Albany Archives, Discover Albany, and the Downtown Albany BID present Albany I Spy, with a tasty spin! Search out the incredible details that flavor the historic buildings housing Downtown’s diverse restaurants for a chance to win Downtown Albany Gift Cards, redeemable at 40+ businesses.

Castle Island Bilingual Montessori school celebrated the official grand opening ribbon cutting for its new downtown Albany location at 602 Broadway today, May 12, 2022.

Downtown Albany Employee Appreciation Week
May 17 - 20 + 23, 2022 | 11:30 AM - 1:30 PM
Free pop-up lunchtime events with vendors, live music, giveaways, and more!

All week long:

Is patio season the best season? We like to think so, and with so many places to choose from you're invited to sit back, relax, and take in the view whether you're about to enjoy a meal or a manicure. Here's a list of all the places that'll have you saying pati-ooooh yeah this is awesome:

Downtown Albany is now home to a mission-based retailer as The Vandy Thrift Shoppe was welcomed with a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 29. Located at 412 Broadway, the store is operated by Vanderheyden, an organization with a mission to empower youth, adults, and families to build brighter futures. 

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is seeking proposals for creative services to implement a brand update defining the District as a destination, with submissions due at Noon on Tuesday, May 31, 2022. 

The Albany Skyway, an elevated, linear park connecting downtown Albany to the Hudson River, is now open for all to enjoy. The Downtown entrance can be found at Broadway and Clinton Avenue.

Mother's Day (May 8, 2022 for those who are unsure) is coming up quickly, and Downtown restaurants and retailers are here to help you honor these wonderful women. 

The BID is pleased to announce the slate for the Board of Directors elections. Several qualified candidates were submitted for consideration. Upon conducting interviews and careful consideration, the following individuals were selected by the Governance Committee: 

The Downtown Albany BID presents a free Small Business Assistance Event, hosted by Angelo Maddox of Fresh & Fly, on April 28 at the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region (135 S Pearl Street). 

The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) and the State University of New York (SUNY) are proud to present the return of the Bites Camera Action free outdoor movie series, kicking off May 6 and running monthly through October in conjunction with Albany's 1st Friday arts walk.

Join us on Saturday, April 23, 2022 for two Earth Day neighborhood clean-ups. We'll start at the Olde English Downtown Dog Park (N Pearl Street and Clinton Avenue) from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, and move to the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region (135 S. Pearl Street) from 12:00 - 2:00 PM.

A grand opening ribbon cutting ceremony two years in the making was held on March 17, 2022 for The Yard Hatchet House & Bar.

The Skinny Pancake, a mission-driven eatery focused on serving local food, was welcomed to downtown Albany on March 10 with a ribbon cutting ceremony.

May the road rise up to meet you this 2022 St. Patrick's Day! From the return of in-person parade to great dining specials, there are plenty of ways to celebrate this year. Reservations recommended for St. Patrick's Day dining; find a full list of Downtown dining destinations here. 

Whether you’re a visitor, employee, or resident, experiencing all that Downtown has to offer just got a little easier.

Voting is open for the Times Union's 2022 Best Of and you are able to vote once a day through Friday, March 4 in Dining Out, Goods & Services, Arts & Entertainment, and Best of the Rest categories.

Downtown eateries are serving up the most important meal of the day with options ranging from the classics to vegan breakfast sandwiches.

It's your Downtown - increase your impact!

February is Albany County Restaurant Appreciation Month, and all month long your support of Downtown eateries could win you a great takeout care package. 

We invite you to support - today and every day - the Black-owned businesses and organizations in downtown Albany. These leaders of their industries offer a wide array of services and through them you can master a new yoga pose, enjoy an incredible meal, experience meaningful exhibits and programs, and sport new clothes, accessories, and hairdos.

For gifts, cards, meals, and more head to - or order from - your favorite Downtown businesses that also need your love.

Capitalize Albany Corporation has announced details of grant programs available that total more than $300,000 to help attract retail tenants, reinvestment and façade rehabilitation, and driving foot traffic to commercial districts.

DeCrescente Distributing Company and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) present the Holidays in Downtown safe ride program from December 20, 2021 to January 2, 2022. Holidays in Downtown Albany will provide patrons of Downtown bars and restaurants a free Uber voucher good for a ride up to $50 until funds are expended. Vouchers are valid for one ride per user.

Ready to ring in 2022? We invite you to celebrate the new year in downtown Albany with music, fantastic food, and drool-worthy drinks. Special menus and events below, and click here for a full list of Downtown restaurants and bars, and click here for parking information.

A popular deli known for its roast beef sandwiches, Maurice's Deli was welcomed back to downtown Albany with a ribbon cutting ceremony at their new 50 S Pearl Street location.

Restauranteur Jaime Ortiz has grown his company with new Downtown eatery Primrose Cafe, with a ribbon cutting ceremony welcoming the new cafe serving coffee, breakfast, and lunch being held on December 13.

An eatery that serves authentic Vietnamese sandwiches and coffee was welcomed to downtown Albany with a ribbon cutting ceremony. For Banh Mi 47 owners Mike and Stacy Nguyen, the journey to opening a restaurant – the first either of them has opened or worked in – started with 

Congratulations to 2021 Downtown Decorating Contest winner Cobblestone Lunch Shoppe!

Enjoy festive holiday displays at your favorite Downtown businesses this winter and vote for your favorite for a chance to win a $50 Downtown Albany Gift Card!

A retailer in downtown Albany that has expanded in both size and scope was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony on, Small Business Saturday, November 27, 2021.

Congratulations to 2021 Hot Chocolate Stroll People's Choice winner Hilton Albany! 

A restaurant that serves exclusively vegan meals was welcomed to downtown Albany on November 19, 2021.

DeCrescente Distributing Company and the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) present the Downtown Thanks You safe ride program from November 24 to 28, 2021.

B. Lodge & Co. presents Shop & Savor smAlbany, two weeks of promotions celebrating and showcasing downtown Albany's independent businesses this holiday season.

Skip the stress of preparing for Thanksgiving and focus more on family time this year, with multiple Downtown restaurants offering dine-in and to-go options, and beautiful centerpieces available, and an opportunity to help those in need. 

What's new, exciting, and intriguing in Downtown? Read all about it with our weekly e-newsletter, Links! Sign up to get info on upcoming events, news from our District, and get an inside look at Downtown businesses. Plus, we'll never share your info or spam you. Please note that emails will come from hello@downtownalbany.org.

Downtown’s public art has grown by more than 1,000-square-feet following the addition of a Capital Walls mural by artist Free Humanity completed on Sunday, October 24. The mural was funded as part of Albany’s $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) award, through which Albany Center Gallery received a $72,000 award for the Capital Walls mural project to add four mu

For something sweet, something spooky, or something to dance to, check out what downtown Albany businesses are serving up for Halloween 2021, and as always, you can view our full event calendar right here.

Ongoing:

Happy Howl-o-ween! On Saturday, October 23, ghoulish golden retrievers, devilish dachshunds, and terrifying terriers will return to roam the streets of downtown Albany for the BID's annual dog trick-or-treating event: Hounds of Halloween! Dress up your pup for the Costumed Canine Contest and stop by local businesses for unique Halloween treats for pups and people.

During the Downtown Albany BID's Annual Meeting on September 29, Cornelius D. Murray, Esq., O’Connell & Aronowitz Shareholder, was awarded the 2021 James M. DiNapoli Award. Created in 2013 in honor of founding member and inaugural Chairman of the Downtown Albany BID, the Award is presented to an individual, organization, or business that exemplifies Mr.

Two years after signing the lease for the space, and nearly 100 years after the historic Rain-Bo Room first opened its doors, The Kenmore Ballroom was welcomed to downtown Albany with a ribbon cutting ceremony on September 16, 2021.

SEFCU presents PearlPalooza, downtown Albany’s highly-anticipated, FREE, all-ages music festival, returns to N Pearl Street for its 12th year on Saturday, September 18 from 12:00 - 6:00 PM.

MVP Health Care presents YogaPalooza 2021, the Capital Region's only FREE, streetwide mass yoga event.

Just before the PearlPalooza music festival, a team of instructors from The Hot Yoga Spot will instruct and assist this free 60-minute yoga class that is perfect for all levels.

Please join the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District at our Annual Meeting at the Kenmore Rooftop on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 3:00 PM. 

The "Celebrating the Familiar" exhibit has ended. For more information on current public art offerings in Downtown, visit downtownalbany.org/publicart.  

A space dedicated to highlighting local artists across mediums, Etrice Gallery was welcomed to downtown Albany with a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 15, 2021. 

Join friends, neighbors, and coworkers for a free, all-levels yoga class on the beautiful lawn at downtown Albany's SUNY Plaza Park, Saturdays in August from 10 AM - 11 AM and Wednesdays in September from 12 - 1 PM.