Albany NY Bar Scene: The Lionheart Pub

The Lionheart Sits on Madison Ave. right next to the intersection of Lark Street. It looks great from the outside, a small patio out front and good looking people, and if you like a crowd I would definitely recommend that you venture in.

The front of the Lionheart is very narrow, with a bar running along one side and small high tables running along the other. Finding a table on a weekend is a trick, but it can be done. In the back it's standing room only. There are a few games in the large room in the back but good luck playing them with the crowd you're likely to encounter. Now week nights or early hours may be a lot less crowded, but I doubt your reading this review to find a place to hang out on a Wednesday afternoon.

The beer selection here is exceptional, with a plethora of brews that I can't even pronounce. I recommend you take a few guesses or just ask the bartender, chances are you'll end up with something you like. They also have a great top shelf selection, and the bartenders are knowledgeable enough to mix up whatever strangely named drink you throw at them.

Sadly, there is one downfall (come on, no where is perfect). The place appears clean enough, and in the main areas you won't find too much of a problem, but the bathrooms are a different story. The women's and men's rooms seem to be mostly flooded with bodily fluids by a very early hour, and tend to stay that way throughout the night. For us guys that's not to big of a deal, but for those of you who may need to sit down, or get your pants near the floor, it may give you a little something to think about.

Aside from the terrible bathrooms the Lionheart is not a bad place. If you enjoy a crowd and a great import, then this should definitely be near the top of your list when you're in Albany. Another great thing is that if you get bored here Lark Street has many more bars just a hop skip and a jump away.