Ridesharing services Uber and Lyft have released the most popular destinations in and around Albany for 2019, with Downtown locations placing on both companies lists.
For Lyft, which presents the Lyftie Award to the most popular U.S. ride destinations for more than 50 cities, the most celebrated restaurant/bar in the Albany area was:
Ready to ring in 2020? Downtown Albany has you covered with balloon drops, party favors, and even a toast on London's time - all with fantastic food and drool-worthy drinks. Read on for event information, and click here for a full list of Downtown restaurants and bars.
The Cobblestone Lunch Shoppe, located at 37 Maiden Lane, the eatery features meats prepared in-house and brings to fruition a forty-year dream for owners and brothers Ed and Chris Richards.
The heart of Downtown will be aglow as our new holiday span lights up State Street at North and South Pearl Streets.
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) will host a Scavenger Hunt on Small Business Saturday, November 30, starting at 12:30 PM and running until all prizes have been found. The event encourages people to walk the streets and discover the many locally-owned restaurants, retail, and retail-related businesses within the District. Sponsored by B.
From the second annual Downtown Decorating Contest to classic tales brought to the stage and screen, there are lots of ways to enjoy the holiday season in downtown Albany, NY this year.
Baby it's cold outside - but don't worry, because hot chocolate is on the way!
Who's ready to Shop Small this holiday season?! By doing so, you'll make a big difference to entrepreneurs and the local community, and downtown Albany's locally-owned businesses are gearing up for Small Business Saturday (November 30).
One local business with the most festive exterior display will take home a special trophy and neighborhood-wide bragging rights this holiday season, and YOU get to pick the winner!
Participating businesses:
Don’t feel like brrraving the cold this winter? You can still enjoy a delicious meal from Downtown! With over two dozen restaurants offering delivery options, you can do everything from enjoy breakfast to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Albany Center Gallery, which has provided a platform for the work of contemporary artists for over 40 years, has received a $10,000 Stand for the Arts award.
A monthly arts and culture event, 1st Friday takes place the first Friday of each month from 5:00 - 9:00 PM, bringing you the best in dining, shopping, and entertainment throughout Downtown and Lark Street. Bonus: it's all easily accessible by riding the FREE Capital City Trol
From Albany-centric finds to the truly one of a kind, you're sure to snag the perfect present for friends and family (and yourself... no judgment here) this holiday season. Read on to discover where to purchase something unique – and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to go inside these shops and get even more gift giving inspiration.
Nationally-recognized law firm Rivkin Radler has moved their regional office to Downtown, an event celebrated on November 7 as partners and staff were joined by the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan, and Assemblymember John T.
Skip the hassle of preparing the Thanksgiving meal and focus more on family time this year, with multiple Downtown restaurants offering dine-in or to-go options.
Highlighting the regional companies with the most engaged and committed employees, each year the Albany Business Review announces their Best Places to Work award winners, encompassing businesses of all sizes from 10 to 150+ employees.
Whether you’re a visitor, employee, or resident, experiencing all that Downtown has to offer just got a little easier.
Tickets | $5 | Purchase tickets
Happy Howl-o-ween! On Saturday, October 19, ghostly Great Danes, creepy Collies, and terrifying Terriers will return to roam the streets of downtown Albany for the BID's third annual puppy trick-or-treating event: Hounds of Halloween!
World Axe Throwing League coach Benn MacDonald has expanded his Far Shot Recreation to downtown Albany, officially opening on October 11 at the 69 N Pearl Street location.
Get ready for a scary good time. This year, Downtown businesses and venues are offering loads of Halloween events and specials. Spook-tacular details below, and as always, you can view our full event calendar right here.
ONGOING
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) is seeking proposals for 3-year audit services and 2020 seasonal flowering program. Each are due Friday, October 25 at Noon.
A fitness studio offering classes six days a week and on-site childcare is now open in downtown Albany.
The Bishop, a new restaurant and full-service bar with a farm to table, bourbon and steak focus, was officially welcomed to downtown Albany, NY on September 19.
The City of Albany has launched the 2019 Cash for Coats drive, a community-based initiative that collects funds to purchase new winter clothing items for Albany school children in need. Over the years, the Cash for Coats program has distributed tens of thousands of new winter clothing items to Albany schoolchildren.
The storefront at the corner of Steuben Street, Suite #2 at 59 North Pearl, is now home to a state-of-the-art medical spa offering clinical skin-care services, aesthetic and wellness treatments — Semblance Medspa. An event was held September 27 to celebrate the completion of interior renovations and its grand opening. Owner Dr.
What's it like to live Downtown? See for yourself as you tour available apartments in 10 incredible residential downtown Albany, NY properties during the Residential Open House on September 18 during lunchtime (Noon-2:00 PM) or evening (5:00 PM - 8:00 PM). Registration will take place at the Pearl Street Pub (59-61 N Pearl Street).
Two Downtown companies have made the 2019 Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing privately-held companies across the country.
The Steuben Street Market, which open in January 2016 on N Pearl Street, is moving - but not far.
*** Please note: the planned September 5 screening of Bohemian Rhapsody has been postponed to September 19 due to technical difficulties***
Downtown Albany will host the inaugural Aurora Games, an all-women international sports competition that will pit teams the Americas and the World against each other in six events from August 20-25, 2019.
A wellness center that has experienced significant growth in their first few months, Root3d was welcomed to Downtown with brief remarks by Albany City Treasurer Darius Shahinfar, Co-founders Rachelle Pean and Jamel Mosely, and Downtown Albany BID Executive Director Georgette Steffens, and a ceremonial ribbon cutting on July 19. Born from Pean’s background as a licensed clin
This new “litter” of Downtown is Pawsome sculptures continues the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District's popular public art project based on Albany’s famous canine landmark Nipper. Ten new pieces will be on display throughout downtown Albany from July 2019 to September 2020.
Downtown's free movie series is back! The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District, Times Union Center, Albany County, and City of Albany are partnering on a four-week outdoor summer film series, Bites Camera Action (dates to be announced).
Following extensive renovations that took place mid-January through May 2019, M&T Bank has unveiled its updated branch at 80 State Street in Downtown.
Remaining open during the project, features include new flooring, LED lighting, and technology in an open floor plan that was modernized with new teller lines, a redesigned front vestibule, and customer seating areas.
A new “litter” of Downtown is Pawsome sculptures will come to Downtown this summer, continuing the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District's (BID) popular public art project based on Albany’s famous canine landmark Nipper.
A handful of new dining options are now available in Downtown - all in one building.
Vendors at the 50 South Eatery food court - located directly across from the Times Union Center - are beginning to open, with current options including Bar-B-Que Tonight Express which serves up Indian and Pakistani cuisine.
Vendors are being sought for the African American Cultural Center of the Capital Region's Juneteenth: A South Pearl Street Festival, being held rain or shine June 22 from Noon-5:00 PM.
Dan Nolan, Albany Empire Co-owner and Hugh Johnson Advisors LLC President and CEO, was presented with the 2019 James M. DiNapoli Award at the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District’s (BID) Annual Meeting on May 22, 2019. Created in 2013 in honor of founding member and inaugural Chairman of the Downtown Albany BID, the James M.
The site formerly chosen for the convention center in downtown Albany, known as Liberty Park, has received state funding for its redevelopment. Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced that Empire State Development (ESD) will provide Capitalize Albany Corporation with up to $15 million for the eight-acre site through Upstate Revitalization Initiative funds and ESD grants.
Downtown Albany will soon be home to additional public art, thanks to a continued partnership between Albany Center Gallery, Albany Barn, and Albany Parking Authority.
Governor Cuomo has announced $5 million toward construction of the Albany Skyway, making it one of 11 Capital Region projects being funded that support bicycle and pedestrian enhancements.
Join the Downtown Albany Business Improvement District for our Annual Meeting at the Renaissance Albany Hotel on May 22, 2019, during which the BID will honor Dan Nolan with the 2019 James M. DiNapoli Award. Mr. Nolan is the President & CEO of Hugh Johnson Advisors LLC and Co-Owner of the Albany Empire.
Raise a glass - Albany Craft Beer week is back April 29-May 4! Dedicated to fun, craft beer, and the City of Albany, the week is filled to the brim with craft beer events emphasizing and celebrating the long-cultivated craft beer scene and elevated gastronomic fare. Downtown participant information:
Downtown Albany's Dog Days is a series of pup-friendly events centered around the Olde English Downtown Dog Park. Check back for more information on each event!
Join us for the Downtown Albany Pup Crawl!
The first event in Downtown Albany's Dog Days event series will take place May 4 from 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM. Meet at the Olde English Downtown Dog Park (located at N. Pearl & Orange Streets) for a day of fun, including...
In conjunction with May's 1st Friday event, the Downtown Albany BID & Lark Street BIDs have partnered to bring you the best in dining, shopping, and entertainment - all easily accessible by riding the FREE Capital City Trolley!
Tickets | $15 - $35 | Available at the door
Registration is now open for the first Barkitecture Albany event. Anyone - students, scouts, designers, carpenters, builders, architects - can take part in this competition for which you'll create a one-of-a-kind dog house, cat condo, or piece of pet furniture.