Blue82 is definitely NOT the place to go if you do not like expensive martinis, crowds and loud music and people on the weekends. Â It's packed with the college and 'senior' college crowd of those who wish we never left. Â During the week it is more chill and you can actually have a conversation and not have your eardrums blasted with bass.
The decor is pretty cool and when its not packed you can enjoy yourself and friends. Â Drinks are a bit pricey but they are really good and not just your average screwdrivers and appletini's. They make some other unique flavor infusions too; just ask for something different, or let them make you a surprise drink catered around your 'likes.'
Small but trendy, and not just a sports bar. Â Def date worthy place, although parking is street or paid lot around the corner. Â Watch your step on the cobblestones outside when in heels
I like blue 82.
Pros-
It's comfy, they make decent drinks, and it's well put together. Likely the reason it seems many bars have turned over around it but it stays the same. The walls changing colors is a cool mood setter.
As noted by others it's an older crowd, I am "older" so that works for me.
Cons-
The bar can get very overwhelmed, and the table service can be anywhere from great to turribad.
Drinks aren't cheap outside of specials.
Skip the "food"
See also Ryan M. and Stephanie's reviews as well.
I removed my last review. The things I didn't like about it during that period of time have since changed.
The wait staff is more ample and helpful. The drinks have gotten much better. It's a nice place to go and spend some time, cocktails are quite good and seating is usually available.
They also seem to have a variety of things for everyone depending on what day of the week it is. I think Monday's they have the football game(s) on and video game tourny's. I went tonight(Thurs) and they had live music. I'm not big on acoustic guitar sing song shows, but the guy was friendly and everyone who was there seemed to be having a good time.
The place has been open for at least a few years now and in such a heavy turnover of a business that must mean something good.
overpriced martinis, wait wayyyyy too long for a drink on a weekend night
The decor is nice, as is the lighted bar and wine taps. Nice touches and props for staying in business this long.
They have a martini list but there isn't anything spectacular or groundbreaking on it. I've seen them all before elsewhere, and probably at a lower price. Â
On a weeknight, its a little more low key-live music or DJ, and a place to sit or at least stand without a super drunk girl in a mini skirt bumping into you repeatedly.
Blue 82 is a "lounge's lounge". A relaxing place to go to and sit in some comfy chairs - drink martinis, red wine, or in my case draft beer. The crowd is mixed but generally older. The mood and styling is warm. The lighting is accented by walls around the bar which change colors every couple of minutes(pretty cool!). They also have some large TVs to keep you abreast of your latest sports scores and highlights.
The most notable difference between Blue 82 and the rest of Pearl st is that the night time crowd is much more mature compared to the usual downtown bar. It's definitely more relaxed with a touch of faux sophistication and edges sometimes perhaps on the pretentious(although not nearly as much as it's current neighbor "Plastic"). You don't have to buy any bottles to sit at the tables ala "Noche" but you might notice some other patrons around you conspicuously consuming.
On week nights 82 has several events such as "Madden Night", trivia, and others. Each weeknight has it's own drink specials and draws a younger crowd than what you usually might find, this is the case for anywhere on week nights though. (Older people generally have to work the next day.)
On Saturday nights Blue 82 can get very packed and it's difficult to find a table when it's like this. Most times it's standing room only and in a place like Blue 82 that's very small, it's not a place you want to stand around. Standing around a bar defeats the point of going to a lounge in my humble opinion.
During lunch on weekdays you'll find many downtown Albany office workers hanging out and enjoying the sights. By the sights I mean the waitstaff/bartender. What can I say? She's as friendly as she is easy on the eyes.
On top of the scenery Blue 82 offers several decent lunch specials including different types of salads, pizzas, sandwiches etc. The specials change everyday but I do really like 82's salads. They come  in a tortilla so you can kinda make the salad into a wrap when you're almost done. Also, check the entertainment book for coupons they have an $8.00 off lunch coupon in there. Also at lunch all draft beers are $2.50!!!! (ALSO NOTE: BLUE 82 IS CLOSED ON MONDAYS)
BOTTOM LINE: This is a nice respite from some of the more wild night life on Pearl St. It's a place where you can come to talk. At lunch it's cheap and the sights are good. On the downside the most obvious knock on this place is the fact that's it's so small and it sometimes borders on the pretentious or faux-cool. It's worth a look if you are tired of the same ole' same ole' on Pearl St.
I stopped here recently visiting some friends for the weekend from NYC.
So can someone explain why Albany, New York seems to think it can get away with charging NYC prices for mediocre drinks? Â And let's not forget about the pretentious crowds and SUNY students (aka Union and Cornell rejects) who can't dress or act the scene.
I think I'll stay home...
I stopped in here for a drink while waiting for my mother to meet me at Capital Rep. I liked the low-key martini lounge feel that was surprisingly unpretentious given the decor and location.
My dirty vodka martini  ($9) was perfect and had extra olives, which is always a plus for me. It was a slow night considering it was Sunday, but still, having one person on to man the bar and the floor didn't seem like enough. We were all stuck waiting quite awhile for drinks and getting an orders taken. I don't blame the bartender/waitress, and assume it's a matter of economics, but still, it was remarkably slow.
Nice, pleasant atmosphere that I'd definitely seek out again on a quiet night. I imagine this place would be uncomfortably congested on a Friday or Saturday night though.
This wasn't too bad of a place to get dragged to on a week night.
The drinks had a good balance of flavors. The bartenders were also very nice (and pretty to boot!).
I liked the layout - it was really varied, but it all worked to break the space up and make it seem bigger. I went when there wasn't much of a crowd, though, so it could be bad once it gets crowded.
It was also pretty relaxed when I went there - a few restaurant people getting off of work for a relaxing drink, and it didn't seem like they were catering to one clientel or another.
blue 82 is 9 times out of 10 a really great place to go. they must have hired a feng shui master or something is what i think. no matter where you sit or stand here you are at ease. the layout is very open and inviting. the seats are all very comfortable - from the bar stools, the high booth/tables along one wall, the stools in front of the side window, the highbacked booth with comfy foot stools or the lounge chairs in the front window. Â the lighting is low but not dark, very Mood lightingesqe. Â they have a zillion different types of vodkas and a list of pretty good 'tini' drinks (including actual Real martinis as well). there are a number of good wines and beer selections too.
on tuesday nights there is a flavored vodka sampling that is great - you can get 5 different types to sip for a really reasonable price. and the service is always friendly and knowledgeable.
oh, and the apps are also all quite tasty.
of course you do have to keep in mind the locale...on n. pearl st. this means that you Will encounter that young college crowd that tends to grate on my nerves as well as the 'yuppie, look at me and all of the money that i am willing to spend on my clothes and car and drinks' attitude. if you are looking for a less On Display place to relax then i would suggest looking towards lark st or other out of the way places.
The 5 best restaurants in the 2015 Denver Restaurant Week
3,611 Views | Category: Denver
The complete list of 2015 Denver Restaurant Week businesses
1,972 Views | Category: Denver
The tourists' guide to Portillos: 5 must have dishes
3,318 Views | Category: Chicago
Pho = Pronounced "fuh" not "foe" for pho-king sake
2,916 Views | Category: Denver
Indulgery selected to exhibit at Collision Conference
2,987 Views | Category: Press Releases
Not Logged In
BUSINESSES
Local Businesses
Near Me
My Favorites
SOCIAL
Blog & News
MY ACCOUNT
Login
Register
Contact Us
Add Your Business
