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    Early Terrible

    4.2 (114 reviews)

    Early Terrible Photos

    EARLY TERRIBLE ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

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    Recommended Reviews - Early Terrible

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    Night Flow: (Lychee Martini/Maker's)
    Mercedes C.

    If your idea of climbing up into a treehouse will most likely bring to mind a stretch of nostalgia of your childhood years, then Early Terrible on Mill Hill Rd in Woodstock might be for you. The design gives off 'treehouse' vibes- but don't worry- you seriously aren't climbing one. The large outdoor gravel area looks like you're in a forest. There are pergolas adorned with tree branches, lots of seating tucked away- even for a crisp Sunday night, sitting outside was cozy. Since we just grabbed some bites a door down, coming here to wrap up our weekend was in order. You'll notice the small u-shaped bar, the 2 large sofas, more seating by the wall and their disco ball. Don't be concerned about booking- there's no such thing, just come as you are, grab a seat if you can indoors or find slate, a wooden bench or chair to sit on outside. The menu is strictly on cocktails- but, there's a nice tapas selection. I was jiving to 80s pop- but speak up when you're ordering inside, because the music is louuuud- for the small space. Their Lychee Martini called me and hubs had the Maker's on the rocks. Great lychee taste on mine but for the $18 price tag, I expected strength. Service from the young gals making drinks was nice- just wished they had a better hand. I'd return because the energy is fun- but I'd also speak up on cocktail strength. Early T. might be the ideal off-the-grid and adult fairytale hideaway.

    Stephanie C.

    Fun atmosphere, great drinks, decent prices, friendly & helpful bartenders. What more can you ask for. Stopped in after dinner on our visit to the area and our group had a great time bopping around inside near the bar and outside in the various nooks and crannies, like the swings. It felt like a speakeasy/tiki bar set in a treehouse or pirate ship.

    Mezcal Penicillin & Smoke Signals ($19)
    Ameya B.

    On a relatively cold Saturday afternoon, we decided to checkout Early Terrible for their specialty cocktails. Their setup is very unique and the place has major wintery vibes! Lots of outdoor seating with fireplace in and around seating - enough to keep you warm enough as you enjoy their spirit forward cocktails. We ordered the Mezcal Penicillin ($17) and Smoke Signals ($19) both mezcal based cocktails which were prepared by, one of the most stunning and attractive bartenders / cocktail mixers. They do tend to get busy, so your cocktails do take a while to get ready, but the pretty looking ladies keep you occupied at the bar! Cocktails though are absolutely amazing and have a serious punch and flavor to it. We spent close to two hours at this location and there was enough for our toddler to be occupied with as well, including three swings at the entrance of this establishment. Highly recommended and will definitely visit again!

    Brianna D.

    Amazing cocktails, music, decor, vibes, service, and location! Perfect place to go after dinner. Great house music on Saturday nights.

    salmon crostini
    Kevin L.

    This was one of the few bookmarks I'd prioritized visiting during our recent vacation to Vermont and Woodstock. Three entirely independent coworkers had suggested Early Terrible when I mentioned I was taking a road trip up north. It's clear that word's gotten out about this den of debauchery. Having recently seen the touring production of Moulin Rouge, I especially appreciated sipping on my perfectly executed mezcal penicillin while gazing at the casual outdoor disco ball through the heat haze of the fire pit we'd parked ourselves next to. Between the Euro-pop music pumping through the sound system, the soothing gingery spice of my cocktail, and the mild eye-watering smoke rising from the blaze, I could have very well been in Bohemian Paris. Our drinks were superb -- easily on par with many of the most vaunted cocktail lounges in the city. We also sampled the salmon crostini, because the croquettes we wanted were sadly unavailable. They don't come cheap, but the portion is very substantial; one order is enough to serve as an entrée for one or a generous snack for two. I was also pleasantly impressed and surprised at the diversity of clientele. We showed up around 630pm on a Thursday evening and I observed representation across many ethnicities, genders, ages, and sexualities (ahem, that would be us). There were families toting both elders and stroller-bound babies, someone had an extremely shaggy dog in tow, a few couples (again, of varying ages), and an entire Asian household arrived as we were leaving. It was certainly the most vibrant cast of characters we'd encountered since leaving Manhattan. As J was closing out our tab, I wandered outside for fresh air. A few steps away from the door, I unexpectedly encountered a warm glow. It turns out that heat lamps were camouflaged among the tree branches adorning the deck seating; I hadn't even noticed them from afar, because they blended in so well to the decor. That's even more enticement to bundle up and return later on in the fall for the steamy Halloween festivities! This is definitely one stop I wouldn't want to miss when passing through the area. I'd be surprised if there's anything quite like Early Terrible within a fifty mile radius. After all, it's not everyday one gets served luscious libations by a vegan pole dancer while enjoying a campfire at sunset.

    Erin C.

    What a vibe! A must-visit when in Woodstock. You can hang out during the day, and at night they serve wood-oven pizza til a certain time along with other items on the menu. Absolutely love the decor of the trees intertwined in the structure of the bar making it feel like you're in the scene of Hobbitland in New Zealand somewhere. There is bar seating as well as little nooks and crannies and two big couches. The outdoor seating is plentiful and is so nice to lounge on a nice day. We only ordered some glasses of wine and enjoyed people-watching while we waited for our dinner reservation to start. Would go back again after-dinner to see what it's like - I'm assuming lively as it was when we left before 8pm.

    Simon P.

    A very vibrant bar that gives the vibe of Woodstock without reservation. The inside is a more dimmed setting with a large bar area. I was there during a fall day and decided to just have a beer in the outdoors area. Great music and good selection of beers!

    Jessica H.

    This place is the perfect vibe!! We sat outside the whole time at two different table set ups. There was a open fire ring near us, music and delicious cocktails. We were able to order a delicious brick oven pizza from The Mud Club next door and sit to eat it. There were so many options for sitting. There is so much to look at. We will definitely be back.

    Beautiful atmosphere
    Jerrod B.

    We were exposed to Early Terrible via a TikTok recommendation. When we arrived, we weren't sure we were at the right location. Many people were outside in little nooks and casual seating. There was a bar outside serving beer and wine, and a full service bar indoors. Inside the atmosphere was dark, sultry, and inviting. The bartenders did a great job engaging with the patrons and the drinks were divine. Try the Hog Race with black truffle infused Hendricks Gin, it's delicious!

    Marietta C.

    If you're looking for a chill place to have an awesome drink (or probably two) in the coolest spot in Woodstock, Early Terrible is where it's at! Community, people, rustic, artsy, fireplaces and furry friends. This is what Early Terrible is all about. With the purchase of an alcoholic beverage and a food item, you can grab a seat during the day or night at one of their many outdoor fires. Perfect spot to social distance and hang out. If you come with friends or are looking to have a good time and meet new friends this place is great. The vibes are everything and I'm absolutely obsessed with their outdoor space. Just wow. All the Woodstock feels. Great spot. Great drinks. Great people.

    Awesome patio
    Joi B.

    Spoiler Alert: this business does NOT live up to its name. Not a single terrible thing about it. Early? I suppose they open early enough for a bar (day drinking is def a thing in Woodstock). I love how Early Terrible is tucked back there from the main street like a precious secret. In fact we walked by a couple times over the past year and didn't realize a bar was back there until just recently. Picture a "campus of cool," where a beautifully landscaped area separates the bar, Early Terrible from a treehouse that houses The Mud Club, a coffeehouse. We had our first cocktail in a bar here this past Saturday... since March, you know, right before the stuff hit the fan. I absolutely love the ambiance, which totally reminds me of a refined Pandora - the World of Avatar at Disney's Animal Kingdom (minus the otherworldly creatures, of course). And that's a huge compliment because that is one of the most brilliant things I've ever seen. Indoors is cave-like, but it opens to a wrap-around deck/patio area. There is also a back area with tables and umbrellas. We ordered up two drinks (felt almost foreign to be doing this, gotta say!) a mojito and mezcal mule, expertly mixed by a really nice bartender and sat outside. There is a very limited food menu, but no vegan options, sadly. Prices may give some pause, about $15 bucks a pop. That's OK, though as I look at this place as something out of the ordinary, the perfect place to stop for a drink and to feel like you're in some kind of fantasyland. You might expect to see some kind of nymph peeking out around the corner, not gonna lie. I imagine the nighttime vibe is just as, if not more, magical.

    Beer Taps
    J. Alexis C.

    What a whimsical and magical place! The hubby and I went for some drinks and felt like we walked into a fantastical place. The outside was definitely the place to be where you could sit around a fire pit at night or hang out in unique sitting areas. The bar had a spooky witchy vibe and the most unique bar tap I've ever seen. Their drink menu was imaginative and they also offered some food which we didn't try because we had just come from dinner. Service was ok. The bartenders were fun to watch when making drinks but weren't overly friendly but allowed us to keep to ourselves. The inside area was warm and inviting and looked like someone's basement house with leather couches, lamps and low lighting. Very very cool!

    Logan J.

    I'm a little conflicted about this place, but overall, I settled on a 4 star review because its probably one of the better places to grab a drink in the area. The space itself is an easy 5 stars. In the warmer months there are a number of outdoor seating options for a drink, including some near fire pits. They've decorated the patio with chandeliers hung from tress, and it has a warm atmosphere all around. The service, however, didn't earn this place 5 stars. They were friendly enough, but seemed understaffed and two drinks too far too long to make--not to mention the line to get to order them! Maybe its just the overall slow pace of the area, but service was less than ideal. The drinks themselves were good. I'd say they were standard cocktails that I'd get at a handful of other places. They weren't anything amazing, but they were also more than just a drink with two ingredients. They were each close to $20 though, which again, knocked the review down. Of the local offerings, Early Terrible is worth a visit, especially for a pre-dinner drink. I don't know if I'd suggest spending the night here and running up an expensive tab for the atmosphere alone though.

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    2 years ago

    They are closed - I really wish we were able to get a chance to visit before the closure . The place looks lovely .

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    2 years ago

    Lovely ambiance. Great hidden place to escape for a cocktail and a bite to eat. A new favorite.

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    Cocktails were great and the show put in by the bartenders even better I'd love to go back.

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    Ask the Community - Early Terrible

    Colony - Fish sandwich Dinner

    Colony

    4.3(59 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    I can't review the food, only the venue, staff and drinks and I thought they were all excellent…read more Went to see the amazing Club d'Elf show recently. It was a Thursday so maybe things weren't as busy as normal but we showed up a little early and the back biergarten was open so we got some drinks as it was a nice spring afternoon. The bartender was very friendly and when we attempted to bring our drinks around front she let us know that we had to finish them first. The Venue itself reminded me a bit of the nearby Levon Helm studios in that it's an open space with a balcony overlooking everything and seating and standing room on the base floor. One thing I loved about this show is the sound was great. We sat stage left but the PA was subtly piping the DJ and guitar parts from stage right. It wasn't a huge crowd but people were having a good time with some standing room in front of the bar dancing etc. The bartenders were super attentive and responsive during the performance. I have been to Bearsville, Levon Helm and now Colony and I really feel lucky to have such intimate performance spaces somewhat locally. All of the staff were super friendly. Will be back for sure!

    We went for valentines Cupid night and had a great time. The venue itself is very atmospheric and…read moreladies of the night made it even more memorable. Bar was overflowed and took a long time to save everyone, I think no one expected the crowd of that size. Kitchen worked smoothly and food was bar quality but decent. We had a lot of fun and definitely will be back. I took away one star because of the luck of seating. Not enough tables or bar space or any kind of seating for everyone. Only about 50 people who got there at the opening had a chance to get a seat. Others like us lucked out and had to figure out how to eat without a table .

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    Colony - Club d'Elf

    Club d'Elf

    Colony
    Colony - Fun spot!!!

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    Fun spot!!!

    Sharkie's - Meatballs with onions and spaghetti squash

    Sharkie's

    4.7(137 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    •$$

    Cool Meatball Restaurant and store right on Tinker St. It's a combination of restaurant and store…read more The seating and kitchen is on the left side of the store and the store is on the right. I chose take out so I placed my order and then went shopping next door. They had bar seating and tables and one bigger table for larger parties. It's not a huge restaurant. The meatballs are good here. You can get them as a sandwich, with pastas or just meatballs alone. They also have vegan version as well. The store is pretty good. Frozen stuff including their meatballs and lots of other stuff. Hot sauce, chips and more.

    really cute spot with so much potential!…read more great service! we sat right at the counter. the house beer was 2 options, and altho i wouldnt order this again, it wasn't bad and the label was cute. i grabbed the sundied tomatoe and chickpea meat(less)balls. i really wanted to like these, but unfortunately they were less than par. they would not stay together, they were too mooshy and fell apart. hopefully they can work on a better biding agent. the flavor was okay. there was plenty of sauce. unfortunately they dont give you bread for the excess sauce. we ordered the bread for the side and i think this was a $6 charge. i guess they figure u can just order the sandwich, but i ordered the bread because there was just so much sauce involved in the meatballs. my date got the regular meatballs and he was pleased. happy to see theres another option for me to try on the menu - the chicken meatballs. would give this place another shot while in town to try them.

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    Sharkie's - Inside

    Inside

    Sharkie's
    Sharkie's

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    Shelter - Yup....It's That Good....For Up Here

    Shelter

    3.9(34 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    Very cool atmosphere. It reminds me like you're in a lodge and you're going skiing, but it's a…read moreturned into a restaurant. I also believed that it is Argentinian, which had a variety of items. One of the items was empanadas which I I wish I tried but now I know I can always come back here. The reason why I gave it one star less as I feel that corner tables are somewhat ignored and the fact that it was a hot day. There was not enough air going on unless you sat right in front of it I could understand if the restaurant was busy and they had a lot of Reservations, but it was middle of the day and some people sat outside which that's pretty cool that you have that outside dining and also sitting in that corner, you don't get to really enjoy the middle of the restaurants atmosphere they had wooden ovens as they cater more to pizza but again there's other variety as well. I will tell you this once you've had their white pie. You would not want to have it any other way as they put lemon and honey together.

    We were invited by friends to come check out the Shelter at Woodstock…read more First off, when you're driving here, GPS has you turn into a driveway where there's a clothing store. Keep going...we were wondering if we were in the wrong place but the place is in the back! The vibes are warm, rustic, hunting cabin type with wood tables, wood stacked decoratively on the walls and antler type light fixtures. We sat at a table by the wood-fired oven and we loved it. That smoky wood fireplace smell We started with drinks, the guys ordered IPAs on tap...I went for the hot cider with a dash of bourbon. I found it light on the booze but I find that true most places. For an app, we shared a slice of toast topped with burrata. The thing was bigger than I thought. It was good. We decided to all order one of the specials, the short rib dinner with polenta and broccolini. Good Lord was it good. Huge short rib, delicious and tender, with a yummy Malbec Demi-glaze that was delicious. The rib sits on a big portion of polenta --seriously the best I've ever eaten. The broccolini was nice. I can see why they were running out of that dish for the night. Hubby ordered a mousse dessert that he enjoyed. I was too full to eat anymore. Our waiter was amazing with great recommendations and friendly as anything. I definitely recommend!!!!

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    Shelter - Cool chandelier

    Cool chandelier

    Shelter
    Shelter - Refreshing: (Blackberry Mocktail)

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    Refreshing: (Blackberry Mocktail)

    Good Night - End It In A Knot: (Organic Way To Rest Oysters Instead Of Them Moving All Over The Plate)

    Good Night

    4.1(101 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    While visiting the area, we were looking for an upscale, creative spot for a celebration and…read moreGoodnight exceeded every expectation. From the moment we arrived, the team made us feel so welcome, ushering us to an awesome table on their inviting patio so we could dine with our dog. The service only got better from there. Our server, Grace, was phenomenal. We were debating between small and large plates and asked for her advice on portions. Usually, servers just push you to order more, leading to a table full of wasted food. Grace did the exact opposite--she guided us perfectly and honestly advised against adding another side dish. She was 100% right on the mark. Thank you. Absolutely every single dish was a "wow"--piping hot, beautifully presented, and packed with flavor: ----Tteok Bokki ($18): I had seen this on many Korean menus and this was my first time trying Korean rice cakes, and I'm so glad I did. A wonderfully spicy, cheesy, chewy combo with melted raclette. --Crispy Wild Shrimp & Shishito ($24): Another spicy, delectable hit with a great sweet-and-savory balance. --Moo Shu Mushroom & Vegetables ($30): Delicious and fresh--the perfect mild counterpoint to the heavier, spicy dishes. --Crispy Panko Chicken Katsu ($32): We're still talking about how incredible this was. Definitely on the higher end price-wise, but given the stellar food, ambiance, and great service, well worth it. If we lived locally, Goodnight would be on our regular rotation.

    This was a really strange dining experience. I sat at the bar, and from the beginning the…read morehospitality just felt off. My bartender wasn't particularly friendly or attentive, although I'll acknowledge that vibe is subjective and maybe we simply didn't click. I ordered a mezcal margarita, which was pretty forgettable. The bigger issue was the service. I waited about 30 minutes for a salad and eventually had to ask what was happening before it appeared. I was told the kitchen was backed up, which I understand happens, but 30 minutes for a salad,with no communication along the way, is pretty wild. My second dish, a shrimp starter, was much better and honestly rescued this from being a one-star experience. There are clearly some good things coming out of the kitchen. But overall, the place had a strangely unwelcoming feel. What stood out most was a lack of hospitality: little engagement, limited attentiveness, and no real sense that anyone was particularly concerned about the experience. Maybe it was an off night, but for a restaurant at this price point, the front-of-house team could use much more focus on making guests feel welcome and looked after. The shrimp starter was good, but a very odd experience overall.

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    Good Night
    Good Night - Ube mochi donuts with ube ice cream

    Ube mochi donuts with ube ice cream

    Good Night - Beam Me Up

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    Beam Me Up

    Medo Woodstock - Hands: (Tuna+Avocado/Dragon+Avo/Salmon+Avo Hand Rolls)

    Medo Woodstock

    4.1(73 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    If you find yourself in this area, I urge you to try this place out I can guarantee you will not…read moreregret. Walking into the restaurant there is an amazing ambiance, the lighting is soft, the decor is beautiful and staff was super friendly and helpful with recommendations. Appetizers: Dumplings were soft and tasty (only wish they were crisper!), the crispy rice bites were out of this world, I've never had something so nice, little spicy but so much flavor, presentation was also beautiful! Main Course: Decided on the sashimi dinner for 2, it did not disappoint, perfect amount, finished everything and this was the BEST salmon I have ever tried. As an avid sushi lover I had nothing but respect and positive feedback for the sushi, I need to come back for it! Dessert: mochi was absolutely exquisite and the matcha crème brûlée was rich and creamy, definitely a little sweet. This was one of my best dinners total was around $260 and if you get a chance to stop by I hope you feel the same! A bit pricy but worth it if you're willing to spend

    Medo has expanded its sashimi assortment and its menu. That, plus a new owner, was exciting enough…read moreto stop in. The menu may have expanded, but the execution has fallen off. Over an hour between the appetizer, an average plate of karaage, and the sashimi and sushi. This on a night with the upstairs closed and the place only half full. If the ama ebi has lost all its flavor, nothing else on the plate is fresh. Only the seabream stood out. The saddleback roll, which the waiter talked up, was the biggest disappointment. Only the oshinko maki was good. The most tenured sushi chef was passionate about the product. No one else in the kitchen was doing much to help him, considering how many cuts he had to rescue. It's not a sushi bar unless you can see the freshness of the fish on display. Telling, then, that Medo has no display case at a sushi bar that should just be called a counter. $120 per person isn't expensive for sushi. But it is for the experience we just had.

    Photos
    Medo Woodstock - Wrapped In Warm Glow

    Wrapped In Warm Glow

    Medo Woodstock
    Medo Woodstock - Golden Ticket: ('Manhattan'+Elderflower)

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    Golden Ticket: ('Manhattan'+Elderflower)

    Early Terrible - bars - Updated September 2026

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