When Syracuse University students hear the phrase “happy hour,” many immediately gravitate toward campus favorites, like DJ’s On the Hill and Faegan’s Café & Pub. But just because those bars are the closest to campus doesn’t mean there aren’t other viable options in the city — downtown Syracuse has a wide selection of happy hours to choose from, featuring specialty margaritas, cocktails, beer and more. 

Among the various drinks offered, the Evergreen’s Buried Acorn Whaddya Saison is a signature bittersweet beer. Caroline Blair | Food Columnist

The Evergreen 

Where: 125 E. Water St. 

Happy Hour: 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every day 

First stop, The Evergreen. If you’re in the mood for a crisp ale or fruity cider, The Evergreen has an assortment of pale ales, India pale ales and hoppy brews to choose from. Deals include $1 off all 20 craft beers on tap, $1 off house cocktails, $15 bottles of wine and Veuve Clicquot for $9 a glass.  

The Buried Acorn Waddya Saison leaves the lips puckered with a flavor of bittersweet lemon. The crisp, fruity and spicy beer offers a warm sensation, which was much needed after a day out in the frigid Syracuse air. The Evergreen’s exposed wood walls have a warm and calming camping-meets-sports-bar atmosphere.   

Clinton Street Pub

Where: 127 W. Fayette St. 

Happy Hour: Monday through Friday 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. 

Why must the happiest of hours limit itself to a mere 60 minutes? At some Syracuse staples, Happy Hour is a full five hours long.  

Clinton Street Pub is just a quick Uber drive — or seven-minute walk if it isn’t freezing outside — away from The Evergreen. On Friday, the bar was packed with a variety of guests, including families, college students and couples. The classic SU sports bar offers $1 off all drafts, various liquor and wine selections each day.  

A glass of Blue Moon offered a fresh, much-appreciated summer taste. With an orange squeezed from the rim, it wasn’t difficult to picture an early afternoon in California, sipping on a fresh beer while smelling an orange grove. I fully recommend this brew to cure your Syracuse winter blues.

 

The Lab Sweet Red Blend at Sugar and Company paired with a cookie dough brownie combines sweet with a slight tang. Caroline Blair | Food Columnist

Sugar and Company 

Where: 121 W. Fayette St. 

Happy Hour: Every Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. 

Happy hour can only last so long with such great deals, but Sugar and Company is right next to Clinton Street Pub and a great way to end the night. The atmosphere is warm for Valentine’s Day season, with pink and red paper hearts lining the walls. Sugar and Co. offers $10 off all bottles of wine, $3 drafts and $1 off appetizers during their happy hour.   

Sugar and Company can satisfy any sweet tooth with all the wine and desserts one could dream of. The bottle of the Lab Sweet Red Blend complimented a sweet cookie dough brownie perfectly, offering a little tang at the end of its taste. Though the bar had nearly every seat taken, some tables were free to anyone wanting something sweet after a downtown dinner.  

Let it be known that most happy hours only last two or three hours, so while each of these bars offers pre-evening specials, so do plenty of other places in Syracuse.

Published on February 11, 2019 at 11:30 pm