When Benny Mardones walked onto the stage at Pfohl's Beachhouse on Memorial Day weekend, what occurred next wasn't just any ordinary show. Rather, fans were treated to a continuing tradition that's gone on for 17 years at this particular entertainment venue. The audience at Pfohl's knew it, too: people were excited, like they'd been waiting for this moment for a long time. Everyone knew that when Benny's on stage at Pfohl's, it doesn't just mean it's time to rock. It means that, and something much more.
It means that the crazy summer nights they remember have returned once again.

Yes, that's right. The vale of snow has lifted and CNY humandoids are awaking from winter slumbler. What could be a better wake-up call than some live classic rock at Pfohl's Beachhouse?
Tucked within the Oneida County resort town of Sylvan Beach, CNY's own version of a shore town, Pfohl's Beachouse will not disapoint anyone looking for high decibel rock, a good buzz, and the jaw-dropping sight of an orange globe drifting peacefully below the sleepy waters of Lake Oneida. Also, of course, in such an otherworldy setting there's always the chance you might get lucky.

I have to say that, before Friday, May 23rd, I'd never experienced Memorial Day weekend at Pfohl's Beachhouse. The experience left me with a renewed sense of youth. Many in the crowd were old enough to be my parents, but to see them move and yell, I felt like I'd been transported back to the eighties and that Benny Mardones had just entered an arena of wild fans, calling out his name. You're never too old to rock 'n roll . . . when you're still too young to die.

But even before Benny reached the stage, that summer feeling had already began. This sensation first struck me when I was walking from the car to the club. The smell of rich, fried foods cast their spell, triggering those munchy cells in my brain to spark. All I could do was tell my tastebuds to control themselves--otherwise I'll have to buy bigger pants. Luckily, before I could give in, I was distracted by a lakeside beauty. She was dark, beautiful, and about 5 miles wide.

The lake took my breath away.
Looking out on the Onedia, I wondered what is it about the sight of large bodies of water that add a certain wildness and abandon to a party. Everyone who goes to the Saturday and Sunday beach party at Pfohl's knows exactly what I'm talking about: the water, the sun, the alcohol . . . there's nothing like drinking outdoors in the summer. Then mix in the live sounds of southern rock from the band Saddle Tramp, or the beach rock n' blues of Scotty Trudell and the Truth . . . well, it's not hard to imagine what heaven is like after all.
No one knows that better than a Central New Yorker who was lucky enough to survive the winter cramped in a dark bar, trying to justify the drinking of cold beer when it's below zero outside.
Since Dick and Karen began running the beachhouse 23 years ago, these owners have created the kind of beach bar experience associated with the Jersey shore. With a bar literally on the beach named the Wet Spot, a 6000 square foot deck area, and enough tropical drinks to justify a separate menu, Pfhol's takes its beach theme very seriously.

Dick and Karen also understand that no one likes to spend the number trying to get to the bar. With multiple bars and servers to help patrons, there's no wait for drinks, even when 300 people show up to watch Benny Mardones play with members of the band Kane backing him up. Kane deserves a shout out here for being a notably tight band, willing to cover a difficult song like Rush's “Tom Sawyer.”
Another plus at Pfohl's is an appreciated safety measure. Had too many drinks, scared to drive the Thruway after a few beers? Well, Pfohl's offers several rooms for staying ovenight. Who really wants to risk the future freedom of summers like this? So it's time to ditch the iPod and check out the live sounds of Pfhol's. The music literally shakes the body with the reverbrating hum of amp distortion, presumably amps set at 11. The beats go around and around, and there's no better place to be than on the edge of the lake, counting time to some rock standard like Mustang Sally, a song everbody in the room knows, as though they were all born with the lyrcis in their head.
Pfohl's is not just a summer fling. It's more of a seasonal affair, the kind of place to come back to when warm weather has made it safe to go outside again.

Pfohl's Beachhouse also has an operating kitchen till 9 p.m. every night with a wide variety of foods,ranging from sandwiches to seafood such as cocunut shrimp and clams. Kids are also welcome during kitchen hours, with a kid's menu available. Happy hour, everyday from noon to 6 p.m. Concert covers vary.
See their ad in the Sylvan Beach Section page 31.