Downtown Nightlife: Your Guide to Saratoga Bars

One of the best features about Skidmore is the town of Saratoga Springs. We love the shopping, the coffee shops, and the overall energy, but one of our favoritefeatures is the downtown nightlife. Read on for a quick peak at the DT scene, for those of us 21+ collegiettes™ (and even the froshies out there). Saratoga doesn’t have the most bars per capita for nothing!

• Putnam Den –  Putnam features live (sometimes Skidmore) bands, great dancing and attracts a local crowd, particularly of local musicians. This establishment boasts an alternative feel, and is usually good option for those who are under 21, because of the 18+ nights!

• Tavern –  The staff at Tavern is super nice and gets to know their clientele well. Often you’ll find karaoke and local musicians hitting up this Caroline St. favorite. With four levels, you can choose to relax, play pool, or dance. In the late spring through Labor Day, make sure to check out the roof deck for an awesome view of the town. Tavern is a great place to escape the Skidmore bubble, and get to know some local Saratogians.

• Gaffney’s – Gaffney’s is so crowded in the summer, and it is hard to even grab a drink. Thankfully, it quiets down during the school year. The patio is awesome, when the weather is still warm. Also, much of a local scene goes on right here.

• Peabody’s – We all know Peabs. When Skidmore takes it over on Saturday nights, you’re bound to run into the cutie from class. But on any other night, Peabody’s is a true sports bar. If you are looking for a place to watch football on Sundays, and want to get off campus, you have found the place to go. The attached restaurant, Bailey’s, is also worth checking out.

• Desperate Annie’s – DA’s is a great place to head when you want to wind down the night. Grab a drink, some friends and a booth! Find your favorite bar games here, including foosball and pool. Depending on the night, you could run into a bunch Skiddies or a large local scene.

• Tin n’ Light – TNL is the first bar on your right, as you walk down Caroline St., so why not start the night there? With a casual vibe and a mixed crowd of Skiddies and locals, TNL is a good place to get a pitcher with friends. It can get pretty crowded, so count yourself lucky if you are able to grab a booth! You can find relatively cheap prices here, too.

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• Paddock Bar and Lounge – Paddock opened this summer, and in true Saratogian spirit, it has a racetrack theme.  You can choose to dance, hang out at the bar, or grab a leather couch in one of the nooks (you will feel like a VIP!). It has a relaxed, but sophisticated atmosphere. Paddock features a great cocktail menu; try the Martingale!

• Irish Times – Irish Times looks like any other Irish bar or pub from the outside, but it actually has great décor and dinner too! Listen to local musicians, watch sports games or catch up with friends. Two levels and a patio draw patrons in. Unlike TNL, DA’s or Peabodys, Irish Times features a little more of an upscale ambience. In addition to a plethora of beer (arguably the most unique selection of any bar downtown), there is a decent cocktail menu too!

• Circus Café – I know what you are thinking, Circus Café for drinks? Isn’t that a place for families to eat? Yes, it is. But it also has the most unique and fun cocktail menu of any bar in town. Sure the bar is small, but where else can you feel like you are the ringmaster, while sipping on a Cotton Candy martini?

• The Saratoga Wine Bar – While the Wine Bar boasts an older crowd, and isn’t a place for dancing or hitting up with a big group, it is a great place to go with a couple of girlfriends to grab appetizers and wine. If you are under 21, you can join your 21+ friends here for delicious food! It is a classy, sophisticated, relaxing place, especially if you just want a few drinks, but don’t want to necessarily head “DT” for the entire night.

Whether you’re a freshman wanting to try something new, or an almost 21-year-old sick of Falstaff’s and Scribner parties, or even a senior stuck in a Peab’s rut, we hope this break down of the DT scene will help you find the bar that fits yourscene. See you on Caroline Street!