Here's a bit of an update on the area, although much of this post will be about two cities outside of Albany, albeit still within the capital district.
Albany
Not much has changed since my previous data sheet. Albany still sucks in general but here are some key things to keep in mind if you ever find yourself stuck here or passing through.
Mainstream nightgame is basically Stout on Friday night and City Beer Hall or Pearl Street Pub on Saturday. Pearl Street Pub is going be the closest thing to a club (bottle services, high bitch shields) although it has gotten a bit rowdier the past few years. There are now metal detectors, security is more aggressive and impatient, and more fights tend to break out. They now also collect a $5 cover just to enter the building, so it's not just the 2nd floor like previously. The crowd is still predominantly students with a healthy proportion of locals.
If you want purely students, Tuesday and Friday at Washington Tavern and Tuesday and Thursday at The Pub are still the spots. However, good luck dealing with the tight Long Island social circles.
The three biggest outdoor events are Lark Fest (late September), St. Patrick's Day weekend (mid-March), and Tulip Fest (mid-May). Lark Fest is easily the best of the three in terms of girls.
Troy
About 10 miles north of downtown Albany is the riverfront city of Troy. In the late 1800's and early 20th century, it was a prosperous hub of manufacturing and related industries. However, like many such cities, it later declined. In recent years it has experienced a bit of a revitalization and the downtown area has plenty of restaurants, some good bars, and a nice park by the Hudson River. The historic area has a cool feel because of all the cast-iron buildings, but like many cities in the capital district, it has its share of dilapidation and shady characters.
Oh, and apparently the person who inspired the icon of "Uncle Sam" was a resident a Troy. You'll see a number of references to Uncle Sam in signs around the city.
There are plenty of small bars around Troy, but I will mention 4 that will have the most people.
Wolff's Biergarten-This is a restaurant by the day but at night it just becomes a full-blown bar. The first floor has a bar and tables for groups. The second floor has a wall with dart boards and tables where people can play "water pong". It's real easy to socialize on the second floor. This place gets locals and RPI students. This is a good place to start a night since the second floor closes at 1 AM and the whole places closes at 2 AM.
Bootlegger's on Broadway-One room is a standard bar with tables but then there is a larger room with a dance floor and music. Once again a mix a locals and students from RPI and Russell Sage (all girls school in Troy). If you like to dance and don't need to talk as much, this is your place. This spot will have the most volume in the area and largest space. Closing at around 3-4 AM if I'm not mistaken.
The Ruck-Popular bar that is open until 4 AM every day. There is a shuffleboard in the back which could be good for meeting people, but this probably isn't the greatest spot to run game except maybe on Saturday when they have music. This isn't the biggest of places.
O'Leary's-This place actually isn't in downtown Troy but up the hill on 15th St. within striking distance of RPI's campus. If you want students, this will be your spot, although as a school focused on STEM, RPI is predominantly male. However, unlike SUNY Albany, RPI isn't overrun with ice queens from Long Island, so you'll probably have more traction on your approaches.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs, fondly and simply referred to as 'Toga' among some of the locals, is one of the nicest areas in all the capital district located about 35 miles north of downtown Albany. Driving through the city, you will see astounding mansions, nice shops and restaurants, and of course the historic racetrack that Carly Simon mentions in her song "You're So Vain". There's plenty of money in this city and the surroundings areas and it's really obvious. During the 'track season', which runs from the middle of July to Labor Day, the population swells from all the visitors.
The city is not nearly as packed or fun outside of the track season, but it's still worth checking out and doesn't have the run-down feel that you'll see in Schenectady, Albany, or Troy.
All of the following places are on Caroline St., which is pretty much where everyone goes out. I'll list the more notable places on the street below. Places start to close between 3-4 AM.
Spa City Tap and Barrel-One-floor bar with two areas. One area has a bar with televisions and a space for live performances. The other area has a pool table, dart boards and another bar.
Saratoga City Tavern-Multilevel building and each floor has a different setup and feel. The first floor is like a sports bar. The second floor is like a dive bar. The third floor is like a living room. The fourth floor, often called "Boom Boom Room" is like a club and has a DJ. And above all the floors is a roof that's open when the weather is nice.
The Reserve-This is your generic club in a basement. Dress accordingly. No cover as far as I know.
People that go out in Saratoga Springs are mostly locals, although generally nicer dressed and more well-off than the ones you'll see in many other places in the capital district. There are students from Skidmore College (a nearby liberal arts college) that show up but they're not a very large presence.
Albany
Not much has changed since my previous data sheet. Albany still sucks in general but here are some key things to keep in mind if you ever find yourself stuck here or passing through.
Mainstream nightgame is basically Stout on Friday night and City Beer Hall or Pearl Street Pub on Saturday. Pearl Street Pub is going be the closest thing to a club (bottle services, high bitch shields) although it has gotten a bit rowdier the past few years. There are now metal detectors, security is more aggressive and impatient, and more fights tend to break out. They now also collect a $5 cover just to enter the building, so it's not just the 2nd floor like previously. The crowd is still predominantly students with a healthy proportion of locals.
If you want purely students, Tuesday and Friday at Washington Tavern and Tuesday and Thursday at The Pub are still the spots. However, good luck dealing with the tight Long Island social circles.
The three biggest outdoor events are Lark Fest (late September), St. Patrick's Day weekend (mid-March), and Tulip Fest (mid-May). Lark Fest is easily the best of the three in terms of girls.
Troy
About 10 miles north of downtown Albany is the riverfront city of Troy. In the late 1800's and early 20th century, it was a prosperous hub of manufacturing and related industries. However, like many such cities, it later declined. In recent years it has experienced a bit of a revitalization and the downtown area has plenty of restaurants, some good bars, and a nice park by the Hudson River. The historic area has a cool feel because of all the cast-iron buildings, but like many cities in the capital district, it has its share of dilapidation and shady characters.
Oh, and apparently the person who inspired the icon of "Uncle Sam" was a resident a Troy. You'll see a number of references to Uncle Sam in signs around the city.
There are plenty of small bars around Troy, but I will mention 4 that will have the most people.
Wolff's Biergarten-This is a restaurant by the day but at night it just becomes a full-blown bar. The first floor has a bar and tables for groups. The second floor has a wall with dart boards and tables where people can play "water pong". It's real easy to socialize on the second floor. This place gets locals and RPI students. This is a good place to start a night since the second floor closes at 1 AM and the whole places closes at 2 AM.
Bootlegger's on Broadway-One room is a standard bar with tables but then there is a larger room with a dance floor and music. Once again a mix a locals and students from RPI and Russell Sage (all girls school in Troy). If you like to dance and don't need to talk as much, this is your place. This spot will have the most volume in the area and largest space. Closing at around 3-4 AM if I'm not mistaken.
The Ruck-Popular bar that is open until 4 AM every day. There is a shuffleboard in the back which could be good for meeting people, but this probably isn't the greatest spot to run game except maybe on Saturday when they have music. This isn't the biggest of places.
O'Leary's-This place actually isn't in downtown Troy but up the hill on 15th St. within striking distance of RPI's campus. If you want students, this will be your spot, although as a school focused on STEM, RPI is predominantly male. However, unlike SUNY Albany, RPI isn't overrun with ice queens from Long Island, so you'll probably have more traction on your approaches.
Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs, fondly and simply referred to as 'Toga' among some of the locals, is one of the nicest areas in all the capital district located about 35 miles north of downtown Albany. Driving through the city, you will see astounding mansions, nice shops and restaurants, and of course the historic racetrack that Carly Simon mentions in her song "You're So Vain". There's plenty of money in this city and the surroundings areas and it's really obvious. During the 'track season', which runs from the middle of July to Labor Day, the population swells from all the visitors.
The city is not nearly as packed or fun outside of the track season, but it's still worth checking out and doesn't have the run-down feel that you'll see in Schenectady, Albany, or Troy.
All of the following places are on Caroline St., which is pretty much where everyone goes out. I'll list the more notable places on the street below. Places start to close between 3-4 AM.
Spa City Tap and Barrel-One-floor bar with two areas. One area has a bar with televisions and a space for live performances. The other area has a pool table, dart boards and another bar.
Saratoga City Tavern-Multilevel building and each floor has a different setup and feel. The first floor is like a sports bar. The second floor is like a dive bar. The third floor is like a living room. The fourth floor, often called "Boom Boom Room" is like a club and has a DJ. And above all the floors is a roof that's open when the weather is nice.
The Reserve-This is your generic club in a basement. Dress accordingly. No cover as far as I know.
People that go out in Saratoga Springs are mostly locals, although generally nicer dressed and more well-off than the ones you'll see in many other places in the capital district. There are students from Skidmore College (a nearby liberal arts college) that show up but they're not a very large presence.