21 Best Bars in Kingston

“We have been all over Kingston and this is by far the best cocktail bar in the area. Their espresso martini which is stirred not shaken with a salty creamy foam on top is by far the best espresso martini i have ever had: all of their cocktails have been shockingly delightful

their small collection of bar snacks is also a revelation: perhaps the best chicken liver mousse i have had. we have been here for two days and as i sit here writing this i am enjoying my 5 th serving of their haiwan chex mix.

The staff is so sweet, Lia may just be the best bartender in the hudson valley. so sweet and skilled and professional:

i can't say enough good things about this place. vibes, drinks, food and service. amazing“

“Books and beer! 📚🍻What’s not to love! 😍“

“Pretty good gluten free pizza crust, and the toppings were delicious. The other pie we ordered didn't come with the add-on we asked for and was very different from what was advertised. It's a very crowded and noisy bar so be prepared for that. There are a few parking spots in their parking lot, otherwise its street parking.“

“I recently stopped into Kelly’s Shamrock Tavern, and let me tell you—this place is everything a real neighborhood bar should be. As soon as I walked in, it felt like I had stepped into a warm memory. No frills, no fake smiles—just good people, cold drinks, and an atmosphere you can’t fake.

The bartenders are the kind of folks you instantly feel comfortable talking to—friendly, attentive, and they know how to pour a perfect drink. The crowd? A great mix of locals, regulars, and folks just there for a good time. Everyone’s chill, no egos, no drama.

I played a few games of pool, caught some laughs with people I’d never met before, and genuinely didn’t want to leave. There’s just something about Kelly’s—it’s got soul. You can feel the history in the walls, and it’s still alive and thriving today.

If you’re in Kingston and want a break from the trendy spots or overpriced cocktails, come to Kelly’s. It’s authentic, it’s welcoming, and honestly, we need more places like this. I’ll definitely be back—and I’m bringing friends next time.“

“lovely atmosphere and Kate the bartender is wonderful!!“

“Great hamburger and tater Tots. Intimate performance space in the back.“

“OMG Eva at the bar, punk rock on the juke box, I love it“

“SO fun! Sunday nights 9-12 karaoke upstairs, great vibes and supportive host. Drinks on demand, service with a smile (and occasionally a wink), small yet tasty snack/food menu. Great community ?

Parking: Huge free parking lot on site, never had a problem finding a spot immediately.“

“Their turkey hoagie is one of the best sandwiches I have eaten in maybe my entire life … add pesto and you will be in heaven. Takes a little while to actually get your food so sit back and relax and stay a while. Theres a pool table and arcade games in the back, very chill, kid friendly - no table service (order at the counter!)“

“The pan con tomate is a stand out — for sure worth a spot on your order and we debated ordering a second!

However the menu changed recently and we found that it didn’t have enough offerings. The frisé salad ($16) is also steep for what it is — a bowl of bitter lettuce with a fishy dressing and some parm shaved on top. Mirador is a nice spot for a drink and a snack but for a fuller meal you may need to look elsewhere or be prepared for a heavy bill for small plates.“

“Eliza is our favorite restaurant in Kingston. The food, the service, the cocktails, the wine list- all so wonderful. We had our rehearsal dinner here and even 6 months later anytime we come in they not only remember us but also our dietary restrictions. Something very special about this place. Heather Lesher is a one of a kind. Thank you Eliza!“

“Braved temps in the 20’s, snowy/icy roads last evening to enjoy Taco Tuesday! Had the blackened scallop tacos… they were were absolutely outstanding! Always generous portions, the freshest ingredients, the nicest staff, and reasonable prices! Brava and Bravo! ❤️🌮❤️🌮👏👏👏👏👏 Thank You Santa Fe Uptown!“

“Nice spot! The atmosphere is super welcoming, and the staff is friendly and knowledgeable. I don’t drink alcohol but hubby thought their craft beers are top-notch, with Hurricane Kitty and Mother's Milk being my favorites. They also have live music events that make the place even more fun. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area!“

“Small menu but very good. My best compliment to this restaurant is their margaritas. They are the most genuine margaritas you will find, not some 20 ounce full of fillers and sour mix crap. The margaritas alone are why I still trek up to Armadillos. Their use of radishes in the food is also refreshing and delicious“

“So many community members, businesses, friends & family, came together to support the Gribbon family in their recent renovation at the new location. The new High Falls Cafe is beautiful! It has the same welcoming atmosphere as its previous location, but this is so much better! Food and service are great, and they have been very busy since opening a few weeks ago. If you want to ensure that you can get a table, make a reservation in advance!“

“we had sooooo much fun at the arcade!!! definitely recommend, we love PatelsKingston Lanes for the holiday season!!“

“Another fantastic meal Front Street Tavern!! Fabulous food (bang-bang shrimp and smash burger my favs, but constantly evolving menu) Staff and owners top notch! So fortunate for Kingston. Do yourself a favor and check it out!!“

“After I hyped up this restaurant to a friend, we experience very poor customer service. First, it took about 15 to 20 minutes for someone to greet us once we were seated. Then she took our drink order and it took another 15 to 20 minutes for her to show up with those drinks. Once the meal was ordered and arrived. We did ask for more bread and a refill on our drinks . Again playing the waiting game to when I finally got up with my bread basket and walked to the front hostess counter and asked for some help. She promptly assisted in getting us another basket of bread and then saw that our drinks were empty so she did refill our drinks. However, I did inform her that the waitress did offer to do that and then we never saw her again. We ordered a full meal with dessert and I expected them to maybe comp us for the dessert since we had such a terrible service experience but they were not willing to do that. The food was excellent but once the service is poor it ruins the whole experience“

“I’ve struggled with finding really delicious wings in the area. It seems like Buffalo was the only place to go-until now. I was recommended to this place and I’m very happy with the quality of the wings. I had Thai and extra hot wings. The only thing is that the extra hot wasn’t hot at all to me. But that’s just me and that certainly doesn’t take away from the quality of the food and the excellent service. Next time I’ll just specify exactly how hot I want the wings. I highly recommend Hickory to anyone who is looking for delicious smoked food.“

“Was ok. Nothing terrible about the food but not out of this world broth 🤷🏻‍♀️ . Nice atmosphere. Decently priced. Staff was friendly. Maybe if I tried something other than the noodle bowl ( was just too bland for me) .“