Beat the Summer Heat: Hot Places for Cool Drinks in Saratoga Springs, NY
Since it's known as "The Summer Place to Be," Saratoga would be sorely remiss if it did not boast drinking establishments out the kazoo. This is a great city to chill out in, especially when it's hot. Here are some of the best places for cool drinks during summer in Saratoga Springs!
Discover Great Places Where You Can Enjoy a Drink with a View
Dock Brown's Lakeside Tavern
Located on the southern end of Saratoga Lake and delivering epic views, this Saratoga area hotspot does not shirk away from creative bartender duty. Dock Brown's Lakeside Tavern has a menu of specialty cocktails that are sure to excite your taste buds.
Featuring The Honey Bee, The Beach Bum and The Saratoga Sunset, their fun cocktail menu will not disappoint. They also have a restaurant menu with delicious food to go along with your drink.
From their well known spectacular chicken wings for an appetizer, to delicious burgers, tacos and sandwiches for an entree, there will be something for everyone at Dock Brown’s.
Carson's Woodside Tavern
Outdoor dining doesn't get much better than the Overlook patio and bar at Carson's Woodside Tavern. Located in Malta, this spacious patio features some of the best views of Saratoga Lake and the surrounding area.
Soak up the scenery while drinking a cold beer or a specialty summer cocktail. And, you can order tasty tavern fare at Carson's for lunch or dinner. Customers love their specialty burgers, with a dill pickle and beer-battered fries included.
Lago By Druthers
550 Waterfront by Druthers has been renamed Lago by Druthers as of early 2024. The reimagined restaurant consists of a family-friendly lake vibe right on the shores of the popular Saratoga Lake.
Lago's menu includes items from the Druthers menus, along with focaccia sandwiches and 16-inch pizzas. Their drink selection is fantastic, boasting specialty cocktails, beer cocktails, frozen drinks, boozy milkshakes, red and white wines, and classic cans of beer.
With a spacious patio, Lago by Druthers provides the ideal setting for a relaxing time at the waterfront.
See more Saratoga restaurants with scenic views »
Visit Craft Beverage Hotspots That Are Perfect for Day Drinking
Druthers Brewing Company
It's positively difficult to resist the siren song that is Druthers. Their location in the middle of Broadway, complete with the open courtyard and two separate indoor bar areas, makes this a social hub in downtown Saratoga, as well as a place to take a major chill.
Druthers Brewing Company only serves their own craft beer, so grab a stool, and don't even try to resist. They are also known for their amazing food, including their specialty mac and cheese, burgers, sandwiches, tacos, flatbread pizza, and more.
If you are closer to Clifton Park, Schenectady or Albany, visit one of their other locations. They are just as good!
Whitman Brewing Co.
Whitman Brewing in Saratoga Springs offers an ideal spot for day drinking, boasting a wide range of craft beers and a lively, community-focused atmosphere. Their extensive selection of handcrafted beers caters to diverse tastes, from refreshing IPAs to smooth stouts, ensuring a fantastic drinking experience for all.
Not limited to beers alone, Whitman also offers wine, specialty cocktails, cider, and hard seltzer. Guests can enjoy the comfortable patio and the brewery's commitment to quality and friendly service, promising a memorable and enjoyable visit.
Alongside your drink, indulge in their delicious food menu, featuring a variety of options, with their pizzas standing out as a crowd favorite.
Artisanal Brew Works
Located north of downtown Saratoga, Artisanal Brew Works is a locally owned craft brewery that features multiple craft beers and other unique alcoholic beverages. Their beer is handcrafted on site, ensuring a fresh drink with each visit.
Their menu features a wide selection of different beers, including New England style IPAs, sours, fruited ales, pilsners, stouts, Belgians, and more. Artisanal Brew Works is also known for their Warheads® Extreme Sour candy ales and hard seltzers.
Make sure you order some good food with your craft beverage, like Tex Mex tacos, a buffalo smash burger, personal pizzas, chili dogs, and other pub grub favorites.
Celebrate Happy Hour with a Cold Beverage in Saratoga
Forno Bistro
Forno Bistro is a longtime Saratoga favorite that specializes in a modern interpretation of Tuscan-style food and quality craft cocktails. Customers continue to return to this restaurant, because who can pass up an expertly made blood orange martini or a classic red sangria?
With its spacious patio and inviting dining room, Forno Bistro offers a welcoming atmosphere year round. Guests highlights the generous portions, diverse drink specials, and especially the lively happy hour.
And, you can't beat their selection of wine by the glass, with both red and white wines available.
Cantina
In the mood for Mexican cuisine and margaritas? Celebrating Taco Tuesday? Head to Cantina in downtown Saratoga for a festive happy hour with your friends.
Start off with a plate of Cantina Nachos and one of the restaurant's famous margaritas or house cocktails. For those under 21, Cantina also has a mocktail menu so they can join in on the fun.
On hot summer days, try the Frozen Cantina Margarita, which, as their website describes, includes "Margarita Mix Frozen into Chilly Perfection."
Happy hour specials are also available on Monday-Friday at the bar. Cantina, being a classic Saratoga staple, is a can't-miss spot on your beverage tour.
Henry Street Taproom
Visit Henry Street Taproom for some of the best craft beers, ciders, cocktails, and food in Saratoga Springs. Their menu caters to all with a wide selection of IPAs, lagers, sours, gluten-free beers, whiskey, wine, cocktails, and more.
Customers will also find special events at Henry Street Taproom each week. Eat your fill at Tuesday's $1 oyster night or test your skills at shuffleboard tournaments on Wednesday nights.
From the attentive servers to the cool, casual vibe, you can't go wrong with a happy hour outing at this spot.
Enhance Your Date Night at These Top Cocktail Spots
Morrissey's Lounge & Bistro
Morrissey's Lounge & Bistro at the Adelphi Hotel is the ideal place for a night out on the town with your special someone.
Their extensive drink menu features handcrafted seasonal and classic cocktails, draft beer, and a superb variety of wines. Libations are available daily from 11am to close, and many people praise the service and personal bartenders.
Be sure to check out their dinner menu too, which has innovative dishes like the Sourdough Crusted Halibut and Sweet Pea Ravioli.
Hamlet & Ghost
For New American cuisine and craft cocktails made by experienced mixologists, Hamlet & Ghost at 24 Caroline Street in downtown Saratoga is the place to be. The restaurant offers a modern-day speakeasy vibe and an outstanding cocktail menu that changes seasonally.
"From drinks, to dinner, to staff - everything was amazing," said one reviewer. "Every drink was delicious and perfectly balanced."
Stay Cool With a Non-Alcoholic Beverage
Uncommon Grounds
This place is like an old friend, and who better to deliver a tall iced coffee to you when you need a caffeine fix? The sprawling interior of Uncommon Grounds in Saratoga is the perfect place to recharge on a hot day.
Order a cold brew, an iced vanilla latte, or a plain iced coffee. They also have fresh squeezed lemonade if you're more of a juice fan.
Are you closer to the Clifton Park area? Then you're in luck! Uncommon Grounds has a location there as well, right across from Clifton Park Center Mall.
What's your favorite place for a cool drink?