ALBANY — The Lo-Fi Bar & Lounge, the latest addition to Albany’s vibrant restaurant and nightlife scene, is preparing to make a move. This quirky and cozy establishment is relocating across Lark Street to take over the space formerly occupied by the Larkin Restaurant, which has been vacant for nearly two decades. With an anticipated opening in mid-November, the co-owner is excited about the new possibilities.
To bid farewell to their current location, the Lo-Fi Bar & Lounge is organizing a special event on Saturday, September 30th, called the “Funeral Service for 200 Lark Street.” Attendees can expect happy hour pricing, drink specials, and a 50% discount for former employees who have worked at the bar since its opening in 2003 as Antica Enoteca Old World Wine Bar.
The new space for Lo-Fi, located at 199 Lark Street, promises to be three times larger than their current location across the street. According to Nick Warchol, one of the partners who took over 200 Lark in spring 2019, the new venue offers a fresh canvas for Lo-Fi’s funky decor and vibe. The building has recently undergone renovations and is owned by a different landlord.
However, there have been some challenges with the current landlord of 200 Lark Street. Warchol describes him as a “nightmare,” which was echoed in an Instagram comment from the lofialbany account. Patrons have complained about the landlord coming in and requesting the music volume to be turned down or asking them to leave. Warchol humorously compares the experience to partying in your basement with your parents asleep upstairs.
Efforts to reach the landlord, Mark Smith, for comment were unsuccessful. The space at 200 Lark Street has undergone various transformations over the years, including being known as Antica Enoteca, the Wine Bar & Bistro, Lark & Lily Wine Bar & Kitchen, and Mio Posto. Previous owners and managers have expressed their own difficulties in dealing with Smith.
The Larkin building, which was once a popular political watering hole, closed in the mid-1990s after the retirement of Alfie Macri. It briefly reopened under new ownership but eventually faded into obscurity. It gained popularity again when jazz pianist Adrian Cohen redesigned the second-floor space and started booking musicians in 2001. However, a change in management in 2004 led to the closure of the upstairs lounge, and the Larkin ceased to exist. Since then, there have been multiple attempts to revive the space as a restaurant or bar, but none have been successful. Lo-Fi hopes to break this streak and attract patrons for the first time in over 19 years when they open their doors before Thanksgiving.
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