Courtesy Carson’s Woodside Tavern
Carson’s Woodside Tavern’s new patio, The Overlook, is the place to be this season for outdoor lounging and a view of Saratoga Lake.
The local bar and restaurant recently completed its latest improvement project, transforming the outdoor patio space. The purpose was to make the most of the view of Saratoga Lake and the surrounding Vermont mountains.
Since Carson’s was founded in 2015, owners Bill and Susie Carson, along with Gail and April Greiner-Hammond, have been upgrading the Route 9P property, formerly Cliff’s Country Inn.
The owners said visitors often ask why Carson’s Woodside Tavern wasn’t named something like Carson’s Lakeview Inn instead. They explained that at the time they purchased the property in early 2015, there wasn’t a view at all. One could only get a small glimpse of the lake from the far end of the parking lot.
Once spring rolled around in the restaurant’s first few months of business, they realized the potential and began upgrading the outside deck for summer dining. Next came the addition of new windows in the dining room and a cozy fireplace.
The latest improvement add a seasonal outside bar and restrooms, and an expansive patio with firepits.
“We wanted to make this outdoor area really special and magical,” Susie Carson said.
Carson’s Woodside Tavern plans to feature live entertainment on The Overlook several nights a week during the summer. To kick things off, here will be a grand opening party on Saturday, June 15, with entertainment by The Night Owls and The Audiostars.
“We’re proud of our great food and service, and we’re very happy with all of our renovations, but we’ll never stop looking for ways to improve the property and the business to enhance our patrons’ experience,” said Bill Carson.
Carson’s Woodside Tavern is open seven days a week for lunch and dinner, with hours from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday, and noon to 11 p.m. on Sunday.