(Jay totally came up with that post title – I was impressed!)
Last night, Jay and I visited not one, but two new-to-us bars. It was such a fun night!
We had plans to meet up with some friends around 7:00, but I thought it might be a fun idea for the two of us to pick a place that neither of us had ever been to, to grab a drink and just hang out at the bar. After a little bit of researching, we wound up at The City Beer Hall.
Jay said that he had heard that this building actually used to be an old speakeasy, but whether it was or it wasn’t, the place was awesome.
Unfortunately, I didn’t get too many pictures of the inside, but it really was an awesome, old-school type of atmosphere and it even has a mechanical bull up on the second floor. I’m already planning my second trip back…just sayin’.
The draft list wasn’t huge, but they did have quite a selection of bottled beers and the brews that were on tap were pretty unique.
I also loved how they had such a variety of sizes to choose from. Small = more opportunities to try different kinds!
To start, Jay ordered a Brooklyn October and I went with the Shocktop Pumpkin. I’ve actually had this kind before and it’s a favorite of mine.
When we were served our beers, we were also handed this amazing little piece of heaven. Free pizza?!? Umm, sign me UP.
After about 5 minutes, we were served a hot, crispy cheese pizza fresh out of the oven, which was really good, too. And…it was FREE.
It was at this point that I officially became infatuated with the place.
The pizza isn’t huge (the size of a paper plate and super-duper thin) so Jay and I had no trouble plowing through it while chatting at the bar. We also decided to give a couple more beers a go since we were having such a fun time.
I’m telling you, I don’t know what it is, but the two of us have some of our BEST conversations when we’re sitting at a bar. It’s unreal. I told him we may just have to start meeting up at our own basement bar on a nightly basis.
But anyways, back to the beers. I honestly don’t remember what he ordered, but I decided on the Chatham Maple Amber (the waitress let me sample a taste before ordering).
I loved how the Maple Amber was actually imported from Chatham, NY, which is only a short drive away from us. Gotta love supporting local!
Eventually, Jay and I finished our beers and headed out to meet up with our pals at Sake Café. Sake has long been a favorite of ours for sushi, but since it’s not close enough for us to order from regularly, it’s a nice treat when we make our way there.
The main reason for us getting together last night was to celebrate a very special accomplishment for our friend, Mal. Mal is a teacher and she was just granted tenure (which, as a teacher, is a HUGE deal) so it was definitely reason to celebrate. Congratulations, Mal!
In addition to Brian & Mal, we also had the pleasure of spending the evening with Denise and Mike who are always a good time.
At dinner I ended up having a glass or two of pinot grigio, which was good, but not great (we picked up a bottle of something cheap on our way there).
To start, Jay and I shared an order of edamame. When I first asked him if he wanted to share it with me, he proclaimed that he had no idea what it was. All I had to do was tell him that it’s the stuff that looks like pea pods, and he was quickly on board. Ohh, boys.
For my entrée, I decided to go with two rolls instead of my usual three, since we had already had some pizza at the bar.
I went with an Alaska Roll and a California Roll which is actually the same thing that I get basically any time I go here. What can I say, I’m a creature of habit.
After dinner was over, we all decided that the night was still young and that we wanted to continue the fun, so we headed down to our second new-to-us bar for the night, Stout.
Luckily, it was still fairly early so we had no problem grabbing a spot at the bar.
When we first arrived, I wasn’t sure what if I was in the mood for a drink, but then the bartender told me that they had BluePoint Pumpkin Ale on tap (which is amazing, by the way) and then she told me that they serve it with a cinnamon-sugar rimmed glass.
SOLD!
Does that not look amazing or what? It’s funny because I had just said to Jay earlier in the night that I wish there were places around here that actually did this. Now I know, I guess there are!
Unfortunately, I think at this point I had already had enough with switching back and forth between the beer and wine at dinner, so I probably only had about 5 sips from it before calling it quits. I totally wasted a beautiful, beautiful thing. I guess I’ll just have to go back and make up for it soon.
Either way, it was an awesome time and I was so excited to have tried two new places in one night. We need to do this more often!
*****
This morning, Jay and I enjoyed sleeping in for a bit before getting up, doing some cleaning, and making an easy breakfast of coffee and oatmeal.
I gave zero effort on attempting to make things look pretty today, sorry folks. Oats cooked in the microwave just are not pretty…but they are delicious!
Now I’ve got to hurry up and get ready because my friend Kate is coming over and we’ve got a date at the Farmers Market. So much fun and so many friends…I love it!
Question for the Morning:
When is the last time that you visited a new bar/restaurant? How was it?
For the beer drinkers: Are you more of a craft beer person or more of a domestic beer person?
Jay and I have actually totally converted on this – I used to only drink Michelob Ultra and he mainly drank Coors Light. Now we’re all about trying new craft beers…it’s funny how tastes change.
Shannon (Healthiful Balance) says
That pizza looks really good! :) And so does your oatmeal! I love how you topped it with granola and PB..yummy!
SeekingAmy says
I can’t find anywhere that rims the glasses here either! Sounds like a fun night! :-)
Laura @ LauraLikesDesign says
Ah, have fun at the farmers market–that sounds like such a fun morning. All of ours are closed for the winter already!
Khushboo says
Fun evening! I went to a new place for drinks lady night and totally went to town with their Berry Sangria- SO delicious!
Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries says
Looks like a super fun evening filled with lots of delicious eats and drinks! Glad you had a great time!
Shayla @ The Good Life says
What a fun night!! That is definitely my kind of evening – and Todd and I only like hanging out at the bar I think for the same reason, our best conversations happen there and we just have so much fun :)
And girl we’re two peas in a pod when it comes to our bevs, and sweets! ;) I used to only ever do Miller Lites (b/c of the lower calories and the taste) but now I could care less about the calories and I think it tastes like water, ick! I now love love craft beers – my favs right now are Shocktops and any kind of Hefeweizen :)
Btw, I love your hair here! How did you get it like that?
Courtney says
Two peas in a pod! I love it!
I actually used my hair straightener to make the curls – I’m getting a little better with it lately, haha ;)
Jess@atasteofconfidence says
MM that beer looks amazing!
kathleen @ the daily crumb says
what a fun night!
i love trying new bars/restaurants. my husband and i tend to get stuck in our “regular” places that we know and love, so recently we’ve been trying to venture out more.
p.s. i love your blog design — julie is helping me with a redesign in december and i can’t wait!!
Courtney says
Thanks, Kathleen! Julie is great, so I’m sure you’re going to love whatever she does!
Jodi says
Your night looks like so much fun. The thing I like most about reading your blog is your attitude. You are always positive and fun, and I think your vibes get to me :-).
Unofortunately, the only beers that come on tap around here are usually ‘Bud Light’ or ‘Budweiser’, but I would love to try the beer with the cinammon-sugar rim. So neat!
Courtney says
Thank you, Jodi! That is probably one of the most awesome comments someone could ever leave me. :) xoxo
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
What a fun night!! :) ….I’m with you- switching between beer and wine does me in and makes me feel super sick :( That rimmed glass looks wonderful though!
jen says
Chris got me into craft beers. :-) i used to drink bud light..ew. and now i refuse to drink anything other than delicious (and local if possible) craft beer!
Shana says
I’m a huge craft beer fan! I recently went to a wine and beer festival and sampled some incredible local brews. Domestic beer tastes like water to me now. It’s amazing the variety of flavors available in good, craft beer. I’ll never go back to domestic (unless it’s an emergency situation)!
Lindsay @ In Sweetness and In Health says
Aw that sounds like such an awesome night! I can’t wait to see my bf next weekend and enjoy time together like that! And btw, your hair looks gorgeous (as do you)! I will actually be going to a new bar tonight…can’t wait!
Erica @ For the Sake of Cake says
Your hair looks really cute! :-)
I’m not a huge beer drinker, but I do enjoy craft beers more! I’d prefer wine though!
BrookeNotOnADiet says
I was never a beer drinker until I met my fiance. Now I’m all about the craft beers! We have a local brewery that has some great beers. Right now they have a sweet potato ale on tap that is to die for! They totally need to serve it in a sugar cinnamon rimmed glass though!
erica says
i’m totally digging the old speakeasy bar!
1. i just went to a new bar & restaurant in the new aulani hotel in ko’olina! we went to check it out one night, and while it was pricey, and it was those small portions but nice presentation meals, it was yummy! :) always good to try new things and places!
2. totally not a beer drinker, but i think i would try that cinnamon rimmed one you had. that looks tempting!!!
chelsey @ clean eating chelsey says
i looooovveeee beer. it’s so sad i can’t drink many!
Courtney says
My good friend is gluten free and she drinks something that ends in “bridge” – is that what you drink?
Amy says
Court your hair looks great and now hubby and I are def having sushi toinight.
Neither one of us are beer drinkers. We”re boring. Water and iced green tea!!
Oh, and hot chocolate for me.
Courtney says
Thanks, Amy!
Brittany @ GOtheXtraMile says
Sounds like a blast!! I love trying new things and seeing old friends. Those are some of the best times. Happy Saturday :D
Shannon says
I like that blog post title- great job, Jay! :)
The last time I tried a new restaurant was like you, yesterday! My whole family went out to dinner at the Plum Blossom on Hoosick Street in Troy. We actually don’t go out as a family that often because most of the time, some people like the place and others don’t, then we don’t end up going out. That place, in one word, was FANTASTIC! I absolutely love their sesame chicken times 5. I was hesitant on ordering it but our waiter said it was really good, so I gave it a spin. He was correct. I hope we go back soon (but my sister didn’t like it- she likes Okinawa in Wynantskill the best, she has her mind set on it and won’t open it up to new places; next time, she shouldn’t be included- I know that’s mean but she kind of ruined it for some of us). Personally, I don’t really like Okinawa- I think the Plum Blossom is the best, then Ala Shanghai in Latham, 2nd place.
Courtney says
That’s so good to know! Jay and I have yet to try Plum Blossom but we always hear such great things. I think we’re going to have to try it soon!
Jane @ In the Pink and Green says
Looks like a fun night! It’s funny, at the first bar one of the beers they had on tap was a beer called Old Chub from a brewery Oskar Blues, and it’s about 5 minutes from my house in Colorado! I didn’t realize they distributed out east! Also, I love that you like craft beer, so many girls don’t and they are missing out! My hubby and I love going to breweries and trying different beers, I love all the variety! Have a great weekend :)
Mandee says
I hadn’t had a beer in 6 years (vodka seltzer is my drink of choice) BUT seeing all the pumpkin beers and yum sounding beers you would post about made me REALLY want a beer! So now on my nights where I have to drive, I have a beer and save the vodka sodas for the big nights out!