AOA birthday drawing: cider, spirits, and beer

glass of nine pin cider

A glass of Nine Pin cider.

This week AOA celebrates our 6th birthday, but we're giving you the presents. Each day we'll have a drawing for some fun Capital Region stuff. You can enter to win a new "present" every day.

Drawing's closed!

Today's drawing is for those 21 or older. It includes:

+ A bottle of spirits from Albany Distilling Co.
+ Two free tasting flights at Nine Pin Cider Works
+ A $25 gift certificate to Druthers Brewing Company

To enter the drawing, please answer this question in the comments:

What would be on your "must do" list for an epic night in the Capital Region?

We'll draw one winner at random.

Important: All comments must be submitted by noon on Friday, April 18, 2014 to be entered in the drawing. You must answer the question to be part of the drawing. (Normal commenting guidelines apply.) One entry per person, please. You must enter a valid email address (that you check regularly) with your comment. The winner will be notified via email by 5 pm on Monday, April 21 and must respond by 5 pm on Tuesday April 22.

Comments

Dinner at a small ethnic eatery, some community theater, and a nightcap of local hard cider.

My "must do" for an epic capital region night out is dinner, dessert, and wine at Maguire's. It is so delicious. So. Delicious. What would be truly epic is if I could afford to treat a whole bunch of friends to dinner and drinks there.

Then we would waddle our stuffed selves to Washington Park for horse-drawn carriage rides through the park -- like the ones that are available during lights in the park -- except it would be warm out.

Definitely a visit to the Bier Abbey would be in the schedule of events.

I think it starts with dinner- at Wine bar or New World bistro, or Prime and taking it to a few bars after meeting up with friends along the way.

I would have to try a new restaurants that I haven't been to yet.

Coriolis IPA and a burger at the Gastro Pub.

My new one is to bring out of town guests to 9pin for a tasting. What a great little spot with excellent ciders!!!

NYS Museum. There's some amazing art and a great 9/11 exhibit.

Dinner (Thai Curry Mussels) at Monk's, a show at the Palace, and a night cap at Olde English.

A night on Broadway, with stops at Olde English Pub, Biergarten, Stout, and the Barrel Saloon!

Dinner at Illium and a visit to The Malt Room would factor into the mix.

My epic night out would involve:

Exhuman at Fuze Box for industrial music and dancing, capping off the wee hours of the morning at The Ruck for some wings.

Along the way, we could stop at Wolff's for some beer and fried things, some people watching at Stout.

This would also assume I have acquired an ability to stay awake until 4 am, but hey, I can dream.

Be with your friends, and be happy.

A girls night out on Lark St!

It would have to be base-jumping from the Corning Tower down to Lark ST and have a drink waiting for you.

Wait, this is the best drawing ever!

An epic night in the Capital Region would start in late August with the running of the Travers Stakes!

Huh. Epic... Umm... OH!

Get portable dinner from someplace awesome
Drive to East Greenbush, or somewhere that you can watch the sun set behind Albany
Get ye BACK to Albany, and maybe have some dessert at Crisan, and/or an after dinner cup of warm beverage.

This is where I fall apart, I would be epically nerdy and have friends come over and just hang out and chat for the rest of the night. =D

My favorite way to start an evening is the City Beer Hall patio. Especially now that we are finally ? In spring!

New here so I have yet to discover the end all of end alls to make an epic evening....can't wait to hear other ideas.

It would start with a cinematic montage of a romp through the Empire State Plaza — complete with goofy-face pictures and camera angles that make it look like you’re holding The Egg in your hand. And then everything else everyone said above.

A group of friends having dinner and drinks at the Albany Merry Monk followed by a night out at a show (Proctors, The Palace, The Hollow etc).

Dancing--if I had my way, at 80's night at the Fuze, but since they don't do that any more I will take Waterworks.

The Must-do in Albany is lunch at El Loco, then Tulipfest, dinner at Jacks downtown, then barhopping Lark Inn, Lionheart, Hollywood, and ending at Bombers for some karaoke.

a charcuterie and cheese plate and a glass of port from the Charles L Confectionary

An early dinner at Yono's then seeing a touring Broadway show at Proctor's.

an epic night in the capital region would require loading up on carbs, so dinner at bacchus gorging on pizza is a must (and of course you deserve it because you'd be hiking in the heldebergs all day). head back to albany's lark street and grab a frothy drink from lion heart all the way down to fuze box. stumble back all the way to palais, and end your night there like you always do! maybe grab some more pizza at dino's...it's very likely. it may not be epic, but it'll feel that way.

Karaoke!

Palais Royal

Dinner in downtown Saratoga after a day at the track.

An epic night in the Capital Region has to end with a Doughboy or two from Esperanto in Saratoga!

Dinner and drinks at Merry Monk then on down to the Warehouse district

Cocktail hour at the Confectionery, pizza at Bacchus, and a nightcap at the Speakeasy, followed by a night walk home through the Plaza.

Oh Bar Karaoke!

Probably NWBB

Good show at the Low Beat.

open air theater in Washington Park (wonder what they've got on schedule this year) then the wine bar afterwards!

A spooky walk through the Plaza.

All my favorite bands show up for a secret show at the City Beer Hall . . . epic! I can dream.

I think I'd start with a cocktail & cheese plate at the Speakeasy, then I'd jump on a #10 or #12 bus, get off at Lark and have a delightful meal at the Wine Bar (fireplace seating in the winter or patio in the summer). My perfect night would have Crisan staying open late so I could grab something delicious to go followed by a stroll through Washington Park. I'd catch the bus home, change into pj's and watch a movie while drunkenly devouring my treasure from Crisan.

This girl knows how to party.

Dinner at Brown's with a whiskey porter growler to take home!

Dinner sitting outside at New World, followed by a trip downtown to City Beer Hall

pint at merry monk, pizza at the red front, a really cool concert at empac, wine and cookies at the confectionery.

Wine and dinner at either Wine Bar on Lark or Midtown Tap and Tea followed by a concert/show at the Egg or the Palace. Followed by a stroll in Center Square.

Of course April (snow) showers bring May flowers--tulips that is! What more epic than a leisurely stroll or picnic among tens of thousands of the beauriful Dutch tulips adorning the formal tulip beds in Washington Park around Mothers Day and Tulip Fest. Of course most epic would be attending the Champagne on the Park event on Thursday evening May 8th from 5:30-8:30 pm. It's the one and only fundraiser for the Lark Street BID. Ticket prices are: $70 if you call and make a reservation to attend at 518-434-3861, or $75 for walk-ins day of event, and either way a couple price is $125! Cash and checks paid at theceventvsrecthe preferred method of paying. More info call the BID at (518) 434-3861. Cheers. Be epic with 500 other supporters. And wait til you hear 2 bands, peruse dozens of silent auction items and evclectic fare samplings from Lark Street BID restaurants. And of course overflowing flutes if sparkling wine all night long. Grab a flute and tiptoe through the tulips with me!

Well, the definition of "epic" has changed a lot for me in the past 5 years...but...I had an "epic" Albany night the other night:

Cocktail party at the Fort Orange Club
Albany Symphony Orchestra at the Palace
Dinner at 677 Prime
Drinks at dp

It was fabulous!

Wow - seriously awesome giveaway!!!!

Epic night in the Capital Region means dinner at one of the Indian restaurants in downtown Albany.. Ghandi or Lazeez, a soft chocolate ice cream cone from Kurver Kreme and then finish out the night hitting some favorite local spots for beers - City Beer Hall, Lionheart, and Bombers!

It would start out with a trip to Capital Wine for the necessities for stoop drinking, and some appetizers from the Oasis Mediterranean Cafe. We would then head down to Yono's for a bite to eat and some pre-show cocktails before taking in a show at Proctors or Capital Rep. After the show we would have some pints down at the Olde English, and then waddle back to my place to stuff our faces with cheesecake from Cheesecake Machismo and polish off a bottle of wine up on my roof while enjoying the late spring weather which will begin immediately. (I can dream right?)

It must involve Cheesecake Machismo.

I wish they would do one of those 5K glow runs in Washington Park. It would be light lights in the park, but warmer and on foot!

City Beer Hall!

Das boot

a stroll around downtown Saratoga

Burger at the Hollow.
Beer flight at Merry Monk.

Browns. Troy Farmers Market. Lake George. Saratoga.

The night that The Egg launches into space to return to its homeworld will be epic.

Dinner on city beer hall's patio. Cocktails at the speakeasy.

Dinner in Albany, bowling at Playdium (yesss), then bar hopping to finish the night.

I would visit many of the unique eating and drinking establishments that the city has to offer. Still haven't been to the pour house or the beer hall. Can't wait for the beer belly to open. It is right next to my house!

Being outside all day in Washington Park (aka like Tulip Fest) then wandering onto Lark and eating outside at Hollywood or somewhere around there and just relaxing and enjoying time with my friends in some warm weather!!!!

Start with some Mexican and margaritas at El Mariachi and move onto City Beer Hall for some bull riding and then finish the night splashing around in the plaza reflection pool. That would be pretty epic!

Once the weather is warmer, enjoying dinner with my boyfriend in my wee little urban backyard and then walking down the block to the Wine Bar!

Or playing nudie touchscreen at Susie's. Either or.

Shuffleboard at the Ruck!

Pretty much every TNO during the summer is "epic"

city beer hall patio or olde english!

Definitely outdoor dining in Saratoga in the summer

Walk at the Albany Pine Bush during sunset with fresh mozzarella subs from Ragonese then cocktails at the Speakeasy after dark.

I'm currently trying to plan an epic night, so here is what I have brewing.

1. Gimlets and oysters at Jacks.
2. Beer and pulled pork sammies on the patio at the City Beer Hall
3. A quiet interlude at Olde English Pub. If someone can recite its history for the crowd, I'd be much obliged because my then I'll be a few drinks in and the dates sort of meld together.
4. Friday night karaoke at Pintos and Hobbs.
5. Home in bed by 1am so I can get up and run the next morning.

City Beer Hall tortilla pizzaz

A beer at the pump station, dinner at NWBB, and then over to Troy for some wine at the Confectionery!

Epic night would kick off actually late afternoon ideally with the EPCOT tour of Albany pub crawl. You've got your Bavaria at Wolff's, England/Ireland at Olde English Pub & McGeary's, Mexican at El Loco / El Mariachi, even a Margarita at Bombers is acceptable. Shogun or Rain for your "eastern" experience and while there isn't really any Italian "bar" (to my knowledge) I have shamefully given credit for this for grabbing a slice of pizza to conclude the night.

To truly make it epic, I would somewhere squeeze in a stop at the Merry Monk for their amazing bacon cheddar ale burger. And wrap up the pub crawl / world tour with a Moo Thunder during a concert at The Hollow. We couldn't leave off AMERICA on the world tour now, could we? And what's more American than a brewery named Butternuts?

Get to be a racing president at Valleycats game

Riding the bull at city beer hall. And having a couple of drink at the Speakeasy.

Dinner and a double IPA outside on the patio at druthers.

As we are approaching the summer season, my answer will reflect what to do here in the warmer months. The Capital Region is an increasingly great spot for young '20-somethings'. In honor of the upcoming Beer-festival in June, my epic outing would involve hitting up the beer-fest for some great brews, then heading to a Saratoga eatery (Jacob & Anthony's, Druthers, Cantina's, etc.), then go listen to some live music while having a few more drinks.

A driver and a “team” to help me find the best margaritas & tamales in the area.

I've always wanted to do the birthday drink tour, so that would be my epic night..assuming I made it through them all!

I'd do it Saratoga style.....

1. 'First drinks' at Circus
2. 80's theme party drinking at Irish Times. Best if you have a hot pink hairband to wear around your forehead Olivia Newton John style.
3. Dinner at Cantina (only my fave on the planet), but you also have to eat the entire metal cone thingie of tortillas too.
4. More drinks at Circus, maybe eat some peanuts this time, although not off the floor.
5. If you're staying at the Downtowner, it's pretty awesome to accidentally enter someone else's room because your key worked in their door. Yep.
6. Late, late night noshing at Esperanto (whatever those things with the cream cheese in it are absolutely the best thing on the planet when you get the munchies at 11:30pm. True story.
7. A walk in the park, literally. Congress Park. Making out in the bushes optional.

An epic night could be a picnic with friends at Tanglewood and a bottle of wine at home with a nice girl.

Tacos and margaritas at el loco followed by beers on the Suzie's patio = perfect summer night.

Epic? I'm not sure about epic, but I'd like the evening to start at New World Bistro.

steaks at prime, a good show or music act then either beer at wolfs, old english or the speakeasy518

Albany Distillings Rye Whiskey is fantastic!

Attend the annual Siena v. UAlbany basketball game at the Times Union Center.

It's almost always held on a Friday or Saturday, which means you can fill your afternoon and evening around it with plenty of awesome activities around the city.

Anything, anywhere involving great live music!! (and booze of course!!)

Speakeasy! I could basically end there, but I might add a show at CapRep.

Observation deck of the corning tower.

Gotta go to Druthers!

Beers and pub food at the Ruck, early evening entertainment at DiCarlo's, take in a good band at the Ale House, then gambling into the wee hours of dawn at our regional casino (pending).

Mine would have to involve a lot of money -- I'd rent out the roof of the City Beer Hall for July 4th fireworks for me and all my friends, drinks and food included!

A walk in Washington Park and dinner at the Wine Bar.

A tour of the Capitol building at night. Empty, eery and beautiful.

A tour of the region's brew pubs with the Giddy Up bus!

Breakfast at Madison Cafe, stroll on the Corning Trail, lunch at Iron Horse, dessert at Cheesecake Machismo, visit the top of the Corning Tower, take a loop through Washington Park, Dinner at Shogun, dessert at Crisan, drinks at Palais then Mcgearys, then a tipsy stroll through the Plaza at night....

Trivia night at Graney's!

Epic night ... 677/DP/Yono's ... if I could manage to fit them ALL into one night, that (to me) is the definition of EPIC!

Barbecue party with friends music from a boom box and wine up at Indian Ladder Thatcher Park in the summertime

I think I'm too old for "epic" -- I'd probably go for dinner at the Merry Monk, then maybe walk to Congress Park.

footsy magoos :)

night swimming at my favorite swimming hole and watch the moon rise.

A Roma's sub brought to the Malta Drive-in on a clear cool night. Snuggles with my husband under blankets in the bed of my truck.

Dinner at the Gingerman followed by drinks at Browns Brewing.

Why not begin an epic night with a LARP-style reading of the venerable epic poem "Beowulf"? Anyone?

* crickets *

Tina would finally get her settlement from the trampoline lawyers and we would go down to Uncle Sam Lanes and drink $5 pitchers of frozen beer until Wendy got off and picked up her red lamb called Smudgit from Mrs Ankle. The Sharp boys would be out of jail again and we'd meet them at the Scary Bar in Green Island. That's the only bar around that let's you bring your lamb inside. Usually the Sharp boys have some good stories from the can. They always end up there together. Last time they got out they had lost their first names in some dice game. They were renamed after the Spice Girls and Scary Sharp said he didn't want to talk about it. Drinks until dawn, pancakes and sharpie tattoos at Bob's Diner and then off to Saint Joseph's in Troy for the Latin Mass at noon. The rest of Sunday we lie about and talk in italics. "Et lux in tenebris lucet et tenebrae eam non conprehenderun," Wendy would say, "I forgot my lamb again at the Scary Bar!"

city beer hall --> speakeasy --> confectionery

anything involving CAGE WARS. The most recent one at the Hilton was great! With plenty of drinking before, during and after.

Cocktails, cocktails, cocktails.

walking around the reflecting pools on the Plaza at night under the stars...

Epic night out - childcare, dinner at the Monk, a stroll through downtown, and then star gazing in my backyard.

Dinner at Phonecians with a big group of friends, stopping at Crisan on the way home to stock up on sweet treats, then a rowdy evening at home playing games.

I have yet to try the Speakeasy, so that would be on the list!

Dinner at Jack's or Prime, a show at the Palace, and a night cap at Olde English

Dinner at El Mariachi (out on the patio at the Hamilton location - hope they reopen soon), dessert from Cheesecake Machismo and a romantic stroll through Washington Park.

Stop at Browns and pick up some beer to go, next stop is Cheesecake Machismo for some slices, then let the dogs run in Washington Park while you enjoy your adult picnic among the tulips.
Or get drunk and ride the bull at the City Beer Hall.

A show at The Low Beat and chana masala at Lazeez.

Start suited up and classy at the Speak Easy, then gradually descend to insobriety while rising through the layers of the building until you end atop the fabled Bull of Regrets.

Dinner & drinks at Creo.

Wine and desserts at Lucas Confectionery, and then a burrito and margarita from Bombers!

Must involve dinner @ The Hollow and a bar crawl on Lark

Warm weather is required: Takeout dinner picnic (Shalimar's is always delicious) in Prospect Park while watching the sun set over Albany, a trip to the Confectionery for dessert and wine, Footsie's for drinks (and skeeball), before going back out to watch the stars. (The next day would absolutely involve breakfast at Manory's.)

Soccer at Wolff's in the early evening; dinner at 677 Prime; then local whiskey in a flask while walking through Washington Park.

Epic...hmm...good question. Probably starting with anything that comes out of Jason Baker's kitchen. Follow by a fantastic Broadway show. The night would be perfect if all these activities are catered to kids so I can bring them along. A girl can dream, right?

The Speakeasy

An epic night would be to walk around the Empire State plaza., take photos everywhere, and then walk more to a local business such as the Olde English for an awesome burger and then a little farther for a pint at Wolffs Biergarten

Dinner and a show at The Hollow.

Mussels (Blue cheese and bacon) and Frites at The Merry Monk and a show at The Hollow.

Early dinner consisting of fresh fish from FIN prepared at home. First act at the Egg with The Avetts, then second act at Red Square (or Hollow) with Start Making Sense (Talking Heads cover).

Dinner and drinks outdoors and then wandering over to the Park Playhouse for a free show.

A stroll through Washington Park and then on to Lark Street for a few drinks and maybe a bite to eat, then a stop down at the Wolff's for some beer and peanuts! Or, for a more low-key night, a walk down the street to one of the several dining establishments on New Scotland, from pizza, pub food, sushi, tapas, or frozen yogurt! All great options!

mmm, too many options. madison pour house to a flick at the madison theater? city beer hall to speakeasy? kim's pho to the gastropub? too much goodtime for one night.

Cocktail at dp's either before or after dinner at Yono's

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For a decade All Over Albany was a place for interested and interesting people in New York's Capital Region. It was kind of like having a smart, savvy friend who could help you find out what's up. AOA stopped publishing at the end of 2018.

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