Originally built in 1890 for the New York National Guard, the Washington Avenue Armory found renewed life in the 20th century as a venue for the newly created sport of basketball. Its most famous team was the Albany Patroons, which disbanded in the 1990s and again in 2009 before returning as founding members of the new North American Premier Basketball League. The Armory witnessed the creation of a phenomenon, as the World Wrestling Federation centered its activities here throughout the 1960s and ’70s. Today, experience the scruffy charm that supports its excellence as a venue for all kinds of entertainment, from sports games to live music concerts.
Walk down the street toward the Armory, where it looms like a castle over the rest of the road. Look up at its redbrick façade, practically unchanged since its early days. Imagine yourself as an American soldier running up and down the narrow winding staircases of the turret located on the corner. The pointed roof gives it the air of a medieval fortress. Listen for the telltale squeak of basketball shoes on the court or the roaring of a crowd.
Leave the past and enter a modern sports and entertainment venue. Settle in the bleachers to watch the Albany Patroons dribble up and down the court. Enjoy the theatrics of the WWE, which has recently begun using the venue for wrestling again. Come see your favorite band and dance in the aisles along with thousands of other fans.
Washington Avenue Armory is located on Lark Street, northwest of Albany’s downtown and near Washington Park. Reach it in a 15-minute walk from Rockefeller Plaza. On-street parking is available nearby but can be crowded on event days, so come early. Bus stops with connections to other parts of the city are a few minutes’ walk away. Buy tickets online or in person from the box office. Safety precautions do apply, including stringent controls on what can be brought into the venue. Check online for details.
