9 hotspots to watch in 2026 🔥

Happy Tuesday eve, Capital Region! Today, we’ve got a list of hot new places to obsess over in the new year. From dreamy cafes to natural wine bars to the long-awaited arrival of Costco in Guilderland, 2026 is already looking pretty stacked. Keep reading to see the openings we’re watching like a hawk—and planning our weekends around, too.

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

🎆 Happy New Year! The Americana/ble Pop-up Art Salon Kickstarter campaign has been fully funded—what an exciting way to kick off 2026. We’re deeply grateful for your support for independent art and media right here in downtown Albany.

Stay tuned for updates as we forge ahead with additional programming and invite more folks to participate in this gathering of artists and organizers from across the Capital Region. See you soon!

Coming in hot: 9 new spots we’re watching in 2026 🔥 

We’ve got our eye on these hotspots coming this year. And yes, Costco counts as a hotspot in our book!

🍷 JAJA Natural Wine Bar: We love Jacob Alejandro, both in Troy and Albany. Now the husband-and-husband team behind the Capital Region’s most stylish cafes is expanding their Albany footprint with JAJA—a natural wine bar that’s all about low‑intervention bottles, tapas, and cozy vibes. The wine bar will occupy the former Downtube Bicycle Works on Madison Avenue, which is right next to JA Pequeño, the cafe’s Albany outpost. Opening: Very soon!

🧑‍🍳 First + Adams: We first wrote about The Pony Show back in December 2024. With their chefs-for-hire venture, Paula Patterson and Tony Angelicola plan and cook magazine-worthy dinner parties. Now, Paula is teaming up with Jake Robins, the former exec chef at Donna’s in Troy, to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 198 First Street in Troy. This new endeavor will blend locally sourced New American fare with a curated natural wine list. Opening: Sometime in 2026.

💍 Evermore Hall: History meets elevated experiences at this dreamy new event / wedding venue perched atop Troy’s Ilium Building. With soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and Hudson River views, Evermore is sure to be the site of some hip events to come, not to mention a few gorgeous weddings as well. They officially launched last week with a New Year’s Eve bash, but much of the space is still being renovated. Opening: Taking reservations now.

🛒 Electric City Community Grocery: You already know that we’re obsessed with Honest Weight Food Co-op. Now comes a long‑awaited win for downtown Schenectady: a true community‑owned grocery is taking shape in the historic Wedgeway Building, bringing fresh produce, pantry staples, and local goods to an area that’s been without a good grocery store for decades. Opening: Late 2026.

📦 Guilderland Costco: Big‑box energy is rolling into the ‘burbs with Costco’s first location in the Capital Region, bringing bulk bargains, $1.50 hot dogs, and a parking lot that’s sure to be insane. We’re most excited about getting cheap(er) gas, tires, and wine (please, please have a wine section 🙏). Opening: August (according to this TU report).

🌸 Bloom Boutique Bar & Eatery: From the team behind City Line Bar & Grill comes Albany’s long‑awaited “flower‑powered” restaurant, Bloom Boutique Bar & Eatery, which is finally set to bloom this winter with shareable eats and vibrant décor. From brunch to dinner, this casual chic spot is designed to attract baby and wedding showers—you get the vibe. Explore their menus here. Opening: Jan. 13.

🇾🇪 Yemeni Coffeehouses: You know it’s a 🔥 trend when the Capital Region is set to get not one but two Yemeni cafes within months of each other. And both chains are landing in Latham? 🤯 The first is Qahwah House, which has franchises across the Northeast, and the other is Qamaria Yemeni Coffee Co., which has locations nationwide. Opening: Early 2026.

🍣 Greenhouse Social Club of La Serre: The historic La Serre, one of Albany’s most iconic restaurants, is being reborn. The reimagined Greenhouse Social Club of La Serre will be both a restaurant open to the public and a private members-only club. The restaurant will feature a “sushi speakeasy” called The Dojo, which promises to bring “world-class sushi and steakhouse cuisine to the Capital Region without the sky-high prices.” Their words, not ours. Opening: Early 2026.

☕ The Whimsy Bean: Brunswick deserves to have nice things too. From the looks of it, this adorable new cafe in the Tamarac Plaza will feature thoughtfully-made espresso drinks and other treats. Opening: early-to-mid March.

🍸️ The new Albany mayor is making moves. On her second day on the job, Dorsey Applyrs issued her first executive order, creating a “nightlife economic council” to develop ideas for reviving the city’s entertainment scene and get downtown hopping again. This is something we can definitely get behind 👏 [News10]

🖼️ After a $2 million renovation, Saratoga Arts is reopening this weekend with several celebratory events, including a cocktail party, a new exhibition, drop-in workshops and tours. [Times Union]

🇾🇪 The TU drops into Shams Alyeman in Albany, saying it “wins you over with traditional Yemeni cuisine built on clay pots, bread and a sense of easy abundance.” [Times Union]

This not-so-rustic homestead in Petersburgh rests on 22 untouched, forested acres, and comes with tons of natural light. Recent renovations (mostly) preserved the hardwood floors, and updated the two full bathrooms. The open kitchen comes with a peninsula, and flows comfortably into the living and dining areas. The three bedrooms aren’t huge, but the views make up for it.

The back deck and garage are spacious. We bet the birds sing their hearts out on this sweet hilltop spot. The septic and well have both been pumped and inspected for added peace of mind. It might be a 30-40 min drive to Troy/Albany, but you’ll get plenty of privacy and acreage in exchange.

The deets: 3 bd, 2 ba, 1438sf, on 22 acres. Asking: $379,999. Days on market: 1. See the full listing here.

Note: Our Top 5 Weekend roundup now publishes on Thursdays. Watch your inboxes!

TUESDAY

🎭️ Tony winner for Best Musical, Monty Python’s SPAMALOT runs through Sunday at Proctors.

THURSDAY

🥚 The Egg, Albany’s beloved Brutalist performing arts center, is hatching from its historic $19.5 million makeover and celebrating with a free evening show and tours. RSVP now.

🛼 Think you might have what it takes to be a roller derby star? Get to Common Roots Albany Outpost for the Albany All Stars roller derby recruitment night!

FRIDAY

🎸 First Friday at The Eleven features Peg 'n Awl. See more First Friday Albany events at Metroland Now.

🗣️ Brushes & Pens at MoJo’s Cafe & Gallery is an evening featuring spoken word, music, and advocacy—we gather to listen, share, and explore the stories that connect us.

🪡 Sliding scale acupuncture at The Center for Independent Media. Reservations available on Fridays throughout the month of January.

🖼️ Saratoga Arts invites you to their grand reopening. Fri & Sat.

SATURDAY

🎄 Say goodbye to the holidays in true farm style at the annual Oh Tannen BaumFire at June Farms.

🎨 Get to the Art and Craft Swap at the Albany Public Library (Washington Avenue branch) to exchange art supplies.

👑 Capital District Latinos invites you to Three Kings Day, a traditional celebration featuring refreshments, face painting, crafts, a photo station with the Three Wizard Kings, and a fun puppet show!

🎸 Celebrate a different kind of king—the King of Rock—at Hangar on the Hudson’s Elvis 91st Birthday Bash.

🏃‍♂️The Roundabout Runners Club and Fleet Feet Malta team up for the Hot Chocolate Run.

☕️ Check out Tortoise & Hare Coffee at their pop-up at River Garden Studio in Albany.

🎬️ Get to Lake Placid for the Back Country Film Festival, featuring films celebrating winter sports.

SUNDAY

🫶 Heal your heart with To Bind Anew: Creative tools for grief, memory, and mending at The Center for Independent Media. Reservations required.

ART ON VIEW

• Don’t miss the delightful Nina Katchadourian: Fake Plants and Other Curiosities at the Hyde Museum.

• Family Forms at the Tang Teaching Museum presents art and archival photographs from the Tang collection that highlight themes of kinship and care and offer an expansive vision of family.

• Noel W Anderson: Black Excellence and Romare Bearden & Ralph Ellison: From the Archive | UAlbany Art Museum | worth the visit

Our music listings are now published separately on The 518 website. Click here.

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Our rolling deadline is the Saturday before your event!

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