Krazy Horse is a Crazy Time

The old West has a new feel.

Story and photos by Adam Colver

The Krazy Horse Saloon in downtown Plattsburgh has brought the old west to the east coast. The only things missing are the stirrups and the horses.

The owners and operators of Krazy Horse Saloon are Scott Dubrey, Shawn Cliché, and Chris Waldron. These three worked for three and a half years to bring a unique bar to Plattsburgh. The Saloon has been open for just over a year and has been attracting a diverse crowd. "We wanted to attract an older crowd, as well as the college crowd," Dubrey said.

The owners researched and found WOKO 98.9 country was the number one radio station for 18 to 26 year olds. According to Dubrey, this crowd just didn't have a place to go that catered to them.

The three built the bar from scratch. Everything from the whiskey barrel tables to the glass rack above the bar to the paint on the walls, they did themselves.

For your viewing pleasure, the Krazy Horse Saloon has a huge projection screen for the sports fan. Nine televisions, including the big screen, are placed throughout. Three are right in front of the bar, another three are placed on the back wall. A disc jockey is on the job every night. Customer's requests are taken, so he/she can listen to his/her favorite country songs. "We are capable of playing any song," Dubrey said.

The bar top is imported from Brazil, and it is made out of granite. The bar top illuminates. The bar includes intimate tables for two with a featured catwalk. Pool tables, dart games and foosball, the standard bar games, can be found. All of these things add to the high-class country bar the owners wanted.

Duprey said what they didn't want was to become another cut throat business, like every other bar, because of the large number of competitors.

"I never thought I would own a bar in my lifetime."

What they have done with the country saloon is incredible. The main attraction of the bar is the mechanical bull. The bull is brought out of the corral every night of the week. "It wouldn't be a country bar without a bull," Dubrey said. Free bull rides are offered from 8 to 9 p.m. on Fridays. If you win the contest on a Friday night for the longest ride, you could win $100. Before the end of the night, the top three riders will compete and the saloon staff will decide the winner. This contest runs for eight weeks. In the end, all the Friday night winners will compete for a grand prize of $500. All other nights, the bull ride costs $5, which goes towards the bar's insurance.

A mechanical bull in a bar raises insurance costs, so the charge is necessary, Dubrey asserted. The staff needed and received safety training lessons, as well. So far, no one has been hurt riding the bull, Dubrey said.

For those that need some fresh air, the Krazy Horse offers a patio. At one time, drinks were allowed outside, but that is no longer allowed. The owners are requesting a permit to renew their outside drinking policy. The Krazy Horse Saloon's facilities are taken well care of as well. Bathrooms are spacious. It is one of the cleanest bars you will ever walk into.

The saloon caters to everyone, although Wednesdays are considered College Night. Thursday's are Ladies Night. On that night, women have a chance to ride the bull for free, as well as get discounted drinks. Friday and Saturday nights have a cover charge of $2. Coats, which are not allowed inside, must be checked in the coatroom on these nights for one dollar.

Drink prices are more expensive than most in Plattsburgh. For the basic beer bottle, you are looking at $3.25 compared to most in Plattsburgh. It is the same beer, but the atmosphere is certainly different from anywhere else. Well-drinks will run you about $1 more, depending on your taste. Krazy Horse Saloon also offers many of the usual domestic beers on tap at a cheaper price. The main attraction for drinks is their mini kegs that can be filled for 12 dollars. This is the way to go if you like your beer and have a couple friends to help you drink it.

Overall the Krazy Horse Saloon does appeal to the country music fan, so if you like this kind of music, the atmosphere might effect you.

Each night a different feel of the bar can be found with the special themed nights that are offered. The spacious atmosphere and huge bar with all the amenities has almost every kind of drink you could think of. The bartenders won't have a problem making that special drink because they have it all.

It does seem to appeal to the older crowd with the drink prices and it is not your typical college bar, unless you go on Wednesday. You will not find it crowded due to the spacious environment, people will not bump into you, and you won't wait forever to get a drink.

What is your favorite bar in Plattsburgh?

Krazy Horse Saloon

14 Margaret St. same entrance as Tabu night club
Plattsburgh, 12901

Hours of operation:
Wednesday through Saturday
5 p.m. to 2 a.m.