By Dave Windsheimer
The Bourbon Room, at 8 Caroline St.,
a new Saratoga Springs bar, opened on
June 13 with a charity event benefitting
the Ballston Spa-based Gateway House of
Peace.
Bourbon Room owners Jason and Rebecca
Southwood, who also own the neighboring
Paddock Lounge at 6 Caroline St., say
their new establishment has the nostalgic
feel of an old Saratoga tavern.
Guests can sip a favorite libation under
the building’s original 14-foot high tin
ceiling that has been restored to its initial
copper color. Also intact is an original
brick wall that was once the exterior of a
neighboring structure.
Other rustic focal points are a 22-foot
handcrafted bar, a marble fireplace, a
century-old re-purposed barn wood door,
some 150-year-old hardware from an old
coal door that was found in the basement
and a floor tiled with pennies.
“We believed that the space was quite
unique, that it held a lot of character and
that an equally unique establishment would
be a great addition to Caroline Street as
well as to the downtown Saratoga experience,”
said Rebecca Southwood.
As the name of the new tavern suggests,
the Bourbon Room will feature a wide
choice of bourbon whiskies. Bartenders
are trained in the history of the corn-based
spirit believed to have first been distilled in
the southern U.S. over 300 years ago.
Liquor wholesalers Empire Merchants
North will provide training to bartenders
in such topics as what constitutes a bourbon
and how it is distinguished from other
spirits as Tennessee, Canadian, Scotch and
Irish whiskey.
Patrons are also able to choose from a
selection of draft beers with the tavern’s
“pour-your-own” system, where customers
can draw their own beverage. The Bourbon Room features a Southern-inspired food
menu with bourbon-based sauces that will
complement its signature drink.
Bourbon’s opening-day charity event for
the Gateway House was in keeping with the
Southworth’s fundraising efforts at the Paddock
Lounge. Some 40 percent of the Paddock’s
gross revenues every Saturday from
6 to 9 p.m. are donated to various causes.
Gateway House is a 501(c) (3) charitable
organization which works with Community
Hospice of Saratoga. It provides a safe,
comfortable and caring home free of charge
for terminally ill patients who can no longer
live by themselves.
The Bourbon Room website is www.bourbonroomsaratoga.
com. The phone number
is 330-2426.