Best of Denver
Eating Well in Woodstock
Nights in the Catskills are shaped by the glow of lantern-lit patios, the sound of shakers behind marble bars, and the ease of neighbors gathering around a local draft. Whether you crave inventive cocktails poured with a craftsman’s touch, longtime taverns anchored by burgers and laughter, or a late-night haunt where the guitars never quiet, the region’s bars have a story to tell.
Best Classic Cocktails: Stockade Tavern — Tin ceilings, signature drinks, and seasoned bartenders at the heart of Kingston.
Best Bookish Bar: Rough Draft Bar & Books — Indie bookstore meets bar with coffee, craft beer, and a quietly lively patio.
Best Late-Night Live Music: Tubby's — Intimate bands, rotating taps, and high-energy nights on Kingston’s Broadway.
Polished wood floors pick up the thrum of guitars and laughter as stage lights warm the air. Dual indoor-outdoor stages, a bar menu built for long nights, and a leafy beer garden shape the music here.
🎱 Billiards Room: Tucked away near the bar—great for a break between sets or killing time before the band.
🌳 Beer Garden: Arrive early to snag a picnic table outside during summer concerts—the garden gets busy fast on warm nights.
🗓️ Show Tickets: Some events are walk-in, while others (big-name acts, weddings) can sell out; check their website and calendar before making plans.
🦮 Pups Welcome: Dogs are allowed in the outdoor garden—locals love to linger with their canine companions when the weather’s good.
Worn brick and battered bar tops hold afternoon sun and steady taps, sports rolling on TVs. Twelve craft beers and an OG chicken sandwich headline a no-nonsense menu alongside a shaded terrace.
🍺 Tap Takeover Tuesdays: New and rare beers often rotate in early week—best time for a fresh pour.
🌤️ Back Terrace Note: The outdoor terrace is shaded in late afternoons—perfect for quieter drinks on sunny days.
🍔 Kitchen Cutoff: Last food orders are usually taken about an hour before bar close; ask if you’re running late.
🎯 Game Night Surge: Crowds spike during major games and Friday nights, so arrive early for a seat or go midweek for a slow burn.
Patterned wallpaper, spicy aromatics, and fresh-cut mint set the stage for Asian-inspired small plates. The cocktail lineup bursts with house originals, tiki classics, and garnish precision behind the slim bar.
🍸 Tiki Night: Sundays feature their full tiki cocktail lineup—including secret off-menu classics.
🦐 Early Bites: Arrive before 6:00 PM for easier seats and first pick of specials—busy nights book out fast.
🌱 Herb Garden: The mint in your mojito likely came fresh from the patio planter—ask for a tour on slow nights.
🍚 Rotating Plates: The kitchen sneaks in new small plates and desserts every few weeks—regulars order the 'staff favorite.'
Gilded tin ceilings catch soft lamplight above polished bar wood and vintage playlists. Precision cocktails, friendly bartenders, and a grilled cider doughnut give weight to the classic lineup.
🍹 Off-menu favorite: Bartenders will riff on classics—ask for a Pharmaceutical if you like coffee cocktails.
🕰️ Quietest times: Arrive right at 5:00 PM Wednesday or Thursday for first crack at a booth and relaxed chat.
✨ Rotating menu: Watch for seasonal signature cocktails and one-night-only specials, especially near holidays.
🌇 Patio note: Patio is open spring to fall—bring a jacket for late-night breezes and ask for outdoor seating when ordering.
Daylight skips across glass bottles as house spirits pour into tasting flights and cocktail glasses. Maple Spirit and fir-tip gin lead a lineup of inventive infusions crafted on polished wood and poured by staff with local knowledge.
🎤 Live Night: Saturdays often mean live music—get there before 7:00 PM to snag a good table.
🥄 Infusion Rotates: Ask for the current vodka infusions—coffee and citrus are favorites, but they change seasonally.
🌄 Sunset Patio: The front patio is best late afternoon for mountain light and a slow cocktail.
🎟️ Event Bookings: Locals celebrate milestones here—call ahead if you want to reserve for a group party or tasting.
Tent lights and malty air set an open scene for house-malted IPAs and pretzels. Fast-moving burgers, vegan plates, and frozen beer slushies reflect their on-site malt program and ever-changing tap list.
🍔 Burger Drop: The kitchen rotates special burgers nearly every weekend—get in early on Saturdays before sellout.
⏰ Midweek Shift: Wednesdays and Thursdays after 5 PM are the quietest; best time for a relaxed pint and patio seat.
🧊 Slushie Season: Spring through early fall, ask for their rotating beer or cocktail slushie—local legend status.
🎶 Live Sets: Live music pops up most summer Fridays—check Instagram for the lineup and bring a jacket for cool creek breezes after dark.
🍗 Wing Wednesday: The best day for saucy wings and a lively crowd—arrive before 7:00 PM if you want a seat at the bar.
🎵 Weekend Music: DJs or local bands crank up most Fridays and Saturdays. Things get loud and fun fast after 8:00 PM.
🔥 Fire Pit Nights: Grab a drink and head out back—sunset's good, but the late-evening bonfire is better.
🎱 Quiet Play: Mondays or Tuesdays before 7:00 PM are your window for a peaceful round of pool or darts without lineups.
🚤 Boater’s Stop: In summer, guests often arrive by water—dock access makes it a favorite after a day out.
🍹 Patio Reservations: If the sun’s out, book the patio early; those creekside tables fill fast, especially on weekends.
🦀 Crabwich Call: The Crabwich is a local go-to—big flavor, plenty of crab, and often enough for two.
🍺 Beer List: The tap list rotates with local brews; ask what’s pouring from around the Hudson Valley.
🍺 Mug Club Mondays: Regulars fill out the bar for tap specials and new draft releases each Monday evening.
🎤 Live Tunes: Fridays usually bring local bands—grab a booth before 7:00 PM if music's on the calendar.
🌱 Not Just Bar Food: Don’t skip the sushi and poke bowls; Windham locals swear by them, especially late night.
🧥 Winter Meals: After ski days, expect a packed house by 6:30 PM—early afternoon is best for a quieter spot and quicker service.
🍔 Burger’s the Move: Go straight for a burger—locals swear by it, especially after a hike or run on the slopes.
🎤 Karaoke Nights: Thursday or Sunday evenings tend to be karaoke or live music—ask the bartender if you want the lowdown.
💸 Cash Only Alert: The pub only takes cash and the ATM isn’t always reliable, so bring bills with you.
🌄 Best Patio Hours: Early afternoon offers a quiet patio—peak crowd and noise hit after 5 PM on weekends.
Steins clash and sausage sizzles beneath a high timber ceiling, mountain light filling the room. German drafts, hand-rolled pretzels, and fireside tables back up a menu of schnitzel and fondue.
🍷 Tuesday School: Wine School runs most Tuesday evenings with rare bottles and informal lessons—book ahead for a seat.
🥨 Thursday Burger: Thursday is Jägerburger Night—get the burger with thick-cut fries and spicy pickles. Locals crowd in early.
⛰️ Best Seats: Ask for upstairs seats for quieter conversation or a mountain view at dusk.
🔥 Fireside: Grab a fireside table on chill nights; it goes fast, especially after ski lifts shut down.
Candlelight flickers over polished wood while conversation thickens and old jazz threads the air. Cocktails lean inventive, smash burgers sizzle, and the open fireplace marks winter sessions.
🕔 Early Arrivals: Booths go quick after 5:30 PM—show up right at open for a spot by the fireplace.
🍔 Secret Menu: Ask about off-menu small plates or late-night fry upgrades—regulars know what's up.
🍹 NA Options: Bar staff will craft a custom non-alcoholic drink if you mention your flavor mood.
🎶 Saturday Shift: Crowd swells from 7–10 PM; midweek is best for a quieter catch-up or deep pour.
Stage lights flash as live sets spill through open floors, merging with drifting laughter and the snap of billiards upstairs. The kitchen fires kimchi pancakes while DJs rotate and soju pours steady.
🎤 Karaoke Secrets: Karaoke alternates Wednesdays upstairs—arrive before 8:30 PM for a solid spot on the songlist.
🍶 Kimchi Back: Ask for a kimchi back—the spicy soju chaser keeps regulars loyal year-round.
🎱 Chill Loft: The upstairs billiards room is a quiet retreat even on packed DJ nights.
🍚 Vegan Nosh: Tofu bowls and veggie pancakes win high marks with plant-based locals; mention if you want extra heat.
Weathered bar tops hum with pirate tales and the sharp break of billiards, strung under flickering lights. Tiki patio pours blend with local spirits and the soundtrack of a classic jukebox.
🍻 Late-Night Haven: Last call often stretches to midnight or beyond if folks are having a good time—especially weekends.
🦜 Tiki Backyard: The outdoor tiki bar opens when the weather’s fair, sometimes hosting DJs or surprise cookouts.
🎱 Pool Table Tradition: Still just $1 a game; bring quarters for the old-school table and friendly locals shooting for stripes.
🎶 Jukebox Power: The jukebox covers everything from Johnny Cash to 80s anthems—locals aren’t shy about picking the playlist.
Creek breezes cut through wide doors while cider flights land beside wedges of local cheese. Pressed New York apples drive dry pours, and fermentation keeps the line lively with meads and wild bottles.
🍎 Big Flight, Small Sips: Try the full eight-glass tasting—each cider leans dry, from classic heirloom apple to barrel-aged oddballs.
🎶 Event Evenings: Trivia, folk nights, or pop-up food trucks hit Thursdays and many Saturdays; check Instagram for the week's lineup.
⏰ Quiet Windows: Early weeknights (Mon–Wed around opening) are relaxed—good for long conversation or claiming the porch.
🌅 Golden Hour: Head to the porch an hour before sunset for creekside color and easy breezes—bring a jacket after dark in fall.
Beams creak and neon spills over cue balls as bands tune up beside the bar. Outside, Catalpa trees shade local taps and the yard hums with easy, group hangs.
🎶 Live Music Watch: New bands and jam sessions pop up several nights a week—check their Instagram the afternoon of for updates.
🌄 Outdoor Sweet Spot: Early evenings on the patio mean a better shot at a table and soft mountain light through the trees.
🍻 Monday Magic: Mondays are slowest—ideal if you want a quiet pint and time at the pool table without a crowd.
🐕 All the Dogs: Dogs are welcome inside and out, but leash up for music nights and be ready for a crowd when the weather’s good.
Low light scatters across the bar as burgers, wings, and shishitos snap onto trays between spirited pours. Outdoor fires draw regulars year-round, while live music and free pool energize the taproom.
🎻 Celtic Mondays: The place fills up for traditional Irish and Celtic jam sessions every Monday at 8 PM—arrive early for a seat up close.
🔥 Fire Pit Ritual: Even on cold nights locals gather around the outdoor fire—bring a jacket and a story, dogs welcome.
🎤 Karaoke Thursdays: Karaoke gets wild and draws a late-night crowd; Thursdays after 9 PM are standing room only inside.
🥃 Off-Menu Specials: Bartenders are happy to riff—ask for whiskey recommendations or bar bites not listed up front.
Stage lights flicker against worn floors as brunch and night crowds merge around hash browns and guest cocktails. A lean kitchen produces reliable eggs benedict and pancakes, while live jazz seals the corner.
🎷 Music Matters: Sunday brunch often features a live jazz combo—arrive by 10:00 AM for a good seat near the stage.
🍳 Early Bird Perk: Weekday mornings are the quiet time—locals drop in for strong coffee and unhurried breakfast before the Brooklyn crowd drifts in.
🌅 Patio Ritual: The back patio is best for afternoon sun; bring a light jacket in spring and fall since it stays a touch cooler than inside.
⚡ Off-Menu Specials: Ask about kitchen specials or limited baked goods—the staff sometimes slips them out for regulars at brunch.
Billiard breaks, sizzling wings, and weekend DJs blend with laughter echoing across pints. Strong pours and a late-night crowd pulse inside while burgers and tacos turn out steady from the kitchen.
🎧 DJ Nights: Fridays and Saturdays fill up fast after 9:00 PM—get in early for a seat or roll in late to catch the dance crowd.
🌮 Taco Wednesdays: 'Wepa Wednesday' brings out locals for tacos and party energy—ask about the week's special.
🎱 Billiards Early: Pool tables are easier to claim before dinner rush (and before the lights go down for DJs).
🧥 Bring Layers: The patio is a favorite for cool mountain nights—grab a jacket if you plan to linger outside.
From historic taprooms to modern cocktail bars, the best spots in the Catskills capture the region’s creativity and relaxed charm. Whether it’s a post-hike drink or a weekend getaway, these bars deliver good company, quality pours, and a genuine sense of place.
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