Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga?
BUT FIRST: The local-est local, Gary Dake and the buzzy new cooler fanny packs.
🇺🇸 How about that World Cup game?
Yesterday was a whirlwind of cheering on the USA, making travel plans and sipping wine at Keuka Spring, and trying Gaffney’s for the first time. (Dinner was beyond...)
Tonight? Reuniting with my original Dispatch partner Steve, dinner at Seneca, and opening night of My Fair Lady.
Here’s some breezy weekend dish and pics for the quieter moments.
See you out there,
— Abby
The local-est Saratoga local is…
It doesn’t get more local than being the first Saratogian spotted with the season’s newest Stewart’s merch. And then there’s Becca Beers, who managed to be spotted by Gary Dake in said merch — at a Stewart’s ice-cream stand.
The proud owner of not one by seven sorbert-colored cooler fanny packs, Beers was sporting a yellow/green model (she has two, plus three pink/aqua and one blue/green) at the Saratoga Senior Center’s Music & Mingling event at Siro’s.
She tells me the handy coolers — only $13 bucks — hold two small splits of Champagne or two Coors Lights.
To stock up (hurry — the yellow/green one is already sold out), visit shop.stewartsshops.com.
📸 FOMO
Were you seen by Seen in Saratoga?
Whether you were outside at Solevo — where Tiina Loite led the conversation at a “very fashionable” table — or along diner’s row at Standard Fare, where no less than four men were assigned to the same table, Wednesday night’s Dispatch Dinner Club was a blast. “There was a younger group at Benelux that was totally vibing,” said my source. “At Chianti, they were loving that private room in the front next to the bar — it felt like a party.”
Where was I during all of this? To refrain from being a distraction, I eat a quick dinner at home on Dinner Club nights and head over to the “after-party” and wait.
Nervously.
If you’re new, this is how it works: The evening’s 45 guests received a text message that morning telling them where to go for dinner. When they showed up at 6:30 p.m., they were seated by the hostess like any other dinner reservation with friends. But in this case, the other diners were friends they hadn’t met yet.
Neighbors meeting neighbors, that pretty much sums it up.
Afterwards, they all head to where I’m waiting — this time, at Bibulous.
When Bibulous’ owner, Daniel Chessare, showed up around 8, he asked, “Where are your people?” “Having too much fun at dinner!” I answered confidently, having just scrolled through all of the photos that our favorite incognito snapper, Seen in Saratoga, had taken of the diners. (She also expertly gives me a rundown, hence the dispatch up top.) It’s my favorite part of the whole night; once I see all the smiles, I can relax.
I ordered my fave Bibulous cocktail, the French Dispatch. (I mean…)
I blinked.
And looked up.
Sometimes the tables stagger in, but on Wednesday they all seemed to arrive at once.
In an instant, Bibulous was packed, with happy people eager to tell me about dinner, to meet up with their new friends, and say hi to the ones they dined with last time.
Our next one is Wednesday, July 15 — it’s easy; you take a little quiz so they can match you and then easy-to-follow text messages take you through the rest. It’s a bit of a last supper before we take a little break for track season, so sign up now. (July 15 is a dark day; the racing schedule this year is a weird one.)
After dinner, we’re doing a Whitman Brewing takeover: think quiet outdoor seating, comfy lounge tables inside, private tours of the brewery, wine tasting…
A perfect summer’s evening.
All photos by Seen in Saratoga — follow her on Instagram!
Thank you to the Dinner Club’s June sponsor, Helen Simpson of Keller Williams. The Dispatch is completely independent; I couldn’t do it without the help of community leaders such as Helen.
"Helen is unparalleled as a realtor. She not only negotiated our dream home with amazing skill, but also helped transform the home we're selling to maximize its value far beyond expectations."
🎟️ OPENING NIGHT
‘My Fair Lady’ opens tonight at UPH
I’ve been waiting for this day! My Fair Lady, one of the most beloved musicals of all time, hits UPH tonight. I’ve gotten to hear a few previews as a Board member, and it’s absolutely spectacular. Hits include “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” and “I Could Have Danced All Night.” See you there?
The box office will be open for walk-ins, or buy online at atuph.org.
🔮 HEADS UP
Kelly’s Angels’ Summer-Lovin’ Funfest returns to Lake George
Kelly’s Angels has announced its 2026 Funfest will go off July 23-25, at the recently restored Shepard Park on the Lake George waterfront. The all-ages weekend of music, raffles, craft show, food trucks and more raises money for the nonprofit’s mission of helping children and families as they deal with the loss of a loved one, serious illness or significant adversity.
Summer-Lovin’ Band Lineup:
Thursday, July 23 – 6 p.m. The Schmooze. 7:30 p.m. Funk Evolution. 9 p.m. Fireworks!
Friday, July 24 – 6 p.m. Vivid. 7:30 p.m. Cryin’ Out Loud.
Saturday, July 25 – 4 p.m. Jonathan Newell Band. 6 p.m. Vivid. 7:30 p.m. Soul Session.
Drone Show begins at approximately 9 p.m. Saturday!!
🎭 COMEBACK
SPAC’s ‘Setting the Stage’ makes triumphant return
SPAC is bringing back its pre-performance talk series — Setting the Stage — for the first time since 2019. Ticket-holders can head over to the Charles R. Wood Stage an hour before showtime for the engaging 30-minute chats, presented in advance of select New York City Ballet and Philadelphia Orchestra performances.
📌 ICYMI…
EXCLUSIVE: FREE 🚎 new trolley to the lake
This week: 🙏 Horses’ memorial service. iTheatre. Yaddo. (🗓️ Events Calendar June 18-24)