CLUB SCENE:
Brad’s Extra Innings

200 Highland Ave
East Syracuse, NY 13057
(315) 432-9122
(View Map)

by Christopher Sinatra

I am a college student whose course of study is beside the point of this article, although obvious to the discerning reader. I am embarking on this quest of higher education in order to learn how to think more effectively, and more importantly, what to think about. As I make my way towards the vast horizon of knowledge expanding before me either in the bright Lights on the Lake and Big City of Salt, or somewhere past the now majestically snowy hills girding Interstate 81, I try to apply some analytical skills to ordinary things that I do every day and yesterday achieved an extraordinary result!

I went to Brad’s Extra Innings Sports Bar and had a great time, left with a full stomach, and saved between fifteen and fifty-five dollars on parking alone.
Let me explain: Brad’s is a New York Yankees pad to the core.

I read this on a faux traffic-sign above the counter immediately as I walked in which stated, "Yankees Parking Only." And the double-sided arrow below the warning spanned the length of the bar, letting me know that come April and the beginning of the Major League Baseball season, the barstools will be magically transformed into stadium bleachers with no question about who’s being rooted for. Traveling to the West Bronx to see the Yankees in action would be great, but alas, I’m a poor college student. Stadium concession stands are notoriously expensive, with beer prices hovering around eight dollars a cup and the price for popcorn and nachos can make movie theatre prices seem simply reasonable. And with parking, lines, claustrophobia as well, the game is what people are watching.
And Brad’s is right here in Syracuse on the corner of Highland Ave. and W. Manlius, and eager to please.

The interior of Brad’s immediately struck me as having the feel of a toasty log-cabin, plunked down in the middle of the village of East Syracuse. The barroom isn’t huge, but the color and character of every wall’s baseball, football, ice hockey, you-name-the-sport pennants cascading down the walls provided nonstop eye-candy. The hardwood walls are decorated with posters celebrating the Orange’s 2003 NCAA Championship win, antiquated pictures of the Babe, and even pictures of the owner with a baseball bat resting on his shoulder, as well as his son poised with hockey stick in hand.

Brad sat down with me at the bar and told me that in the twenty-one years since he opened, after bartending at a local Eastwood neighborhood haunt for several years, he has kept his vision fresh. Providing patrons with a warm, comfortable place to bust chops, create memories, while tippin’ a few back together is Brad’s raison d’etre, and he does this by making sure that everyone who leaves feels like part of the family. I knew that this was sincere because the first time I was in the bar, he noticed that my girlfriend and I had never been there and before we were done with our first beer, complimentary drink tokens appeared in front of us.
Along with many regulars at Brad’s, there has been a younger crowd making appearances lately, perhaps attracted by a dart board and pool table to use during some oh-so-long commercials. Now, on the arguably best night of the year for ads, Super Bowl Sunday, this is the place to be with a free buffet and prize giveaway.

Expect a healthy crowd on Monday nights for the game too. A Sam Adams draft is available for $2.75 and Pabst Blue Ribbons for $1.00.

Here’s a little secret that I was let in on when I asked about the food at Brad’s. There is none. IN Brad’s, that is. But it’s still easy to order some from the bar, where a food window conveniently lets you peer into the kitchen of Al’s Village Diner, and food is passed through to the bar. So as Brad told me, "you can have your bacon and eggs with a Bloody Mary." I’ve never tried it before, but it sounds good to me! Along with daily specials that you can ask the servers about, there are Country Size Specials which include a Steak Breakfast; that’s 3 eggs, toast, home-fries and an 8 oz. sirloin steak for 7.95.
Don’t forget to try a piece cherry pie after you’re done with your meal!

Oh yeah - for all of the traditionalists out there who want to munch on some stadium food, there are potato chips, pretzels . . . and yes, they’ve got peanuts theeaahh!

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