Gala Restaurant & Bar

Gala Restaurant & Bar is a AAA 4-Diamond-rated fine dining restaurant featuring a fusion of classic and contemporary cuisine. 

Located inside the Orchards Hotel, in Williamstown, Mass., Gala offers its guests both a formal dinner setting and a more relaxed pub experience. Gala serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and a Sunday brunch. According to  Brian Flagg, Restaurant and Banquet Manager, "Our local community has been a great inspiration and we want everyone to feel welcome whether it’s to stop by for a cocktail after work, to watch the game, or meet friends for dinner."

The menu at Gala, created by Executive Chef Chris Bonnivier, blends Berkshire Grown products featuring fresh produce, meats and game from local Berkshire Mountains region farms and seafood from the highest quality purveyors in the Northeast. Chef Bonnivier’s culinary experience both locally and abroad brings a truly unique perspective and style to his menu creations.

Gala also boasts courtyard dining all summer.  Encompassed by a beautiful garden and surrounded by the Orchards Hotel, the courtyard provides another gathering place for hotel guests and diners alike. Along with private functions in the courtyard, there are events throughout the summer like courtyard barbecues and live entertainment not found at other venues. The courtyard is available throughout the summer and into early fall for weddings, parties, al fresco dining and just about any other function a guest could want.

In addition to the fine dining, pub and garden courtyard opportunities, Gala also has private function spaces available all yearlong. With a capacity for more than 100 guests, the Cabaret Ballroom features delicate candlelit chandeliers, a cathedral ceiling, views of the spectacular courtyard and the Berkshire Mountains, and stylishly warm and elegant decor. The versatility of this beautiful room allows for a bright and lively afternoon affair or a chic candlelight evening event.  The Chandler Room, with bright and sunny windows, is an ideal space for a seminar, luncheon or cocktail party and dinner for up to 40 people. The Baxter Room, the  private dining room, with its crystal chandelier and elegant decor  is ready for a party of eight to 10. The boardroom, Sawyer, can accommodate up to a dozen people for a strategic planning meeting, brainstorming session or board of directors meeting.

General manager Bernie English, Chef Bonnivier and Flagg have worked diligently to make Gala welcoming for Berkshire residents. A monthly calendar loaded with special events is designed to appeal to residents in the hopes of creating a destination location.  With events like a monthly  courtyard lobster and steak bake, karaoke, trivia and free dessert, Gala definitely appears to be the place for residents and out-of-town visitors to gather with friends and family.

The winter hours are:

Lunch 11:30AM-2.15PM daily

Dinner 5:30PM-9:00PM

Sunday-Tuesday - Bar Menu Only

Wednesday-Saturday Full Dinner and Bar Menu

Sundays we offer a special treat, Brunch from 11:00AM to 2:15PM

Lighter Fare Bar Menu available 11:30AM to 9:00PM Daily

Williamstown Board Opts to Negotiate with College on Water St. Lot

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
05:04AM / Tuesday, June 09, 2026

Newly elected board member Nate Budington, far left, participates in his first in-person meeting along with, from left, Matt Neely, Stephanie Boyd, Peter Beck, Shana Dixon and Town Manager Robert Menicocci.

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Select Board on Monday decided to enter into negotiations with Williams College on the sale of the vacant town-owned lot at 59 Water St.

 

But the board members made it clear that the college's proposal to acquire the lot is a starting point, not a final deal that the elected officials would accept.

 

"For the sake of continued conversation, I'm in favor of [awarding Williams the site], but if this process wasn't continued with the opportunity for further negotiation, I wouldn't vote to continue this," Peter Beck said. "I think that next step is necessary for us to get to a yes on this."

 

"I think there's wide agreement on that," Matthew Neely said just before the 5-0 vote to enter talks with the college.

 

Williams was the sole respondent to a town-issued request for proposals to develop the former town garage site, currently a dirt lot.

 

The college's stated intent is to build a new Facilities office and create up to 170 parking spaces at 59 Water Street. That use will allow the college to redevelop the current Facilities building site and parking lot as part of a reconception of the school's indoor athletic and recreation facilities.

 

Under the terms of the RFP, the college's proposal was subjected to review by an ad hoc advisory committee to the town manager, who brought the question to the Select Board. That board will have the final say on any purchase and sales agreement.