My wife and I stopped by with our three friends about 8pm on Saturday night. I was pleasantly…read moresurprised by the nice ambiance and decor with what looked like a copper top ceiling, a main bar, a few raised tables and 2 cozy leather chairs that made me think of enjoying a nice after dinner bourbon in the study of an late 19th to early 20th century study of a business tycoon or politician from that time period.. The bar tender, Noah, was impressive and friendly in that he knew his liquor stock very well, and could explain the flavor intricacies of the various types of bourbon, vodka, and gins. They also offer some non,-alcoholic beverages for the "designated driver" of the group too. We watched Noah make everything from regular and "dirty martinis" with fresh ingredients, as well as one drink where he used a butane lighter and some tiny cedar chips in a straining tool above the drink to give it a fresh, authentic smoky look and flavor. Noah knows his stuff!!!!! The patrons were friendly, diverse, and easy to socialize with if you chose to do so. The establishment is pet friendly for "socialized pets" with a water bowl outside the establishment and some free Milkbone treats inside. Keep in mind that this establishment is a "tasting room" with the majority of products from the New Scotland Distillery, but there are other options. Just don't expect to get a Bud Light Draft or food here. The only downside is that parking in the Lark Steet and State Street location is difficult to obtain without some effort, but we managed to park our vehicles 2 blocks away. This is not a direct criticism of the establishment because the experience is well worth this minor potential inconvenience. We would definitely go back there again, especially for the specialty drinks or the flights and half flights of their bourbon and vodka products. Thank you once again, Noah, for a pleasant and educational evening!!!

Greeted by lush greenery, and gently splashing fountain at the door- a few steps down into a wood…read moreand leather light filled cozy retreat. The greenery continues inside with plants adorning a large picture window. Every surface gleams and the place smells fresh and clean... The bathroom is impeccably spotless. Classy attention to detail is the order of the day at New Scotland spirits tasting room. Our bartender, Noah, was welcoming and knowledgeable and our drinks were delicious. We will definitely be 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 :)

It's closed. Permanently. It's showing as open on maps. It's not. It's gutted. Permanently closed.read more

With limited info on the website, it was tricky to figure out how this place "works" so I'll share…read morefor all here. The cigar lounge has a small but quality selection of cigars for purchase. Perdomo, Fuente (chateau line), Padron 1926 and 1964, etc. Average cigars go for $25, and mid- to top-tier go up from there. Currently in April '23 there's no other charge, but they do have lockers that you can rent through membership which allows you to bring your own cigars and stash a small bottle or two. There is no alcohol or other service, it's just a lounge. It's large, spread across three floors with a restroom on each level. Lots of comfy seating, large TVs available, and would be great for a group to hang out and converse. Very quiet on a Friday night. Had the second floor to ourselves, and a group had the upper floor. Can definitely recommend - it's great to have a spot like this in Albany.

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!

Good vibes always. Been coming here for a few years and the staff is the best. It's safe,…read morewelcoming, and so much fun. The food is DELICIOUS! You get a little bit of everything here: dancing, indoor and outdoor bar and lounge seating, food, and even live music many nights. I recommend this to so many people. They always take care of their patrons which can't always be said about a lot of places downtown. Alex, and the rest of the staff. So incredibly friendly and on top of everything. BEST place for rnb, latin music, and best club in downtown Saratoga! Me and my girls are always safe and welcomed here!

Fun place with live music Super supportive local crowd & sweet bar tenders who were equally…read moreenthusiastic & seemed into the fun & revelry the crowd was giving off. A really fun little spot! But those cocktails-wow! Some stuff I wouldn't touch with a 10 foot pole, but hey! Something for everyone and the names made us laugh out loud! Highly recommend the Gimme S'more! Yum-o!

Cute little cocktail style bar on Caroline St…read more Sometimes there are talented DJs on the weekends. Vibes are chill if you arrive on the earlier side of things. Gets a lot more hopping towards the evening though, as this is Caroline Street, so be aware of that fact. Bartenders are friendly from what I've encountered. Excellent spot to hang for summer "day drinking." Recommend.

This is one of the best dining experiences I've had in a long while. The vibe and atmosphere was…read morefantastic. Chill and intimate but also upbeat and unique with a great music selection. The food from the appetizers to the entrees were so flavorful I thoroughly enjoyed each bite. Great drinks as well and price point was just right. Highly recommend.

My friends and I went here for a birthday dinner and the service was subpar to say the least. The…read moreserver herself was nice at first, but would stay focused on the bar and disappear from us for 15-20 minutes at a time. We would ask her questions about the menu and she looked like she didn't want to answer them. It also seemed as though she was rushing us through our order. My friend wasn't done telling her the specifics about her order when she turned to me and asked me for mine. I had to redirect her back to my friend so she could finish taking her order. The food was okay-ish. The noodles I got were hard to chew and the grilled chicken add on ($8 extra btw) was hard and grilled too crispy. We paid our bill in full and left no tip because the service left something to be desired and the attitude of the servers were more focused on other people. As soon as we go downstairs...another patron comes downstairs with OUR bill (that had our signatures on it bc it was a split bill) to harass us about not tipping the waitress. She mentioned that she used to work there and that she was given the bill and followed us downstairs. We were ordering our ride and she sat downstairs to wait for us to leave and said she wasn't leaving until we got our ride. We begin to go back and forth so that she can leave us alone, when one of my friends goes upstairs to find a manager (who wasn't there). A couple of minutes later, one of the bartenders comes downstairs (She has blonde ends and lip filler) and instead of trying to apologize for her friend's rude behavior just looks at her and says "It's fine" and tries to get her to go back upstairs. No apology was given nor did she try to make us feel like she was sorry it happened. I don't know what kind of establishment gives the bill of customers to other patrons, but I did not appreciate being harassed for something that wasn't her business in the first place. Overall, the lack of remorse and apologies has left a bad taste in my mouth and I will not be returning.

Spending a weekend away in the Lake George / Berkshires area with the hubby and wanted to find…read moresomewhere to try, stopped in after jumping on Yelp to find somewhere close that was cute with decent food. Decided to give a try. The place is a total vibe, dont let the outside and area fool you! It had been a long day by the time we got here, did the outlets all day long and I was coming down with a cold. Ordered a ton of apps, Crab rangoon dip is GOOOOOODDDD!!!!... Ordered Calamari that apparently I didnt get a pic of, but It was good also. I think we got wings, but I truly cant remember. I got the risotto, I didnt love it but the Shrimp were delish, it had a super strong after taste flavor that I didnt love but couldnt truly put my finger on, Hubby said his pasta was good, but just needed "something". Would def go back just not sure how often we'd be in the area. Drink menu was super extensive and they were great as well. Started to feel not well and literally had to take our food to go, the waitress was soo concerned and caring, it was great, and it was no fault of the food or theirs, I think it was just whatever cold I was coming down with that kicked my ass and I felt like I was going to pass out, sorry TMI... But the response was so nice and accommodating from the staff. Def worth a try, just be patient with parking, it was slightly chaotic, or that night we just happened to encounter all the people in the are who couldnt drive in tight spaces, LOL!

We had a reservation Saturday evening before visiting the Egg. The host was super duper friendly…read moreand he immediatelly brought us to a small two top in the back dining area. The wine by the glass list was limited and fifty percent was vegan. I ordered the Mosen German Reisling which is more sweet than I prefer but there were no other options. My guy ordered a brown beer on tap, i'm unsure the name. We started with appetizers crab rangoon dip with crispy delicious wonton chips. And the second mozzarella eggrolls. I would pass on the eggrolls im the future. The motz is advertised smoked but lacked a smoky flavor. The Harissa had the spice level simular to Heinz ketchup. My entree was a Cuban sandwich that did deliver some heat, well pressed with plenty of pickles. We would love to see a wider wine selection and a turn up on the spice and flavor for the appetizers.

What a gem. What a vibe. WHAT a cocktail menu…read more Tucked away, totally unpretentious, but with a STAGGERING, almost-unbelievable range of martinis and martini-adjacent cocktails in this fall/winter-perfect, cozy, mostly-paneled speakeasy that's also evocative of a semi-secret lobby bar of an old hotel (it's not though!) Even the music selections made it sound like prohibition era jazz standards were drifting in from another room. It manages to be simultaneously totally old school and totally hip, fancy-feeling and swanky, but also with the ease of a local watering hole... no easy feat. From t-shirts to suits, locals to newbies, it has a totally come-as-you-are, everybody's-welcome atmosphere. Even the locals made us feel at home, giving us great insight into several restaurants all less than a block or two away. Wines and beers also available, but mixology is the main act here. We were there over two separate bartender shifts, both times on a quiet Sunday late-afternoon into evening, but both gents have it all down to a science without forsaking the art of crafting a cocktail. They pushed my formerly-favorite Manhattan (at NYC's King Cole Bar, there, as much for the environs as the drink) squarely out of the top spot, and as I told our bartender after I spied a semi-hidden bottle of Chartreuse and he offered to make an off-the-menu Last Word, it was the first time I fully understood that drink. That hard-to-find liquid green-gold is in VERY good hands at 9 Maple! Perfect for date night, but also welcoming to the lone visitor in search of a PERFECTLY crafted, amply -poured cocktail. Eat before you arrive, or pop back after dinner for a nightcap. Although we were there for off-season, an outdoor courtyard hints at higher traffic when the weather's warmer and the horses are racing. And even off-season, Jazz band nights attract a crowd. This place should really be on more national Top Cocktail Bars lists. It's that good.

We had a stellar experience on 1/19. Whoever the bartender was (wish we got his name) was just…read moreperfection! We had a gin martini and a pistachio martini, both were amazing and very fair pricing as well. So happy we found this spot. It's small, but wonderful and intimate. All of the patrons were chatting with each other over drinks at the bar and we really enjoyed every moment. We even made our way back later that night for the perfect espresso martini

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!

This place was fine. We didn't realize it was a straight up bar that also serves some food. The…read moreburgers were both pretty good. Price was fine. Atmosphere was a little weird bc as stated it's a full on bar and there were lots of people at the bar and around the tables drinking, etc. Won't go back bc it wasn't our thing.

I had a work conference here and had the pleasure of having both a buffet style breakfast and a…read morebuffet style lunch. Breakfast was basic, but good. Eggs, potatoes, bacon, bagels. A few other pickings, but I don't remember. Potatoes were seasoned well and bacon was super crispy, just the way I like it! Lunch was different kinds deli sandwiches. Italian, tuna, and turkey. Chicken noodle soup, salad, chips and cookies. I had the turkey sandwich. It was tasty, until I had a bite of what I suppose was raspberry spread/jam? I felt it was out of place and not necessary. The chicken noodle soup was delish! Hearty and big pieces of chicken. Definitely made my insides warm on the cold day that Albany had yesterday. Service was great. Waitress made sure to clear out table of plates and utensils as soon as we had finished our meal. My only complaint that I have is that the bathrooms are all the way downstairs. So technically it's not fully part of the restaurant space as a whole.

I came here with coworkers while celebrating a special Office occasion. It was an interesting…read moreexperience that I might be willing to try again. First off, we made reservations and had our own table but I don't think they were entirely necessary as we saw lots of people come and go without them. Dress is very relaxes, with some people coming from work for lunch in suits and others in torn up jeans and t-shirts. Getting here was odd. It is off of a hallway off of the concourse, and though there is a sign it isn't obvious and I was glad I came with friends who knew the way. Upon entering the elevator, there were two options: restaurant (floor 2) and bathrooms (floor 1). Yup, they are on separate floors. The elevator dumps you in the very middle of the restaurant which I considered awkward. Leaving to use the restroom involves waiting in the middle again for the elevator, and then returning via the same manner. The buffets were wooden boards that were set up on saw horses in the middle of the room with power cords to the heaters and heat lamps. It seemed a bit amateurish but I suppose since they only do the buffet once a week they have to keep it easy to set up and break down. Every Thursday they do an Italian buffet lunch (and I don't think they do any other regular meal service) which apparently has various items that rotate. Today it was: Appetizers: Caesar Salad; Chopped Garden Salad; Grilled Vegetable Salad; Frittata with Four Cheeses; Eggplant & Tomato Compote; Crusty Bread Main dishes: Penne Primavera with Oil and Garlic; Rigatoni Bolognese; Chicken Parmesan; Porchetta; Grilled Vegetable Medley Desserts: Assorted Italian Desserts & Pastries (They had about 6 different dessert options.) The food on average decent. It is all served buffet style so dishes may get dried, sauces will congeal, and vegetables will weep water. I thought the chicken parm. was decent, I enjoyed the rigatoni Bolognese, and considered the frittata a standout dish. I took what I thought was a cream puff for dessert but it was filled with chocolate chip cannoli filling instead (I think). The staff were pleasant and frequently refilled the buffet. However, they kept taking our plates but wanted us to keep our dirty silverware which we had to put on the table cloth. By the end of the meal service, that cloth must look pretty bad. Prices were fair, I think $13 a person. However, it just felt really awkward at times. It felt like a restaurant was being crammed into a space that didn't really work (and at one time this was a really nice restaurant so I have been told). While it has the luxury of boasting the only buffet at the Plaza, I don't think I would come back unless there was another special Office function.