It can be tough to find sober evening activities that still make you feel like you’re part of the fun, especially in the winter months. But Troy is an accommodating place known for its hospitality. Anyone who loves it knows there’s something here for everyone. So, whether you’re taking a break from booze or have been sober for a while, or you’re simply waiting for the ole’ 21st birthday, you’ll find it’s easy to enjoy these evening activities that bring Troy to life, without a can in hand.

Fuel Up at Superior Merchandise Company

Specialty Coffee Bar / Design Shop / Community Gathering Space

Superior Merchandise Company is a lifestyle design shop and specialty coffee bar located in downtown Troy. Here you’ll find a selection of carefully curated and well-made home goods and gifts, exceptional specialty coffee, craft beer, and wine, plus a sunny back patio to enjoy them on.

Hours: Weekdays 7 AM- 7 PM / Weekends 8 AM - 7 PM

Address: 147 4th Street, Troy

Try Out Enigmatic Escapes

Escape rooms are an interactive entertainment experience, where a group of people are challenged to investigate a room, discover puzzles and obstacles, and overcome those challenges before the clock runs out. Escape rooms are often compared with being in a real-life detective story; if you've ever watched a movie character solve an ancient riddle to open a locked door, or change the time on a stopped clock to open a secret panel, and thought "that looks really cool!", Escape Rooms are for you!

Hours: Monday - Friday 4 - 9 PM, Saturday 11 AM - 8:30 PM, Sunday 11:30 AM - 4:30 PM

Address: 49 4th Street, Suite 2770, Troy

Browse the Arts Center of the Captial Region’s Gallery or Take an Art Class

The Arts Center is a great place to check out - lots of events, workshops, exhibits, and camps.

College Student Discount: A discounted membership for students at $30. Membership provides reduced rates for classes and events, as well as discounts at local area businesses.

Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 AM-7:30 PM, Friday 9 AM-4 PM, Saturday 9 AM-5 PM, Sunday 12-4 PM

Address: 265 River Street, Troy, NY

Try over 750+ board games at Bard & Baker

The Capital District’s ONLY board game cafe featuring over 750 titles, ranging from classics such as CLUE, Stratego & Scrabble to contemporary games like Catan, Ticket to Ride & Ascension.

Their full selection of games can be found here.

Bard & Baker is a tea-focused cafe with a wide selection of hot teas, tea lattes, and bubble teas, complimented with locally roasted coffee, house-made lemonades, & more.

Their food menu consists of sandwiches served on house-made ciabatta and brioche bread, along with cozy sides such as macaroni and cheese, pizza bagels, salads, and more, plus made from scratch pastries and desserts (they are a must).

College Student Discount: 10% off for all current, active students & faculty members with valid ID shown at the time of purchase. Student discounts are valid for game covers, as well as all food & beverage purchases (including alcohol), Tuesday - Sunday.

Cost: $5/person for unlimited play.

Hours: Monday - closed for private events & pop-ups, Tuesday - Thursday: 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Friday: 11:00 AM - midnight, Saturday: 10:00 AM - midnight, Sunday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM + Nerdy Trivia 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Address: 501 Broadway, Troy, NY

Visit YesFolk’s Tasting Room

A kombucha and tonic bar.

Family-run craft tonic beverage maker YesFolk Tonics in Troy has noticed that restaurants, bars, and breweries have been adding their craft beverages as a non-alcoholic option.

Hours: Open Saturdays from 1-6PM.

Address: 2247 13th St, Troy, NY 12180

If you can’t make it to the Tasting Room, you can find YesTonics in Troy at these locations:

Anatomie, Berben & Wolff’s - Troy, Brown’s Brewing - Troy, Burrito Burrito, Elixir 16, Franklin Alley Social Club, The Hill at Muza, Juice Factory VII, little pecks, Liza's, Lucas Confectionery, Nighthawks, The Placid Baker, Plumb Oyster Bar, Rare Form Brewery, Slidin’ Dirty - Troy, Sunhee's Farm & Kitchen, Superior Merchandise Co., The Whistling Kettle - Troy

Spend the Evening at Canvas, Corks and Forks

Though their name has “Corks” in it, drinking is completely optional!

Haven’t painted since grade school? No worries! Their guests are guided through step-by-step to create their very own beautiful painting! You will not believe how relaxing, fun and easy it is!

Mac & Cheese is their specialty! They offer an all you can eat mac & cheese bar that is prepared fresh before each class. With a variety of mouth-watering choices, such as Traditional 3 cheese Mamma’s Mac, Bacon & Blue Cheese Mac, O’Shrooms w/ caramelized onions, mushrooms & truffle oil, Roasted Red Pepper w/ Smoked Gouda.

Note: They do serve alcohol, but also serve non-alcoholic beverages. You do not have to be 21 to attend classes but 18 is suggested for Friday & Saturday Evening classes.

Hours:

Address: 274 River Street, Troy

Parking in Downtown Troy:

Central Business District Parking Hours

On-street parking is limited to 4 hours between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday – Friday, within the Central Business District.

Public Lots & Garages

All city-operated parking lots and garages are available for free overnight parking Monday through Friday, 6:00 pm – 8:00 am. Free parking is also available on weekends (Saturday – Sunday). They require permits for daytime parking.

To view a map of available public parking lots and garages, visit the Municipal Lots & Garages page.

Parking Meter Pay Stations

Parking meter pay stations are located in designated areas of downtown Troy. The cost of parking on a street with a parking meter pay station is $1.00 per hour. Pay up to 4 hours. Customers must place their paid receipt on the dashboard of their vehicles. If you have any questions regarding parking meters contact the City Treasurer’s Office at (518) 279-7115.

The City is undertaking a phased implementation plan for public parking improvements in Troy’s Central Business District, including upgraded parking meters, dedicated visitor parking, and online payment options for metered street parking.