Old fashioned drinks and a great atmosphere. Can't say enough about Stockade. Vintage, classy, fun. Great cocktails!

If the reviews complaining about slow service and long waits make you hesitate, come on a Thursday night. It was almost empty when we arrived, got busier by the time we left but still not bad. Interesting choice of cocktails, small number of good beers on draft. Not the friendliest service but not rude either. read more

Fabulous vision, fabulous execution, wonderful and genuine owners/staff. Great job. read more

I frequent the Stockade Tavern often and I do enjoy some of their cocktails. The problem is always the staff. They are more interested in hanging out and chatting with friends than they are paying attention to new customers. It is not uncommon to enter the bar and wait 15-20 minutes just for the bartender to acknowledge you. And the service can be snooty. It's a common complaint and I don't understand why they can't get better at this. Most of the time when this happens, the bar is nearly empty so it is not because they are too busy. Understandably, these types of drinks take more time to make, but this is not the problem. Maybe this place is too clique. read more

Inventive with their choice of ingredients. You can't ask for a better and more approachable staff. A gentleman who seemed to be the owner or manager was the first to greet us. I have great appreciation for the ability of a owner to be able to run an establishment with such a consistent hand, while using the other to stock liquor, polish glasses, and refill an ice well. Service is truly five stars, and their product follows suit. read more

The drinks were fantastic but the service was pretty lacking. My husband and I stopped in for some pre-dinner drinks on a chilly Saturday night. We took a seat at the bar and were given menus. After we placed our order the bartender re-filled all of the other patrons' drinks before getting to ours. It was not super busy, only 8 or so other people, and we were in no rush, but this didn't make us feel super welcome. Don't get me wrong, I don't need to have a full conversation with the bartender, but basic pleasantries are nice in this level of establishment. All of the folks there seemed more interested in talking to each other or their local patrons. I'll avoid the price tag and awkward feeling and go elsewhere on my next trip up to Kingston. read more

Perfect quiet craft cocktail bar with a speakeasy vibe. I'm a big fan of a dimly lit romantic bar and a well balanced cocktail. This place is the spot. Ambiance is on point and the space is the perfect spot to spend a first date or float around and chat with new people. read more

As I was leaving with a friend, the owner or a bartender came outside purposely to harass us that we did not "tip enough." He then proceeded to yell at us down the street as we politely kept walking. Extremely uncalled for, rude, embarrassing, degrading and unprofessional. He made the whole experience miserable. Will never go there again. read more

If you are like me, you take some very important things for granted. My favorite dress that makes me feel like a million bucks? I never think of thanking it for fitting me so well. The shoes I can walk all day in without thinking twice? They don't get my gratitude. When things feel so right and comfortable and make us feel so good we have a tendency to accept it as a given rather than a gift. And that's why I have been remiss in reviewing the Stockade Tavern. It's a place that just makes you feel good inside - and that's before the drinks! The space is woody and vintage, but modern. No tchotchkes or anything - just a pretty open room with two big booths, various sized tables and a great bar. Sit anywhere! There is table service and I saw many happy customers - but WBF (Wonderful Boy-friend) and I always sit at the bar. And we always meet people! All kinds of people! I take issue with the previous reviewers who keep bringing up "hipsters". Are there young, fashion-y/arty/I'm in (or with) the band types there? Sure! Are there people under 30? Yup! Lots of beards? Oh indeed! But there are plenty of people who are over 30, most definitely not with a band and have straight jobs and kids and regular, non-exciting lives. So if you have read these reviews and though that maybe you aren't "hip" enough to try the Stockade Tavern - think again. So once you decide table or bar you will get a menu. Take your time - it is a lot to take in! I can say that I am definitely a drinks adventurer! I love odd seeming combinations and really strong tastes. This has led me down some...interesting paths. I have never been less than totally thrilled with any drink I have had here. These are true experts - cocktail savants - putting together the menu. EVERYTHING tastes good. What I love is that I can have something very complex to start and then ask one of the bartenders (Paul is Fantastic!! But they are all very skilled) what would be a good follow-up. What a great way to go! I am now hooked on a drink called The Martinez! And the food! Few bars with great cocktails have such tasty food. We had the pate - (delicious) and the roast beef sandwich. Oh my - that sandwich was incredible - and the perfect hot, salty, toasty cheesy bite to have with a cocktail. My only issue with it is that the morning after we ate it WBF woke up and began talking about how he could really go for another one of those roast beef sandwiches instead of greeting me with sweet wake-up words. Ladies - you have been warned. So - if you are in or near Kingston, NY (and by near I mean within an hour away) and have a craving for a great drink in a convivial atmosphere where you will meet interesting people and munch on great food you owe it to yourself to get to the Stockade Tavern. You will be basking in a feeling of profound well being within 10 minutes of taking a seat. Just remember to be grateful! read more

My girlfriend and I were on a week-long tour of the Hudson Valley and The Stockade is the best bar we went to, bar none. Not only that, but it holds up against the best Chicago has to offer in terms of mixology and ambiance. The owner, Paul, was the perfect host, mixing our drinks personally and telling us booze lore and giving us tastes of lots of different things. He made me an exceptional Old Fashioned and a magnificent Rob Roy (with a nice peaty blended Scotch). My girlfriend got more adventurous with an egg cocktail and a concoction Paul called Penicillin. Both were delicious. Great music, great people, great drinks. read more

Great drinks, awesome and tasty bar food, HORRIBLE service. Takes forever to get a drink either at the bar or with a waiter/waitress when the place is full. Atmosphere is sweet; it's in a nice section of Kingston and they can pack it in on the weekends. If you can stand waiting forever for your cocktails, this place is a treat. read more

This is the best cocktail bar in Kingston. The food is just ok its just snacks, the bartenders are lovely and amazing, I prefer to sit at the bar over a table. Not sure about the over priced meat market comment some people do date - Barb can march herself over to Uncle Willies. Stockade a very much Brooklyn style cocktail bar, the owner Paul prides himself on collecting rare bottles and ingredients for our drinking pleasure. read more

I know all the reviews say this place is great, but I just don't get it. Yes they have super hand crafted high end foo-foo drinks which if you are into that I guess you should go. Personally I appreciate a good beer and sometimes a light domestic or light import, which last I was here I couldn't get either. No TVs, no sports but it is a cozy place just not one of my local favorites. read more

Go to this place. Just go. Once you go and spend a little time, you'll find yourself regretting all the time you spent not going to this bar when you could have. It's time you'll never be able to make up. This why it's metaphysically crucial that you go to this bar as soon as possible. On the way, you can think of what spirit you're in the mood to drink. That's all they need to know and the bartenders will prepare and present you with the perfect cocktail -- a cocktail you've probably never heard of before (How did he know exactly the cocktail I'd love? It was spooky) And order a picked egg because you never have. And be sure to talk with someone next to you or far down the bar from you. It's all cool. read more

The Stockade is the best tavern in The Tri-State! great place go for expanding your cocktail palate. Always fresh and new creative drinks with each visit. Atmosphere is sophisticated and warm. While the adventurous bar food is matched only by the cocktails. read more

Awesome bar! Bartender Paul is the owner and a great guy. Great ambience! Great beer! I highly recommend this bar.

Best bar in the Hudson Valley hands down! Classic cocktail bar with an amazing atmosphere, as hip as a downtown NYC cocktail bar with none of the attitude. Holds up as well as any NYC cocktail bar I've been to mixology wise. A must visit. read more

Stockade Tavern - Cocktail Bars Near Me - Kingston, New York

Stockade is probably my favorite bar in the area. I try to go there every week, usually Wed or Thurs because weekends get really busy there and it can take a while to get a drink. The bartenders and servers are really nice and helpful and know their booze. I'm into spicy drinks, my favorites are the pink stag and the bonecrusher. If you don't see something you like on the menu the bartenders can usually recommend something that strikes your fancy. Love this place. read more

The Stockade is a great bar. And not just by Hudson Valley standards. You could plunk it down in NYC and it will still be a standout. The building itself is beautiful with high tin ceilings and a beautiful and sizeable bar. The bartenders are talented. They can make a mean cocktail and Charcuterie. They display local art, which I think was done by the owner. It's pretty impressive, actually. This is THE bar in Ulster County. read more

The bartenders spent a lot of time explaining the drinks to us, and even so, managed to serve up the busy bar very efficiently. They made a special non-alcoholic drink for our child, too. Much better than the Shirley Temple I was going to get him. read more

This may be one of the best upscale bars I've ever been to. And I love bars, from the dives to the luxurious, but this place has everything right! Our bartenders were amazing, and everything bartenders should be. They knew everything about all they served. They make wicked drinks with class and style. The snacks are delectable. As we entered our fourth round, the owner began chatting us up and offered not only some advice on where to have dinner, but called around to see which of the best places had the least wait time. More of the service industry should take note from the Stockade Tavern: this should be what you aspire to. read more

Great place, love the ambiance and drinks were very tasty!

Omg! Amazing! Friendly owners and staff. Fabulous drinks from scratch. Adult atmosphere. Woo hoo! THE place to be.

This place is unique for the area. If you are into trying a different cocktail from back in the day, this is your place. The bartender is extremely talented and the atmosphere is not stuffy at all. The prices are a bit high but I don't mind paying because the drinks are high quality. read more

The Stockade Tavern is less "going out for a drink" and more about "going to an art show", except you get to drink the paintings. First off, the cocktails skillfully blend old and new cocktails in a cohesive and encompassing menu. The drinks themselves are fairly priced and executed to the T. I've never had a bad drink at Stockade. The staff is knowledgeable, friendly, attentive, and prompt whether sitting at the bar itself or at the tables around the bar. The ambiance is light and lively, with a variety of music playing, from mellow jazz to sweet, sweet disco on occasion. The lighting is just right as well; enough to properly read and see but low enough that it gives it a cozy feel. All in all, a fantastic bar. read more

Fabulous cocktails! Best in town and maybe the Hudson River Valley. Definitely make it a point to stop here when in the area. Nice cheese plate; charcuterie too. Don't miss. read more

Cannot say enough good things about Stockade Tavern! The drinks are incredible, and that's from someone is usually a good-draft-beer-only guy. Just have Paul make you what he feels like making. It's worked out every time for me. Best part...they are really "clean" drinks, meaning not loaded up with cheap liquor, sugar and bad mixers. It's a must visit if you are in Kingston and a great spot for the locals too. read more

Cocktails on Thursday evening. Sat at the bar and observed - each drink is done with care, hand selected ingredients, and shear talent. I had a perfect manhattan and then shared an absinthe cup with my drinking partner. Superb. Will definitely return before I depart next weekend. read more

If you're looking for expertly made and inventive cocktails made by genuinely wonderful people this is the place to go. This is the place that I wish was in my neighborhood. From the very first visit I felt like I was home. The drinks are truly top notch and always current. The tin ceiling, lighting, booth seating, and curved bar add to the intimate vibe. My boyfriend and I plan getaways to Kingston as often as we can just so that we can enjoy the atmosphere here. read more

Great drinks! Bartenders very skilled and obviously interested int here art. Wife had Maiden's Blush - subtle and very effective :-) Everyone should stop in on Hudson River tour and have one complicated drink built by pros. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. Bartender was rude and obnoxious..not friendly when it comes to the LGBT community. We were treated awful! We ordered a cheese board and paté and it took her twenty five minutes to prepare it...while she ate parts of it. We ordered 4 drinks that were over fifty bucks..Great atmosphere but I won't be back because of the rude service. read more

love this place! Pre-prohibition drinks made in a retro environment read more

Cool and unpretentious. Friendly and chíc. They take what they do seriously, and it shows. There's a reason that Kingston has become a one-bar town. Just watch the barkeeps shake their drinks. If serving a cold beverage matters, it matters no more than it does here. I hope it never closes. read more

Living locally I go to the Stockade often-- it's my favorite place to get a drink in Uptown. The staff is friendly, very knowledgeable, and creative. Their menu is outstanding but they are not limited to it. Anytime we've asked someone to make something off-menu its been superb. Definitely professional bar-tenders working with spirits and all the supporting ingredients the way excellent chef's can elevate food. The drinks are on the pricier side but its pretty much market value (in NYC/Hudson Valley) for that kind of setting and menu so it's so be expected... Also, the music is always good (which really helps set the space as a whole experience). Good for a date if you go in the evening on Friday or the weekend-- its a place that can be fun to go to a little dressed up since the interior is beautiful but not demanding in anyway. There are no TVs which, well... thank god. Its also great to go (as I often do) dressed totally casually after work just to sit at the bar and relax. As a woman I appreciate that it's a bar that you can go to alone to relax and enjoy a drink and feel totally comfortable. There are very small two tops lining the wall that are perfect for one person and a magazine/newspaper/notebook. Alternatively there are large tables in the very front and very back if you're a large group. I've never had the food so I've got no input there but I did have a pickle back with a shot of the juice from their own curry pickled cauliflower and it was delicious. In any case, I wholeheartedly recommend it. read more

Definitely a hipster place but I like it! Drinks are pricey but the whiskey sour I had was quite good.

Came back to the Stockade and had a much better experience. It wasn't as crowded this time so I got a seat at the bar. Ordered some delicious drinks and some great food -- charceuterie, cheeses etc. Delicious! The Sardines were a major highlight as well. Great limited menu for a bar. THe drins, again, were excellent. The service was WAY better than my last visit but when they got really busy there were still some struggles but I would definitely come back now and revise my previous review. read more

Hey: if I could give the Stockade Tavern six stars, I would. What's to like: fabulous fun & interesting drinks, personable folks behind the bar, a great vibe, value for your money, and least but not least -- not a single television set anywhere! Talk about your basic anachronism! And one for which I'm truly grateful. What's to not like: nothing. Wait, I thought of something: why no home delivery of their great cocktails for evenings when it's raining? read more

I'm a foodie, and now, I guess a drinkie. This was an exceptional experience. The menu for cocktails is extensive and, well frankly, I wasn't in the mood to read. So, I told the bartender (or, mixologist more appropriately) what I had in mind and bam.....there it was and he hit the nail on the head! The staff were personable, friendly, and attractive. The prices were reasonable. And the drinks, well, I've never had such creative delightfulness! A MUST for Kingston. read more

This place is four stars going on five. I love the environment they have created. Clearly a lot of thought went into the design and decoration. The colors, the artwork, the ceiling, the bar, the lighting, and the little extras like the cute service trays or the green water bottles, all work really well. It is in the former Singer Factory in the Stockade District of Kingston and after talking to the owners, it sounds like an amazing transformation. I had a yummy NY made pale ale (forgot the name), and my wife had a couple of pre-prohibition-style cocktails, both of which were tasty. The full bar has lots of little suprises and they are specializing in 'crafted' cocktails. The wait-staff and owners were really nice. The menu is a work in progress but what they have seems to be in the vein of an old style tavern. My few complains are soon to be remedied according to the owners. The AC was not working but the fans and the warmth actually added to the atmosphere. I liked the open doors and windows looking out at the Senate House across the narrow street. They are only taking cash right now but expect to have an ATM soon and card-capability after that. This was a problem because I did not bring enough cash to try the absolutly delicious Irish Wiskey I sampled. I will be back! read more

Absolutely the best mixed drinks I have ever had anywhere and a wonderful dark sort of speakeasy atmosphere. I love whiskey sours and what they made me was on a whole other level. It ruined me for I have never had another as delicious ...if you want a top flight drink experience, this is a must..! read more