Water Works Pub
Dancing · Karaoke · Albany, NY
About
Despite being a gay club, Water Works Pub keeps a casual pub vibe downstairs and a high-energy club upstairs. Albany's oldest gay club has been serving the community for decades, with a schedule that changes nightly. Downstairs you'll find pool tables, TVs showing sports, and a dance floor for a more laid-back crowd. Upstairs the 18+ club picks up with DJs, drag shows, and themed parties.
The week offers something different each night: Monday karaoke, Tuesday trivia, Wednesday DJ/drag shows, and Therapy Thursday parties every other week. Friday includes underwear boys downstairs and stand-up comedy before karaoke. Cover is free Sunday through Thursday; weekends have a charge. The crowd shifts from locals during the day to mixed ages at night.
Located near the intersection of Henry Johnson and Lexington in Albany.
Features
- ✓Free cover Sunday–Thursday
- ✓18+ club upstairs Friday and Saturday nights
- ✓Pool table and TV games in the pub
- ✓Therapy Thursday moving party every other week
- ✓Underwear boys and comedy on Fridays
Good for
What people say
55 community ratings.
From the community
“Last Summer”
I visited last summer and had a great time.
A visitor · Over a year ago
“jagermiester”
Amazing club!
A guest · Over a year ago
“Ignore the bitter Testeralb and go to waterworks!”
If you look at all of that user's reviews, they're all identical. That person doesn't fit in anywhere, so it's clearly not the bars. Water Works is clean, has fresh bar food, and does a lot for the community. The bar is aimed at an older crowd during the day and a younger crowd at night, but it's still mixed. On Monday nights they have karaoke, Tuesday is trivia, Wednesday is a DJ and drag show, Therapy Thursday happens every other Thursday (check the schedule online - it's a moving party not to miss), Friday they have underwear boys downstairs and stand-up comedy upstairs from 8:30 to 11, then at 11 the pub has karaoke and upstairs the club opens for dancing. Saturday they have a ladies' happy hour upstairs, and Saturday night two DJs work - one downstairs playing top 40 and dance, and upstairs playing techno and house. Sundays the schedule changes but sometimes there's an open mic upstairs, comedy, or a DJ downstairs. It's definitely worth checking out. There is a cover charge on weekends but not Sunday through Thursday.
A recent visitor · Over a year ago
“go elsewhere”
A stale smell of fool hit me when I walked in, followed by some underage person's puke. I'll go somewhere else next time. Charging a cover is outrageous.
A local visitor · Over a year ago
“First gay bar”
I've been twice and both times were fantastic. I definitely recommend it to anyone, gay or straight.
A visitor · Over a year ago
Frequently Asked Questions
What nights does Water Works Pub have drag shows? +
Drag shows happen downstairs on Wednesday nights, with a DJ and show.
Is there a cover charge? +
Cover is charged on weekends (Friday and Saturday), but Sunday through Thursday entry is free.
What is the age requirement? +
The downstairs pub is all ages, but the upstairs club is 18+.
Does Water Works serve food? +
Yes, the bar serves fresh bar food.
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