6 Best Bars in The Catskills, New York

With beamed ceilings and huge windows, this pub at the Windham Country Club is the opposite of a hole in the wall and one of the area’s prime locations for grabbing a beer with friends. There are draft beers on tap and a full menu of burgers and other favorites for lunch and dinner. The best thing here is the umbrella-shaded terrace, where you can take in glorious sunset views.

Serving up its own microbrews, as well as a chalkboard full of other craft beers, Cave Mountain Brewing Company is a popular stop after hitting the slopes or driving through the countryside. It's in a slender storefront building where you can choose between a stool at the bar or a cozy booth. Locals rave about the burgers and other pub grub and the live music several nights a week.

Illuminated by twinkling string lights and a welcoming fire pit where people can kick back with a beer or roast marshmallows, the outdoor patio at Commune Saloon on a summer's evening is one of the most appealing places in town. Inside are ping-pong, pool, and other games, along with a performance space where you can catch a local performance. Ambiance aside, the burgers here are worth the visit.

Near the entrance to Hunter Mountain, this classic dive bar has friendly staff and regulars, a pool table, sports on the TV, and a decent selection of draft beers. Oh, and the burgers aren't bad, either.

Housed in a former train station for the Ulster & Delaware Railroad, this onetime departure point for railway passengers is now the place to stop and linger and to enjoy live music, a variety of craft beers on tap, and creative cocktails like strawberry and black pepper gin and tonic. Opened in summer 2016, the Station Bar's covered outdoor platform is already a favorite with locals for a drink or a light nosh.