“There’s just something about being on the water and wanting to have a drink or two,” said Luke Dow, advertising manager for the Lake George Steamboat Company and The Boardwalk Restaurant & Marina.
Locals and tourists alike will be flocking to the shores of Lake George this summer to enjoy a refreshing drink at one of the area’s dozens of restaurants and bars, all the while taking in the beautiful landscape in spaces designed especially for that.
Gina Mintzer, executive director of the Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce, points out that many of the dining establishments occupy some of the most prime real estate on the lake. This is great news for customers, who have a variety of options when it comes to enjoying a drink on the lake.
“Whether you’re on the eastern side of the lake, the village, from Bolton up to Hague, there are just stunning views,” Mintzer said. “That, to me, makes it ideal to enjoy your favorite beverage, alone or with a group of friends, or just for a romantic opportunity.”
PHOTO PROVIDED
The Sagamore.
Whatever the weather, local establishments have indoor and outdoor seating for customers to enjoy. One of the area’s most famous spots is the Sagamore, which offers visitors several choices, from more formal settings like La Bella Vita restaurant to casual open-air settings like The LakeHouse. The Pavilion features a large deck that affords stunning views of the lake.
The Boathouse Restaurant offers some interesting architecture and history to go along with an open-air bar area and seating down by the dock. The structure is the former post-and-beam boathouse of George Foster Peabody, built in the 19th century. Customers can enjoy the outside terrace and recently remodeled outside bar that overlooks the lake.
King Neptune’s Pub, located in the village, has two different deck offerings for seating, a patio close to the lake and the Crow’s Nest deck which seats 150 people and gives visitors a great view of the lake.
The Shoreline Restaurant has a 180-degree view on its covered deck and glass-enclosed lounge.
Tavern on the Lake at Blue Water Manor sits in a woodsy area overlooking Basin Bay. Guests can have a drink in the original stone manor house or outside on the terrace or upper deck.
Christie’s Steak and Steamhouse Lounge is located on the village walkway and features two heated, covered lakeside patios.
Customers at Algonquin Restaurant can choose to have a drink inside or on one of three outdoor decks. Also at this location is The Topside Grille featuring the Hackercraft Bar, a place with a rich mahogany and stone interior and a wall of windows to enjoy views of the lake.
ERICA MILLER/GAZETTE PHOTOGRAPHER
Gina Mitchell, (left) of Lake George, and Cate Hagan, of Queensbury, enjoy beers on the patio at King Neptunes in the Village of Lake George in Lake George on Sunday, June 9, 2019.
The Garrison Lake George has a cabin-like feel and offers a variety of craft beers as well as cocktails.
The Boardwalk Restaurant & Marina has patio seating and couches where visitors can enjoy a cocktail, beer or wine, some from local breweries, wineries and distilleries.
“Literally, you’re having drinks four feet away from the water,” Dow said.
For a drink right on the lake, there are a variety of cruises offered by the Lake George Steamboat Company and Lake George Shoreline Cruises. Cruises run at various times of the day and into the evening on the Steamboat Company’s Minne Ha Ha, Mohican, and Lac du Saint Sacrement and Shoreline Cruises’ Horicon and Adirondack vessels. All have bars on board.
More: Your guide to summer on Lake George
- Wonders by the water: Inside Lake George’s most mysterious locations
- 10 hot spots for cold treats in Lake George
- Former Lake George battlefield site preserves history as park
- Lake George’s Prospect Mountain Highway delivers great views
- Journey back in time with visit to Lake George area forts
Many of the establishments feature live music in the summer, as well as happy hour specials.
A trend to look for is drinks made with locally distilled spirits as well as wine and beer from local wineries and breweries.
Mintzer points out that the Adirondack Craft Beverage Trail has 25 producers. “Many of those products are being served at our local venues,” she said.
For example, King Neptune’s Pub serves Southern Basin IPA, made especially for the restaurant by Northway Brewing.
Another increasingly popular feature at some establishments and worth the ask for dog owners is that their canine companions are welcome to join them for a drink. King Neptune’s Pub even sets out water dishes on the deck for four-legged customers.
Places to enjoy a drink on Lake George
The Algonquin and The Topside Grille: 4770 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing, 518-644-9442, thealgonquin.com
The Boathouse Restaurant: 3210 Lake Shore Dr., Lake George, lakegeorgeboathouse.com
The Boardwalk Restaurant & Marina: 2 Lower Amherst St., Lake George, 518-668-5324, lakegeorgeboardwalk.com
Christie’s Steak and Steamhouse Lounge on the Lake: 6 Christie Ln., Lake George, 518-668-2515, christiesonthelake.com
The Garrison Lake George: 220 Beach Rd., Lake George, 518-685-3013, thegarrisonlakegeorge.com
King Neptune’s Pub & Night Club: 1 Kurosaka Ln., Lake George, kingneptunespub.com
Lake George Steamboat Company: 57 Beach Rd., Lake George, 518-668-5777, lakegeorgesteamboat.com
The Sagamore: 110 Sagamore Rd., Bolton Landing, 518-644-9400, thesagamore.com
Shoreline Restaurant: 2 Kurosaka Ln., Lake George, 518-668-4644, lakegeorgeshoreline.com
Tavern on the Lake at Blue Water Manor: 4436 Lake Shore Dr., Bolton Landing, 518-644-5400, bluewatermanor.com
More: Your guide to summer on Lake George
- Wonders by the water: Inside Lake George’s most mysterious locations
- 10 hot spots for cold treats in Lake George
- Former Lake George battlefield site preserves history as park
- Lake George’s Prospect Mountain Highway delivers great views
- Journey back in time with visit to Lake George area forts
GAZETTE COVERAGE
Ensure access to everything we do, today and every day, check out our subscribe page at DailyGazette.com/SubscribeMore from The Daily Gazette:
Categories: Food, Life and Arts
