Excelsior Pub closing -- for now
The Excelsior Pub in Albany -- which focused on New York beers and wines -- is closing tonight (August 23). Steve has some of the details over at Tablehopping.
The pub is currently attached to Cafe 217 on Delaware Ave near Lark, an arrangement that apparently has come to an end. But it sounds like owner Jason Bowers is looking for a new space. From an email he sent to "pub club" members earlier this week:
Temporarily is the word to focus on. As some of you know I have been looking into adding a second location for some time now. This is still my intention. My goal is still the same but there are now some added steps and new ideas to take into consideration with this new development. I do ask for your patience and understanding in the coming time. I will do my best to keep you informed of all things EPC, and look forward to serving you again soon.
In the meantime, people are going to miss the Excelsior. As Colleen, a self-described regular, said to us in an email today: "Seriously, the guy loved his bar and his customers. He chose his taps as carefully as a museum curated builds a collection. He traversed the state to pull the beers no one would have thought to try."
Hopefully some new situation will be worked out. The concept behind the pub was a good one, and it highlighted and supported the growing beer and spirits scene in the state.
(Thanks, Lauren and Colleen)
Earlier on AOA: The Excelsior Pub: exclusively New York
Speaking of the beer scene: Greg Back is trying to start up a Capital Region brewery trail
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Comments
The selection, expertise, and bartending bonhomie at Excelsior was superb. But the bar itself not very nice. It never stopped feeling like the strange annex to a restaurant. If the owner could team up with someone with some design sense, and someone with some substantial capital, great things could happen. (Easier said than done, I know!) Imagine quaffing a glass of Southern Tier 2X IPA at a place that felt like this: http://re-albany.tumblr.com/post/58148718759/now-that-albany-med-is-transforming-the-whole
The laser focus of New York craft brew is a really winner if it can be properly executed. I wish him luck.
... said Jason on Aug 23, 2013 at 2:35 PM | link
Please stay in the same area! And if that's not possible stay in Albany!
... said Hock41 on Aug 23, 2013 at 3:18 PM | link
I hope it comes back. And I hope that you actually buy a full pint of beer there. It was just too silly to only be served half pints all of the time....
... said Barry T on Aug 24, 2013 at 9:15 AM | link
I haven't been there, but checking their site brought up their connection to the Thirsty Owl Winery. I've passed by their newly established Saratoga Springs location and (IMHO) the person who thought "The Thirsty Owl Outlet and Wine Garden" suggested an upscale establishment should have thought twice.
... said Eric Scheirer Stott on Aug 26, 2013 at 8:54 AM | link