All Over Albany

Signatures wine bar at Proctor's

Last week we headed over to Proctor's to see Sweeney Todd and we discovered this fun little makeshift wine bar called Signatures.

We were actually a little afraid to go in at first because the spot used to be an exclusive room for Proctor's patrons only.

But these days rabble like us can get in, have a drink before a show, and write on the walls.

On the bar at Signatures is a bowl of chalk. The glasses have little chalkboards on them so you can write your name or "I have rinovirus" or whatever might keep someone else from picking up your beverage. A little gimicky? Maybe, but it's fun.

There are about seven or eight wines on hand (between $5 and $8 a glass) and they'll also make well drinks. The bartender is really nice, and while he's pouring, he'll point out where the markers are so you can leave your autograph or whatever on the walls (please, keep it respectable) -- hence the name, Signatures.

There a few couches and some little window seats where you can hang out, watch people in the arcade, read the walls and wait for your show. And if you're not done with the drink by curtain, they'll transfer it to a plastic cup and let you take it into the theater with you.

A wine bar in a theater may seem like a little thing-- but, like the Muddy Cup in the lobby (with free Wifi), the movie theater and Upstairs at 440, it's a little thing that's making Proctor's that much more fun to visit.