Fairytale Fantasy (Feb 28 - Mar 02, 2014)





Unicorns, rainbows, and bears, OH MY! Bear Albany is teaming up with EGO Parties to thaw off our nether regions and shake off the cold of winter. This special evening will feature big furry fun beefcakes, fantastic fantasy inspired performances by the EGO gang, and dancing till everyone is seeing double rainbows. For those of you unfamiliar with EGO Parties, they're hosted by Isis Vermouth and feature some of the most unique shows in the Albany and Hudson Valley regions. Performances range from classic camp, to performance art, hard core trash, and everything in-between. Whatever form they take, the demented divas of EGO are sure to leave a fabulous permanent scar. See who's going...

Hotel Information

We've been hearing "sold out" complaints from people trying to book rooms for our upcoming Fairytale Fantasy weekend (Feb 28 - Mar 02). After speaking with the hotel, we found out that they have made some changes to their reservation system. Currently the regular front desk staff can't bypass the automatic system requiring a 3-day stay and we're caught in the cross-fire while they figure things out. So we have been instructed to contact the Marriott Towneplace Suites Sales Office directly at (518) 860-1509 to make reservations. Tell them that you're "making a reservation for Bear Albany" and someone should be able to help you. If you need further assistance, you can ask for Emily Wood-LeClerc (Sales Mgr).

We've also been informed that as of Monday afternoon, there are approximately 10 rooms available for Friday night and 21 still available for Saturday evening. These will fill up extremely fast in the next couple days due to a Wrestling Convention also taking place in the Albany Capital Region. So we HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you don't hesitate and reserve your rooms today. See who's going...

Friday: I am Divine (6pm)

For those of you getting into town early, a bunch of the guys are heading over to the world famous Proctor's Theater in Schenectady to see "I AM DIVINE" as part of QFEST 2014. It's a wonderful documentary about one of the filthiest persons ever to walk this planet... the legendary, the outrageous, the one and only John Waters star, Divine. Pre order tickets here: https://www.proctors.org/events/qfest-divine

Meat & Greet (9pm)

Fairytale Fantasy weekend kicks off on Friday Feb 28th @ WaterWorks Pub for the BEARAOKE MEAT & GREET (76 Central Ave). Come have a couple drinks and then sing your favorite fantasy song for the gang. It's a great time to "meat" new friends and "greet" buddies that you haven't seen in a while. WaterWorks Pub always has a great atmosphere, awesome drink specials, free pizza & wings, and NO COVER for all of our BEAR ALBANY buds. See who's going...

Saturday: Dave & Buster's (3pm)

After you dry off from taking a dip in the hotel pool, join the bears as we head to DAVE & BUSTER'S at Crossgates Mall for food, drinks, and arcade games. Let's all meet in the lobby just before 3pm to organize some car pools to head over. And if you're not around the hotel, feel free to meet us at D&B (just look for the bears having a blast). Large table reservations can be made in advance for you and your friends by calling (518) 313-4500. See who's going...

** For those unfamiliar with Dave and Buster's, it's like sports bar meets Chuck E Cheese targeted at adults. They have a full restaurant for your pre-Rocks dinner, a full bar, and food and drink combos that come with game tokens.

Fairytale Fantasy (9pm)

At 9pm, come out to ROCKS Bar for the FAIRYTALE FANTASY main event (77 Central Ave). Snuggle up to the bar with your buddies and get ready for some of the craziest midnight performances you may ever see by the Club EGO. As always, we'll have great drink specials, a snack around midnight, and plenty of cute guys, to warm up to all night long. And while you're exploring every DARK CORNER of the bar, remember that what happens in Albany, stays in Albany. See who's going...

Sunday: Brunch (12pm)

We've got two great choices for those of you looking for a bite to eat before heading out. For those of you who want something a little more low-key, we recommend heading over to McGeary's Irish Pub (4 Clinton Square) to have a delicious lunch from 12 till 2pm. The staff is extremely bear-friendly, they have a pretty great lunch menu, and they'll even give you 20% off your lunch check by saying you're with Bear Albany. It should also be mentioned that it's the perfect place for those in dire need of a little "hair of the dog" on Sunday morning. See who's going...

Next, local restaurants are having the first "Best Chili in the Capital Region Award" at ROCKS Bar (77 Central Ave) from 12 until 3pm. Participation in the tasting will be $10 in advance or $15 at the door. There will also be a 50/50 Raffle, great drink specials to go along with your chili tasting, and it's sure to be a lot of fun. See who's going...

86th Annual Academy Awards (6pm)

If you're sticking around town for a bit, QFEST 2014 is doing the ONLY OFFICIAL public showing of the 86th Annual Academy Awards on the GIANT screen! There will be a red carpet to walk on, cameras to mug for, plenty of booze to purchase, hollywood trivia, and prizes! The idea is to relax with "family", get some drinks, and have a good old fashioned queer time. Hosted by America's favorite lesbian - Ellen - the Oscars are sure to deliver excitement, anger and drama. More information: https://www.proctors.org/events/qfest-oscars

Winter Party (Jan 17-19, 2014)


2014 is here and we're getting together to celebrate the end of the holiday season with our post-holiday winter weekend. Say goodbye to holiday music, tinsel garland, and family obligations. Then to snuggle up with a bunch of hunky guys acting like big warm polar bears. It's time to get calm, cool, and ready for our furry season of giving. See who's going...

Hotel Information

Most of you should be familiar with the Marriott Townplace Suites. As always, be sure to ask for the "BEAR ALBANY DISCOUNT when calling to get our special rates (518-860-1500). There's no event registration fees and be sure to take advantage of the hotel's FREE SHUTTLE so you don't have to drive to the bars!

Friday Evening

Our winter BEAR ALBANY weekend kicks off on Friday Jan 17th @ WaterWorks Pub for our traditional BEARAOKE MEAT & GREET (76 Central Ave). It's a great time to "meat" new friends and "greet" buddies that you haven't seen in a while. WaterWorks Pub always has a great atmosphere, awesome drink specials, free pizza & wings, and NO COVER for all of our BEAR ALBANY buds. See who's going...

Saturday Afternoon

BEAR ALBANY would like to invite you to The Westerner on Saturday morning, January 18, 2014! The Westerner is a gay business that is pulling out all the stops for a BEAR ALBANY visit! The Beekman Boys will be signing their books that day and everyone that attends from BEAR ALBANY will receive 2 entries in the door prize raffle later Saturday night during BEAR ALBANY at ROCKS! About 20 miles outside Albany, this a great event for those who want to get out and explore and still be back in time for the Saturday afternoon pool party! Either drive down or meet at the Host Hotel at 10:45AM on the 18th! Grab a cup of coffee and a delicious scone prepared by The Fifth Tier Baking Company! We will caravan down for those that don't want to use their GPS and want delicious scones. See who's going...

Don't forget to pack your bathing suit so you can head down to the host hotel's heated indoor pool, for a warm and wet afternoon of lazy polar bears, and beefy boys having fun. It's a great time to make new friends while getting in some R&R after the long holidays with family. See who's going...

Saturday Evening

At 9pm, come out to ROCKS Bar for the WINTER BEAR main event (77 Central Ave). Come snuggle up to the polar bears or yourself your very own abominable snowman to keep you warm. As always, we'll have great drink specials, a snack around midnight, and plenty of cute guys, to warm up to all night long. And while you're exploring every DARK CORNER of the bar, remember that what happens in Albany, stays in Albany. See who's going...

Sunday Brunch

We're heading over to McGeary's Irish Pub (4 Clinton Square) on Sunday to have a delicious lunch before heading out for the weekend. The staff is extremely bear-friendly, they have a pretty great lunch menu, and they'll even give you 20% off your lunch check by saying you're with Bear Albany. It should also be mentioned that it's the perfect place for those in dire need of a little "hair of the dog" on Sunday morning. See who's going...