Joey asks via Twitter:
I'm searching for some good happy hour specials. So hard to find. Perhaps a post on local places w/happy hour specials?
A similar topic, Albany-specific, came up about a year and a half ago. We're curious any good happy hour spot around the Capital Region.
Got a suggestion for Joey and other thirsty people? Please share!
photo: Flickr user Dana Moos
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Comments
Happy hour specials push the limits of the law.
... said Ron on May 1, 2012 at 3:55 PM | link
I'm new to the area and live next to Washington Park, so I may be location-biased, but Lionhart Pub and the Lark Street Tavern have been good to me since I got here. Lark Street has great pizza, and the Pub usually has great drink specials, but I really enjoy them both.
... said Lucas on May 1, 2012 at 4:18 PM | link
Thanks "Ron", and when I want a lecture on the law, I'll call up a judge.
In the meantime, why don't you stop endorsing the absurd nanny state dictates that have come to be a defining feature of american life, and allow consenting adults to enjoy their lives without your nebbish chattering.
... said Ike on May 1, 2012 at 4:35 PM | link
Capital City Gastropub. If you look for the asterisks on their beer/wine menu, they have some great options for I think $5 for beer and $6 or $7 for wine. They also recently started doing $9 artisan pizzas between 5 and 6:30pm, but the pizza is nowhere near as good as the food from the main menu. [Their menu dishes are creative and delicious.]
... said derryX on May 1, 2012 at 4:46 PM | link
The Standard, 3-5 AND 10-12.
... said Laura on May 1, 2012 at 7:33 PM | link
I love bars, taverns, pubs, et al but I think this question deserves a little more fleshing out.
The person who suggested the Lionheart and *cough* Lark Tavern was probably acting in good faith, and the Lionheart can be great but what is the OP looking for? I am sure that there are a lot of places that have cheap drinks that are great for some people but not for others...what makes a great happy hour is the crowd and not the proximity to cheap(er) alcohol.
... said ned on May 1, 2012 at 8:32 PM | link
Ron, not everyone drives to happy hour. You may be surprised to learn that some people actually choose to live in urban areas with walkable access to local businesses! And while it's nothing to brag about, we do have public transit, and any professional drinker has at least three cab companies in their phone.
ned hits it on the nose, it's more about the crowd than anything else, so it's really a personal thing. I like McGeary's and the Victory Cafe (conveniently on bus lines), but Jerry is right, the Gastropub happy hour is great, though I'm more enthusiastic about the pizzas than he is. You get an 8-slice pie for the same price as most takeout joints, but for quality there's no comparison. Also a shout out to Mingle, which has an excellent beer selection and some great happy hour food specials, plus really attentive staff.
... said B on May 1, 2012 at 9:44 PM | link
Lark Tavern - Fail.
Mcgeary's - win!
... said Lark on May 1, 2012 at 10:14 PM | link
Justin's and Cafe Hollywood are both solid choices.
... said Sean Collins on May 2, 2012 at 3:01 AM | link
Every Monday-Friday Savannah's has half-price happy hour from 3-7pm! Everything except shots and single malts are included and there are $5 appetizers!
... said Litt1eMinx on May 2, 2012 at 7:29 AM | link
If you happen to be in Saratoga, Max London's has my favorite happy hour in the area. 2 for 1 drinks and a terrific bar menu. They make some amazing mixed drinks, but their beer selection (from PBR to microbrews) is fun too.
... said Valerae on May 2, 2012 at 9:12 AM | link
I like a lot of these suggestions - Justin's is a great one and now that it's warm I'm looking forward to checking out the huge back patio area of the HollywoodCafe. I'm also looking forward to checking out some of these other suggestions.
I have a question - where are all the thirty-somethings at? While living next to Lark Street can be nice, it jams up so full of college kids that it gets a little stifling. Where are all the cool post-college hangouts at?
Thanks!
... said Lucas on May 2, 2012 at 10:43 AM | link
Doesn't the Wine Bar on Lark do happy hour specials? That might be a slightly older crowd.
... said MEgan M on May 2, 2012 at 12:17 PM | link
Ship's Pub. It's across from Memorial Hospital. Best Friday HH I've been to in a long time.
... said Ponce on May 2, 2012 at 12:20 PM | link
Lionheart in Albany. The Ruck in Troy
... said Chad of Chad'z Beer Reviews on May 2, 2012 at 1:44 PM | link
Is Cafe Hollywood still a dump? Last time I was there the bathroom was filthy/disgusting/dirty and the place was a wreck.
... said Mark on May 2, 2012 at 4:07 PM | link
For the post-college crowd... We enjoy McGeary's and Graney's Stout. Sutter's and Across the Street Pub are decent choices as well.
... said Chana on May 2, 2012 at 8:00 PM | link
The bathrooms at Cafe Hollywood are good; the only thing negative I could think of saying about the (one so far) time I've been in there is that in the earlier hours the bar staff will play some really loud and obnoxious punk/metal if the jukebox isn't being used. Other than that, I thought it was a decent place. YMMV
... said Lucas on May 3, 2012 at 11:53 AM | link
Merry Monk Friday Happy hour 4-7 is good. $2 off all Ommegang and every last Friday of the month Ommegang reps are there with free samples of any of their draft beers. Plus the atmosphere is nice and relaxed
... said rae on May 3, 2012 at 2:58 PM | link
DeJohn's, Justin's and Legends all have $2 draughts from 11-7 on weekdays. Cafe Hollywood also has great specials (I may be wrong, but I think it's $3 domestic draughts and well cocktails), and one of the best patios to hang out on in nice weather. The City Beer Hall is one of my favorite places on the planet, with that awesome patio, mechanical bull and a free mini pizza with every beer. Win, win, win.
... said Summer on May 3, 2012 at 3:45 PM | link
I disagree happy hour is about the prices. They didnt ask for where can I see cool crowd after work, so to me he wants a deal, can always bring your own people to make the crowd good. With that said, there isnt any place in Saratoga to go.
... said ugetwhatupay4 on May 3, 2012 at 3:48 PM | link
Lionheart 4-7...$3-4 Craft Beers, nice front patio, darts, free popcorn, cool bartenders, relaxed and chill crowd
Suzies 6-9...Second wind happy hour $3 craft beers. Great, secluded patio out back
Justins with the aforementioned 2 dollar drafts.
The Ruck on Fridays for free wings (but you have to fight to get them)
Merry Monk on Wednesdays for 2 dollar off Omegangs and BOGO delicious Mussels
Mingle looked like they had some nice Happy Hour deals on appetizers and drinks
... said Josh K on May 3, 2012 at 7:40 PM | link
It's not a 'happy hour' in the traditional sense, but Cafe Hollywood on Lark St. has 2-for-1s on Sunday nights after 9PM. You buy a drink, you get a poker chip good for another drink - and the best part is - you can use the chips whenever you want, not just on Sundays!
... said Sara on May 7, 2012 at 6:10 PM | link