Rustic Barn Pub

Reviews

Best of 2018- Open Mic and Small Live Music Venue

March 29, 2018

The Albany Times Union

Best open mic

After tying with Lark last year, category mainstays McGeary's sits pretty — and all alone — at number one. Familiar runners-up rustle around behind them.

1. McGeary's, Albany

2. Rustic Barn, Troy

3. Lark Street Tavern, Albany

4. Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs

Best small live-music venue

All the usual suspects return, with a slight twist: the Hollow and UCH have swapped spots. Making their category debuts this year are two Troy establishments, Hangar on the Hudson and the Rustic Barn Pub.

1. The Hollow, Albany

2. Upstate Concert Hall, Albany

3. Caffe Lena, Saratoga Springs

4. The Egg, Albany

5. Hangar on the Hudson, Troy

6. The Low Beat, Albany

7. Rustic Barn Pub, Troy

Full Article »
Blue Hand Luke with Paddy O' Sax at The Rustic Barn Pub

March 29, 2018

Review and photographs by Amy Modesti

St. Patrick’s Day isn’t just about eating corned beef and cabbage and celebrating the Irish culture in Greater Nippertown. It’s about being out there in the community, listening to some great Irish music, good ol’ rock & roll and blues. St. Patrick’s Day at the Rustic Barn Pub in Troy was no exception to that rule as they celebrated the holiday in style with the return of Blue Hand Luke featuring the one and only Paddy O’Sax.

Back at the pub for the first time since their appearance there last September, Blue Hand Luke was ready for action as they brought out their good luck charms and their Leprechaun to perform two fun, entertaining and thoroughly rocking sets of music to an audience that was celebrating the luck of the Irish in style. For the holiday shindig, the band’s line-up featured Greater Nippertown musicians Jimmy Cappello (bass), Frank Daley (lead guitar, filling in for Charlie Morris), Tommy Love (vocals/harmonica), Jason Maloney (drums/background vocals, filling in for Pete Vumbaco), Matt Mirabile (lead guitar) and, of course, Luke McNamee (aka, Paddy O’Sax on saxophone).

St. Patrick’s Day wouldn’t be the same without the horn-blowing leprechaun, Paddy O’Sax, engaging the audience and walking around the restaurant as he performed a set of Irish traditional tunes to kick off the festivities. As the band finished their last minute stage preparations, Paddy O’Sax was in full swing, strolling from table to table and towards the bar to perform a rousing set of Irish tunes from “St. Mary’s Fife Band,” a song about a woman who sold fish, to the ever-popular “Danny Boy.”

“Happy St. Patrick’s Day,” yelled Tommy Love, as soon as the first note rang out to signal the start of their first set with a cover of “Brown Sugar.” That was followed by “Keep Your Hands to Yourself,” “Stuck in the Middle with You” and “The House Is Rockin,” among other classic hits. Their cover of Bob Dylan’s “Knocking on Heaven’s Door” allowed Paddy O’Sax to soar and shine on his extensive saxophone solo during the instrumental bridge, while Average Bear drummer, Jason Maloney, provided back-up vocals for Love. The band even brought on some newer songs into their first set with a nice addition to the old chestnut “Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White),” in which McNamee took charge of the instrumental and provided the dancers a chance to dance to the Spanish-flavored instrumental on an Irish night. As soon as the snare drum was kicking, Love encouraged the crowd to sing along to Grand Funk Railroad’s “Some Kind of Wonderful.”

The crowd was still feeling alright and in the Irish spirit when the band commenced their second set with a cover of Deep Purple’s “Hush,” followed by “Bang a Gong (Get It On.)” “All Right Now” also featured the guitar playing of Frank Daley, who had finally joined the band as they had begun their new set. The sizzling guitar duels between Daley and Matt Mirabile were captivating and played with ease. “One Way Out” allowed all of the band members to step up their A game and pour their hearts into their playing while the crowd happily danced along to the tune that was dedicated to the late Gregg Allman. The set featured more new songs as Mirabile took over for ZZ Top’s “La Grange,” a welcoming addition to the band’s song roster. McNamee and Love continued to be out and about in the crowd, continuing to belt out their lyrics and perform enticing solos with Stones’ faves “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” and “Miss You.” Closing out the ending of the St. Patrick’s Day festivities, the band concluded their awesome evening with a cover of “Tequila” and the reveal that St. Patrick was actually Italian, not Irish! Who knew that historic fact concerning St. Patrick’s Day?

BLUE HAND LUKE SET LIST
Brown Sugar (Rolling Stones)
Keep Your Hands to Yourself (Georgia Satellites)
Stuck in the Middle with You (Stealers Wheel)
The House Is Rockin’ (Stevie Ray Vaughn)
Forty Five Rock
Knocking on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan)
Wild Night (Van Morrison)
Keep On Smiling (Wet Willie)
Cherry Pink (And Apple Blossom White)” (Perez Prado)
Some Kind of Wonderful (Grand Funk Railroad)
Honky Tonk Woman (Rolling Stones)
Knock on Wood (Eddie Floyd)
INTERMISSION
Hush (Deep Purple)
Bang a Gong (Get It On) (T. Rex)
All Right Now (Free)
One Way Out (Allman Brothers Band)
La Grange (ZZ Top)
You Can’t Always Get What You Want (Rolling Stones)
Folsom Prison (Johnny Cash)
Miss You (Rolling Stones)
Roadhouse Blues (The Doors)
Tequila (The Champs)

Full Article »
We used the room upstairs to throw a surprise birthday party

April 21, 2016

Yelp

We used the room upstairs to throw a surprise birthday party and it was great!!

The food was absolutely delicious (seriously try the garbage bread and wings!!). The pricing was very reasonable and the owner was extremely friendly and flexible. She helped us figure the right amount of food and was very flexible with the drink options. The bar tab ended up lasting much longer than it would have anywhere else. We were able to arrive earlier in the day to decorate the upstairs room and get everything ready in advance. After the birthday party, we moved downstairs and enjoyed the band for the remainder of the evening. I would highly recommend them for dinner, music, or your next party!!

Full Article »
I went there to see a band it was really great!

April 21, 2016

Yelp

I went there to see a band it was really great!

Awesome place! I went there to see a band it was really great! I love the cozy environment and there is plenty of room to dance! There is quite a lot of parking which made going there easier! The food was great, people were friendly, and the bar had a lot of different beers to choose from! Definitely going back!!

Full Article »
Rustic Barn Pub Goes Country

June 26, 2014

www.wgna.com

Traveling in to WGNA’s Countryfest at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds you may have noticed a bar in the shape of a barn. That little rustic joint is actually known as The Rustic Barn Pub!

Read More: Rustic Barn Pub Goes Country | http://wgna.com/rustic-barn-pub-goes-country-after-countryfest-party/?trackback=tsmclip

The Pub has been around since the early ’90s, but over the last few years it’s become a local country music lovers hangout! The venue features several great bands from all over the northeast, and for the first time will host a Country Dance Night on Friday, June 27 with WGNA’s Kevin Richards.

On Saturday, July 12, after WGNA’s Countryfest, the Rustic Barn Pub will open its doors to all our listeners for an After Countryfest Party with Skeeter Creek and True Grit Outlaws! Both bands feature top contestants from WGNA’s Country Idol Series (David Ahl and Steve Thomas) and 2014 winner Renee Lussier!

To find out when your favorite band is playing at the Rustic Barn Pub, click here. The Rustic Barn Pub is located at 150 Speigletown Rd. in Troy.

WGNA’s Countryfest 2014, at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 12, features Jake Owen, Montgomery Gentry, John Michael Montgomery, Scotty McCreery, Dan + Shay, and Cryin’ Out Loud. Click here for tickets. #WGNACountryfest

Read More: Rustic Barn Pub Goes Country | http://wgna.com/rustic-barn-pub-goes-country-after-countryfest-party/?trackback=tsmclip

Full Article »
Very good tater skins with pulled pork and seafood pizza

June 13, 2015

Groupon.com

Very good tater skins with pulled pork and seafood pizza
Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Turkey Club, spicy, yum!

June 13, 2015

Groupon.com

Sargent Peppers Lonely Hearts Turkey Club, spicy, yum! Friendly bartender served us on the deck, even gave us individual "ice coolers" for our beers by filling two pitchers half way with ice and placing our individual bottles in each one, great woman!
Great place to grab a bite to eat and listen to some good bands. Going back again tomorrow.

June 13, 2015

Groupon.com

Great place to grab a bite to eat and listen to some good bands. Going back again tomorrow.
Spiritual Rez & Annie In The Water at Rustic Barn

January 16, 2015

Upstate Live

On Friday night, Troy’s Rustic Barn saw a great show put on by two up and coming northeast bands. Annie in the Water started the evening off with a beautiful mix of rock and folk by the three-piece band. For their whole set they were joined by Mister F’s Scott Hannay. Spiritual Rez then came on stage with their reggae horn infused rock and played to an enthusiastic crowd. The show ended with another sit in from Scott and a cover of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “Baby Got Back.”
Review on yelp from Renee D

April 27, 2014

Yelp

4/26/2014
Great food. First time here. Seeing the band "the wheel". (Grateful dead tribute band) very good!!! Food was outstanding. Waitress/bartender was awesome!! Thank you for great hospitality!!!

Great food. First time here. Seeing the band "the wheel". (Grateful dead tribute band) very good!!! Food was outstanding. Waitress/bartender was awesome!! Thank you for great hospitality!!!

Full Article »
Open Jam LLS Benefit

May 14, 2014

Light the night page

Open Jam/Bowling Fun

Apr 07, 2014 by Heather Schongar

Just a quick update to offer a HUGE thank you to everybody involved in planning, donating, playing and attending our VERY successful Open Jam FUNdraiser! An especially big and heartfelt thank you goes out to the Rustic Barn Pub for hosting this event for us!! We raised over $3100 and are well on our way to becoming a MEGA TEAM!!
Rustic Barn Pub Goes Country: After Countryfest Party

June 26, 2014

www.wgna.com

Traveling in to WGNA’s Countryfest at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds you may have noticed a bar in the shape of a barn. That little rustic joint is actually known as The Rustic Barn Pub!

Read More: Rustic Barn Pub Goes Country | http://wgna.com/rustic-barn-pub-goes-country-after-countryfest-party/?trackback=tsmclip

The Pub has been around since the early ’90s, but over the last few years it’s become a local country music lovers hangout! The venue features several great bands from all over the northeast, and for the first time will host a Country Dance Night on Friday, June 27 with WGNA’s Kevin Richards.

On Saturday, July 12, after WGNA’s Countryfest, the Rustic Barn Pub will open its doors to all our listeners for an After Countryfest Party with Skeeter Creek and True Grit Outlaws! Both bands feature top contestants from WGNA’s Country Idol Series (David Ahl and Steve Thomas) and 2014 winner Renee Lussier!

To find out when your favorite band is playing at the Rustic Barn Pub, click here. The Rustic Barn Pub is located at 150 Speigletown Rd. in Troy.

WGNA’s Countryfest 2014, at the Schaghticoke Fairgrounds on Saturday, July 12, features Jake Owen, Montgomery Gentry, John Michael Montgomery, Scotty McCreery, Dan + Shay, and Cryin’ Out Loud. Click here for tickets. #WGNACountryfest

Read More: Rustic Barn Pub Goes Country | http://wgna.com/rustic-barn-pub-goes-country-after-countryfest-party/?trackback=tsmclip

Full Article »
Rustic Barn Pub review by Monica H from NY, NY

November 8, 2012

Yelp

I've driven past The Rustic Barn for the past 10 years on my way up north and each time I pass I want to go in. Well, finally we made it in last week and there was a reason I always felt drawn to this incredibly welcoming space. Warm and inviting was the vibe as we walked in.

You know the feeling when you go into a bar as an out-of-towner and the music stops (cue the needle scratch on the record) and everyone stares at you? Well that ain't going to happen here. All friendly vibes here. Plus thre's a fire place raging(in the winter) and live great music.
It's a perfect spot to hang out and grab a beer. They also have food on the menu, we didn't eat though. Local beers on tap, I had the Davidson IPA and it was fantastic! It's a local beer from Glens Falls NY.
The proprietors were fantastic, friendly and awesome people. I love this place and will definately return often.

Full Article »
The best burgers I have ever had

January 4, 2014

dine.com

The best burgers I have ever had. Quick and satisfying and won't kill your wallet. This place has the best hamburgers, made fresh not frozen cardboard, and what a mexican pizza, I have never tasted one like this.