown in Mechanicville, you'll find Hank Hudson Brewing Co. which focuses on British-style ales providing locals and visitors alike with a rustic wood-paneled space with plenty of tables, a screened-in porch with beautiful outdoor views, and some of the area’s most raved about chicken wings! Ice House in Saratoga Springs lets locals enjoy low prices, tasty barbecue, outdoor seating, plenty of TV screens to catch the game, and live music gigs. Can't forget local breweries like Artisanal Brew Works, Whitman Brewing, Dancing Grain and Druthers.

crowd of people in bar

The Bourbon Room

Quality Cocktails and Chic Surroundings

If your bar-hopping tastes lean in an artisanal cocktail direction, Saratoga County won’t disappoint. 

Hamlet & Ghost on Caroline Street has built an impressive reputation as a craft cocktail hotspot with an industrial-chic vibe. Expect a menu designed around seasonal ingredients and house made syrups, juices, bitters, and tinctures! 9 Maple Avenue is another Saratoga Springs destination for top-notch libations, and they pride themselves on their exceptional selection of whiskeys, including the biggest collection of single malt Scotch north of New York City!  At The Night Owl in Saratoga Springs, you’ll encounter a retro-inspired speakeasy with creative cocktails, midnight performances, and DJs overseeing their buzzing dance floor. Cooperstown Distillery employs the highest quality artisanal distilling practices, using almost entirely New York State grains and producing a full line of spirits. By night, the bar provides an upscale cocktail lounge, featuring a “gastropub” menu highlighting locally-sourced foods when available. Sip on the best Bourbon in town at The Bourbon Room. A slice of Whiskey heaven located on Caroline Street.

 

Folk band playing to crowd at Caffe Lena in Saratoga

Caffe Lena

Live Music in Saratoga County 

Many Saratoga County bars double as go-to music spots, regularly hosting live sets that keep the energy high. A handful have even earned a loyal following among local music lovers. 

Parting Glass in Saratoga Springs is an Irish pub with a wide range of beers on tap and a stick-to-your-ribs menu of tavern grub, plus they host live music at least once a week, including a traditional Celtic night every Wednesday. Caffé Lena in Saratoga Springs takes pride in its status as the longest continuously-operating folk music venue in the United States, and they have no intention of letting that title fall away! Fans of folk acts will enjoy their vintage-coffeehouse aesthetic, excellent acoustics, and eclectic line-up. If you’d rather see more mainstream musicians who’ve made appearances on the Billboard Top-40 charts, check out Putnam Place, which can accommodate over 400 concertgoers and has hosted acts like Blues Traveler and Rusted Root. 

 

Saratoga City Tavern

Boom Boom Room at Saratoga City Tavern

Party Time

Caroline Street is lined with bars where you can party it up all night long.

Head to The Horseshoe Inn Bar & Grill for an outdoor music experience like no other. Walkable from the Saratoga Race Course and ready to serve you great music every Summer. Visit Spa City Tap & Barrel for an upper and lower bar serving your favorite beer and mixed drinks. Don't forget to sing your heart out with your friends with live music from local bands. Head next door to Saratoga City Tavern for five floors of nighttime fun. Keep it simple on the first, second and third floor with bartenders serving up the goods while music plays, strangers become friends and everyone looking their best. Approach the fourth floor and witness the neon lights of the Boom Boom Room, complete with a DJ, a center 360 bar, good vibes and whole lot of dance moves. Get some air on the Tavern rooftop overlooking the sights of Caroline Street and giving impeccable atmosphere. Walk down the street to The Night Owl for an electric evening full of dancing. Hangout in the outdoor turf area where tropical vibes make your night, head inside for dim lights and a time to chat with friends while still enjoying the music from the DJ, make your way upstairs to a fist bumping good time where you can let your party self shine. The Wild Horse is exactly as it says, wild, in the best way. Enjoy a drink inside at their restaurant or breathe the crisp Saratoga air on the outdoor patio. Live music always lights up the patio stage and the party is packed with people ready to dance and sing with you all night long.

 

Night Owl - West Ave

West Ave Chicken at The Night Owl

Late-Night Eats

After a night of drinks and live music, nothing hits like a solid late-night bite.

On Caroline Street, West Ave Chicken & West Ave Pizza dish out slices and chicken sandwiches within The Night Owl until 2am. Just down the block, Esperanto keeps the crowd fed with their signature Doughboys—warm pockets of pizza dough stuffed with chicken, cheese, and Buffalo sauce—served late into the night. Right across the street, Pizza 7 has every pizza you could imagine ready for you after a night of fun. Burgers more your style? Check out Herbie's Burgers inside The Ice House open late and serving up the best smash burgers, fries, chicken tenders and milkshakes for your tastebuds to enjoy. Vegetarian and vegan options also available. Leaving at more of a reasonable time? Order authentic tacos from Taquero Tacos & Donuts until 11pm. Curb your sweet tooth and order home made donuts along with them.

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