Whitman Brewing Guide: Top Tips from a Longtime Regular

This week at Saratoga Sips and Scenes I’m highlighting one of my favorite spots in Saratoga Springs: Whitman Brewing Company. Located in the former Saratogian newspaper building, it’s a historic, beautifully decorated, welcoming space with something for everyone. 

I’ll share my experience and what you need to know before you go. And I’ll post part two soon to introduce you to Karley Robinson, Whitman’s longest-tenured bartender, and Nick Meyer, Whitman’s head brewer, who has been with Whitman since the beginning!

If you’re visiting Saratoga, it’s good to know: Whitman Brewing and Walt Cafe are in the same building and interconnected. Grab a coffee at Walt Cafe or a pint at Whitman Brewing (or both!). This post primarily features the brewery, but I’ll cover Walt Cafe in the future!

From Headlines to Hops

Whitman Brewing and Walt Cafe were founded by Will Crager and his mother, Kathy Crager, in December 2019. A lot of work and intentionality went into creating this 20,000-square-foot space that was originally built in 1902! Learn more about the founding of Whitman in this blog post from New York Makers, and about the restoration of the space in this article from Phinney Design Group.

I’ve been a regular at Whitman Brewing since 2021. It’s my favorite spot in town to work remotely because the cafe side gives cozy living room vibes (and of course, there’s caffeine to keep me going) and the taproom has excellent happy hour deals. Normally I’d save the “know before you go” until later in the post, but I’ll share that up front and dive into Karley and Nick’s stories after as there’s a lot of ground to cover… grab a beer and settle in!

Know Before You Go: Whitman Brewing

• Hours:
  • Monday: Currently closed (Monday schedule changes occasionally—check their website or Google for updates!)
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday & Thursday, 4–10pm
  • Friday & Saturday, 12–10pm
  • Sunday, 12–9pm
• Happy Hour (in-house only):
  • Wednesdays & Thursdays, 4–6pm
  • Friday 2–6pm
    • Deals (see current happy hour menu for the latest!)
      • $4-$6 beers, $9 cocktails, $7 wine
      • $5 Eats
      • $10-$12 Pizza
• Location: 20 Lake Ave, Saratoga Springs NY, 12866. View Whitman Brewing on Google Maps.
• Parking: You’ve got options!
  • Main lot (enter via Pavilion Row): Free for Whitman customers. Verify sign re: no fees for Whitman customers when arriving. 
  • Street parking on Lake Ave: 4 spots along the building and additional spots down the street.
  • Public lots/garages nearby: Seasonal fees apply.
• Entrances and accessibility:
  • Maple Ave. entrance takes you into the cafe (a few stairs).
  • Corner of Maple Ave. & Lake Ave. takes you into the taproom.
  • Lower level (back parking lot, near patio) gives you elevator access to the cafe and taproom level (recommended for accessibility).
• Seating: First come, first served, except where noted.
  • Taproom (upstairs): Booths, high tops, and bar seating.
  • Cafe: Couches, chairs, and high/low tables—plus more seating in the cafe hallway.
  • Downstairs:
    • Bar and booths (Thursday–Sunday). 
    • The cozy room is the only reservable section (new!)
    • Downstairs outdoor patio: picnic tables, open seasonally.
• Dining options: Counter service (order at the bar and they’ll give you a number and bring your food once ready) and online ordering. Order online here! 
• Pets: Allowed in the cafe lobby and on the patio (service animals allowed throughout). Remember to ask for a pup cup if you’re visiting the cafe!
• Restrooms: Located on both levels. Large single-occupancy bathroom with changing table upstairs.
• WiFi: Yes.
• Vibes: Upstairs is sprawling yet cozy. If you get something on the cafe side and want to sit in the brewery (or vice versa), you can switch it up! The cafe side tends to be pretty chill with people working on their laptops, while the brewery definitely picks up as happy hour approaches. It’s a great space for large groups and families.

Em’s Takeaway

Stay tuned for my takeaway in my follow-up post featuring Karley and Nick! While you wait be sure to check out Whitman’s website and follow @whitmanbrewingcompany on Instagram!