Last call for J.J. Rafferty’s
Latham bar, known for music, to close soon as retirement nears
COLONIE — J.J. Rafferty’s Bar & Grill, a Latham spot known for attracting a 30s-and-older suburban crowd with bands, DJS and karaoke for more than 20 years, is due to close soon as retirement beckons its ownership.
A note posted Monday on Facebook says “Our last weekend!” in announcing karaoke for Thursday and bands for Friday and Saturday this week. An employee reached by phone Tuesday clarified that “last weekend” referred to the final times bands would be booked but that the closing date was uncertain.
A representative reached by email said the final day of service would be determined on Thursday and the business would be making a statement about its closure plans.
“One of the owners was ready to retire,” the representative said, noting that the property, at 847 Loudon Road, has been on the market since April. The asking price is $875,000 for a 2,756-square-foot building, erected in 1983, on a half-acre lot between Latham Circle and a retail plaza anchored by Market Bistro and Hobby Lobby. Available furnished and equipped or vacant for repurposing, the building is also available for lease for a minimum term of 10 years, according to the listing.
“It’s kind of sad,” said the singer Donna Tritico, whose Donna Tritico Band is scheduled for Saturday and will be the final act to perform at Rafferty’s. She said the group started playing there only earlier this year. Saturday’s gig will be their fourth at the bar.
Her husband, Mark Tritico, the band’s drummer, said, “The staff’s great — very friendly and accommodating. They get a good
crowd that appreciates live music.”
J.J. Rafferty’s opened around 2000, taking over what for more
than 15 years had been a nightclub called Miracles. The owners are Margret and Jim Baggetta and Joe Taylor, who use a similar Applebee’s-for-adult-revelers formula at their other venues, J.T. Maxie’s in Colonie and Peddlers Bar & Bistro in Clifton Park.