By AMIR GALBAN
Opinions Editor
Located on 432 Madison Avenue in Albany, the bar first opened on Saint Patrick’s Day, 2022. It is open from 3 p.m. to 12 a.m., Monday through Thursday, and has varied hours on the weekends with earlier openings and later closings.
There are several restaurants and bars within the Lark district. Lark Tavern is one that has thrived due to its unique customer-based businesses. The Tavern provides a vibrant bar scene in the heart of Lark providing an immersive experience for its customers.
Events such as wing night for 99 cents on Wednesdays, and stand-up comedy from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. every Thursday, from frequent and new performers. The weekday activities are a highlight to the aura of the Lark Tavern, making sure they use their space for their current and future customers, to get involved in more ways than one.
One of the more convenient traits is their food menu with all the starters, handhelds, personal pizzas, and house specialties, costing below $20. My appetizer choice has been the same the last two times, the eight breaded shrimp. The fries are delicious and crispy but for some reason, I only find them good when my friends buy them. There are several bartenders working and the wait for food never feels long, with the lively atmosphere. Depending on the order the longest wait for food can be approximately 15-25 minutes on a busy night.
The regulars including the talent are middle aged to older men and women with the other half of them being in their 20’s and 30’s.
Right when you walk in you can see a wide wooden bar with over nine seats and a variety of drinks at the back bar. Two TV’s occupy one spot near the drinks, and another opposite the bar for patrons sitting at the tables. Next to the tables at the far-right side of the bar is a majestic sitting area below a small chandelier, with three cocktail lounge chairs with the signs of “LOVE” and a crown symbol.
Adjacent to the lounge, is an arch door leading to the bathrooms and the performance space. Over 8 tables are set up and a small stage for performers. This area is for the shows and spectators. This is the kind of place that allows creators to showcase their talent, which in my experience, has made every time worth it. There’s the laughing part of it, if you enjoy comedy. Whether they are hilarious or not, you appreciate their effort to do something they love. Then there’s the vibing and getting to know the new, or what can be unknown music from the bands that perform on weekends and weekdays. These bands include jazz, rock, and even solo performers.
On weekends, the Lark Street Tavern also hosts Karaoke. All their events and performances are scheduled on the website at thelarkstreettavern.com.
The place is still going strong, with two upcoming events on the 22 and 24, featuring a music performance and a comedy show following that.
The Lark Street tavern does two great things. First, the bar and restaurant offer delicious food/drinks and on a high note, most things are cheap. Second and most importantly, performances, acts, and events, couldn’t be done if not for the hard work that the staff puts in. It’s a great place to go with friends and even better, a fun environment to enjoy alone.
