Activities and advice for Saratoga bachelor party?
 

Hello all,

I know this is sorta off-topic but I didn't want to drop my post into the political anarchy of the Off-Topic forum...

I am heading to Saratoga on Travers weekend for my bachelor party. I will be there from Friday to Sunday. What would you recommend that I do, both at the track and after the races?

I've been there before but only briefly. I'd like to hear everyone's favorite things about the track, hidden gems, favorite bars, etc. Also any tips about anything - parking, the best hotdogs, what not to do, etc. - let me know!

We'll also be looking for a place to watch the Mayweather/McGregor fight that night. I'm taking three friends who are novice horseplayers but very excited to be going.

Make sure everyone begins the track day with a lucky toast of Saratoga's finest water at the Big Red Spring, it will probably give you a small moment of satisfaction for whatever future embarrassment comes your way over the weekend courtesy of your friends, as long as you're the only one who knows what you're getting into with the water beforehand.

Siro's sounds like the obvious go-to place after the races for drinks, especially for a bachelor party type affair.

Lots of questions to ask before anyone can give you real useful advice. Where are you staying? Is someone driving? Do you have any plan at all for the track e.g., seats, reserved picnic area spot, or just winging it? You looking for action or more on the down-low? Going for dinner Sat night?

Some thoughts no matter what you are doing. Travers Day attendance is capped. You may want to buy tix on Friday. Weather looking absolutely fantastic (bring a sweatshirt and pants). My friends swear by the clams at the track (I've never had). The Horseshoe will be a zoo Friday and Saturday and will be worth it at least one night if you don't mind crowds. You can hang at the track too near the Paddock Bar after the races.

You need to be prepared for Travers Day. If you aren't in line well before the 7am gate crash forget about getting a table. Bring a large cooler that can serve as a table and chairs and claim a spot later in the morning say 9:30-10:00 (my M.O. the past few trips I have made).

If you are looking for action at nights, set a base camp on Caroline St and go from there. It will be packed. Live music abounds- Gaffneys, Dangos, The Parting Glass all will have live music. Druthers a great spot on Broadway also has live music.

Hopefully some of the locals can chime in. I'm getting old and am beyond the bachelor party days, so prefer to hang in the out of the way spots. The Barrel on Beekman is pretty good. Lake Local is a gem (out by the lake with the original Local on Beekman) but definitely not the bachelor party scene.

Be prepared my friend and getcha popcorn ready. You will be feeling it by Sunday if you do it right!

@SG4 - That is a great idea! I've had it before.

@alhattab - Thank you for all the info! We are staying at Longfellows and we got nice grandstand tickets for Friday and Saturday already. As for driving, I hear Saratoga just got Uber so hopefully they can take us around.

We don't want to party too hard so spots like Lake Local are appreciated. Friday night is wide open and Saturday night we are looking for a spot to watch the Mayweather fight. Some of the places mentioned are showing it but they will be very crowded. We may cab it about 20 minutes away to find another place showing the fight.

One thing I'm interested in is being in the audience for all the handicapping seminars. I remember one year they had Andy Serling do one first thing in the AM. I also like Maggie Wolfendale's picks when she watches the horses come out of the paddock. So any live shows or seminars (especially whatever they're broadcasting on NBC Sports Saturday) would be cool to see.

I was thinking OP should hire a stripper to slide down the quarter pole.

And stay away from the "fillies".

Out of all the ones Alhattab gave you Druthers is a relaxed atmosphere with good local bands many of the acoustic version or a few guitars with a bongo or two. The music ends at 11pm so go around 9ish and enjoy! Ciros after the races is a packed bar if that is what you are into enjoy. For the fight go to the casino at the harness track, call them first to make sure there isn't a reservation requirement (518) 584-2110http://www.paceadvantage.com/forum/d...BJRU5ErkJggg==
Sperrys(great drinks) and Hamlet and Ghost(named one of the best cocktail bars in Saratoga) are two nice bars for drinking on Caroline Street. You didn't mention eating but if you really want a home cooked meal and can get a reservation or wait the one hour, the Olde Bryan Inn on Maple Avenue(right on the corner of the Hilton Hotel property) is a great find. It is busy year round and the prices aren't geared towards the rich and famous. Enjoy one of the truly great host cities for thoroughbred racing in the world.

We were in Saratoga two weeks ago and there are two young ladies walking around topless, well it was a painted topless, they were on Caroline Street holding up some signs. On Saturday they ended up at the track by the main entrance, I didn't realize painted topless in NY was legal.

That's a bona fide reason to prefer Saratoga. All we have outside the main entrance at Del Mar are PETA protesters.

Good vittles at Druthers too. Also for out of the way eats Henry St taproom- right near the Parting Glass- is good. I have a bunch of friends that love Pennells never been there. Benefit of Pennells is that you could conceivably walk from track to Horsehoe to Pennells then get a cab back to Longfellows for a nightcap in their nice bar. But I'd get downtown at least for a bit on Fri especially if you aren't going there Saturday

We came in on a Thursday night, we went to Druthers. The band was excellent three guitar players and a bongo player. The lead vocalist sounded like Ann Wilson of Heart(this was after 4 drinks). We ended up leaving there at 11 when they stopped playing and headed back to the Hilton, along the way there was at least 5 street musicians and assorted acts. I have to say Saratoga's Got talent!