Spook-tacular details below for what downtown Albany businesses are serving up for Halloween 2020, and as always, you can view our full event calendar right here.
News Archive
NEWS ARCHIVE
Albany Archives, Discover Albany, and the Downtown Albany BID present another Albany I Spy, with a seasonal spin! This year’s semi-annual scavenger hunt highlights the ghouls, gargoyles, and Gothic architecture looming in Downtown’s streets.
Here’s how to play:
The National Arena League's Albany team name has been selected - and the Albany Empire will strike back, return to downtown starting April 2021. The news follows an announcement in August that indoor football would return to the Times Union Center under a three-year agreement to play at the Downtown venue.
Step aside, basic salad, because downtown Albany eateries are serving up some seriously delicious vegetarian and vegan meals. No need to romaine calm as you sink your teeth into these unique dishes that are great on meatless Monday and every other day of the week. Oh, and these eateries aren't a secret, so leek the list to all your friends.
Voting is open for Hounds of Halloween online photo contest! Cast your vote by reacting to photos in our Facebook album to help name this year's Top Dogs.
Current traffic advisories listed below. To receive Albany Police Department Nixle alerts via text or email, and to view all APD alerts online, click here.
Artful Albany is a guided walking tour podcast designed to celebrate the art, history, and culture unique to New York's Capital City. During each episode, we'll focus on an area of downtown Albany to explore. We'll regale you with stories, highlight dynamic public art, and hear from some of the artists behind the Capital Walls public art project.
As New York went on PAUSE, so did the Downtown Albany BID's Board election process. We are seeking nominations for candidates to join the BID Board beginning November 2020 and serve three-year terms. Please note that nominations that were previously submitted this year for consideration do not need to be resubmitted.
With the safety of our Downtown community in mind, the PearlPalooza music festival goes virtual in 2020.
Safely enjoy all Downtown has to offer with Stretch, Shop & Savor, every Saturday in September.
Bring your pups on your next trip to downtown Albany and enjoy shopping and dining (and, of course, the Olde English Downtown Dog Park) with man's best friend.
Arena football will return to the Times Union Center in downtown Albany, the National Arena League (NAL) has announced. The unnamed Albany team will join the NAL in fielding a team starting in the 2021 season under a signed three-year agreement with the venue.
Get ready for a new way to enjoy a stroll around downtown Albany.
If you missed out on the 5th not-quite-annual Albany I Spy this summer, there's no need to fret because clues for the 2020 architectural scavenger hunt are now available for all to enjoy.
Thank you to all who shared photos for New York on PAWS! The submission period has ended.
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District is working to collect community feedback information as the businesses within our District continue to re-open or expand services under New York Forward. We will use this data to inform our retail and retail-related businesses and restaurants about consumer insights and habits as we work toward Phase IV re-opening and beyond.
Who's up for some social interaction while we social distance? Downtown businesses and organizations have a number of virtual events so you can stay engaged with Downtown - and each other! A complete directory of in-person and virtual events can be found here. Looking for ways to support Downtown businesses amid COVID-19?
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District (BID) has announced $250,000 in grants available to brick and mortar businesses within the District to support re-opening and repairing following significant economic impact related to COVID-19 and vandalization during recent demonstrations.
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.
As officials begin preparations to re-open the Capital Region under the State’s four-phased, regional plan, the Downtown Albany BID is compiling information to assist Stakeholders as they plan to, once able, welcome employees, customers, and clients back. Resource in
Thank you to all who helped support Downtown businesses through a gift card purchase. This program ended on June 30, 2020. To find a full list of open businesses in Downtown, click here.
Celebrating First Responders & Frontliners is a program launched by the City of Albany’s three Business Improvement Districts: Central Avenue, Downtown Albany, and Lark Street (BID), to thank the first responders and frontline workers whose dedication through the COVID-19 pandemic keeps the community safe, mobile, and fed.
Mother's Day will look a little different this year, but that won't keep us from celebrating mom! Downtown restaurants and retailers are here to help you honor these wonderful women with options for those quarantined together and those physically separated (anyone else calling for a socially distant spa day? Gift card today for a later bouquet? Brunch over zoom?).
As the spread of COVID-19 has resulted in limited gatherings and increased working from home, multiple downtown Albany businesses are ensuring you're still able to get your exercise routine in through online classes. From personal training sessions to POUND and several varieties of yoga to tarot readings, these sessions are here to ensure your mind and body are well cared for.
At a time of distress, we’ve seen an incredible amount of generosity from individuals, businesses, and organizations within Downtown. If you're looking for some good news to boost your spirits, or are looking for ways to give back yourself, look no further. Know of a good great deed that’s happening as a result of COVID-19 not listed here?
Through drive-in or online services and to-go meals and treats, Downtown churches and restaurants are working to ensure your souls and stomachs are well nourished this Holy Week.
The CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) Act recently passed by Congress includes funding for businesses and nonprofits. The following information was provided by Assemblymember Patricia Fahy and Congressman Paul Tonko.
Looking to level up your meals while cooking at home? We partnering with Downtown restaurants on Quarantine Cuisine! See below for the recipes they came up with based on submitted photos.
April 1:
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak and related challenges, the website Support smAlbany has been launched as a go-to resource for businesses, and particularly small businesses, in the City of Albany.
Governor Cuomo has issued an executive order expanding the tax commissioner's authority to abate late filing and payment penalties, allowing the abatement of interest on quarterly and annual sales and use tax filings due March 20, 2020 for those unable to file and pay as a result of the COVID-19 virus.
Downtown Albany hosts a wide variety of accessible, free public art by local, regional, and internationally renowned creators.
Whether you're stuck at your desk or just don't feel like leaving your couch, 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.
The Road to the Final Four stops in Albany on March 19 & 21, 2020 at Times Union Center when the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference & Siena College host the First and Second Rounds of the NCAA March Madness Tournament (game times and teams will be announced on March 15)!
May the road rise up to meet you... especially as you head to Downtown in celebration of all things St. Patrick's Day! As you're making your plans, remember that you can find information on parking in Downtown right here, and a full list of restaurants and bars right here.
POSTPONED: Due to health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19, and the New York on PAUSE order from Governor Cuomo limiting non-essential gatherings, Downtown Albany Restaurant Week has been postponed. When it is safe to celebrate the world-class cuisine available in Downtown with this event, we will do so. Stay tuned for new dates!
While the NCAA Men's Basketball sessions are in Downtown, there will be just as much excitement outside the Times Union Center as there will be at the games.
For over three decades the Business Review has been releasing the Book of Lists, a go-to publication in doing business for anything from job-seekers to CEOs looking for bids on an upcoming project.
The Downtown Albany Business Improvement District is seeking a firm to perform a District Demographic Study with submissions due at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, March 11, 2020 (please note this is an extension of the previous due date).
Voting is open for the Times Union's 2020 Best Of following nearly 160,000 nominations in 100 categories. People will be able to vote once a day through Thursday, March 5 in Dining Out, Goods and Services, Arts and Entertainment, and Best of the Rest categories.
'Tis the season for affection, and with dining, gift, and entertainment options for every love language, Downtown is the place to be this Valentine's Day.
Chicago-based company Novel Coworking is expanding into New York following the purchase of 69 State Street. Plans for the 17-story building include renovations to provide modern and affordable workspace, with pre-leasing already underway for private offices, SmartSuites, and coworking memberships which start at $129 per month.
Compete with your Downtown neighbors as trivia maestro Jeff Morad of WEQX pits teams of downtown Albany residents against each other in a battle of the brains! Will Liberty Lofts reclaim their title? Can the Downtown BID team make a comeback? Or will a new champ reign supreme?
Significant development in downtown Albany has attracted new restaurateur Jeffrey Via, with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony for The Paper Dragon held January 9.
Does the start of a new decade have you even more motivated to stick to your resolutions? As 2020 begins, Downtown businesses are here to help you with some of the most common New Year's Resolutions: lose weight/exercise and improve your finances.
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: