Lark Street’s comeback gets louder with Lark Out Loud 🤘

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Hey, 518 readers! In its heyday, they called Lark Street “Albany’s West Village” without a hint of irony. Today, with a healthy dose of hopecore, we can believe again that the famed neighborhood has another golden era in it.

Helping to fuel that comeback: Lark Out Loud, returning next week for its second year!

🎟️ Also on Lark: We’ve already booked 33 seats for the next 518 Dinner Club. This month, we’re heading back to Lark Street and Center Square for another delicious IRL meetup. Save your seat now!

👂️ And finally, we’re all ears: How’s The 518 doing lately?

—Phat X. Chiem & Karley Sullivan

Lark Street’s comeback gets louder with Lark Out Loud 🤘 

Something is happening on Lark Street.

After losing much of its gravitational pull over the years, Albany’s iconic nightlife corridor is mounting a comeback.

Herbie’s Burgers just moved into the old Bombers building, turning the upstairs into a hip barcade called Herbie’s Clubhouse. A block away, Aberration, a new “big city-style” cocktail bar from the team behind Allen Street Pub, is preparing to take over the former Larkin Hi-Fi.

Meanwhile, the Lark Street BID has fresh leadership and a renewed focus on cleaning up the neighborhood and giving people more reasons to actually come to Lark Street. In June, the BID brought back Art on Lark, last held in 2024.

Now there’s a fresh sign of revival—Lark Out Loud is back for its second year! 

The free outdoor music festival returns Sept. 19 with refreshed programming. New this year: the addition of 90s country music to its lineup of tribute bands and Golden Hour, a meetup and parade for golden retrievers. Woof!

Lark Street Tavern owner Chris Pratt, one of the festival’s main organizers, says the event’s return engagement is yet another sign of Lark Street’s rebound.

“I definitely feel a resurgence,” Chris says, recalling last Halloween night when hordes of people descended on Lark Street. “There were tons of people out. I just felt like this is the way Lark should be, the way it used to be.”

His own numbers back that up: Business at the Lark Street Tavern is running about 8% to 10% ahead of last year.

New Scotland Spirits founder Jesse Sommer, a major Lark Out Loud sponsor and one of Lark Street’s loudest boosters, sees a similar shift.

“There remain challenges, but those challenges are no longer defining the street,” Jesse says. “You talk to the businesses here and the revitalization is tangible.”

Chris sees Lark Out Loud as a way to fuel that momentum. Last year, he handed departing festival-goers drink chips, encouraging them to visit other Lark Street bars.

“I don’t want this to be seen as the Lark Tavern’s event,” he says. “Everybody’s involved.”

Indeed, festival sponsors include neighborhood anchors like Savoy Taproom, the Lionheart Pub, Lark Hall, and The Loft at 205.

As with last year’s fest, the tavern’s back lot will serve as the main stage. Also same as last year, the musical lineup will exclusively feature tribute bands, celebrating Neil Young, R&B & soul, ’90s country, and Aerosmith.

Why only tribute bands? “Because tribute bands are hot right now, and everyone knows the songs,” Chris says. They’re also more affordable to hire than a lot of other talent. The event is being entirely funded by sponsoring businesses and the Lark Street BID.

Kicking off the festival this year is a new event called Golden Hour. Think dozens of golden retrievers parading down Lark Street. It’s inspired by Goldens in Golden, when thousands of golden retrievers gather in Golden, Colo. Golden owners in the Capital Region can register their pup for free.

The deets: Lark Out Loud, taking place behind Lark Street Tavern (453 Madison Ave, Albany) on Sat, Sept. 19, 1:30–8:30p, free. Golden Hour kicks off at 11a.

A word from our sponsor

The Counter is a play by Meghan Kennedy about an unlikely friendship that develops between a lonely waitress, Katie, and a regular customer, Paul, a retired firefighter, at a small town diner in upstate New York.

Their casual morning conversations evolve into a deep, life-affirming bond as they share secrets, culminating in a shocking request from Paul that forces them both to confront their grief and find hope through human connection. Directed by Harbinger Theatre founder Patrick White, the play premiered Off-Broadway in 2024. It’s Harbinger’s 21st Capital Region premiere, and is known for its intimate, moving, and provocative exploration of loneliness and connection. Runs Sept. 17-26.

👨‍🎓 Higher education institutions in the Capital Region are holding steady on enrollment, for the most part. Some schools, like UAlbany and HVCC, are even seeing double digit gains. [Daily Gazette]

🎸 On Sept. 26, Indian Ladder Farms will host the free Love. Joy. Festival., to support suicide prevention. On the bill: E-Block, Sydney Worthley, Reality Distortion, Stellar Young, Amanda Case, Zeffler, and more local acts.

🍸️ The First + Adams x Jacob Alejandro collab dinner is almost SOLD OUT! There are only a few tix left for this 3-course dinner with dessert and cocktail/wine pairings.

🥾 The TU is out with a list of 5 beginner-friendly hikes in the Adirondacks with massive views [Times Union]

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The deets: 3 bd, 3 ba, 2000 sq. ft. home. Asking: $555,000. Days on market: 5. See the full listing here.

TOP 5 PICKS

⭐️ 🎸 PearlPalooza | Albany’s biggest block party returns to downtown with a thumpin’ lineup that includes King Tuff, Robber Robber, The Parlor, Bruiser and Bicycle, and the Albany Rock Pit. Of course, there will be a variety of vendors and food options. Don’t forget to register for YogaPalooza, kicking off at 11a. Sat, 12-7p, free.

⭐️ 🇮🇹 Schenectady’s Little Italy StreetFest & Amsterdam’s ItaliaFest | On Saturday, we’ve got dueling celebrations of Italian culture. Don’t worry, there’s plenty of neighborhood pride to go around. Hit up one or both, and get your fill of good eats, live music, kids’ activities and performances. Schenectady’s StreetFest kicks off at noon while ItaliaFest starts at 11a.

⭐️ 🇬🇷 2026 Greek Festival | As if your choices this weekend weren’t tough enough, St. George’s Greek Orthodox Church is putting on its annual street party as well. Come for the Greek treats and stay for the folk dancing, live music, and marketplace vendors. Sat, 11a-10p; Sun, 11a-3p, free.

⭐️ 🖼️ Stockade Villagers’ Outdoor Art Show | This long-running neighborhood tradition turns the Stockade into an open-air gallery, with visitors able to browse original work from dozens of artists while strolling through the city’s historic district. Sat, 10a-4p, free.

⭐️ 🔔 Remembering 9/11 | This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The Capital Region will honor the lives of the people lost with various events, including a talk with photojournalists Todd Maisel and David Handschuh (Wed) and a special tour of the 9/11 exhibit (Sun) at the NYS Museum. On Friday, Rensselaer County will hold a ceremony at its 9/11 memorial, which contains a section salvaged from one of the Twin Towers.

Honorable mentions…

⭐️ 🧶 2026 Harvest Craft Fair | Get to the Shaker Heritage Society for a weekend of sheep shearing, hands-on activities, demonstrations, live music, and delicious food. There will be more 75 vendors on hand, plus a petting zoo! Sat, 10a-4p; Sun, 10a-3p, free.

⭐️ 🪕 Eastbound Throwdown | Celebrating its 11th year, Eastbound Throwdown brings two days of bluegrass, Americana, country and jam-friendly rock to Washington County. This year’s lineup includes Eastbound Jesus, Sicard Hollow, The Mallett Brothers Band, Neon Moons, Chloe Kimes and more, with camping, food and drinks available on site. Fri-Sat. Tix: from $53.74.

🎭️ GET TICKETS

• Jekyll & Hyde opens Sept. 11 at SLOC Musical Theater and runs through Sept. 20. The Frank Wildhorn musical kicks off SLOC's 100th season.

• Get tix to Harbinger Theatre’s The Counter, about a lonely waitress who befriends a regular customer. Starting Sept. 17.

• Parallel Lives begins with a pay-what-you-will preview Sept. 17 at Albany Civic Theater and officially opens Sept. 18.

• Capital Repertory Theatre launches its season Sept. 25 with The Last American Newspaper, running through Oct. 18.

• Albany Center Gallery's Mystery Masquerade Gala will be at Common Roots Brewing this year.

WEDNESDAY

🎷 The Capital Jazz Collective is back at one of their regular joints, Dove + Deer in Albany.

THURSDAY

📚️ Suketu Mehta, author of This Land is Our Land: An Immigrant’s Manifesto, speaks at Opalka Gallery in collaboration with the NYS Writers Institute.

FRIDAY

🍺 The second of three Pop-Up Beer Garden nights at Opalka Gallery brings Dust Bowl Faeries and Joseph Biss to the Russell Sage lawn. It’s also the opening reception for the main exhibition, Light and Transient Causes.

🎸 TV Doctors bring their joyful rock to the Electric Grinch in Schenectady.

💋 Lost & Found Bar and Kitchen will host a free drag show in honor of Kaylen and Carole Ann’s upcoming nuptials.

SATURDAY

🐕️ Bring your pup to Caroga Lake for Woofstock, featuring food trucks, live music, and dog-friendly vendors.

💀 The Twilight Market is back at Quackenbush for a summerween gathering of 40+ vendors.

📚️ Meet and support Capital Region writers at Guilderland Public Library’s first-ever Local Author Fair!

📜 Discover the city’s crucial role in the birth of our nation 250 years ago, at the Revolutionary Albany Walking Tour.

🍷 The Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival in Rhinebeck is worth the drive!

🚁 Operation Adopt a Soldier at the Saratoga County Airport features $70 helicopter rides and tethered hot air balloon rides, benefiting local veterans.

🎬️ Catch a screening of The Aura of Upstate, an animated project dedicated to shining a light on the upstate NY community.

🚶‍♂️ The Moving Message Walk and Festival is a one-mile walk and fundraiser to raise awareness about neurogenic communication disorders, on the Russell Sage campus quad.

🚒 The 5th annual Community Day at East Greenbush Town Park features face painting, a bounce house, rock wall, K9 demos, drone demos, and more!

👨‍🎨 Get to Albany Center Gallery for an Art.Work.Space. Storyboarding Workshop with Nasir Villegas.

SUNDAY

👗 There are always good vintage finds to be had at the Second Sunday Market in Saratoga.

🏳️‍🌈 Also in Saratoga is the next A Big Gay Market, at High Rock Park.

🐦️ Get to Bard & Baker for this charming bird watercolor workshop with Kayla Jolin.

📜 Join Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award finalist Victoria Johnson at the Albany Institute for History & Art—Glorious Country: How Frederic Church Brought the World to America and America to the World.

🚵‍♀️ The Capital Bicycle Racing Club invites you to Collins Park in Scotia for Race 1️⃣ of the 2026 CBRCX Series.

MONDAY

💼 Interested in a job opportunity with the City of Albany or New York State? Join this civil service workshop at the Albany West Community Center.

UPCOMING

• Adirondack Balloon Festival (9/17-20)

• Lark Out Loud (9/19)

• Big Sky Fest at Indian Ladder Farms (9/18-19)

• 9th Annual Albany Book Festival (9/26)

• New York Paw Paw Festival (9/26-27)

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

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