Jar’d wine pub, new paltz

by Anne Pyburn Craig

November 03, 2022

Visitors will find inspired craft cocktails, a creative wine list with biodynamic, natural, vegan, and organic choices, and yummy snacks—but most of all, they’ll find an experience.

When we catch up with Theresa Fall, owner of Jar’d Wine Pub, she is lugging a wagon full of wine. But being Theresa, she keeps right on lugging while launching into a spirited discussion of the latest doings at her sweet, chic jewel box of a bar and the spectacular view from Water Street Market.

“Almost 10 years, and we’ve survived on a wing and a prayer,” says Theresa, whose hospitality chops inspired Water Street Market owner Harry Lipstein to suggest that she open her own place after he saw what she could do as the market’s event coordinator. “It was touch and go during the pandemic, but we just trimmed down a bit and made it work. We’re lucky to have an incredibly loyal staff and customer base, and it feels like we’re over the hump.” Visitors will find inspired craft cocktails, a creative wine list with biodynamic, natural, vegan, and organic choices, and yummy snacks—but most of all, they’ll find an experience. Jar’d is compact, comfy, and pretty, and the ambiance encourages any group of random customers to join in the conversation, whether it’s philosophical, sports-minded, or old-timers sharing New Paltz know-how with newbies.

“We’re known as a place where the locals meet the tourists, and I absolutely love that,” says Fall. “I love networking and putting people with good ideas together, and Jar’d is a constant source of ideas and connections. It’s a genuine melting pot, and it just seems to make people really happy; they have a good time, and that means everything.”

Owner Theresa Fall’s hospitality chops inspired Water Street Market owner Harry Lipstein to suggest that she open her own place after he saw what she could do as the market’s event coordinator.

Those warm, welcoming vibes and the soothing Gunks views, especially spectacular at sunset, will also be found at The Parish, where Theresa is also a co-owner. The menu is eclectic, with an emphasis on flavors from New Orleans; you can enjoy a plate of gator bites tossed in Cajun spices or a bowl of traditional gumbo as a starter before your blackened catfish, while your vegan pal feasts on a superb black bean burger.

“We’re known as a place where the locals meet the tourists, and I absolutely love that.”—Jar’d owner Theresa Fall

It’s become a “thing” to finish off a couple of hours of exploring the Market with a drink at Jar’d and then a dinner at The Parish (also located in Water Street Market), and visitors will be enchanted with the entire experience. “I love it when tourists come in and ask about good hikes or what not to miss out on,” says Theresa. “And I’m meeting a lot of newbies who came up during the pandemic—there’s always been a steady trickle, but the pandemic brought quite the wave.”

At Jar’d, they very soon feel right at home—a testament to the core of goodness within the constantly shifting reality of this bustling, intelligent place. There’s new development afoot, and Theresa is embracing it. “They’re talking about a boutique hotel down here to replace a warehouse. I wasn’t for it at first, but then I met with the owners—they’re the same people who created Woodstock Way, and they invited me to come take the tour.

And I now have confidence that these aren’t people who’ll just throw up any old thing, and I’m excited for them and for us—it will change the neighborhood, from our perspective here at the Market, in a positive way. That said, it’s important that people pay attention and require due diligence from developers.” Drop in for a glass and a nibble and the absolute latest, or while away the time talking art, music, books, and life, or just drink your fill of Gunk-gazing. “I don’t quite know what’s coming with the cold weather—does anyone ever?” said Theresa late last summer. “But it feels like we’re back in the normal New Paltz flow, and people are just thrilled and grateful to get out and about.”

jar’d wine pub
10 Main Street, Suite 305 Water Street Market, New Paltz
845-255-8466, jardwinepub.com

Drink Well
jar’D cocktail recipes

Sour Cherry Spritz
• 1 ounce tart cherry juice
• 3/4 ounce of fresh lime
• 2 ounces vodka
Shake over ice. Strain into a Collins glass with ice and top with seltzer and a Luxardo cherry.

Lavender Gimlet
• 2 ounces Freeland Spirits gin
(female run and operated distillery)
• 1 ounce homemade lavender simple syrup
• 1 ounce fresh lime juice
Shake over ice. Strain into a coupe glass and top with a lavender flower.

Bubbles and Smoke
• 2 ounces mezcal
• 1/2 ounce organic agave
• 1/2 ounce fresh lime
Shake over ice. strain and pour into coupe glass. Top with cava or prosecco.

Bee’s Knees
• 2 ounces of Barhill Gin or
Freeland Spirits Bourbon (The Gold Rush)
• 1 ounce local honey and lavender syrup
• 1 ounce fresh lemon juice
Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Top with a lavender flower.