The Misfit brings different type of nightlife to Caroline Street

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y. — A new business called The Misfit is now open in the city’s downtown district, offering a different type of nightlife amid the Caroline Street scene.

Opened in mid-June just off of Broadway at 1 Caroline St., The Misfit is an underground bar and cocktail lounge with an indie rock vibe.

Alternative music from the 80s and forward will set the tone for the bar, which aims to provide a fun, upbeat atmosphere for guests to enjoy. The soundtrack will include artists from Duran Duran to the Ramones to David Bowie to Green Day, mixed with some more contemporary music that has that same sense of progressiveness, with some old-school hip hop thrown in too. Additionally, The Misfit will have a DJ most Friday and Saturday nights, beginning soon, and plans to experiment with presenting live music as well.

The bar’s menu includes more than a dozen signature cocktails along with draft beer and other drinks. A menu of small bar snacks will be introduced next week.

“The whole idea of The Misfit is interesting and unique takes on beloved favorites,” owner Michael Mills said, describing a drink called The Last of The Margaritas that combines elements of a margarita and a Last Word cocktail. “The cocktails are familiar yet different.”

The new establishment is owned and operated by Mills, a Capital Region native and Spa City resident who also runs Mills Entertainment, a Saratoga Springs-based entertainment company that works with nationally touring live shows.

On why he decided to embark on this new venture opening a bar, Mills expressed his longtime love for the hospitality industry, entrepreneurship and cocktails.

In starting The Misfit, Mills carefully chose the concept to provide something unique to downtown Saratoga Springs. In a neighborhood with many taverns, pubs, taprooms and nightclubs, “This is sort of an interesting alternative,” Mills said.

Looking ahead to the future, Mills said his goal for the future of The Misfit is simply to create “a fun and interesting place where people can have a great time, have some drinks, escape from the world and hang out with good people.”

Mills is also focused on building and supporting a staff that can thrive and enjoy what they do.  He said, “I measure the success, large in part, by the success of the team,”

The Misfit’s hours are 4 p.m. to close Tuesday through Saturday.

The business will take reservations for large parties, and can accommodate private events.

More information about The Misfit is available online at themisfitsaratoga.com. Ths business is also on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok as @themisfitsaratoga.