For those of us who went to college in Upstate New York, the memories of our collegetown bars will stay with us forever. Whether you went to a big city university, a private school, or a college in a tiny, rural community, the towns all had Cheers-like watering holes that we remember with fondness. Here is a short list of 15 great college bars. Are they the best? Probably not. I mean who could pick the best college bar in a city like Syracuse or Buffalo? But they are worth stopping in for a pint with your alumni friends if you go back to “see where it all started.” Because this list is just 15, so let us know of others in an email at features@nyup.com. Especially from college towns not represented here like Binghamton, Fredonia, Troy, Utica, etc.
Note: In this age of Covid-19, bars are either not open yet or are open on a modified basis. Please check their website for details.
Albany
As would be expected, I must start the list off with my sentimental favorite from my own college days in the 1960s in Albany. The Washington Tavern is situated deep within an area loaded with students. From SUNY Albany to the College of Saint Rose to Albany Law and others, this has been a favorite college drinking spot for over a half century. Even today they stay current with DJ party nights, light-on-the-wallet Happy Hour snacks, $5 pint cans and a designated night where if you wear your school colors you get a BOGO on beers. The WT is a great memory from this Albany Business College graduate.
250 Western Ave., Albany
(518) 599-5892
Syracuse
For 42 years, Faegan’s has been pouring for students from all citywide colleges. One of the best “gimmicks” of any bar. Their famous “Flip Night” allows you to flip, heads or tails, for your beer to be free. For cash-strapped students, this has been a way to make it through any bar night in the city. Food is excellent, too. Place gets pretty raucous on a Syracuse game night!
734 S. Crouse Ave., Syracuse
File photo of Syracuse fans watching the Orange vs. North Carolina NCAA game at Faegan's Cafe & Pub on S. Crouse.Ellen M. Blalock | Syracuse.com
Oneonta
No problem finding a watering hole in this famous college party town. With 7,500 students at two city colleges (SUNY Oneonta and Hartwick College), the libations pour at a pretty steady rate from Thursday nights all through the weekend. Pick a bar, any bar, and you will be sure to run into campus friends or make new ones. The Red Jug Pub on Main Street seems to be the hot spot right now. And they have the routine down pat here, since there are popular Red Jug Pubs in several other Upstate college towns.
195 Main St., Oneonta
Rochester
Just as you would expect a place called O’Callaghans Pub to be: sports on 17 TV screens, 3 pool tables, 2 dart boards, and food served until after midnight. And a Guinness “perfect pour.” Classic Irish bar amongst many in this pub-friendly college town.
470 Monroe Ave., Rochester
Cortland
You have to love the motto of this venerable college bar popular with SUNY Cortland students: “Turning nights into stories since 1975.” Located in the heart of downtown Cortland at the corner of Main and Clayton, the Dark Horse Tavern bartender/manager is still Dave Barbato, just as it was when the place opened over 40 years ago! “The Horse” is memorialized by a huge mural on the exterior of the building. Graduation day at SUNY Cortland is not complete without a group of friends having their photo taken in front of the mural, cap and gowns and all!
96 Main St., Cortland
Poughkeepsie
This bar is frequented by area college students with a more discerning, international taste. Schatzi’s Pub and Bier Garden is famed for its extensive German beer list, whether in cans, bottles or in big German glass mugs from the tap. Most people will have a difficult time even pronouncing the names of the tap beers here (Konig Ludwig Hell?) but trust us, it is the real deal. Authentic German food include platters, sandwiches and sausages. They also have another place on the western side of the Hudson in New Paltz. Enjoy your brew on the outside deck/patio or at the comfortable bar while watching any of the several sports TV screens.
202 Main St., Poughkeepsie
Brockport
Barber’s Grill and Tap Room checks all the boxes in this small Western New York city hosting more than 6,000 SUNY Brockport students. The legendary bar rotates more than 30 beers on tap (served in Ball canning jars). Try one of the best micro-regional food legends in Upstate here, the Balboa Sandwich. They have been making them for years and every SUNY Brockport student carries the delicious memory of the sandwich with them long after graduation. It is like a Philly cheesesteak. A huge stack of roast beef with peppers, onions, mushrooms, American cheese and a “special” red hot beef gravy. Barber’s has been a local Brockport favorite for over 90 years.
22 Main St., Brockport
Morrisville
With less than 2,000 residents in the village, this is one of the smallest communities to host a SUNY school. But with almost 3,000 SUNY Morrisville students directly across the street, The Fort, opened in 1992, is pretty much the only game in town for drinking and socializing off campus. Food and drink specials during the week, include a popular Taco Tuesday with $3 margaritas and $4 Corona bottles packs them in.
97 Main St., Morrisville
Hamilton
While many old timers still prefer The Brown Jug on Main Street, there is another bar in town that pulls in Colgate University students on a steady basis. Rausch’s is “to the walls” on ’Gate sports days (and nights). Crowds pack the plicae for a variety of events including “Pint Nights” and “Tap Takeovers.” Twenty beers on tap. Lots of sports TV played non-stop in the background. The bar is conveniently walking distance to the campus.
22 Lebanon St., Hamilton
Alfred
Alex’s College Spot Bar is nothing much to look at. But it gets pretty comfortable in here on a college event night. Literally dozens of beers on tap here. Mug Nights are the big draw here. Buy your beer mug, get specials when you drink from it and, hey, take it home with you when you graduate! Popular with both Alfred State College (a part of the SUNY system) and Alfred University,
25 N. Main St., Alfred
Ithaca
Make no mistake about it, The Chanticleer proudly identifies itself as a dive bar, but for saloon nostalgia this is the best on the list. After more than 70 years this place has relied on support from more than its share of legions of college students, businessmen, afternoon barflys, factory workers and neighborhood characters to keep the doors open. Probably more of a student favorite back in the day, but even today its cheap beer and funky atmosphere can make it a place where Cornell and Ithaca College students can chill for a bit and forget their studies. The tall neon rooster which identifies the bar is one of Ithaca’s most iconic landmarks. Located near the popular retail area known as The Commons.
101 N. State St., Ithaca
Geneseo
The Idle Hour is a classic beer bar located a few blocks from the campus of SUNY Geneseo (student population of 5,500). I was at this bar as recently as the summer of 2019 for the second time. The first time was in the summer of 1967. And honestly…not much has changed (except the drinking age; 18 in 1967). The Idle is the longest running bar in this college town and is generally referred to as “beloved” by townies, students and a half century worth of alumna.
5 Center St., Geneseo
Buffalo
It is near impossible to pick out the best college bar in Buffalo, let alone even a favorite one. So many colleges, so many diverse neighborhoods, so many different genres of pubs (dive bars, live music bars, eating places, etc.) So rather than start a fight, I will let our readers comment on the best college bar in Buffalo. I have been to one a couple of times and really like it. Thirsty Buffalo has great happy hour beer prices, dozens of beers on tap and a lively atmosphere that is a mix of college students from a variety of area schools. On any given sports day, this place will be wall to wall. Famed for their Bloody Mary cocktail, which they describe as “a chilled pint glass on ice with your choice of vodka mixed with V8 juice and skewers of cheese, deviled eggs, olives and a twist of lime and lemon, accompanied by a second skewer stacked with chicken wings (a Buffalo food icon) and topped off with shrimp.” Perfect for before (or after) a tailgate!
904 Commercial Drive, Buffalo
Delhi
This Delaware County village is another one of those ubiquitous small college towns which dot Upstate. In many of these towns, the college is the bread winner of the community and the college bars within are the heartbeat of social life, for both students and locals. The Shire Pub, on Main Street just down the hill from the campus, is a reliable, magnet for the 3,000 SUNY Delhi students who enjoy party events, live music, sports, drink specials and delicious food here. The Shire is a classic example of what a small-town college bar is,or should be.
Main St., Delhi
Plattsburgh
Olive Ridley’s is the name of the game in this far northern city as far as college socializing goes. Known for its eclectic lineup of live music, this bar has the magical combination of great beers, good tunes, informal atmosphere, and a great location (right in the middle of downtown). SUNY Plattsburgh students have been calling this bar “home” for many years. Maybe it’s the great late night poutine that keeps them coming back? Maybe it is the wild Thursday night karaoke? Maybe it is the 20 beers on tap? Whatever it is…it works!
37 Court St., Plattsburgh
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