by Bea Peterson
The Backstreet Saloon on Water Street in Hoosick Falls is open again, and owner Greg Zora said, “Now we’re here to stay.” Zora has a long history with the place. He first opened the Saloon in 1983 and operated it for years. Then he sold the building and the business and went back on the road as a bodyguard for well known performers, something he has done since 1971. In 2003 he bought the business back. The building was owned by someone else. Zora was forced to close in 2008 over issues with the building. Again, he hit the road guarding performers. In 2010 he was able to purchase the same building and in November he reopened the Backstreet Saloon on weekends. He has made some changes in the interior. There’s a neat DJ roost and a large screen for watching sports.
Two walls still contain framed photos of Zora with many of the celebrities he has guarded over the years. They include Jay Black, formerly of Jay and the Americans, BB King, Bowzer (formerly of Sha Na Na) and the Stingrays, Tommy James and the Shondells, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap, Billy Ray Cyrus, Vince Gill, the late James Brown, Frankie Valli, Johnny Maestro, Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme, the Monkees on their reunion tour and, just recently, Little Anthony and the Imperials when they appeared at the Mohegan Sun Casino. Those are just a few of the performers on the wall.
A Variety Of Events
The Backstreet is open every weeknight until midnight. There is dancing every Friday and Saturday from 9 pm to 4 am. Every Thursday, starting at 6 pm, there is Open Pool Table. Every Sunday at 4 pm Stacia Skorupski holds a Zumba dance fitness party.
Starting February 9, the Saloon will begin having All U Can Eat Wednesday Pasta Buffets for $9.95 from 5 to 8 pm.
On Saturday, February 12, from 6 to 10 pm, Zora is holding a Valentine’s Day Sweetheart Dance with 1950s and 1960s music. Admission is free and there will be gift certificates for first and second place dance contestants.
Come summer Zora wants to hold Senior dances with Big Band music.
Right now the Saloon offers simple bar food such as wings, chicken fingers and burgers. By summer he hopes to expand that menu, though he has no desire to turn the place into a restaurant.