Standing room only

We all know those local hangouts that are always packed to the gills. Whether it be the bartender, the price of the drinks or the people who are drawn to it, these places are always standing room only. They seem to have an appeal that reaches out to both the locals and the tourists looking to have a good time.

If you visit Barryville in the summertime, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Summer means more locals are hanging out, and not only tourists but summer employees are in town. Camp counselors by the hundreds flock to some of these local bars.

The Barryville Hotel is a sports bar that attracts tons of local people as well as camp counselors. The bar is decorated from floor to ceiling with sports memorabilia and features two big-screen TVs, while at the far end of the bar is a black-light responsive dance floor. On a summer night, the DJ spins until 4:00 a.m. and people dance and party into the early morning. The BVH, as it is called, also serves up delicious food including killer hot wings.

Cedar Rapids, also in Barryville, is one of the area’s hot spots. It has a DJ performing nightly and its dance floor is huge. The bar also includes three outside decks where people can enjoy the music and breathe in the fresh air while overlooking the beautiful Delaware River. The bar is also a hot spot because people can camp outside and go rafting on the nearby Delaware. The bar is a mere 100 feet from some of the campsites.

The bar area of Barryville’s The Carriage House is always packed. The dining room is often turned into a dance floor. The beautiful and well-stocked bar attracts people from both New York and Pennsylvania. The Carriage House occasionally features live music, but more often the owners play upbeat, exotic Hungarian Music.

Sand Beach, in Eldred, NY, is another bar that allows a picturesque view of the water while you party. It features live music acts and special entertainment throughout the summer weekends. Sand Beach also has a huge rectangular bar that spans almost the length of the place. The outside of its dance floor is mirrored so that you can watch yourself and your moves. A back game room includes video games and pinball machines so, that, at any point, your competitive spirit can be tamed.

There’s nothing better than the ease of a bar right in the middle of town. The newly restored Mullally’s Pub is located right in the middle of downtown Jeffersonville, NY. The beautiful Irish pub bar is set in a dark mahogany finish. Whether or not that’s the attraction, the pub and restaurant are always packed with party-goers.

Alley Oops Pub in Milford, PA, has nightly food and drink specials that are worth the drive, including $1.50 Corona beers and $2 chimichangas. The pub also features a hefty live entertainment schedule. The spot, which has been a local hangout forever, has a comfortable atmosphere that usually attracts 30-somethings and older.

Milford’s other hot spot is located at the Waterwheel. Behind the restaurant and café is a basement room that always seems to be mobbed. The smoky basement lounge features live jazz acts as well as open mic nights. Wine drinkers and art lovers from all over the area seem to gravitate toward this bar.

Who can really tell why the local hangouts are as popular as they are? Whatever the reason, traveling through our beautiful area you can find plenty of places whose great energy pulls in a standing-room-only crowd.