BackBar

"In recent years, Hudson has become a town where you can’t step outside without spending $50 on a candle. So we’re all the more appreciative of places like Backbar, where you can roll in with a group of friends without booking a reservation weeks in advance or spending $100 per person. It’s easy to make a meal out of Southeast Asian small plates like chicken lemongrass dumplings and sweet chili cauliflower wings on the spacious outdoor patio, but you could also camp out inside with a smoky mezcal slushee to watch whatever movie is being projected onto the wall. They host events all the time, which means you might even stumble into a “bring your own backgammon” night." - chanize thorpe, anne cruz, keith hernandez

"In recent years, Hudson has become a town where you can’t step outside without spending $50 on a candle. So we’re all the more appreciative of places like BackBar, where you can roll in with a group of friends without booking a reservation weeks in advance or spending $100 per person. It’s easy to make a meal out of Southeast Asian small plates like chicken lemongrass dumplings and sweet chili cauliflower wings on the spacious outdoor patio, but you could also camp out inside to watch whatever movie is being projected onto the wall with a smoky mezcal slushee. They host all the time, so you might even stumble into a Bingo or “bring your own backgammon” night." - Anne Cruz

"BackBar is a Southeast Asian place in Hudson with spicy dishes and funky outdoor dining that helped the author's family during the worst of the pandemic."

"Is this a bar? A vintage shop? A restaurant? Backbar looks a bit like all three. But, at its core, it’s a bar with food worth getting in a car for. Zak Pelaccio, who once operated Fatty Crab in Manhattan , and later decamped to the Hudson Valley, is behind the project. It's geared towards locals but will allow those visiting for the weekend to join in. Pull up a seat at the bar or in the large outside space if the weather’s nice. With a name like Backbar, it’s fair to expect high level drinks. That expectation is certainly met with simple but well executed cocktails like the bee’s knees with citadelle gin, honey, and lemon, and slushies like the Lucy, made with tequila, fresh lime juice, and topped with Prosecco. There’s also a board for local beer offerings and cocktail specials. If you're in the Upper Hudson Valley, you really shouldn't miss Backbar, regardless of whether you're with your partner, parents, or friends." - Alex Van Buren, Devra Ferst, Andrea Whittle

"Peripheral, a fair hosted by Fish & Game chef Zak Pelaccio that brings together natural wine producers and distributors for wine tastings at BackBar in Hudson. The all-day event is happening on October 26; tickets can be purchased here." - Carla Vianna