I’m still inspired by the June Session event, so much that I’m still writing about it. Today I want to tell you about a couple more bright spots in Albany, New York.

Downtown Albany has been going through renovations as part of a revitalization project with new sidewalks and the installation of old fashioned lamp posts, not to mention incentives for restaurants and businesses on Pearl Street and Broadway.

A few years ago they built the Gateway to the Hudson, a walkway over the highway to the riverfront park where they put on concerts every Thursday in the summer for Alive at Five. This event is extremely popular though you can’t bring in any alcohol, limiting you to Consumer Reports’ highly rated Coors Light. *rolls eyes*

With the revitalized city, new pubs and restaurants are opening making hanging out in downtown ever more attractive. But today, I’m talking about two pubs that have been there all along, Mahar’s and McGeary’s

Mahar’s
Mahar’s is actually uptown a bit, but Albany isn’t that big of a city. Mahar’s boasts an extensive array of beers on tap and in the bottle. I’m not just talking a lot, I mean like 500 “a lot.” Not all at once, of course, but trust me, you will need to have a beer while you study the beer list trying to figure out what you really want to have. They update their website regularly with what is available on tap. They even give you a list of what is “on deck”.

They also have real, cask conditioned, hand-pumped, ale. I’d like to hear from our friends across the pond (like Stonch) to learn if any of these beers are the better ones. Here is a current list of cask ales.

Although Mahar’s is not known for its atmosphere, it is well-known for their beer list and so I highly recommend it for the true beer lover.

Mahar’s
1110 Madison Ave
Albany, New York, 12208

McGeary’s
McGeary’s, located downtown on N Pearl St., is better know for it’s atmosphere as opposed to the beer list. It is an Irish style pub, with plenty of Irish beers to choose from. Expect typical American pub fare from the menu with everything from deli sandwiches to Tiramisu for dessert. Note, they also serve Beef on aWeck.

During the week, this place is hopping with the working crowd at both lunch and happy hour. Happy hour definitely attracts the younger crowd. In the summer, they set up tents on the sidewalk to host bands Thursday through Saturday evening. It seems that after Alive at Five, McGeary’s is the next venue on the list. If you want to listen to a great Irish band, head there when Hair of the Dog is playing. Be forewarned: on these popular evenings you will be served in plastic cups to avoid breaking glass.

McGeary’s
4 Clinton Square (and N. Pearl)
Albany, NY 12208

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