| Back in the early to mid 1980's a few of my | | | | and it is a frequent stop for a popular |
| friends and I entered the Beer Tasting | | | | local Irish group know as the McKrells. |
| | | | |
| Club (which would account for my haziness of | | | | The famous Saratoga Racetrack is not far |
| specific dates in time) at the | | | | away.As a kid I remember it as Rocco's |
| | | | Italian Restaurant and recall they had the |
| Parting Glass Pub on Lake Avenue in Saratoga | | | | finest thin crust pizza in |
| Springs. | | | | |
| | | | town. When it was Rocco's, the booths were |
| One only had to "sample" in the neighborhood | | | | across |
| of 200 beers in an approximate 10 month | | | | |
| period | | | | from the bar and the dining room was in a |
| | | | separate room. When the Parting Glass |
| and grade it on a scorecard. If you could | | | | |
| preview 2 to 3 beers a night, 2 to 3 | | | | took over in 1981 they removed the wall and |
| | | | opened up the bar to the dining area. The |
| times a week, this great gift to mankind was | | | | |
| very do-able; | | | | booths were separated and moved to the outer |
| | | | walls of the dining area. Over the |
| without requiring emergency room treatment. | | | | |
| And do it we did. What a great | | | | years they have purchased adjoining real |
| | | | estate and |
| time we had sampling beers from all over the | | | | |
| world. From little 7 ounce Pilsners to | | | | have expanded quite a bit to accommodate |
| | | | another larger dining / music area. The |
| the 25 ounce Fosters Lager can, we finished | | | | |
| the important job with time to spare. | | | | joint has some really nice vintage woodwork |
| | | | and a great ambience.The Glass also has an |
| We built many bridges and solved many | | | | excellent dart room with |
| problems of the world sitting in front of | | | | |
| | | | several dart boards and a nice selection of |
| that wonderful bar. One night, during a | | | | custom darts and dart accessories |
| heavy snowstorm, I | | | | |
| | | | for sale. At one time |
| actually skied down with my faithful dog | | | | |
| Rocky from my apartment off north | | | | they also owned a pub called Cohans (I |
| | | | believe that was the name) in Ireland and |
| Broadway; refusing to let Mother Nature sway | | | | used to |
| me from my dedication to important | | | | |
| | | | have dart competitions between the two |
| matters concerning the human condition.After | | | | establishments; keeping score by fax machine. |
| the in-depth study of the beverages were | | | | I always enjoyed the |
| completed, the "Glass" threw a swell party | | | | |
| for those that made the | | | | fact that the place was family owned and |
| | | | patrons could feel a part of the family as |
| measure. Many of the beer vendors donated | | | | the girls |
| nice gifts of beer memorabilia for the | | | | |
| | | | and their mother poured beers, mixed drinks |
| qualifiers. The owners mounted a plaque on | | | | and waited tables.With everything from pizza |
| the wall with all the | | | | and wings to steaks and lamb stew, the menu |
| | | | is first-rate |
| Beer Tasters engraved on it; something I've | | | | |
| dragged many new friends in to see. | | | | and quite varied. I am especially fond of |
| | | | the sweet potato fries and the |
| The last time I stopped in, the plaque was | | | | |
| nowhere to be found. The barmaid told me | | | | Shepherds Pie. Parking is pretty good |
| | | | compared to Broadway and there is a |
| someone had stolen it (no doubt someone I | | | | |
| had shared space with on the wall | | | | parking garage a short distance away, making |
| | | | it a good meeting place for |
| trophy - oh, the inhumanity). She also | | | | |
| | | | newcomers to busy downtown Saratoga Springs. |
| said they were thinking about starting the | | | | Of course, The Parting Glass is "the" place |
| Taster's Club back up, so go check it | | | | to be on |
| | | | |
| out and keep me posted.The Parting Glass Pub | | | | St. "Paddy's" Day with plenty of live music, |
| is located on Lake Avenue in downtown | | | | dancing and lots of Guinness |
| Saratoga Springs. | | | | |
| | | | on tap. Delicious corned beef and cabbage |
| A short distance east from Broadway, it is | | | | |
| down the hill from the Police Station, a | | | | specials are served on the week leading up |
| | | | to, and including, the big event.You can |
| couple of doors | | | | visit their website at: Joan Desadora is |
| | | | said to have named the pub after the Irish |
| before the Fire House and kiddy-corner to | | | | song of the |
| the Armory. They host a lot of great bands | | | | |
| | | | same name. |