Festive eats and drinks in Beacon, NY

Festive vibes at Wonderbar, 445 Main Street.

With less than a week until Christmas Day, the festive season is undeniably in full swing here in Beacon. Pretty Holiday wreaths are abundant, Santa’s been making a few special appearances, and there’s way too much temptation when it comes to deciding which locally made sweet treats to nibble in between meals.

It’s so much fun to walk Main Street and window shop before having to get down to the important business of gift shopping this time of year. Ranging from the kooky to the beautiful, our independent shop owners have really gone to town (no pun intended!) when it comes to their window dressings.

Holiday windows at Maryanns, 444 Main Street.

There’s still time to vote for your favorite Holiday Window with the Holiday shopping extravaganza, Hop + Shop. Vote for your favorite within some of the following categories: the best classic theme, the most whimsical, best winter wonderland, the most Instagram-worthy, and more by Saturday, December 21.  Vote here.

And if you’re a procrastinating, last-minute shopper, you’re not alone. An estimated 157.2 million consumers will be frantically shopping this Saturday. Will you be one of them? Dubbed “Super Saturday” by the National Retail Federation, it’s the final Saturday before Christmas. But there’s no need to feel overwhelmed. You’re far from alone and there’s our awesome Main Street shops here to help ease the burden.

Once you check gift-shopping off your to-do list, you can get serious about what fun to have during the Holidays. While many Americans will be spending far too much time in airports or cars this season, Beacon locals can take a walk or a quick car ride to Main Street and enjoy a festive staycation with minimal effort. Visitors can do the same. That’s why Beacon, NY is one of the best places to stay for a weekend or a few days if you want to enjoy everything the beautiful Hudson Valley has to offer.

Here’s a few suggestions of where to go to whet your festive appetite. You can pay a visit to each one over the course of the Holiday season if you plan well!

Where to get a yummy seasonal cocktail

At 47 East Main Street you’ll find Coopers Beacon, a classic Hudson Valley neighborhood pub serving great cocktails and good, honest American fare. To ease into the Holiday mood, try a Swinging Party cocktail, made with St Elizabeth Allspice Liqueur, a sugar cube, and Gruet Sparkling Wine. Walk-ins only.

If you’re partial to art deco and a glamorous bygone era, spend an evening at Wonderbar (449 Main Street). With its perfect 1930s vibe, vintage décor, atmospheric lighting, and awesome cocktails, it’s a great Holiday celebration destination. In fact, it’s a great cocktail bar and small plates destination all year round. Bonus points to Wonderbar for offering some seriously awesome mocktails, too.

Melzingah Tap House, 555 Main Street.

At Melzingah’s Tap House (554 Main Street) you can cozy up with some delicious winter-warming comfort food and a glass of Hot Mulled Cider or a Brown Butter Smoked Old Fashion made with Dennings Point Whisky. Open Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

If you like your food and booze with a southwest influence, Baja 328 (328 Main Street) is the perfect destination. Here you’ll find more than 130 tequilas to choose from (yes, we said 130!) and seasonal cocktails including toasted coconut mint margaritas and candy cane martinis.

Live music and fine wine

For live music and fine wine, stop by Paul Brady Wine at 344 Main Street. They’re hosting Holiday Jazz Piano sessions running through the Holidays from 6PM to 9PM every Friday and Saturday. Performers include Pete Calandra on December 20, Bryan Ponton on December 21, Dan Cray on December 27, and Pete Tomlinson on December 28.

Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve

Get a head start on the Holidays by dropping into Two Way Brewing on Monday, December 23 between 5PM and 8PM when they’re hosting a special Christmas Eve Eve Party and serving two-for-$10 pints. Just be sure to dig out your comfy Christmas PJs or ugly sweaters for the occasion.

If you’re looking for fine dining combined with an epic view for Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve, look no further than The Roundhouse (2 East Main Street). This historic building and former hat factory—built in the 1800s—overlooks the stunningly beautiful and gushing Fishkill Overlook Falls. A perfect backdrop for those Instagram selfies. Booking in advance is highly recommended.

New Year’s Eve

Lyonshare, 246 Main Street.

New kid on the block, Lyonshare (246 Main Street), will be marking its arrival on Main Street with a New Year’s Eve celebration that features a four-course prix fixe menu, live jazz trio, with late night dancing and bubbles at midnight. Snag a table via Resy before it’s all booked up.

There’s always a good reason to visit Happy Valley Arcade Bar (296 Main Street), whether it’s the Holidays or not. However, they’re currently offering spiked hot cocoa served with marshmallows and a candy cane, which sounds too good to miss. Plus, they’re hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration with Dance Independent’s Rave at the Arcade, 8PM to 1AM. This awesome dance party includes food from Wappinger Fall’s Braised Pies, plus drinks specials and good vibes. $15 at the door.

Happy Valley Arcade Bar, 296 Main Street.

If you’re a craft beer aficionado, then New Years Eve at Hudson Valley Brewery (7 East Main Street) might be your #1 choice. They’re hosting a New Year’s Eve party in their cozy tasting room, DJ No Rules will be spinning vinyl and there’ll be a bubbly toast at midnight.

And finally, dance back in time to the carefree days of the 80s and 90s with TVR (The Vinyl Room) at 396 Main Street.  Their New Year’s Eve party promises Capri Sun, Sunny D, Fruit Rollup shots, and music by DJ Tekwun and DJ React.

UPDATE: Carter’s Restaurant (424 Main Street) has announced its Holiday menu with special cocktails including Spiced Apple Hot Toddy, Cinnamon Mezcal Espresso Martini, Carter’s Sangria, Spiced, Pear Mule, and Gingerbread Whiskey Sour. Entree specials include Lobster Thermidor, Beef Wellington, Rack of Lamb, and Lobster Ravioli.

That’s what we have so far. We’ll update here as more is revealed, so please bookmark this post and check back often.

Oh, and in between all the festivities, remember there’s limitless opportunities to walk off any over-indulgence with a hike or a trail walk along the river or on Mount Beacon. That’s just one of the many advantages of living in this Hudson Valley gem of a city we call home.

See our Eat & Drink Directory for everywhere to go in Beacon, NY.

Until next time…

The Beacon Beacon 🧡