Shuttered Albany restaurant popular with NY elite, politicians to reopen as members-only social club

An Albany restaurant that used to feature a clientele list teeming with some of the most powerful politicians in New York is set to reopen as a private members’ dining club in late 2025.

The La Serre restaurant closed in 2020 after it was unable to bounce back from the COVID-19 lockdown, with much of its business at the time relying on large gatherings like banquets and receptions, founder Anne Trimble told the Times Union.

The French-based restaurant originally opened in 1977 and quickly became a favorite among New York’s political elite on both sides of the aisle during its run, including former Govs. Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, George Pataki and Andrew Cuomo.

Albany’s La Serre restaurant will be taken over by an exclusive politician nightclub. Albany Times Union via Getty Ima

Now, Mayor Eric Adams’ spokesman Todd Shapiro is looking to revamp the historic mainstay alongside Greg Caggiano and Todd Miller of the law firm Miller & Caggiano.

“This is going to be the most important political and social venue north of Manhattan. We’re bringing back the old-school power — but with a modern twist: young, trendsetting, high-end, and unapologetically political,” Shapiro said.

Their vision centers around elevating the old restaurant’s history by making it a hotspot for “high-level networking, private events, and political strategy” while filling the space of a much-needed “contemporary social anchor,” according to a press release.

They plan to make it highly selective, primarily limiting membership to public leaders, media influencers, creatives and civic entrepreneurs, according to the release.

La Serre closed in 2020 after it was unable to recover from the COVID-19 lockdown. Albany Times Union via Getty Ima

The restaurant will also include a secluded “War Room” — which shares its name with another restaurant owned by Shapiro — that will be reserved for politicians’ off-the-record meetings.

The new and improved La Serre will include a rooftop terrace and renovated interior, likely shifting away from the upscale, green leather-laden atmosphere of the old restaurant and gravitating towards something more “clubby,” per the release.

Trimble founded the restaurant alongside her late husband, Geoffrey, who passed away in 2005. She managed the restaurant with her son, John, up through its closure, the Times Union reported.