Palais Royale

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  I went to the Palais Royale during a friend's going away pub crawl.  The bar is set off the main drag, so I wasn't surprised that I never heard of this place before.  The decor is quite dated and could use a facelift, but I suppose that is part of the charm.  They do however, have a friendly group of barkeeps as well as an ample selection of beer.  Also, the Palais Royale is certainly not as crowded as the nearby Lark Street scene, which was also refreshing.

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  Posted on 03.25.13 Doug K.

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  You can order Jiffy Pop made to order. GTFO.

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  Posted on 02.24.13 martin f.

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  My two kids who live in Albany brought me here for drinks shortly before I made the move to Calif. Nice place, most likely why my kids brought me right before I left town, no one wants their Dad showing up at the same place they're hanging out in.  Good drinks, good selection of different beers. Nice friendly bartenderess. Fair prices. Kinda felt right at home here as soon as we sat down.  Thanks Kids.

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  Posted on 12.12.11 Raymond S.

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  The environment is nice and the people are fine. It's in the middle of nowhere and it's a bit dirty. I will come back here. I feel good here.

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  Posted on 10.07.10 Jeff O.

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  This rating is in honer of the original Palais. I haven't been back there for at least 8 years but in it's day , it was the spot. Rocky could be found behind the bar most nights. He stood about 5 foot nothing and was full of piss and vinegar. The man himself was an Albany institution. His father had owned a bar where the South mall now stands and Rocky had worked in bars all his life.He actually served drinks to the legendary gangster Legs Diamond. I guess it's all gone now but I can still see Rocky Behind the bar handing me a three dollar Spatin. I remember slow dancing to Billy Holliday with many friends, hardly able to stand. It's all a permanent part of my memory. Thanks and cheers Rocky.

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  Posted on 08.24.08 Todd H.

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  Years ago, the Palais was known for being the best dive around.
  
  It was described like this: "The Palais is trendy precisely because it's not. The wall above the bar is lined with crappy hummels. There's a jar of pickled sausages and mugs in the form of naked breasts. The old jukebox plays songs by Hank Williams and Billie Holiday."
  
  It was squalid and the decor was yellowing. The owner - 90-something Rocky - was authentic kitsch.
  
  But then things went awry. Rocky passed away and the place was sold, and re-opened under the same name. But the spirit was completely different. Now it touts itself as a "tapas bar." It features overpriced drinks, snotty service, weird lighting and bad music.  I think it's having an identity crisis.
  
  One time, the bartender repeatedly served my boyfriend half-filled drinks - and they weren't half-priced. I was DD that night and my ginger ale was beyond watered down. It tasted and looked like water with a splash of soda. Gross!
  
  The patio is really nice though - probably one of the best bar patios in Albany. Points for the patio.
  
  I've never had the "tapas."

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  Posted on 12.10.07 Jess P.

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