Looking for a great spot to hang out and have a couple of drinks without all the hipster hype? Five spots in the Capital Region made the list of the Top 35 Dive Bars in Upstate New York for 2018.

There are plenty of places to grab a beer or cocktail in the Capital Region but it seems nowadays that a lot of our favorite spots are closing down and reopening as fancy hipster spots with craft cocktails, beers, and pricey menus of avocado toast and duck confit (what even is that?).

Not that I don't enjoy a hand crafted cocktail and some duck fat (I googled it) but sometimes you just want a spot with some good conversation, reasonably priced drinks, and food that you can recognize. Well, as we reach the end of 2018 NYUpstate has compiled a list of the Top 35 Dive Bars in Upstate New York, according to Yelp. All the businesses on the list come from  the "Dive Bars" category on Yelp. "Best" is measured using an algorithm that looks at the number of reviews and star rating for a business. Turns out 5 spots on the Top 35 are right here in the Capital Region!

So without further ado ... coming in at

#28 is Saratoga's Desperate Annie's (Saratoga Springs, Saratoga County) at 12 Caroline St. in Saratoga Springs.

with 3.5 stars, 33 reviews

One customer says: "The Dropkick Murphys and The Rolling Stones should be playing 24 hours a day in this place. It's loud and rough and authentic as a J.D. Salinger novel. Bartenders are sober and tall. Nobody gives you a second glance for ordering a water."

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At #21 is Albany's Palais Royale (Albany, Albany County) at 146 Jefferson St. in  the Lark St./Center Square Neighborhood

with 4 stars, 28 reviews

One customer says: "As soon as you take seat, you feel at ease. There's much to be said about this place, it's one of only bars that is sought after by restaurant industry workers in Albany (you will see them afterhours.) It's also, one of few bars in Albany that is open till 4am everyday."

At #19 Troy's Footsy Magoo's (Troy, Rensselaer County) at 17 1st St in Troy

with 3.5 stars, 42 reviews

One customer says: "Really cool place, I don't think there's anywhere else like it around. Seems more like something you'd see in Brooklyn since it's usually filled with hipster type folks...They have a ton of draft beer options, special cocktails, and games like skee ball and foosball."

with 4 stars, 18 reviews

One customer says: "Former firehouse ? - awesome. Right next to a sorry train station? - amazing !!! I was passing through on a trip from the west coast and was told that we had an hour to kill in Albany! Luckily I stretched my legs enough to find this gem."

And finally one of my personal favorite spots in Albany who I excited  to see getting some love in 2018. If you happen to stop by at some point in 2019 make sure to say hi to Mikey and Gus for me!

At #11 New Madison Grille (Albany, Albany County) at 331 Madison Ave in Albany

4 stars, 17 reviews

One customer says: "Madison Grille is a great local dive spot to soak in some local flavor. I've been coming here for years, and every time I go I'm reminded just how good this place is. If you don't want to deal with the college crowd on Lark, it's definitely worth popping into this place."

 

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