9 Craft Cocktail Bars In & Near Albany, NY, Worth a Special Trip
Albany, NY, and the surrounding area are home to a growing lineup of craft cocktail bars, each pouring drinks made with top-notch spirits, house-made syrups, and seasonal ingredients. This guide highlights 9 bars worth visiting, including a whiskey lounge in Center Square, a neighborhood pub in Downtown Albany, a distillery-run bottle shop pouring house-made rum and vodka, and more local favorites.
New Scotland Spirits
Nestled at the corner of State & Lark Streets in Albany’s vibrant Center Square neighborhood, New Scotland Spirits' tasting room has become a go-to place for craft cocktails. Located just 10 miles away from their home in New Scotland, this elegant whiskey lounge exudes charm and sophistication.
Their expert barkeeps are ready to mix up innovative cocktails like the New Scot (rye whiskey, apple cider, spiced sugar rim, and cinnamon stick) and Sheriff of Lark Street (maple bourbon, vodka, espresso, whipped topping, and dark chocolate).
Customers can also check out a large selection of cocktail classics (you can't go wrong with a Whiskey Sour) and a variety of mocktails too.
New Scotland Spirits' dedication to local craftsmanship brings a unique flavor to every glass, making them well worth a visit for any cocktail lover!
Mint Slingerlands
Mint opened its Slingerlands location in April 2025, extending the restaurant's seasonal, farm-driven approach into the Capital Region's southern suburbs. A large patio makes it a solid option for outdoor dining, and the menu is built around fresh produce, pastured meats, and wild-caught seafood, with a strong lineup of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan dishes for guests dining together with different needs.
Their specialty cocktails follow the same philosophy as the food, built with homemade syrups, infused liquors, and pours designed around seasonal ingredients. Mint also partners with nearby distilleries to bring less common spirits to its bar, and its wine list draws from boutique, family-owned vineyards with sustainable and biodynamic practices.
As Mint's newest expansion, the Slingerlands location carries forward the brand's focus on community, sourcing from local farmers and businesses to support the broader food and drink scene in the area.
2026 Featured Summer Cocktails
Mint's summer cocktail menu leans into playful, evocative names paired with seasonal ingredients. Here are a few standouts, though the full menu includes several more worth trying.
- Paper Plane ("Airplanes in the Night Sky"): amaro, bourbon, Aperol, and fresh lemon for a balanced, bittersweet pour
- Blackberry Mojito ("Bells on Her Shoes"): rum, fresh blackberries, lime, mint, and a splash of simple syrup
- Mango Jalapeño Margarita ("Summertime & the Livin's Easy"): tequila, mango purée, jalapeño simple syrup, and citrus for a sweet-and-spicy finish
- Cucumber & Watermelon Martini ("Welcome, This Is a Farmhouse"): watermelon and cucumber-infused gin, lime, and simple syrup
Menus like this change seasonally, so it's worth checking with Mint directly for the most current cocktail lineup before you visit.
Scarlet Knife
Located on Troy-Schenectady Road in Latham, Scarlet Knife is a farm-to-table restaurant led by Executive Chef and Owner Paul Dimm, with a seasonal menu built around regionally sourced ingredients and a wine list that's earned a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Guests can choose to sit in the main dining room, at the Knife Bar, or out on the seasonal patio.
Their cocktail menu is designed around fresh ingredients and rotates with the seasons, so specific drinks vary, but the focus stays on well-balanced, ingredient-driven pours.
Scarlet Knife is highly recommended for a special-occasion dinner or brunch, thanks to its Latham location just outside Albany's downtown core and its emphasis on a full dining experience rather than a quick drink.
Savoy Taproom
Savoy Taproom occupies a brick-walled space on Lark Street in Albany's Center Square neighborhood, a building with roots dating back to 1936 that reopened under its current name in 2016. The bar and dining room fill most weeknights with a mix of regulars and visitors drawn in by the exposed brick, a hidden back patio, and a menu of sandwiches, wraps, burgers, and wings.
Their cocktail list rotates with the seasons, though past menus have featured drinks such as "Pink Jeans," a fruit-forward cocktail built around spring flavors.
We'd recommend grabbing a seat on the back patio if the weather cooperates. It's a favorite among regulars precisely because it feels tucked away from the Lark Street foot traffic out front.
Wellington’s
Inside the Renaissance Albany Hotel on State Street, Wellington's pairs its bar and dining room with a direct view of the New York State Capitol building. You'll find a menu of small plates and locally sourced American fare, along with live music on some nights.
Cocktail offerings shift with the season, but you can typically expect a lineup of classic and house-made libations designed to pair with dishes like the Faroe Island salmon or the Capitol burger.
Wellington's location inside a downtown hotel makes it an easy stop whether you're staying nearby or just passing through the Capitol area for the evening.
City Line Bar and Grill
City Line Bar and Grill sits on Western Avenue directly across from the University at Albany, in a building constructed from the ground up with an industrial-modern look, all exposed brick and sleek finishes inside. The all-season patio wraps around its own bar and includes a fireplace, and the space is outfitted with more than two dozen TVs for anyone catching a game.
The drink menu leans into playful branding, with mocktails and cocktails that have carried names like "Wanna Peach of Me" and "I Mint to Leave the Booze Out," though exact offerings change over time.
Given its proximity to campus and its sports-bar energy, City Line works well for a casual meal, a full lunch or dinner, or weekend brunch with a group.
The Loft @205
Tucked above street level on the second floor of 205 Lark Street, The Loft @205 has a speakeasy-style atmosphere with warm lighting and a cozy, tucked-away feel. It's known for small plates like bang bang shrimp and pork belly bao buns alongside a dedicated espresso martini menu.
The Creamy and Black Espresso Martini variations have been made with Death Wish Vodka, a local brand, along with Baileys, hazelnut liqueur, Kahlua, and cream, though recipes are subject to change over time.
The Loft @205 shares its Lark Street building with its sister location, Lark St. Poké Bar, so guests craving something lighter than bar food have that option nearby as well.
Dove + Deer
Dove + Deer sits inside a restored 1854 brownstone on the corner of Dove and State Street in Albany's Center Square, one of the city's oldest neighborhoods. The interior leans into a vintage, cozy vibe, and the kitchen turns out vegetable-forward small plates alongside traditional pub fare.
One example from their rotating drink menu is "The Grocer," a vodka-based cocktail made with elderflower, grapefruit, lemon, and rosemary simple syrup, though offerings change with the season.
If you're looking for a date-night spot or a casual gathering place with some history behind it, Dove + Deer is worth the visit.
The Albany Distilling Company Bar and Bottle Shop
Founded in 2011 in Albany's warehouse district, the Albany Distilling Company Bar and Bottle Shop pours cocktails made from its own house-distilled rum, vodka, and whiskey. The building's courtyard and patio area have become a signature draw, along with regular trivia nights inside.
Their menus have featured drinks like the Knickerbocker Tea, named after a historic Albany newspaper, though the cocktail lineup changes periodically.
The bar sits next to DeFazio's Pizza, so you can order food next door and bring it in to enjoy alongside your drink, a pairing regulars mention often.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best craft cocktail bar in and near Albany, NY?
Albany and the surrounding area have several standout craft cocktail bars, each with a different focus. New Scotland Spirits specializes in whiskey-based cocktails, Scarlet Knife pairs its drink menu with a farm-to-table dinner in Latham, and Mint Slingerlands builds seasonal cocktails around local distilleries. The right choice depends on whether you're looking for a full dinner, a casual patio drink, or a specific style of cocktail.
Where can I get an espresso martini near Albany?
Espresso martinis are common enough on Albany-area cocktail menus that you can typically request one year-round, even if it's not a standing menu item. Some bars on this list may also run a specialty seasonal version during the fall and winter months. It's worth checking directly with a venue for their current offering before visiting.
Are there craft cocktail bars near Albany outside the downtown area?
Yes. Scarlet Knife is located in Latham, and Mint Slingerlands opened in the Slingerlands area in April 2025. Both are a short drive from Downtown Albany and offer a farm-to-table approach to their food and drink menus. You can find even more great cocktail bars in Saratoga Springs.
Do any of these bars offer mocktails or non-alcoholic options?
Several do. New Scotland Spirits and City Line Bar and Grill both offer a selection of mocktails alongside their cocktail menus, and Mint Slingerlands features Zero Proof Cocktails on its menu as well. Other venues on this list can typically turn a cocktail into a non-alcoholic version on request.
What makes a cocktail "craft"?
A craft cocktail generally refers to a drink made with fresh, high-quality ingredients, house-made syrups or infusions, and attention to technique, rather than pre-made mixers. Several bars on this list, including Mint Slingerlands and Scarlet Knife, build their cocktail menus specifically around this approach.
Raise a Glass in Albany
The next time you're planning a night out, these 9 craft cocktail bars in and near Albany, NY, are worth adding to your list, whether you're after a whiskey-forward pour, a rotating seasonal cocktail, or a laid-back patio to enjoy it on. Each spot brings its own take on the craft cocktail scene, from historic buildings turned bars to distillery-run tasting rooms pouring house-made spirits.
Looking for food instead? Check out our picks for must-try restaurants >>
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