Review 1 week ago

Where can you get a drink around here? That depends on your mood.

From artfully designed lounges to punk venues, natural wine bars and anything-goes hangouts, the region's bar scene is thriving.

Since the pandemic, bar culture has made a comeback. Bars and pubs have reasserted themselves as vital third spaces where people gather after work over local brews, head out for date night, or meet friends for live music.

The Hudson Valley's watering holes have entered a new era, elevating the bargoing experience with stronger culinary programs, curated live music lineups, and inventive event programming. If a classic margarita isn't enough to draw a crowd, a specialty food menu, pop-up series, or Instagrammable interior might be.

From all-beef hot dogs to LGBTQ+ tiki drag shows and underground punk bands, there's something distinctive tucked into even the region's quieter corners. No two late-night hangouts are alike, though many orbit similar trends. Here are some of the best bars to settle in and stay awhile.

For design-forward aesthetes

One category gaining traction centers on highly designed spaces. These bars are rarely standalone; instead, they're often attached to restaurants with strong branding, active social media presences, and regular pop-ups or events.

In Hudson, Kitty's embodies many of the region's latest design sensibilities. Located along the river, the restaurant - spun out from a former chicken shop and specialty mercantile - features a dining room and bar that blend kitsch with folk art, antique and mid-century furnishings, and earthy textures and patterns.

This layered aesthetic is increasingly common across Hudson Valley interiors. According to House and Garden, the style seeks to "infuse modern living with a sense of something older and slower." Rather than stark, minimalist spaces, bargoers are drawn to warm, texture and lushness - spaces that feel lived-in.

More: Kitty's in Hudson to reopen as French brasserie, grab-and-go market

For some, that means connecting more deeply to their surroundings. For others, it's about being transported entirely.

Step into The Maker Lounge, just off Hudson's swanky Warren Street, and you'll find a Gatsby-era art deco salon. In winter, a cozy fireplace warms the room, while dim lighting, curated old-world furnishings, and a gleaming bar emphasize atmosphere above all. The lounge is an extension of The Maker's hospitality collection, which also comprises a hotel, cafe and restaurant. Each is a tribute to The Maker's signature aesthetic: Parisian, classy, expensive.

More: The Maker Hotel in Hudson revamps its restaurant as Serre

In Rhinebeck, {pretty to think so} also leans into a blend of design elements to offer a unique bar and dining room. Taxidermy heads line the walls, green velvet booths run along the perimeter and bold black-and-white wallpaper anchors the room. Known for its raw bar, the restaurant also offers a beverage program featuring craft cocktails made with local ingredients and a curated wine list from bar director Madeline Dillon.

Review: Rhinebeck restaurant {pretty to think so} perfectly realized

Darlings in Tillson takes a more playful approach. The funky low-lit roadhouse might be mistaken for a private residence on a drive through town. But inside are disco balls, cozy booths, vintage couches and a full bar. Co-owner Madi Taylor described the vibe to the Times Union as a mixture of "Candyland and a Southern grandma's living room." Despite pink and red neon lights, wall fabrics, and hanging plants, the space feels cohesive and inviting. Here, the aesthetic is the main character.

Notably, Kitty's and The Maker Lounge opened in 2020, Darlings in 2022 and {pretty to think so} in 2023, suggesting this trend may be tied to rising regional incomes, which have allowed proprietors to invest more heavily in design while customers have shown a willingness to seek out and support these experiences.

For rock n' rollers

Those who enjoy a little cigarette and often leave the bar with ringing ears will fit in at The Avalon Lounge in Catskill. The space is grungy and unpretentious, attracting crowds for live bands or to shoot pool. While its interiors feature playful patterns and furnishings, it's the music lineup that keeps people coming back.

The food doesn't hurt, either. Chef Annie Pool serves homestyle Korean dishes - deep-fried scallion pancakes, fried fish sandwiches with gochujang tartar, bulgogi bowls - fuel for a long night. The bar sticks to soju, sake, beer, wine and cider.

In Kingston, Tubby's has become a cornerstone of the live music scene, hosting acts big and small most nights of the week. The outdoor patio fills up in warmer months, offering a break from the packed dance floor inside. Tubby's strikes a balance between dive bar and full-fledged venue, drawing a mix of friends, strangers and devoted music fans. The bar also recently announced a new food program from El Brekkie, which serves made-to-order breakfast and lunch burritos into the evening.

More: At Tubby's, there's something for everybody

Hudson's Half Moon offers a similar energy with a slightly more laid-back feel. Its string-lit yard and dim interior create space for trivia nights, karaoke, and live performances. The Half Moon doubles as a pizza spot, serving signature pies and salads to dine-in and takeout crowds.

For the connoisseur

Though atmosphere matters, it's not everything. Some bars keep drinks at the center of their ethos.

In Midtown Kingston, Mirador pairs a romantic Mediterranean interior with a serious beverage program. Inspired by owner Nick Africano's time in Spain, the space features low lighting, thoughtful furnishings and paintings by Africano's father. Out back, a garden patio opens in warmer months.

Though attention to detail is evident in the design, drinks take center stage. Mirador specializes in sherries sourced by Africano and Andalusian wines and tapas, drawing inspiration from traditional Spanish tabancos, where wine is stored in barrels and served alongside small bites.

Review: Small bites, big flavor at Mirador tapas bar

In Kingston's downtown Rondout district, Brunette Wine Bar marked its 10th anniversary last year. Current owners Jessie Harris and Matt Botwyck have built on the foundation laid by original owners Tracy and Jamie Kennard, continuing to emphasize natural wines and thoughtful pairings.

Once a small, focused wine counter, Brunette has expanded its menu to include dishes like pappardelle with oyster mushrooms, brown butter, sage and Gruyere. The wine list spans local and international producers, from France and Italy to Vermont, California, Virginia and New York.

Back up the river in Hudson, The Hereafter joined the scene in 2024. Designed by Christian Garnett of Cauterskill Studios, the space reflects a polished, Brooklyn-influenced aesthetic. Owners Jeremy Dubroff and Isi Laborde - both alumni of the popular Brooklyn cocktail bar Blueprint - bring a strong emphasis on craft.

The drink menu is organized into four categories: "Eccentric," "Deep," "Classy," and "Fun." The more adventurous offerings include the "All Night Drive," made with akashi blended whiskey, koji awamori, damson plum, white pepper, jasmine and lime.

Review: Hudson's The Hereafter a hidden hit of a cocktail lounge

For funsies

Sometimes, the draw isn't design or precision but pure atmosphere.

Nothing beats a drag show or karaoke night at queer-owned Lil' Deb's Oasis in Hudson. Orange wine flows, tropical decor fills the space and dollar bills scatter the floor. With its colorful energy and inclusive vibe, the bar gives locals permission to fly their freak flags.

Review: Lil' Deb's Oasis, still sexy after all these years

A similar spectrum of color can be found in New Paltz at Shorties, a former pizza shack with a drive-thru window on Route 32 that was converted into a tropical-themed bar and hot dog spot. Customers can top their dogs with kimchi or housemade Big Mac-style sauce, order towering platters of mini dogs and fries, and sip on pickletinis. On alternating Saturdays, DJs spin vinyl sets. The design is intentional but never self-serious.

Uptown Kingston's Stockade Tavern offers something quieter but just as inviting. Tucked along a side street and marked by a modest "S" sign, it's a place for conversation over a well-made cocktail, whether with bartenders or fellow patrons. The menu includes simple comforts like grilled cheese and warm cider donuts with cream.