<\/p>\n
The former Blue 82 space on North Pearl Street on downtown Albany is being redeveloped for an August opening as a bar called Norma\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Steve Barnes\/Times Union<\/p>\n
The lounge Blue 82 was the longest-surviving member of a group of bars and clubs that opened in downtown Albany from 1996 to about 2010. It closed in 2022 after almost 17 years.<\/p>\n
Provided by Blue 82<\/p>\n
ALBANY \u2014 Two city natives who own bars in Brooklyn are developing a neighborhood spot downtown called Norma\u2019s at 82\u00a0N. Pearl St., which was home to the bar and lounge Blue 82 for almost 17 years until its 2022 closure<\/a>.<\/p>\n Paul Hamill and Brandon Lenihan, who graduated from Albany High School in the mid-1990s, are hoping to open Norma\u2019s in August or early September, depending on construction and permitting, Hamill said Thursday. The space, on the corner of North Pearl and Columbia streets, has paper over the windows as the interior is transformed from what had been Healthy Soul, a juice bar open for about nine months in 2023, into Norma\u2019s.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Hamill described the partners\u2019 vision for it as a comfortable, welcoming spot, projected to be open from noon to midnight daily, that will cater to downtown residents, remote workers who want a place to set up a laptop during the day for coffee or an NA beverage, and people attending events at downtown venues seeking a pre- or post-show drink or bite. He said the low-key feel of Norma\u2019s will be similar to the casual atmosphere at their Brooklyn places, The Adirondack<\/a> (opened in 2014) and The\u00a0Barlow<\/a> (2019), and Lowlands<\/a>, which Hamill opened in 2010 without Lenihan. All feature casual settings with dark wood, low lighting, signature cocktails, quality beer on draft and cheaper options in cans and bottles, and a small food menu.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re not looking to copy any of them, but that\u2019s the sort of vibe and ambiance we\u2019re going for,\u201d Hamill said. Limited space in the Norma\u2019s basement beer cooler dictates only six to eight\u00a0taplines to start, and a small, prep-style kitchen without ventilation prevents adding a stove, oven or fryer, he said. Food will include panini, bar snacks, sandwiches and desserts from local bakeries. Lowlands, for comparison\u2019s sake, offers grilled cheese, pickles, soft pretzels and pizza; The Adirondack\u2019s food is similar, replacing pizza with pressed sandwiches.<\/p>\n With five table-service restaurants with full kitchens within about a block and about 10 within a five-minute walk, Norma\u2019s isn\u2019t intended to be a food destination,\u00a0Hamill said, instead attracting people interested in somewhere to gather with friends for cocktails, conversation and occasional programming. The Adirondack promotes tap takeovers and vinyl listening nights; The\u00a0Barlow hosts trivia, karaoke and watch parties for shows like the Oscars; at Lowlands, live music and karaoke are featured.<\/p>\n Make the Times Union a Preferred Source on Google to see more of our journalism when you search.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n