About
↓
Lead Staff
Brendan Dillon
&
Dennis Kiingati
Owners
Alex Lempka
Executive Chef
Origins
Our location at 24 Caroline Street in downtown Saratoga Springs was once a feed and grain store in the 1870s. It became a hardware store during Prohibition—an alleged facade to a hidden gambling spot within. Today, Hamlet & Ghost honors the historical role of the bar or tavern as a central community gathering spot.
APPRECIATION
Our focus on creating a comfortable place with exceptional cocktails and seasonal food has moved us past obstacles along our path—namely, burst water pipes and then a smokey block fire, all during our first year. Having re-invented ourselves (and our kitchen) a few times now, we know a good thing when we see one: smiling customers, friendly servers, talented bartenders, and a top-notch kitchen team. Thank you to all who have stopped by, shared feedback, and pitched in.
Owners
Brendan Dillon leads Hamlet & Ghost's operations. He is a native Saratogian and was a central figure behind the bar for five years at Max London’s Restaurant & Bar. Brendan’s other hospitality experience includes Verde Restaurant at Stratton Mountain in Vermont as well as several other Saratoga establishments. Brendan's journey into craft cocktails began at a bartending course taught by Gary Regan -- otherwise known as "The Cocktail Godfather".
Dennis Kiingati concerns himself with the taste and experience of spirits at the bar. That's a fancy way of saying he drinks a lot. He has also perfected the art of holding up a bar with his elbow and forearm which has proven helpful in this new endeavor. His contributions to the project have fallen tragically short in the areas of manners, social graces and sense of style, but everyone seems to kind of like him anyway. Must be the accent.
Kitchen
Alex Lempka has been with Hamlet & Ghost since 2017. When Michele Hunter stepped down as Executive Chef in 2021 Alex was the clear choice for the job. He has helped shaped Hamlet’s food for years always bringing exciting elements and creative twists to our new dishes. His passion for cooking is inspiring. He is always searching for new techniques to add to our repertoire. We can’t wait to see what he has in store for Hamlet’s kitchen!