The Stafford is Eastwood’s own beer-lovers Eden

I’ve always heard of the Stafford and how accomodating it was–how good the selection was and how much the owners appreciated a good brew. Who wouldv’e thought I’d be writing this week about a convenience store? The Stafford is tucked away in a small speck of Eastwood in Syracuse, NY. Near one of Henniger’s local schools lies Stafford Ave. Venture up the block from the school yard and you may find yourself in one of Eastwood’s top-accomodating beer stores. Not only does the Stafford have 3 rotating taps eager to fill your growlers, but they also have one of the finest selections of bottled beers I’ve come across in the Eastern Syracuse niche. Their taps currently include Magic Hat’s Notion, Dogfish Head’s “Punkin” brew and fresh Southern Tier. Magic Hat representatives stopped in the Stafford last week to do some tastings and samplings–enough said. This little convenience store has all that you need for a night you want to hole up at home. I grabbed a cup of coffee while the friendly and efficient clerk filled my growler of the tasty autumn-spiced beer only the great Dogfish could offer. I also grabbed a magnum bottle of Delirium Tremens, the whimsical-designed bottle of what I’ve heard is a marvelous mix of three different yeasts. It’s not one of the beers you find in your local grocery store, but the Stafford always has a steady supply. I advise a quick stop at this hidden corner mart…but only, of course, if you appreciate the fine selections that those main stream stores pretend to offer these days.

Shifty’s could be Syracuse’s best kept secret.

One of Shifty's appeals comes straight from the cool chambers of a patron's dream: everything from Brooklyn Brewery to Sierra Nevada, all waiting for you to dance a little more & require a new blend of refreshment.

Whether you want live and local music, cheap and delicious beer, or the hottest wings in town, Shifty’s pub on Burnett Ave. can give it all to you with style. With its 1940s feel and speakers loud enough to hear a block away, Shifty’s fills the void of any mundane evening. I was fortunate enough to catch one of its largest crowds, thanks to the feminine phenomena of Sirsy. Melanie Krahmer, the band’s vocalist, drummer and flutist, packs a punch while singing everything from Led Zeppelin to Fuel. Complimenting her hard core vocals were the F-Bomb wings and ice cold beer specials; the hottest wings I have ever tasted would have caused an ulcer had it not been for their night-long brew specials. The little bar was filled to the brim – people dancing, drinking and creating an atmosphere worth revisiting. Choppers and Harleys lined the curb, and the “biker bar” ambience continued to flow inside the doors. Local DJs came out to support the group, cheering Krahmer on as they hoisted their brews high. Shifty’s belongs on the top of any Central New Yorker’s ‘to-do’ list. Go out and enjoy this local treat to the extent that they supply it!

ale’s well at Clark’s

Clark's cozy old English pub line welcomes every visitor with Britain's finest bartenders and twenty-two rotating taps.

Syracuse has an abundance of well-kept secrets when it comes to tasty elements of perfection. Clark’s Ale House on Jefferson is one of the best well-known yet divinely hidden bars within city limits. Draft magazine recently voted Clark’s as one of the top 100 places to have a beer before you die. Aside from the cyclical changing of their 22 draft lines, Clark’s has also become famous for their roast beef sandwiches. Other than a small list of pub fare appetizers, Clark’s only serves the big and juicy sandwiches for an entree. With a pint glass of the finest beer and a horseradish-slathered bun of beefy excellence, Clark’s entices the experienced draft drinkers looking to wet the palate. A short walk front the club scene of Armory Square, Clark’s has become a ritual of mine for the past few years. Bloody, red protein and endless choices of pilsners and ales have made Clark’s the local beer-drinker’s paradise. Guests can enjoy the English atmosphere, complete with games and the ”old country” bar tenders and meat-cutters.  The simple pleasures are what keep me coming back to the noted pub; enjoying the best drafts the States’ has to offer while sitting under a shaded table as summer slips into fall. Once in a while, an older gentleman will strum his guitar for the folks gathered around their pint glasses. Other times, trivia nights pack the small pub beyond capacity. Whatever night of the week it may be, ale’s always well at Clark’s Ale House.

notorious biker bar Dino BBQ has it all

As another Great New York State Fair wraps itself up, the local crowd still has something to look forward to–and in this case, it sounds a little more tantalizing than corn dogs and carnies. The original biker and beef-eaters joint, Dinosaur Bar-B-Que, continues its commitment to good food and good music with endless fall lineups and traditional sloppy joe sandwiches. With the weather remaining pleasantly warm–as shocking as that is for Syracuse–what would be a better way to end the mundane work week than ordering a few rounds of Syracuse Pale Ale, savoring the ”Wango Tango” wings and enjoying the best that local music has to offer. Every day of the week, Dinosaur dishes out saucey eats and easy listening to the Syracuse population. August 22nd, I was fortunate enough to catch the Reissues live, and let me say it was worth it. The guys played their instruments amazingly well, and even played the upbeat Sublime tunes with a groovy feel that soothed you in a way only Jerry Garcia could. The Magic Hat’s were flowing and the appetizers complimented every ounce atmosphere the barbecue pit had to offer. Luckily, Dinosaurs’ weekend music scene seems to promise more of the delightful ambience and funk they never cease to slop on you. This Saturday’s groove guest even sounds funky: Big D & Dr. Pickle will brace the stage while the purposely rude hostess will pack the place to perfection. The city is also dishing up a Vice President Biden visit for SU…who knows? Maybe all the peers could convince him to check out the delicious ribs and spectacular sounds while he checks back in with his alma mater. Then again, he probably already knows what it is I’m talking about.