Skip to main content

Escape From the Cold After a Day of Winter Recreation at These Cozy Bars in the Adirondacks

After a long day of skiing, snowmobiling, or winter hiking in the ADK you want to warm up with your favorite beverage. Check out these cozy bars in the Adirondacks for the perfect end to your day of wintertime adventures. We recommend a few winter activities close to each bar.

Sponsored by:
Enjoy A Relaxing & Adventurous Winter Getaway

Garnet Hill Lodge offers options for both activity and relaxation. Spend the day exploring the cross-country ski and snowshoe trail network, then retreat to the cozy Log House to warm up by the fire. Ski passes are included with overnight stays! Learn More »

Garnet Hill Lodge (North River, NY)

two beers in front of fire, there's pinecones

Garnet Hill Lodge offers a win/win: an outdoor center that is a true snowsports haven, with beautifully groomed trails for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and fat tire biking; and the Bobcat Bar and Grill on the second floor of the center serves lunch, dinner, and drinks during ski season. Also check out the Log House Restaurant!

We highly recommend making a mini adventure out of your visit and staying for a couple of days to get the full experience.

The Garrison Restaurant & Bar (Lake George, NY)

split image with bar on the left and beer on the right

The wood paneling and rustic vibes make you feel like you're snug inside a heated cabin at The Garrison. Although, we can't promise you won't be tempted by a cold beer despite the weather outside! They always have local craft favorites on tap and a wide selection of mixed drinks as well. 

snow tubing at lake george rec park

The Garrison is less than 10 minutes away from Lake George Recreation Park, which offers 4 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails and 5 miles of multi-use trails. You can also snow tube at a massive hill.

The Log Jam Restaurant (Lake George, NY)

people at bar

Like its name suggests, the Log Jam Restaurant in Lake George looks similar to a log cabin on both the inside and the outside. There are three massive stone fireplaces in the large restaurant in addition to a cozy bar area. Warm up with their French onion soup or crabmeat stuffed mushrooms, both great small dishes to accompany a beverage.

people snowshoeing

The Log Jam is five minutes away from the Gurney Lane Recreation Area, which has trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Frederick's Restaurant & Lounge (Bolton Landing, NY)

fire in fireplace, people at bar

Frederick's Restaurant & Lounge is known for their raw bar and live music on the patio in the summers during a typical year, but did you know they have more than one fireplace inside, and serve complementary soup during the winter? Additionally, the menu is filled with great winter comfort food options like chicken parmesan or a hot turkey sandwich.

winter trail

The Pinnacle is a five-minute drive from Frederick's and has 1.5-mile trail that's accessible year-round. The short trail includes some steep climbs and a rewarding view at the top. Stop by Frederick's for your favorite beer or a hot meal after a vigorous winter hike or snowshoeing expedition!

The Inn at Erlowest (Lake George, NY)

bar area

The The Erlowest is a turn-of-the-century castle in Lake George with a unique Library Bar that makes you want to curl up with a good book - and drink. This small bar area features a signature cocktail list, light fare, and a roaring fireplace.

pole in hole for ice fishing

The Erlowest is in northern Lake George, just minutes from Diamond Point where Rod Bender Charters is based. They offer guided ice fishing tours with all equipment provided, so if you've been meaning to cross that winter activity off your bucket list here's your chance. You'll definitely deserve a cocktail at the exquisite Erlowest after a day out on the frozen lake!

Morgan & Co. Restaurant (Glens Falls, NY)

martini on bar

While this restaurant is technically just outside of the Adirondack park, it's definitely worth the visit. Morgan & Co. in Glens Falls has a fine dining menu and an impressive drink list. Try their "Sex on a Snowbank" with Malibu rum and coconut milk for a cocktail with a wintry twist! There's a fireplace in the dining room, close to the bar area for extra ambience.

west mountain skiers

Morgan & Co is less than 15 minutes from West Mountain Ski Resort in Queensbury, where they offer downhill skiing and snow tubing.

Big Moose Inn & Restaurant (Eagle Bay, NY)

a large rustic bar room
 Photo provided

Located along the shores of Big Moose Lake in Eagle Bay, the Big Moose Inn & Restaurant's tavern features a beautifully crafted wooden bar, and there's a large fireplace that keeps the building warm during winter. Try their blackened prime rib sandwich or one of their many soups along with your beverage! They offer a great variety of beers, wines, and cocktails.

You'll want to pop into this bar after a day of snowshoeing, as there are several snowshoeing trails close by, such as in Black River Wild Forest in nearby Old Forge. 

O.P. Frederick's (Chestertown, NY)

bar area of restaurant

If you're a seafood lover, this is the cozy bar for you. Patrons love the Mediterranean scallops, pub battered fried haddock, and maple glazed salmon at O.P. Frederick's (although they have much more than seafood). Their bar area features a toasty wood stove, and their dining room has a fireplace.

Fun fact: this restaurant was featured in the Showtime series Escape at Dannemora.

snowmobilers
Photo credit: Hudson Tanner

O.P. Frederick's location on Loon Lake in Chestertown makes it the perfect spot to visit after a day exploring the area with C+C Adirondack Snowmobile Tours.

The Toboggan Inn (Eagle Bay, NY)

bar area with wooden panels
Photo provided

Pull up a chair and stay awhile at the inviting Toboggan Inn in Eagle Bay, where you know it's a winterific bar to visit just by the name alone! Refuel here with a hearty steak or juicy burger - guests also love their fish fry, and they have a full bar with some great craft beers.

person cross-country skiing

Cascade Lake Trail is less than five minutes from this cozy bar, which offers snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the winter. Although the 5.5-mile trail is not professionally groomed it's used enough that you can often find tracks, and there's a plowed parking area close by.

Lisa G's (Lake Placid, NY)

bartender at bar

Lisa G's in Lake Placid is the place to go for locals and visitors to enjoy comfort food, great beer, and creative cocktails. While they don't have a fireplace, they do have homemade meatballs and some of the best calamari in the Adirondacks, along with a cozy seating area towards the front of the restaurant with oversized chairs and a couch.

couple ice skating

This cozy Adirondack bar is minutes away from Mirror Lake, which is always a hotspot of activity during the winter with ice skating and ice hockey (just a note: ice fishing is not allowed on this lake).

The Long Horn Restaurant & Pub (Lake Luzerne, NY)

long horn pub in lake luzerne

Mouthwatering wings and warm vibes are what you'll find at the Long Horn Restaurant & Pub in Lake Luzerne, where they typically have a 50-cent wing night each Wednesday and a roaring fireplace every winter. They also have a several house wines to choose from.

snowmobilers on trail
Photo credit: Hudson Tanner

This is considered a "snowmobile-friendly" bar; the South Warren Snowmobile Club has been known to meet here.

Find more bars in the Adirondacks »

« Back to the Winter Guide

woman in hat poses in front water
About the Author: Erin Nudi Erin is an avid reader, yogi, jogger, and hiker living in Queensbury. When she's not perusing books at Northshire, Owl Pen Books, or Beldame Books, you can find her at a local event or park with her family.