Waterworks Pub

We love Waterworks!! The vibe is always very inclusive and from our experience, no one seems to bother anyone. It’s been a really great place to go out with friends, and we always have the best time. The only gripe we have is that the music upstairs isn’t our favorite. From my experience, the music downstairs is better which is unfortunate considering upstairs is set up moreso for dancing. Overall, we recommend this establishment to everyone ❤️ Attached is a video of my bestie on the beloved karaoke night, along with a picture of someone in an ankle monitor. Impecable vibes

Hello, I leave too much information about places for people who want to know everything before they go. This is my experience and I apologize if yours varies. Getting Inside: The entrance is around the back of Waterworks through a large alleyway area and then up a set of stairs. If there is no security, wait at the top of the stairs for them to return. Security will check your ID and your bag if you have one. Then you’ll keep your ID out so it can be scanned at the desk at the bottom of the steps. You’ll pay a cover that varies based on the night but has never exceeded $20 in my experience. You can pay with cash or card. They do accept Apple Pay. You’ll get a random hand stamp and be on your way. Bathrooms: There are two bathrooms with stalls labeled only as with and without urinals on the first floor. If you walk straight down the hall from the check in desk, the bathrooms will be on your left before the billiards table. There are two more bathrooms upstairs that are single use and unisex in the back of the room towards the balcony exit. Bars: There is an upstairs bar and a downstairs bar. You can start a tab with either by leaving your card and then giving the name associated with your card when you purchase drinks later. You can open a tab on one bar and continue putting drinks on it on the other bar but you will have to close your tab with the bar you opened it with. Floors: The first floor has scattered chairs and tables, a bar with stools, and a small dance floor area that’s usually used for karaoke. Upstairs, there is a dance floor that opens at 11pm. There is a lot of space to dance upstairs with a bar up a small staircase. The staircase leading upstairs is to the left of the karaoke floor. Food: There is a food counter with a small selection of food down the hall from the entrance on the first floor. You can order food and then receive a buzzer that will alert you when food is ready. Attire: Casual. I’ve never seen someone kicked out for what they were wearing unless it covers their face as it makes them difficult to ID. Misc: There is a balcony upstairs to come and go from as you please. The stamps change nightly. There are occasional shows and events so check their Facebook page to see what’s going on since the website rarely works.

Gone here a few times on Friday nights and really enjoyed it. The only things I didn't love about it were sort of out of the bar's control. Like how at 2am every time on the dot, the dance floor just starts flooding with creeps and kills the vibe. Or how the bar gets so crowded that it's hard to close your tab at the end of the night. Those are just things to keep in mind if you go there, not really complaints. Also, the second floor needs better music. Remixes were pretty annoying and everyone would audibly groan when a good song would be remixed with something random that nobody's heard of and nobody could dance or sing along. We kept having to go back downstairs for a palette cleanser because it was either karaoke or one of the bartenders' playlists on Spotify which were a lot better. Other than that, it's a fun place to dance, do karaoke, or just hang out. Bartenders are very nice and professional. Very good about understanding what you're looking for if you tell them. Drag shows are also fun to catch.

Music is trash here for the club upstairs. We ended up just hanging at the bar after paying a fee to get in. The bouncers are extremely strict and rude, like chill out you don’t work for the damn president. Drinks weren’t good either, cocktails were okay… this place just wasn’t a fun time for me and my fiance. Bar tenders were very friendly though!

The new Sunday afternoon bar tender J, is a very good bartender. He was attentive and he actually spoke to everyone in the bar. Refreshing to see someone who is young being a good worker and a great bartender. I stopped going to Water on the regular when I moved south. J gives me a reason to go up there on a Sunday afternoon.

Wonderful bar. Nice crowd. Guests are pleasant and easy to talk to. They give a free bottle of champagne on your birthday . Thank you Water Works.

Waterworks is seriously my safe space, I know some reviews can be iffy about the environment but everyone I’ve met here have been the kindest people. The bouncers are so sweet too, same as the bartenders. I like how there’s a separate spot for smoking and chilling and the music is always so fire. Waterworks has become one of my favorite places in Albany!! Thank you waterworks!!!