Bar Vegan is now open for late-night eats, signature cocktails, and live music in Central Square.
While there are plenty of vegan restaurants in New York, sometimes you just want appetizers and cocktails. That’s the idea behind Bar Vegan, a fully vegan tapas and cocktail bar that opened in Albany late last month.
New Vegan Bar in New York
Bar Vegan looks like a traditional upscale cocktail bar—long tables, plants hanging from the ceiling and bursting from planters, and a tile-backed bar filled with local spirits decorate the space. The welcoming, minimalist atmosphere encourages conversation over quality drinks and delicious food. Everything in the building is vegan, from the pinot noir to the house-made tzatziki.
Bar Vegan is open Wednesday and Thursday from 4pm-12am and Friday and Saturday from 4pm-1am. They offer live music on weekend nights from 8-11pm and host a trivia night on Thursdays from 6-8pm. You can find them across from Washington Park at 205 Lark St, Albany, NY 12210.
The Menu at Bar Vegan
The menu at Bar Vegan is seasonal and filled with locally sourced ingredients. The current menu boasts traditional appetizers like bruschetta and potstickers, as well as some unique creations like the Stuffed Avocados—brown rice, veggies, and a creamy cilantro sauce stuffed into avocado halves—and battered zucchini fries served with a house-made raspberry dipping sauce. A crowd favorite is the Bar Vegan Sushi Roll—a tempura-battered roll filled with sweet potato, sweet chili, fried shallots, scallions, and sesame seeds. For all of you gluten-free folx, there are plenty of options for you. Gluten-free options are clearly marked on the menu.
The cocktail menu at Bar Vegan is carefully curated, and you can expect to find all of the classic upscale cocktails featured, such as a Manhattan and Negroni. A current fall favorite is the Apple Ginger Root Mule made with Frankly organic vodka. The bar runs daily drink specials (Pumpkin Spice Espresso Martini, anyone?) in addition to the cocktail menu, so check their Instagram for the latest offerings. And of course, all of the beer and wine on the menu is 100% vegan.
