Lark Street - Funky & Friendly Neighborhood of Shops, Restaurants, Galleries and Clubs

Lark Street is often referred to as the "Greenwich Village" of the Albany Capital Region, and if you plan a visit to Albany without visiting Lark Street, then you have indeed missed the friendly and funky urban center of the Capital Region.

Located just a short walk from downtown Albany's business district, Lark Street has long been a mix of commercial and residential that is reminiscent of the great and colorful neighborhoods of Manhattan. 19th century brownstones line the streets, many filled with commercial residents who have been there for years, and give the street a decidedly vintage feel. Also lending that "Greenwich" feel are the cobblestone intersections that remain from the turn-of-the century neighborhood this once was. During the day, residents and nearby workers lunch at cafes, enjoy cocktails, and shop among the eclectic selection of boutiques and stores.

A diverse range of shopping is available, and many storefronts are tucked into basement level shops further lending to their appeal. You can find contemporary art, antiques, one-of-a-kind jewelry pieces, vintage clothing, flowers, books, and wine - as well as drop in for a tattoo or a piercing.

If you are hungry, Lark Street offers a wide range of food representing many tastes and nationalities. Congregated here are Tex-Mex, Greek, Thai, Indian, Hunan, Italian and Japanese restaurants as well as many others.

As daytime gives way to night, shops close for the day and an eclectic blend of bars and nightclubs take center stage, making this one of Albany's "hot spots". The diversity of clubs reflects the diversity of the neighborhood, appealing to a wide range of ages and lifestyles.

This wonderful and appealing area was losing its sparkle several years ago, when the Lark Street Neighborhood District Management Association formed, commonly known as the Lark Street BID. Their mission is "To build, sustain and enhance a healthy, dynamic and unique living and business community in the heart of Albany."

The Lark Street BID is the driving force behind the annual LarkFest in the Fall -- a much anticipated event. This huge street fair offers a wide array of musical entertainment, food and craft vendors and is the largest one-day open air festival in upstate New York, attracting more than 60,000 participants. Other special events include Art on Lark in June, the BID's annual Champagne on the Park, and various family oriented events.

For a complete schedule of events and activities, visit the Lark Street BID's events calendar.

Lark Street is located two blocks west of the Empire State Plaza and one block east of Washington Park. To reach the area, take the Empire State Plaza exit. At the end of the long ramp, after you emerge from the tunnel, turn right onto Swan Street. Follow Swan two traffic lights to Washington Avenue. Turn left on Washington, Lark Street is at the second traffic light. During the day, short-term parking is available on the street and long-term in a paid parking lot located opposite the intersection of Lark and Jay Street. After 5:00 pm, all parking moves to the paid lots, including one located at 208 Washington Avenue, just west of the intersection of Lark and Washington.