A J
72 Quaker St, Granville, NY, 12832
A J Menu
Sorry, We are updating this restaurant menu details.
Visit below restaurant in Granville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Granville for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Granville for healthy meals suggestion.
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
-
Address :
72 Quaker St
Granville, NY, 12832 - Phone (518) 642-3237
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Sorry, No additional information is available to display.
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
Looky Weed - Buy Marijuana Online
Looky Weed is here to help you navigate the maze of legalized marijuana. We provide you with a complete dispensary directory.
Brendan B.
What a nice addition to Broadway. Super convenient easy to get to location. We had no troubles with parking right on Broadway. I love the airiness of the space. The space is super clean and neat, modern and wooden. We were seated at a high top near the bar. I normally hate high tops, but this one was huge and had comfortable seats. If you're a fan of hanging at the bar you'll be happy to know that the bar is massive. It wraps all the way around in a rectangle with TV's over head. I think this would be a great spot to meet for sporting events. I'd say the average cost for menu items would be about 12. We split a super fresh and delicious beet and arugula salad, short rib dumplings and a Asian Duck burger. Everything was really solid, including our server who was quiet, but present and nailed all the timing. Beer wise, we tried a really good Oktoberfest and an even better Brown called "Fist of Karma". This is a great spot where both food and bev are well executed. If you're a brew pub fan, don't miss it.
(5)Mandy B.
Amazing brews, love the sour The Dare Gose. Buffalo wings on par and above the original, and we're from Buffalo.
(5)Kellen B.
Excellent follow up to the original location in Saratoga, NY. The cheese and pretzel will knock your socks off and their Amber beer is delicious. My friend feels they have the best calamari appetizer in the capital region, hands down. For dinner, the burgers and pizzas are a cut above the rest. Although the Mac dishes are probably their signature food options and even better the second day! Service was exceptional as well and the decor and ambiance are very cool for a true brew pub experience with a modern, hip vibe.
(5)Chris V.
I love the industrial North end of Albany and all the cool places there, and I finally got to check out Druthers tonight. Very cool space, a surprisingly good beer, pleasant service, but disappointing food. I was surprised how crowded it was - Saturday night at 6:30. For a twosome we were told a 20+ minute wait for a table, so we sat and ate at the bar. I am a beer geek and not usually impressed by local beer, but the smoked beer I had was very good. The bartenders were friendly and helpful -probably too helpful as we had at least 3 of them checking in with us to see how everything was and if we needed anything. We ordered the Calamari and the Margarita Pizza based on others Yelpers and the bartenders recommendations and both were disappointing. The Calamari was interesting and had good flavor, but it seemed under-cooked. The breading on it was doughy and a bit pasty. If it was cooked longer maybe it might have been very good. The Pizza looked promising with some blackened areas under the crust promising a crisp crust, but it was a ruse - even though the crust was fairly thin, it was soft. The cheese was just OK, the tomato sauce was very good, and the basil was very lacking - only about 8 squares on our 6 slice pizza. Interestingly a manager came over and asked about our impressions of the food - perhaps because when the bartender asked we said we thought the calamari was undercooked, but we were fine with it. We gave him our feedback without complaining or asking for anything and he took off both food items and thanked us for our input and said they were still trying to dial in the pizza cooking times and temperature. I wasn't looking for anything off or comped and was very surprised he took off not only one but both items, but it was appreciated and nice to feel that our feedback was valued. (No mention of Yelp reviews was made btw.)
(3)Sevann H.
I am happy to report that Albany can add another new hipster restaurant to its roster to compete with the burgeoning hipster businesses in Troy. This is a hipster, warehouse converted to brewery that was beautifully converted and dressed with soft but vibrant different kinds of wood on every surface. I was really impressed. We were brave and came on opening night, we were quickly seated which was an added bonus in my book. The waitstaff was busy bustling about but they did so with such purpose and definitely seemed to know what they were doing. Our waitress was quick to make recommendations and bring our drinks. For appetizer, we had the fried calamari which was a blend of spice, green onion, eggplant slices and a delicious marinara. Main course: I couldn't help myself, I got the kale salad and for fear of feeling guilty because I had eaten so much salad for the day I balanced it out with a hanger steak on top. The dressing was amazing just a little heavy handed for my taste, next time I will ask for half as much. The steak was savory but not as tender as I would have liked. My husband ordered the Italian pizza which was several different Italian meats, cheese and arugula. Really fabulous and the crust was light though not as thin or crusty as I would like. All in all a great after work, hangout spot. A great place to go with friends. Service was great, especially considering that they just opened.
(4)Dima T.
The breakfast burger is reason alone to dine here. House-made Canadian bacon? Check. Waffled hash brown? Check. Fried egg, caramelized onion, gooey American cheese, and a beef patty oozing with flavor? Check, check, check, and check. All on a toasted English muffin. Paired with their brevity wit beer, this was a burger to remember. The menu here carries over many of the classics from the Saratoga location, making it unmistakably Druthers, but offers enough new items that you can have a completely unique experience. The beer list is slightly shorter than that of the original location, but still contains enough variety to satisfy all beer lovers. The space is large and open, offering both bar and dining room seating options. Service was excellent with staff seemingly outnumbering diners two to one. The only downside to this location compared to Saratoga is that there's no outdoor seating, but the food is delicious and the beer is plentiful. When it comes to breweries, what else really matters?
(4)Michele A.
We stumbled across this place just by chance, and boy am I glad we did. We were headed to Albany to take my little one to an amusement park. Before we went in, we wanted to eat some lunch knowing we wouldn't get him to stop once in the park. So we Yelp'ed restaurants in the area and up popped Druthers just a few blocks away. This place is in, what I guess you would say is an industrial park. The exterior is so cool it just drew us in. Then once we entered the decor is so cool. We wanted to sit by the huge widows that face the brewery. Very cool! We all ordered up some of their brews, and my mother in law ordered the cider, which was so refreshing and delish! The beers are so reasonably priced. Then we got the menu and I had high hopes. I was not disappointed. It is such an original menu. I couldn't decide what I wanted! I settled in for a burger with pineapple salsa and hot cherry pepper spread. OMG! This burger was amazing! The pineapple salsa was sooooooo good, I could have eaten a bowl of it. My husband got the asian sloppy joe duck. Which I thought was a huge mistake. He hates sloppy joes, so I couldn't figure out why he would order them. When they came we all offered to take it off his hands and switch. He took one forkful of the duck and would have stabbed any one of us who tried to wrestle this dish from him. I did get a taste, and they were so flavorful and delicious. I know this is far from home, but my son will be happy he gets to visit the amusement park more often, because we need any excuse to make this trip again soon!
(4)Christopher L.
What a dynamic brew-pub facility, generous in space, contemporary, Metro-retro-urban-factory environment. They did amazing things with a previously nothing early 1900s building. Spectacular wide brick arch windows face outside and into the spiffy-looking glistening stainless steel brewery. Beer samples a blast, we loved the diversity of their production... Tantalizing. One downside ... No non-alcohol offerings for our alcohol-challenged buddy. No NA choices, yikes, !!! Maybe in this case they went to far with the early 1900s theme. Come on,.. It's the year 2015. Thanks Druthers for a great fun space to enjoy fine local brew and good times with friends and family.
(3)Nicole E.
Sequals are almost never a good thing, and, since I love the original Druthers so very much, I was both excited and hesitant about a second location. Sure, it saves me a 30-40 minute drive, but there was no outdoor patio, and it wasn't the original. Could it still be just great, I wondered? Unlike Back to the Future II, Jurassic Park II, and 102 Dalmations, Albany Druthers is far from a disappointment. However, it is different from Saratoga Druthers (but just a little). I have what might be considered an obsession with Saratoga Druthers' prezels with beer cheese dip. They are the best I've had anywhere, and it's all real cheese (this is far from a guarantee at all establishments)! It was the first thing I ordered the instant our waiter came over to us on my first Albany Druthers visit. The portion size? The same. The deep fried pretzels with their crisp exterior, but yeasty, chewy interior? The same. The beer cheese dip...well, the description on the menu is the same, but unlike at Saratoga Druthers, the beer cheese dip lacks a kick. The menu says there are peppers, but I've ordered them twice now, and all I taste is the beer cheese. Is it still delicious? Sure! But it lacks the spice that usually kept me going depsite feeling ready to burst. The Druthers burger ($14) was well cooked and came with a choice of fries or greens. The meat itself could benefit from seasoning. It seems a minor thing, but I was really miffed to see that mustard and ketchup comes on the burger (mustard and ketchup are not listed as part of the burger in the menu). I hate, hate, hate mustard on my burger. Could I have asked for a new one? I could have, but I did not want to waste, so I ate it without the bun. I opted for the fries, which were average. I was hoping for a more "rustic" fry from Druthers (the kind with some of the skin on and still tasting like a potato), but they were still fries and, thus, still delicious. A friend of mine ordered the mussles, and when she pointed out that ten of her mussles were not open, she expected that they'd bring over a small bowl with a few extra. Instead, they brought her over an entirely new entree! When we got our check, we realized they comped her meal entirely! There's no shortness of "the customer is always right" mentality here, and it's appreciated. On another visit, I ordered the sausage and broccoli bianco pizza ($15). It was enough for two (after having beer cheese dip as an appetizer). After the first few bites, I could tell that the sausage was in need of seasoning. A simple sprinkling of salt and pepper and, wow, what a difference! The pizza comes with ricotta, shaved garlic, artichoke, and sweet italian sausage. I think spicy Italian sausage would bring this pizza to another level, and would love to see that as an option. I did ask for mozerella to be added to the pizza (I just cannot resist a stringy mozz). The waiter said it was not a problem, but the mozerella was left off. It definitely was not needed. The default ricotta was of a good quality (and not too watery) and did not leave me wanting more cheese. On our latest visit, we sat at the bar and I tried the hot wings ($11 for 10). My default wing spice is usually a medium. Since medium is not an option, I asked the bartender about the heat level. She said their hot wings were about a medium at other places. I agree. The spice level was not too hot, and I'd recommend it for those accustomed to eating medium wings. However, the heat of the hot wings, while tasty, is not your traditional buffalo wing heat (i.e., Franks). It is Druther's own mix of spice and tastes as if it is tabasco based. I really am not a fan of tabasco, but as the sauce appeared tempered by some other kind of heat -- maybe chili paste? I was not turned off by the flavor. The flavor may not have been my favorite, but I was impressed with the quality of the wing. There was a good mix of wings and drumettes and they were all meaty, juicy, and of a nice size. No flabby skin here. The greatest part, perhaps, is that during happy hour it was $3 off appetizers and wings, so I got a sizable plate of wings for $8 -- a great deal! I don't think I would rush to try Druthers hot wings again, but I definitely will venture out for another flavor! While we were sitting at the bar, a woman sitting nearby mentioned to the bartender that her hamburger bun was too hard. Within ten minutes, the kitchen dropped off a new burger, new side salad AND a complimentary side of fries. It seemed a little wasteful to me, but the woman appreciated it and it did again demonstrate that the quality of their food and happiness of their customers is important to them. I've tried several of Druthers beers before, so on each visit to Albany Druthers, I had my favorite -- the Dare (a gose). If you go during happy hour, pints are just $4! Great beer for an unbeatable price! I'm pleased to report that this sequal is worth a try!
(4)Amanda R.
Love that Druther's is so vegetarian friendly. Actually, they have the BEST veggie burger I've ever had! I also highly recommend the leak pizza, their homemade hummus, and of course the pretzels with beer dip. If you're looking for a beer I would suggest going with the Truth Serum--it goes down so easy, but careful it's very aptly named.
(5)Rick C.
Big fan of this place. The Bavarian Pretzels are absolutely delicious. The beer is great too. I usually go here in the middle of the day when it's not too busy. Forget getting there on a Friday Night, because this place is so awesome, you can expect a deluge of people and a 40 minute wait. Not a big deal - but I'm not much of a crowd person so I prefer to go there when there's not a ton of people. But yes, the food here, the burgers, the pretzels and the beer are well worth the jaunt.
(4)Rayshad R.
Awesome Food Mac And Cheese came out Piping Hot and was Awesome
(5)Lauren M.
Went to druthers this afternoon for a beer and some appetizers. I have to say that I was very unimpressed with this location even though I am a big fan of the Saratoga location. First of all parking is awful. You would think with the amount of people they are looking to get in there they would have a better parking situation. My suggestion, don't even bother to pull down the road where the restaurant sits on because there's no where to turn around. When me and my friend arrived we were greeted by the hostess who had a large party in front of us. We waited kindly and she sat us before the large party. She started taking us into the dining room and then said oh wait and as she walked toward the bar area we just patiently waited. Then she told us to follow her into the bar area where we were seated at a high top. I really wasn't in the mood to sit at a high top and there were low baring tables all around us but we could see the football game so we decided not to move tables. The server started out fine. We did things pretty untraditionally and being a server myself I know that it can get frustrating when people want to start with appetizers and put in entrees later and she handled that well. The food is nothing like Saratoga. The pretzels and beer cheese are my favorite and these pretzels were clearly cooked too long and were very hard on the outside. The calamari wasn't what I was expecting and almost too spicy to eat for me. The main reason I am writing this review however is because we decided to get a burger to go because the appetizers were very filling and something came up and we had to leave. When I got home I sat down to have the burger, cut it in half and the burger was completely raw in the middle! I asked for it cooked medium knowing that it would still cook a little bit on my drive home but this burger clearly was thrown on the grill for 30 seconds to cook the outside and that was that. I am all for new places and I understand that they need to get the "kinks" out. But being served undercooked meat is completely unacceptable to me. I guess next time I'm looking for my druthers fix I'll have to head up north.
(2)Jim Y.
Finally made it here! Great after work crowd, suits, ties, and jeans and tshirts. Good selection of craft brews. I home brew and like hoppy IPAs so went with the All In, American, hoppy, clean finish. As they say, Clear eyes open heart can't lose. All the Mac and cheese entrees looked good and went with the BBQ Mac and Cheese. Good stuff and just the right tastes between the mac, cheese, BBQ pulled pork, and cole slaw. Slightly sweet. Will return.
(4)Gabriela S.
Party in Albany! I love the ambiance of this new restaurant. It so open and big. They've got the whole modern rustic feel going on. If I lived in Albany, I'd probably make it here at least once a week. I'd be refilling many a growler. Seriously, what's better than fresh brews and tasty food in a relaxed atmosphere. We ordered the Druther's burger which had a lot of complex flavors (pickles, green tomatoes... etc) and was really tasty. But I prefer a less soggy burger composition. The combo of the sauce, juice meat and soft bun made for spectacularly messy bites. The pizza toppings and crust were pretty great. I'm not a big fan of ricotta base, but if you're into that I imagine you'd live this pizza. Happy hour, Druthers? Please? I'm just gonna throw that out there. It'd be a perfect place to meet people after work.
(4)Krista R.
My husband and I had a great experience at Druthers this weekend. I haven't been to the Druthers in Saratoga so I have nothing to compare this one to, except perhaps other dining establishments that are in a similar vein (Brown's, Pump Station, etc.). Ambiance - A. I loved the wide open, naturally lit, industrial space, and that you can view the brewery itself through windows in the dining room (on the side of the bar). Beverage - A. They primarily serve their own brews, but I was pleased to see that they also serve Nine Pin (they are practically neighbors, so this makes sense). My husband sampled a couple of beers and I myself tried a couple of their white wines, and the pour was strong, my friends. The beverage prices were very reasonable for what we were served. Food - A-. We split a margarita pizza, which was divine. The sauce-to-cheese ratio was good and the flavors were wonderful. The fresh basil is a nice touch. We also split the grilled cheese, which was (never thought I'd say this) too much cheese. Along with bacon and pesto, it was a flavor overload. I would get the pizza again, but not the grilled cheese. No matter, however, as there are plenty of other items on the menu I'd gladly try in lieu of this cheesepalooza. Prices are a little on the higher side ($13 for each of these menu items) but I am happy to pay them if the food is prepared well and with good ingredients. Service - A. The hostesses and our waitress were prompt and friendly. Unlike the times I've gone to Brown's and the Pump Station, at Druthers I had no major complaints. I should actually probably see my doctor to see what's wrong with me, seeing as I don't seem to want as much cheese as I used to... but I digress. Check this place out!
(5)E G.
First time at the new Albany location. Great menu and huge selection of their craft beers. Service was tremendous. Parking lot across the street convenient. Nice, eclectic crowd. Industrial space makes for it to bit a bit noisy. Might need to add more textiles or sound absorbers. All in all, a fun night out...
(4)Timothy R.
The place is a brand new renovation from the wood stairs to the tables, floors and shiny tile in the kitchen. The lighting is well done and creates a relaxing mood that combined with mildly loud music and well-placed tables allows for a semi-private conversation with minimal cross-talk. The vibe and ambiance are great and the crowd seemed hip and young. I sat in the dining area near the door with a good view of the bar area, which is roomy and fun, with live music (opening night), and lots of smiling faces. The waitstaff/service was quick and courteous - no complaints. We ordered and shared a 16 oz beer (The Dare), hot wings, a salad and mussels. The beer was on point and enjoyable and I would order it again. The food was mediocre in my opinion compared to the best bar food I've experienced. Sadly, I didn't get any 'wow this is good' moments from the food. Isn't that why we all go out and order food? 3.5 stars is a more appropriate rating than 3 stars. The food just didn't excite me. I'll give it another try in 6-8 weeks and see if things have improved. However, I will say the bar/restaurant is very fun and lively and a great place to bring a group of friends to enjoy a few beers and bar food in a mature and relaxed setting.
(3)Jenna L.
It's finally here! I love the location in Saratoga and have been waiting for the albany location to open up. I visited for dinner with my husband and another couple and we had a great meal. Service was good and the place is nice inside. But downfalls are 1. Short on parking for such a big place. Need better signage on where it's ok to park. 2. No outdoor space. There is certainly room and I'm super disappointed there is no patio. The food made up for the disappointments with the appetizers being the show stoppers. I recommend the pretzels and cheese dip. They are deep fried so they have a crispy outside and soft chewy inside. We all loved them! We also had this waffle made from hash browns and topped with chicken and cheese. It was interesting. Had great texture and flavor and wasn't like anything else I've had in albany in a while. We would order it again for sure. The pizza and duck sloppy joe were good but the apps were the stars! Will they add tours of the brewing operation in the future? That would be a great addition. This place is just another jewel in the warehouse district crown of great places to drink and dine.
(4)P P.
Nice big place. Service is good and efficient. Was disappointed that the Albamy menu lacked the cauliflower dish from the saratoga menu as well as the strawberry hummus dish. Please bring those to albany. Actually the whole menu as it makes it nicer for us. Had the sloppy Joe with duck. Unfortunately it was very dry no sauce like the real thing. Alot I'd spice which I like.
(4)Lauren B.
Good food, good beer. Note that since it is a brewery, they only have their own beer on draft for the most part. I got a duck confit pizza and it was heavy--but delicious! Could have split it with someone easily. Note that it is a little noisy because the building is all one big room and the noise from the bar carries over, so if you have someone hard of hearing they may not have a great time. Also fun tip: there's a parking lot across the street!
(4)Bill H.
Spectacular! Fantastic atmosphere and scrumptious food. A great addition to the Albany area.
(5)Mike C.
Stopped in Friday to check it out. Totally blown away. Place is amazing. Large, open space, plenty of room to move around, Great Design. Huge bar with room around it. Service was excellent. No one seemed to wait for a drink. Had the Pale Ale, very good, no bitter taste at all. Even though bar area was a little loud, we sat in the waiting area for tables and it was fine. Nice separation between the bar & dining area. Love the open kitchen. Totally recommend stopping and having a beer or eats. We'll be back
(5)Dave M.
Another great place in the warehouse district. Good is great. Atmosphere is lively but not TOO loud. Beer is great and the Gose is spot on for style
(4)Randal P.
Enjoyed an amber and everyone who worked there. Knowledgable and caring. Clearly the result of good management bringing in good people and encouraging them to do the right things. The space was amazing. Big but not overwhelming. Well appointed. I would enjoy a way to get something smaller than 16oz without buying a flight, but it is a small quibble. Seems to be enough for a vegan to eat, too. Can't wait to try it all. Thanks for coming to the neighborhood!
(5)Mike C.
Beer is great, love the IPA...confit wings are good maybe a couple more flavors...burgers, pizza, and Mac and cheese also very good. Would be 5 stars if not for the calamari, it's awful...and wait staff not very good.
(4)Deborah M.
First time at Druthers based on a recommendation from a trusted friend. The atmosphere was relaxing and the wait staff were on point, pleasant, and present without hovering. The beer was ok, points off for being out of the Porter. The food was a different story. My companion had an order of Confit chicken wings in hot sauce. While they were moist, they were not crisped outside and the sauce was highly vinegar based. I ordered the short rib mac and cheese with black beans, tomatoes and queso fresco. This was the worst mac and cheese or queso fresco that I've ever had and I'm not sure which to qualify it as since it appeared to be neither; but shells, salsa, and the orange cheese dip in a jar. There was no visable short rib.. and we searched, to the point where the lovely waitress came over, looked, and offered to get a short rib from the kitchen. I declined because the rest of the dish was so poorly done I wasn't going to eat it. The third person at the table had mac and cheese with smoked chicken, bbcue sauce and ranch which was only marginally better, owing to the fact that his did indeed have chicken. You would think that any staff member would question why 3 almost full entrees were boxed up (although I protested mine, the others at the table thought they could palm it off on someone at work) Nice folks waiting the tables is the highlight here, but for good food and beer there are far better choices than Druthers Brewing.
(2)Isabella S.
Finally got a chance to get to this location after visiting the Saratoga location a few times. I love the interior and how much bigger it is than the Saratoga location. You can opt to dine on the bar side, or the dining room side. Our server, Chris, was knowledgeable and very attentive. I was surprised with the size of the pretzels with beer cheese app it was HUGE! Usually if you order a similar app from another restaurant you're lucky if you get 5 sticks that probably don't taste as good as these. They were crisp, light and fluffy. I had to stop myself from eating the whole plate because I had Mac and Cheese on the way. As expected, that was delicious. Crisp from the breadcrumbs on the top but moist and cheesy on the inside. HUGE portion served in a hot skillet. Yum. I've also tried the hashbrown app, dumplings, and sliders and was really impressed with the depth of flavor. There are definitely some interesting things on the menu that make it much more than just a brewery. Although their menu is considerably smaller than the Saratoga location, I will be returning.
(4)Frank V.
Great staff, great beer and great food. Service was amazing as was my wood fired Italian mix pizza. Can't wait to get back there.
(5)Robert P.
Fantastic brews and excellent food!! Been here three times this week and can't wait to return! When it comes to local brewers, Druther's award winning Master Brewer George DiPiro is the undisputed heavy weight champ. We've had multiple menu items and everything was superb. The décor is very nice, even the bathrooms are warm and inviting. Very excited and impressed by this welcome addition to the area!
(5)Jamie D.
Delish. Asian duck soppy joe was amazing as was the Spicy Island Burger. Staff was fantastic for the first weekend open. Will definitely return
(5)Kevin C.
Stopped in after work to see what was offered, and when I attempted to sit at the bar, was asked by a fellow in a "Druthers" shirt, if that was my seat. I said no, and he said that he was going to sit with his friends, and to find another seat (I later saw him working at the tables). I ordered a sausage and peppers sandwich, and a bar scotch on the rocks. The scotch used was Dewars. So-so sandwich for $14.00 dollars or so, and low end scotch at another $14.00 or $15. I wonder what the finer scotch cost? When leaving, I made a comment to the door person about the greeting I had received. She said that he had just purchased the shirt earlier. If he purchased the shirt earlier, why was he working as a waiter later? I recommend only to legislators with nice food (and drink) allowances. A snack sandwich and a shot of scotch for about $30.00...kinda ridiculous.
(2)Fred P.
Visited Druther's for the first time yesterday a bit before the normal dinner crowd would arrive... my first issue was parking... it was very difficult but eventually found a place. Discussed this with the manager and he explained that there is parking across the street and plans for the purchase of another bldg. to be torn down and create a parking lot there.... that would make a big difference. Evidently there is no parking on the north side of bridge street. Okay...now to the food and service... our server was very nice and professional... however we didn't get plates when our appetizers arrived so asked another server for them and they were immediately brought to our table. I was excited to try a porter and when mine was served, there was no head to it and no carbonation... brought to the attention of our server and she immediately brought me a new glass that was much better. My friend and I each ordered a pizza, mine with sausage and broccoli, hers with buffalo chicken and blue cheese dressing... I liked hers a lot better than mine...however mine was not bad. The interior is open and trendy. It was a bit on the loud side but when mentioning this to my friend I said I could also hear her just fine, so no real issue with that. Don't know if I will be rushing back as it is a bit out of the way. But wish the place much success.
(3)Steve N.
I'd been to the Saratoga location of Druthers once, and left unimpressed. The food looked great on the menu, but the execution left something to be desired, and the food was ok, but not anything special. I've been to the Albany location twice now, and had two different dishes. Before I get to the food, these guys make very good beer. They take the beer side of the business very seriously, and the IPA I had I liked a lot. Not quite as bitter and less heavily hopped than most IPAs are today, it has good balance with just a hint of sweetness. On my first visit I ordered the mussels. Wow. They were amazing. A huge bowl with a generous portion of mussels, loaded with bacon, pistachios, cherry tomatoes, and pickled ginger in a beer based broth. Full of flavor, it's a great dish. It's worth a trip to Druthers just to have that. I was so impressed with the mussels, I was itching to get back and try something else on the menu. I spied the asian duck sloppy joe and decided I had to have it. It was disappointing. Ground duck, in a heavy, sticky, and super sweet sauce. The gloppy, sickly sweet sauce made it impossible to taste the duck. It reminded me of my experience at the Saratoga Druthers--a dish that looks great on the menu, but lacks proper execution. It's way too sweet. The dish would be much better if they dialed back the sweetness, and let more of the duck flavor shine through. My guess is the rest of the menu has both hits and misses on it. The key I think, to a good experience at Druthers, is to get some experience with the menu and learn what's good, and what's not so good.
(3)Roger K.
It's not crowded here if you go for lunch on a rainy Tuesday. But parking was still at a premium. Neither my friend or I chose to chance to park with all the other cars on the side of the street that had signs saying "no parking at any time." But none of those cars had tickets when we left 90 minutes later. I can't say if the Albany water makes the beer taste any different than the beers they brew in Saratoga. But the beers are still good. I had a pint of Summer Bock ($6) while my friend had the Oatmeal Stout. I also had a BLT ($9). The bacon was nice thick, meaty, crisp slices, the tomatoes were white heirloom variety and the lettuce was leaf type. The roll was fresh. Overall, very tasty. I think my friend ordered a chicken sandwich with greens on the side instead of the standard chips. We both were happy with our sandwiches. Service was just OK. If you look out the back windows you can see the relocated Hoffman's/Huck Finn's Playland. It's really only a 3 1/2 star rating right now, but because of the beer I'm rounding up.
(4)Jack C.
I've never been to the Saratoga location, but based on my experience in the Warehouse District, I'll have to check it out. We dropped by for lunch today and were seated immediately. The first thing I noticed (besides the pretty cool exterior) was the decor. I'm not sure what to call it, but I'll just go ahead and label it "industrial chic" (I'm no design expert, but if I've learned anything from hours of watching HGTV with the wife, it's that you can throw the word "chic" behind any adjective and it sounds like a hip design style). The Edison-style lightbulbs dangling from wires on the wall and over the bar, the wood-and-brick combination - it's a really cool interior. Anyway, we were greeted quickly by a server and I ordered a Dare, which is a German-style Gose beer. Those who aren't beer geeks may not be familiar with this style, which is actually quite old but fairly new to the American craft brew scene. The beer itself was fantastic and made me want more, but this was lunch and not happy hour, so I settled for the one. I also ordered the Druther's burger, which included bibb lettuce (a great choice for burgers, in my opinion), pickled shallots (which were delicious), other pickles, aged cheddar, and some kind of spiced aioli. The burger was cooked to perfection and the fries were crisp. The flavors of the burger paired well together - the fatty, umami-packed meat played off the sharp cheddar and pickled flavors, while the creamy aioli contrasted well with the crispness of the lettuce and pickles. All in all, it was a great burger. I can't speak to the margherita pizza, as my wife ordered it and ate it all before I could get to it. Oh well, it looked tasty! I'll update this review as I return for more. Of course, I'll have to keep up with all the different beers, as Yelpers and Untappd folks will certainly need my input. Sounds like I'll have a heck of a job drinking beers in my future. Oh, the horror!
(5)Emily J.
This place is a great addition to the Albany "warehouse" area. Not only was the atmosphere on point but the waitstaff was really on their game (even with a full house on a Friday night) and the food was very very good (and plentiful). I came in with a group of 8 and they took our reservation (awesome!) and we were seated very promptly. I wouldn't have minded them taking their time because I would have loved to grab a drink at the bar. This has got to be one of the biggest bars in Albany - helllll ya. Very cozy and brew-centric place. It wasn't overwrought with detail (I really dislike the term "hipster" as that really has no descriptive value and it dilutes a place's goal to have a considered and discerning eye as "shit holes with bespectacled patrons" . AKA this place is in no way "hipster"). Like I mentioned the waitstaff was extremely attentive; our waitress noticed the bartender placed our flight of beers in the incorrect order by seeing the coloring difference. Like, she's taking care of how many people and has time to notice that!? Amazing. I wish I remembered her name to give her an s/o here. Food and beers were great, affordable and FILLING. I got the mussels (HUGE SIZE) which is a good indicator if the restaurant can really pull it off. Druther's can. Everyone else loved their food, some people seeing more than one thing on the menu they wanted and ordered two meals to try. Very cool. Can't wait to go again (I can see in the winter this place would be an awesome Apres Ski - huge fireplace!)
(5)Paula G.
I dropped in for lunch during opening week and was really impressed. Lunch was served incredibly quickly, the waitress was friendly, was happy to give suggestions and seemed to know her way around the brew list. She also informed us they are having better luck with brewing with Albany water over the Saratoga water, which is really good to hear. They advertized they were installing a brick oven for pizza, so I had to try the potato leek pizza. I thought it was pretty good. The rest of the table had Druthers burgers, and said they were cooked correctly and tasted good. For beer, we had the IPA and the brown ale, both were very good. As we sat chatting after we wrapped up lunch, the manager came by to ask our initial opinions on the place and the service. It turned into a 5 minute conversation about the neighborhood, the process of their renovation, the brew master, and some of their future plans. I like when the staff seems excited about the place. My biggest impression was the fantastic job they did renovating the place. It's really quite beautiful on the inside with the wood work, light fixtures and exposed brick. We liked it so much we went back for dinner later in the week. I've now worked my way through the beer list and have to say I haven't had a beer I didn't like. My favorites include the IPA, the brown ale and the Dare is really different. During the second trip, I got to try the mac n cheese, which is a bit overwhelming but delicious. You'll certainly bring home a meal or two when you order it. The table shared the calamari, which was delicious and not rubbery at all and the jerk wings, which weren't spicy like I expected, but were still quite tasty with its savory Caribbean flavor. Again the food came out quickly even though the house was packed. Overall, I think they will be a great addition to the Albany dining scene. I can see myself drinking a lot of beer and eating the appetizers at the bar.
(4)Elaine A.
Came in with a party of 12 on a Friday night - beer was great, food was incredible! Very happy with the second location, and looking forward to our next visit!
(5)Boris R.
I love giving 5 star reviews and Druthers really deserves it. They run the bar in the most efficient manner, even with a busy Saturday night you can taste, have the beer explained. Gose is great here. Fantastic brew. Most of the menu is similar to the Saratoga location but the mussels here I felt were even better. I could not stop eating the broth with the pita provided. It is a bacon and wine based broth so it is fantastic. Had the smoked weizen as well, did not love it or hate it. 80 Shilling and gose were my favorites and I highly recommend. The location is so clean and big and exactly whet the are needs. I hope they do very well. The food is just outstanding.
(5)Sarek R.
Went here for my first time at lunch on Saturday. Food was good, fast and no wait! My wife, father in-law and myself all got different burgers and they looked as good as they tasted. (I recommend the American with habanero pineapple slaw on it!!!) Pretzel bites with beer cheese dip as an appetizer is a DEFINITE table pleaser and it was so big for even the 3 of us we took half of it home. As a bonus you can tell the company spared no expense on this place. Everything looked new and modern with lots of wood beams. Very cool!!! Plan to eat here again next time I'm in the area.
(5)Drew D.
Man, this place was just straight up awesome. We get there and it was jam packed but the ladies up front found us a seat in what they said was going to be 5 minutes but it was really 30-45 seconds. Going to our table everybody in the place was just in a great mood and having a good time with friends and/or family. Very mature crowed which is always a good thing. The tables near the bar are a litttttle bit too high. I'm 5'9, my friend is 6'0 and we still felt a little short at the table but you get used to it. Our waiter was Ian who was super attentive, polite, and informational. Literally the best waiter I've ever had at any restaurant. I honestly hope his boss reads this and understands how kick-ass that kid is. I work in hospitality/customer service myself and he showed extreme poise and actually cared which is rare to see these days. That kid is definitely holding it down for Druthers fa sho. Got the loaded tots for appetizer which were fire and then the loaded mac and cheese which was even better. Can't lie, was a little skeptical at first about getting the mac and cheese but once I was eating it all my problems went away. Oh and the beer I got was insanely good too. This place is a little on the pricier side but it's ok because you leave full and the food/beer/service is second to none in Albany right now. Good stuff Druthers, you're really out here killin the competition.
(5)Holly Y.
Came here with a group of co-workers for a happy hour. Sat at the bar, which is huge! Really nice place, has a "warehouse" look and feel - I felt right at home. Dining area is well-separated from bar area. Staff were very friendly - I guess this place has been open for about 2 months. Belgian IPA and Nine Pin Cider is pretty good! Not much of a craft beer person, but would probably go back again to the bar to try the other kinds. Great atmosphere, good crowd. Beer-battered pretzel bites with the cheese were just ok in my opinion - they weren't heavy--in fact, they were very airy & light. The menu for dinner had a lot of different things I would definitely like to try, so I will be back at some point. All in all, everyone in our group had a good time.
(4)Rebekah C.
Had the Barramundi and it was fabulous! Great wait staff and awesome decor. The manager even stopped by to make sure everything went great. Love that it's in the warehouse district, and I can't wait to go back to try the appetizers.
(5)Torben O.
I like this place, food, beer, ambience, service. I'll be back.
(4)Sharon W.
Attentive knowledgeable bar staff. Busy atmosphere, u can watch the brewers at work. I haven't eaten here yet but the food looks great! Looks like they solved the parking issue by renting a lot across the street there's a big sign.
(4)Vicky L.
Had come to try out the new place and see what the hype is about. Lunch hours are M-F 1130-2pm with a lunch menu option but diners can also order from the regular (dinner) menu. I can see parking can be an issue especially when its popularity increases as the lot is small, although multiple vehicles parked where the no parking lane is and clearly says so with a sign. Park on Broadway instead! Prices for lunch are more reasonable than the dinner prices but the regular menu offers much more. My party tried the Caribbean Jerk Confit Chicken Wings with habanero pineapple slaw, Druthers Mac (7 cheese blend/panko topping), Loaded Mac (bacon/smoked chicken/ranch/bbq sauce), and Nine Pin cider. We weren't sure about the difference between the lunch and dinner macs so we ordered the Druthers Mac in lunch size and one in dinner size. The server mentioned that the dinner mac was double the portion of the lunch mac, but when it was brought to our table the macs appeared to be the same size served in a cast iron skillet. Not sure how it is doubled since my party and I were a little confused trying to compare them. The Druthers Mac was on the creamy, cheesy side but more bland than what I thought it would be with a mixture of 7 cheeses. I was expecting a little more flavor. With the Loaded Mac, the same level of creamy - ness and cheesy - ness was there but this had more flavor and the bbq sauce really came through. The highlight of the experience was the wings! These were juicy and tender with a kick of flavor. I'd definitely get the jerk wings again. The habanero pineapple slaw that accompanied it was also a tastebud kicker. And of course, Ninepin cider went well with all the selections. I will be back with others to sample other selections and beers, but as for the mac I'd stick with the lunch only.
(3)Dre C.
Wings were meaty, beers are fresh, decor is great. Great place to bring a large group and meander around the various seating options as people come and go. I wish it weren't on the far side of the moon from me, but totally worth the cab ride. Well done Druthers!
(5)David H.
Great beer especially the stout. Friendly staff. Amazing restrooms. Haven't tried the food yet however after looking at the menu it seems a bit pricey. $12 for Calamari ?. This ain't the Ritz.
(4)Stacey L.
I'm so excited we found our new place to go! We went on Saturday at 5 pm and I thought since it was new that it wouldn't be too packed but the secret is out. Luckily we got a table quickly but it filled up soon afterwards. Food was amazing. I had the duck sloppy joes and my husband had the special of the day (stromboli). Our son had a child's macaroni and cheese which I happily consumed the leftovers of the next day. For the parents - family friendly - high chairs, boosters, crayons and enough din so that your child's enthusiasm will be drowned out. Great beer choices too and very attentive wait staff.
(5)Gayle A.
Been to the one in Saratoga, Great place and lots of fun with friends.
(4)Clare M.
Went here for the first time tonight. Very friendly hostesses. Had to wait for a table at 7 pm for about 45 minutes - we waited at the bar which was very pleasant and had appetizers and drinks and decided to just stay there to eat. Bartenders know their craft and the menu well. We had the short rib dumplings which are very tasty - savory little morsels. We also enjoyed the hummus with pita which was plentiful for sharing among the 4 of us. We enjoyed the pizzas - buffalo chicken and then the special which was duck, pickles, bbq sauce and corn which sounds kind of odd but was very well put togerher with the sweetness and acid a careful balance. The gentlemen enjoyed the IPA very much. I stuck to my standby chardonnay which was excellent. It is a very convivial atmosphere - crowd is very friendly and dining room is large. The bar is a big expansive square and the decor is very warm. In the middle of the room is a fireplace with lounge furnishings and then the dining room has a lot of tables. This place is popular and for good reason. The area is a little bit sketchy and parking can be tight on a Fri night but there are a lot of people around. It is near the new Huck Finn's Playland and you can see the lights from the carousel as you exit the space. I really enhoyed it here - great food, drink, personnel, and overall atmosphere. I will defintely come here again.
(5)Matt R.
What can I say. I'm a fan of their beer & food. The beer is excellent. As a fan of IPAs I love theirs, I like it hoppyer but the All In is smooth and accompanies food well. The food is just not typical bar food and raises the bar for bar/restaurants in town. Why 4 stars ? Although the new place is awesome, love the bar area with the brewery view !!! No deck !!! I always love the Saratoga location patio and gates, they are signature. I guess summer in Saratoga and winter downtown.
(4)