The Barrel Saloon Rock and Roll Country Bar

I really like the country theme here, and so do a lot of people. However, the drink selection is not what you want at a bar. They "feature" PBR, Bud, etc. I searched the taps and found maybe one reasonable-quality selection. Everything else here is terrific, but I'm sorry, this is a bar, and bars are rated on drinks. The birthday fishbowl isn't even a mixed drink - it's PBR and lemonade. That's just sad. If they can improve the beer selection and offer better drinks, I'd give them at least 4 stars instead of 2. The ambiance deserves better.

I'm not big on some of the louder, perpetually overcrowded bars in DT Albany...especially the ones where the patrons don't look they belong in the actual bar...but its the place to be so that's where they are...

Barrel Saloon is a good respite from that- its a simple bar...americana and country and fun...maybe a bit kitschy...but...can't beat a mechanical bull!

PBR can specials are always a good idea...and they're always around here...

bar tenders are super nice...attentive...and while Barrel does get crowded on Friday and Saturday nights...it never feels too crowded or that you're surrounded by peeps there for the scene and not for the actual atmosphere...and given most of the bars in Albany are night club musicesque..although I'm not a big country music fan...its a nice alternative to every bar that has the same music...

Went in for a Yelp event.

Super quiet inside on a weekday when Wolffs and Stout both appeared to be pretty darn busy.

Nice enough for a honky tonk bar if that's your thing. Pretty typical crappy American beers selection.

Nice huge outside area is a bonus when the weather is nice I am sure.

The food was not memorable. Wings were edible but not great. I wouldn't go here for anything other than some country music & cowboy boots.