Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY

Burgers, Brews, and Bee's Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Strap in, foodies and cocktail connoisseurs! I’m on a relentless quest, a mission to unearth the crown jewels of cuisine and the sanctuaries of spirits in the Hudson Valley and Catskills. Today, I’m your effervescent guide on a gaytastic culinary and bar hopping escapade in Windham, NY. With an insatiable appetite and a thirst for adventure, I’m diving fork-first into the heart of Windham’s vibrant food scene. We’ll be sipping, savoring, and sassily sauntering through the crème de la crème of what this town has to offer. So, lace up your most fabulous walking shoes and prep your palate – we’re about to embark on a journey where every flavor tells a story, and every sip sings a ballad. Let’s discover together what makes Windham a must-stop on the map for every proud and peckish traveler!

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NYRestaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Hitting up the Taphouse Grille in Windham, NY, was like finding my spirit animal in restaurant form, right in the lively heart of the Catskills. On a day where the early spring vibe was as fresh as my playlist, this place promised a scene and didn’t disappoint.

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Just as the last of the winter chill was bidding its adieu, I breezed into this hipster hideaway that was straight-up serving major winter nostalgia. The walls, decked out in vintage ski and ice-skate memorabilia, were practically oozing with cool throwback feels. You could almost hear the swish of skaters carving up the ice and the schuss of skiers making fresh tracks. This place was less like a bar and more like a curated museum of winter sports fabulosity.

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Now, let me spill the tea: nestled among all this retro athletic splendor, I half-expected to see some iconique gay Olympians pop off the wall and join me at the bar. I mean, imagine gay figure skating celebs pirouetting their way in to share a Bear Naked Ale and spill the sass about nailing that perfect landing. Or some of our favorite hot & sweaty gay winter sports athletes popping by, fresh off the slopes, snowboard in tow, ready to dive into some après gossip and a game of “Who wore it best: Snow Edition.”

Every time the door creaked, I was low-key hoping it would be one of these champs, ready to clink glasses and trade stories of snow-dusted adventures. With each sip of that hoppy perfection, I mused over the Insta-worthy selfies we’d snap, our laughter mingling with the clink of glasses and the crackle of the imaginary fireside… Yeah, the fantasy writer in me lol

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

So, while no gay celeb athletes made a cameo this time around, the spirit and style of this joint kept the dream alive. Who knows, next round might just have me cheers-ing with winter’s coolest (and queerest) sports legends!

Burgers, Brews, and Bee's Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations
Tap House Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Hudson Valley Style Magazine

First off, the Bee’s Knees cocktail was the opener – and oh, what an opener! A chic mix of gin, agave, and lemonade with a flirty fizz, it had me at ‘Hello, Spring!’ Imagine your favorite pop anthem in a glass – it was that and a bag of chips. It was like the cocktail equivalent of a perfect first date; it left me excited for what was next.

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Then came the main act, the Taphouse Burger. Imagine if a burger was a VIP event, and the Angus beef patty was the celebrity everyone’s been waiting to see. Dressed in the crispiest lettuce, the ripest tomato, and pickles with enough snap to say ‘Yasss,’ it was the kind of burger that doesn’t just join the party – it is the party.

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

To wash down this diva of a dish, I grabbed the new York State’s finest local Bear Naked Amber Ale from Adirondack Brewery. With a vibe as smooth and rich as the hottest track dropping at midnight, it was the amber nectar that my taste buds RSVP’d ‘yes’ to.

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

So, to all my fellow fun-loving, flavor-savoring, proud gay men out there, when you find yourself cruising through the Catskills, make your way to Taphouse Grille. It’s where the meals are as Insta-worthy as your best OOTD and the drinks are ready to be the toast of your stories.

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Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Dive Deeper Into Culinary Wonders with More Restaurant Reviews

Hungry for more? My gastronomic voyage doesn’t stop here – it’s just the beginning. If you relished our jaunt through Windham, NY, and found yourself craving more of those gaytastic gourmet experiences, then you’re in for a treat. I’ve been zigzagging across the Hudson Valley and Catskills, fork and knife (or cocktail glass) at the ready, diving into an array of dining destinations that span the spectrum from quaint cafés to bustling bistros and everything in between.

I invite you to join me on this flavor-filled journey by exploring my other Hudson Valley and Catskills Restaurant Reviews. It’s a collection where each review is a story, every meal a moment, and every drink a delight. Together, we’ll uncover hidden gems, revisit classic favorites, and maybe even stumble upon the next big thing in the culinary world.

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

From farm-to-table delights that honor the land’s yield to avant-garde cocktails that challenge the palate, our escapades will immerse us in the very soul of what makes the Hudson Valley and Catskills a gastronomic haven for foodies and LGBTQ+ travelers alike. Anticipate plates bursting with color, comfort dishes that wrap you in warmth, eco-conscious bites that speak to our better nature, and masterful creations that are a feast for the eyes and the stomach.

So, whether you’re a seasoned gourmand, a casual diner, an adventurous food lover, or someone who simply enjoys the art of a well-crafted meal, there’s a place at the table for you in my reviews. Together, we’ll navigate the vibrant dining scenes of the Hudson Valley and Catskills, armed with an appetite for discovery and a taste for the extraordinary.

Burgers, Brews, and Bee’s Knees: A Gaytastic Gastronomy in the Catskills – Taphouse Grill in Windham, NY – Restaurant Reviews with Photographer Maxwell Alexander – Presented by Alluvion Vacations

Stay tuned for narratives of culinary brilliance, where each morsel unfolds a story and every sip shares a secret. Let’s transform our next dining experience into an unforgettable journey. Follow my lead, and let’s continue this delectable expedition together, review by review, creating a mosaic of meals that celebrate the vibrant LGBTQ+ community and the myriad flavors of our world.

// Discover other Restaurant Reviews in the Hudson Valley + Catskills >>

// Sign Up for the Hudson Valley Style Magazine Newsletter >>