With St. Patrick’s Day ahead, there’s one
go-to destination for your post-parade festivities. Tipperary Hill. And on Tipp Hill, there’s one year-round spot for great food, great fun, and great people –
Rosie’s Sports Pub and Grille.
Famous for years as Rosie O’Grady’s, this incarnation of a classic Tipp Hill sports pub is a familiar, but totally new, place to spend a few hours with friends. Sitting on the corner of West Genesee Street and Hamilton Ave., Rosie’s Sports Pub and Grille is the perfect spot to relax on the outdoor patio and watch the world go by.
Rosie’s is celebrating its first anniversary on March 15, Parade Day in downtown Syracuse. After an eight-month renovation, owners Patrick and Peter Coleman debuted a complete makeover, with a new entrance, a totally redone interior, updated rest rooms, and that gorgeously landscaped patio, facing out onto Genesee Street. The only things remaining are the original bar, and the great people. There’s also a full pub menu that’s available from lunch through late night.

Patrick and Peter envisioned a premiere sports bar that still has the feel of a neighborhood place, and would fit with the traditions of Tipp Hill. Patrick is familiar to many from his twelve years behind the bar at Coleman’s, while Peter is more involved in the back of the house. The guys have added an event room with a full bar that can host your private parties, and the 23 televisions (even in the men’s room – ladies’ to follow next year!) let you watch your favorite teams without missing a bit of the action. Rosie’s has NFL Sunday ticket, MLB Extra Innings, the March Madness package, SU sports of every persuasion, and virtually every other event you can think of. And the huge parking lot is great!

The kitchen is open from 11:30 to 11:30 every day (noon on Sunday), with a menu to please everyone. Appetizers include amazing wings, nachos, beer battered shrimp, chicken tenders and quesadillas. Healthy fare is there, with a variety of salads. The sandwich selection makes your mouth water, with Philly cheese – beef or chicken, Beef on Weck, Beef O’Flaherty (roast beef and bleu cheese), hot Reubens, and Fish & chips.
Rosie’s is famous for their All Star Burgers, served with crispy fries. You can go with a tasty regular burger, or the specialties – the Cowboy Burger (pepper jack cheese, onion rings and bbq sauce) reveals Patrick’s not-so-secret love of the Dallas Cowboys; the Lambeau burger sports sautéed mushrooms and Swiss cheese; the Pittsburger comes with coleslaw and provolone; and the spicy New Orleans burger has Cajun seasoning, jalapeno peppers, and pepperjack cheese.

Wraps and sandwiches round out the menu, with classic deli offerings. Corned beef, pulled pork, tuna melt, turkey club, buffalo chicken wrap, chicken cordon bleu, and even a vegetarian wrap ensures that there’s something for every taste on this menu. Even pizza is available, just cheese or with lots of toppings. You can eat in, or order for carry out. Dinner is so much better when the great cooks at Rosie’s make it for you!
Bartenders Alison and Vanessa welcome you in, with happy hour from
4 pm – 7 pm Monday through Friday, game specials, and just general fun. It’s a fun crowd, full of fans for all the games. Lots of Cowboys love lives here, but Giant fans are welcomed with open arms. With baseball season on the way, expect Yankee fever to hit. Whatever your team, in whatever season, you’ll probably find a screen with it on. Or just ask your bartender!

If someone in your crowd can live without sports, Rosie’s has plenty of other entertainment. Pool, darts, QuikPick lottery, instant tickets, and video games keep everyone busy. There’s an excellent jukebox with an amazing selection, and sometimes a live band on weekends. Weekends are busy with a big, diverse crowd, and lots of locals stop in to their favorite hangout.
For St. Patrick’s Day and the Parade, Rosie’s opens at 7 AM, with a tent outside to keep warm and hold the overflow crowds. The kitchen will be open to keep you well fed, and there may even be a well-known radio deejay dropping in to keep the party going. It’s a must stop for all the Irish. Come celebrate St. Pat’s, and with luck, welcome spring!
Rosie’s Sports Pub and Grille is located at 101 Hamilton Street, on the corner of West Genesee just across from Denney’s. Call 315-468-1269 for information on hours, menu, or hosting your private party. And don’t forget to stop in for a wee bit on St. Pat’s!
Questions? Comments? Send your email to mcmar01@yahoo.com and I’ll try to answer in a future column. And have a great month.