Enjoy everything you've grown to love about the Ugly Rooster (unbeatable service, delicious eats, and small town charm) right here at our gorgeous restored event venue! The Venue is a multi-functional cultural and performing arts center located in the heart of historic Downtown Cohoes New York. of floor space, The Venue can accommodate a wide variety of uses including weddings, musical performance
s, dance, theatre, lectures, workshops, art exhibits and community celebrations. The Venue, constructed in 1875 is a magnificent example of 19th century French Gothic architecture with a soaring 50 foot ceiling, dazzling stained glass, and hand carved oak furnishings. Our mission is to not only preserve the historic and architectural beauty of the building, but to make The Venue a center for civic and cultural life in the City of Cohoes and the greater Capital Region. The Venue, formerly Saint Joseph’s Roman Catholic Church, was purchased in 2011 from the Albany Roman Catholic Diocese by Daniel and Jennifer O’Neill of Castleton New York. The O’Neill’s wasted no time and started the adaptive reuse of the property focusing on the historic former rectory. Eleven high end suites for local college students were created, all in keeping with the historic character of the building. Attention quickly focused to the sanctuary space with the vision of a multipurpose cultural and community use venue quickly coming into focus. Thanks in large part to the constant care the building received over the years by the parish, only cosmetic upgrades were required to bring the space back to her former glory. The pews were removed with many being repurposed to serve other functions throughout the hall. The decades old carpeting was also removed exposing beautiful douglas fir floors. All of the original historic and architectural elements of the buildings will be preserved including the pulpit, confessional, organ, high altar and stations of the cross. Future restoration plans include the painting of the entire interior space and the restoration of the historic pipe organ. We hope you will come and experience the history and beauty of The Venue by booking your event with us today. Thank you,
Daniel and Jennifer O'Neill
