This is a relaxed, welcoming spot for a cocktail and good conversation. I've been here a few times…read moreand enjoyed discovering New York State spirits, well-made and satisfyingly substantial cocktails, and live music that adds to the atmosphere. What stands out most, though, is the sense of community. I've seen strangers come together to support someone who wasn't feeling well, and that moment really reflected the kindness and positive energy of the people who gather here. So stop on by, grab a drink, and enjoy the day.

This place is very nice -- welcoming, artsy, comfortable, small but personable. We live across the…read morestreet, and my husband and I wanted to give it a try. Unfortunately, it was not a great experience. The bartender served our drinks with no napkins and no lime. Details are key in a place like this. It was also loud, and it looked like a birthday party was happening. If that was the case, maybe the place should have closed to the public to accommodate that celebration. People were loud and drunk, and the birthday boy was saying vulgar things. We will not be coming back.

In from ATL on business, I've found myself at Da Joint twice in the past week. They have a nice…read moresetup with couches and comfy chairs to sit in. A handful of flat screens spread out around the place, and numerous tables are available if you are trying to use a laptop. Lots of variety in terms of hookah flavors and the service was very friendly.

They play fire Punjabi/desi music (even the new r&b releases)!…read moreThe person who works here was super chill - made us his special chai, gave us a board game, and kept us in the loop~ Never a bad idea to end the night with a laid back hookah lounge :)

Five stars just doesn't do The Argus Hotel (TAH) justice! So many more could be awarded but for…read morenow I am relinquished to conform and will try to do TAH justice in my review. TAH is a former mansion turned attorney's office turned B&B, currently owned by Terra and Matt. A dynamic duo with a powerful history of business savvy, hospitality, craftsmanship, culinary experience and so much more. TAH was an amazing place but it was these two that welcomed my family into their home and embraced us with all of our nuances and imperfections as if they were part of the family too. Attentive and observant of what we needed, what worked or didn't in the house and were quick to adjust as needed. TAH is still a pretty new hotel and they are doing an amazing job ironing out all of the kinks that come with anything new. I was speechless when I first entered the house and spent hours absorbing the beauty of the house and their labor. As for the actual hotel...Built in the late 1890's, the hotel has the modernized features of central AC, WiFi, Satelitte TV, etc. but still holds the historic charm. The walls are adorned with hardwood paneling, wood floors and classically decorated with beautiful, modern furniture mixed with some classic pieces for added flare. There are a multitude of rooms for sitting and enjoying conversations and cocktails at the rustic bar in the main entrance as well as ample seating in the main area where the tremendous fireplace can be enjoyed. The bar serves a full menu of drinks which can be enjoyed whether you choose to stay at the hotel or not. Sleeping rooms are plentiful too and nicely decorated. There are a full compliment of sizes and configurations, even a separate carriage house turned into a perfect spot for families needing a bit of isolation from the main house. The carriage house/ cottage also has a small kitchenette, bathrooms, living rooms, etc. My wife, son and I stayed in the suite with the sun room off the back. A large room enough room perfect for a family with smaller kids and the ideal spot for a relaxing afternoon in the sunroom. All of the rooms were well stocked with the basic necessities and each had their own keypad for access as did the main entrances to the Hotel. This was my first visit to Albany so I was not familiar with the area. Having some down time between family events I did make my way out to some local restaurants and the neighboring park. I enjoyed the area and the scenery of the neighborhood and would definitely encourage anyone to do the same. The area has so much local flare and personality to enjoy it should be considered criminal to miss out. I am counting down the days until I can return for another phenomenal stay!

This is a review of only the cocktail lounge. Friends from out of town were staying in the…read morecarriage house behind the hotel and we agreed to gather in the lounge for a drink or two. The building itself is impressive, although maybe not quite as impressive as the castle-looking building next door. Our party of seven settled in at the bar as there otherwise did not seem to be a large enough table for all of us to gather around in either the main lounge area or a small room off to the side. The dark wood paneled walls, large fireplace, assortment of easy chairs, couches, and high desktop table gave off a feeling of warmth and welcoming. The friendly bartender introduced herself (sorry I've forgotten her name) and informed us that spirit-wise, the bar was capable of preparing the standard, traditional drinks like Manhattans, martinis, etc. All beers were poured from cans, and at my request, she recited the names of about six that were available. I don't believe anyone in our party inquired about the wines that were available. The building simply calls out for an explanation of its history. Upon our request, the bartender offered to provide either the "brief" or "full" option. We requested the full history. She was obviously well up to the task. You would be amazed at the variety of things you could learn here. Just to touch on a few key topics that were mentioned, consider Alexander Hamilton's wife, puffed rice, Bab-o cleanser (cue up the jingle), Bishop Gibbons, and an orthopedic surgeon. I don't know what the normal food arrangements are in the Lounge. I'm guessing that our out-of-town hosts requested some snacks for us as a few bowls appeared with mixed nuts, crackers and cheese, fresh grapes, humus, and warm pretzel/croissant rolls, and a plate of prosciutto wrapped cream cheese. Overall, the atmosphere here is simply friendly and inviting. I think it will become an occasional gathering place for our local friends when looking for a place that is quiet and relaxing.

Came here for drinks after dinner and the vibes were really pleasant - they have a nice outdoor…read morearea and we sat in the seats up the stairs in their little courtyard. We came when it was still relatively empty so there were no issues in getting a table for a large group of us. Drinks were good and reasonably priced - they also came out fast. Overall, I thought this spot was pretty solid. Great spot to chill and just get a drink - thanks, The Night Owl!

Caribbean fare and dance party at The Night Owl in Saratoga…read more Chef Bjorn Burke dishes up Caribbean fare inspired by his Jamaican grandmother's cooking during Caribbean Soul Sundays at The Night Owl in Saratoga Springs. It is an expansion of a menu offered Wednesday to Saturday nights. (Times Union) Every Sunday until Labor Day they will be serving Caribbean dishes. The dishes change every week. This week he had. Curry Goat, smothered pork chops, jerk chicken and fried chicken. Each dish came with peas and rice, Mac and cheese and collards. I got the fried chicken dinner! The chicken was fried well and tender and moist. I'll be back next week and he said he will have ox tails! The meals are served in the outside courtyard with a slamming DJ and an outdoor bar. There is ample free street parking, but also nearby garages and parking lots. The service was terrific and everyone was super friendly! I'll be back!

First time going with friends to grab a drink at The Misfit. Truly thought we were stopping for…read moreone nightcap and calling it an evening. Little did I know I'd connect with bartender Michelle and find the best espresso martini I've ever had in Saratoga. Michelle's bartending ability and customer service deserve the full 5/5 rating and immediate visit from anyone reading this. Highly recommend!

Even though it was a quiet Wednesday night, this basement bar still had a really great, welcoming…read moreatmosphere, and its convenient spot right on Caroline Street makes it a place I would definitely visit again.

The service was excellent! We went to try the girl dinner special- the food was excellent, chicken…read morewell seasoned and still moist. The cosmo made me want like ten more so great job on that! It's not exactly a deal as the chicken is a significant up charge. Prices are definitely high everywhere but for the portion sizes I think the prices are a bit higher than average. Price aside I would recommend giving it a try and bring your friends!

The Loft is a cute space with speakeasy vibes. The staff is very friendly and attentive!! We were a…read morelarge group and we truly enjoyed their unique cocktails and mocktails (love the NA options!!) It was a little odd that the dishes came out 1 or 2 at a time, with about 15 minutes or more between the first dishes and the final dish. The server and kitchen were quick to correct the issues, and were very pleasant about the situation!! The pasta dishes had some great sauces!

The copper crow is great they have unique dishes! I loved the stuffed haddock! Also the calamari…read morewas good! They have lots of seating and a cute lounge area! Great for a date night.

I'm definitely a fan of this place. This is the second time we've stopped by and we all try each…read moreother's dishes which have been great each time. Today, I got the Korean chopped cheese which comes with fingerling potatoes. The bread is soft but substantial enough to hold all the beef and cheese which is nice and flavorful albeit a tiny bit salty. The fingerling potatoes were different and a good choice since you need the large amount of potato to cut through the richness of the meat and cheese. The menu here is a decently sized and varied, with some Asian inspired ones like this sandwich. Note: some of the dishes, like this one, are quite large and could easily feed two people. The space is large with regular tables and chairs, an area with couches and lounge chairs, and an outdoor patio area with tables and umbrellas. We've opted for the outdoor area each time since it was nice out. Service is nice and friendly. Check it out.

There's no substitute this is the OG espresso martini old-school vibe you have to come here this is…read moreSaratoga babe!!

We did not get to experience the mystic out drinks, we paid our cover but did not get a warning…read morefrom the doorman that there was no room! We stepped in the door, couldn't move in any direction, couldn't make it to the bar, we had to turn right out. I told the bouncer/doorman that they shouldn't have let us pay to get in if they were at capacity, to which we received the cold shoulder. Rather than make a scene we just left. It was a shame, the musicians seemed bet talented and we were looking forward to at least listening in but went elsewhere instead.

The Patatas Bravas were absolutely the best thing I've tasted in a long time, the flavors of the…read moresalsa verde and the aioli along with the lardon were delightful and satisfying. I very much appreciate that they didn't use cheese in this dish. You could tell the whole meal was homemade and full of flavor. Even the greens that came with my sandwich had a delicious vinaigrette with crunchy seeds and pickled red onion tossed in. I can't wait to go back to enjoy another meal!

I love having Lost & Found just down the street as an option when my partner and I want something…read morelowkey but delicious. It's a comfortable and cozy space with good drinks and a quite eclectic menu for a place you think is going to be serving up typical bar food. I enjoy their focus on local and in-season ingredients, I'm always keeping an eye on their Instagram to see what their unique specials are; their recent ode to leeks was so tasty. There is always something vegetarian/vegan on the menu so I never have to worry. Brunch here is also a great idea, those house made biscuits are worth stopping in alone. Lost & Found really focuses on highlighting and supporting Albany/the Capital Region whether it's with their ingredients, drinks, or live music so I feel even better about supporting them. Once they start offering a plant-based hot dog so I can join in on the fun and deliciousness of the Wednesday hotdog club I will rush back to give them that 5th star ;)

Tofu scramble was solid. The tofu was cooked to perfection (very convincingly egg-like) and…read moreaccompanying vegetables were equally cooked well. One of the best tofu scrambles I've had so far. The home fries could have been cooked a little longer and mashed a bit (they were a bit dry and too perfectly cubed). The Buffalo chick'n sandwich was solid, just the right texture and taste. Fries were good. Also had a chai latté which was delicious! I would have had two if coffee didn't make me so jittery :)

Came here with a groups of friends for dinner, drinks, and trivia on Thursday! Such a fun spot for…read morea craft beer and watching sports in general and I can see why this spot is so popular in the summer. The space is really cool, it's 2 stories with bar and booth seating. This was our first time doing trivia here and it's ran so well! Orders are also taken on sheets that are written by you which makes service super fast and organized. The bartender was really nice and friendly and checked in routinely as well. The pretzels were really good and portions were plentiful. My tacos were a bit cold but had good flavors and my friends enjoyed their burgers and tacos as well. The pretzels were hot and soft. Great line of beers, ciders, and sours. Will definitely be back!