Saratoga's Special (Event) Ops
During this post-pandemic winter, Spa City restaurants are drawing locals out of their homes by doubling down on themed parties.
If I learned anything in college, it’s that people love a party with a theme. Whether it’s a toga party at a frat house (which, by the way—who’s going to step up and throw a Toga toga party?!) or a post-collegiate beach brunch on Broadway, there will be plenty of revelers ready to step up, dress up and show up. And it seems like in this post-COVID off season, Saratoga bars and restaurants of all kinds are catching on.
“We always do a Fat Tuesday party at Hattie’s separate from our Mardi Gras fundraiser,” says Beth Alexander, director of hospitality at Business for Good, which owns the New Orleans restaurant. “We try to mix it up every year.” This year’s edition of the event, which is going on tonight at 6pm (call for reservations), will feature a four-course prix fixe New Orleans menu served with beer tastings by Northway Brewing. “We’ll have beads and masks for everybody,” Beth adds. “And then we have a band starting at about 7:45, so we’re going to make it into a party.”
Hattie’s Fat Tuesday is only the next in a seemingly endless string of special events that are dominating Saratoga’s restaurant scene this winter. Just this past weekend, Bailey’s hosted a Willy Wonka–themed ice bar bonanza, which was followed up by the aforementioned Beach Brunch hosted by Cantina and featuring DJ Trumastr. In recent weeks, Nanola in Malta hosted a Bad Boy Brunch, featuring tracks by Puff Daddy, Craig Mack, The Notorious B.I.G. and more; and Northway Brewing in Queensbury put on a Winter Luau complete with a pig roast, leis and live music. And on the docket for later this winter?
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