[Chunnel]

Hey guys,

I stumbled across RVF a few months back, and have learned, laughed, and grew immensely, so thank you all for that.

I felt for my first post that I would try to give back, and lay down the law about Syracuse, NY.

Granted its not the typical place one would think of spending any amount of time, but if hitting up towns that are dominated by University life is your thing, Syracuse is definitely a place to check out.

Getting There

Plane- Syracuse Intl Hancock Airport is located about 6 miles north of the city center. Delta and United (maybe American) both fly here, so it is possible to reach from almost any US destination with 1 layover. Plenty of taxis available for <$30 to get you to the city

Train- Shit location in Central NY makes it difficult to reach by train. There is no direct line from NYC to Syracuse, so train transfers are almost inevitable when traveling on the rails.

Weather

Yes it gets extremely cold here, but usually not until January. The autumn is absolutely pristine, and there are plenty of day game opportunities that can be run in this type of atmosphere (more to come).

Snow is never a problem as the city is always prepared the minute it starts falling on the ground.



The city is almost laughably divided into 2 segments- The University, and everything else. So I'll divide the thread accordingly.

Downtown Nightlife, Daygame, Shopping

Downtown is nothing to sneeze at, save for the Armory Square District which dominates any relevant sort of action. Plenty of bars, dance clubs, restaurants, coffee shops that would be in any midsize city.

Pastabilities- A crap quasi Italian restaurant, but for some reason girls eat this place right up. Check it out for the lunch crowd, and early evening for the happy hour crowd. (They do have a good wine list)

Sakanaya- Conveyor belt sushi restaurant. Half-off Mondays always draw a line, chicks love sushi, lots of standing around...... connect the dots

Freedom of Espresso- Quintessential hipster style coffee house. Though it attracts all kinds

Empire Brewery and Syracuse Suds- Two different microbrews with decent dinner menus and decent beer (I guess, not much of a beer connoisseur). Draw older crowds from mid to late 20s and up. A suit will do wonders here.

Daisy Dukes- Country themed dance clubs, equipped with mechanical bull. Plenty of drunk chicks riding the way they wish to imminently be ridden.

Trexx- Gay club of Syracuse. I've never been, but I imagine it is a hit or miss type of place with chicks leaving their guard down.

Dinosaur BBQ- Not in Armory Square, but legendary in its own right. A Blues BBQ jointed founded by a biker gang, lines will be 3 hours of long for this place on weekends. Fantastic food, and great blues bands always on stage. (There is a location in Harlem too for anyone in the city)

Al's Whiskey and Wine Bar- My personal favorite place downtown. Nice cozy atmosphere with a good looking, yet civil crowd. To boot, they have board games, from jenga to apples2apples which offers quite a unique gaming experience (literally and figuratively)

Off the beaten path

These places aren't necessarily great for gaming per say, but some of my favorite spots I have found

Danzer's- Authentic German restaurant in South Syracuse. Enormous portions and cheap beer

Pho Saigon- Vietnamese Restaurant. Absolute hole in the wall that resembles a church basement, but the food is top notch.

Sahota Palace- Couples miles north of the city center, but is an awesome Indian lunch and dinner buffet.

Outskirts Daygame

The landscape of Syracuse provides ample opportunities for daygaming, while simultaneously soaking in beautiful scenery.

Apple Picking- I don't know what it is, but chicks love apple picking. There are several places off route 20 (10 miles from the city) with apple orchards. Also anyone that has lived in the Northeast will know that PA, NY, CT have the greatest apples once autumn rolls around. If not for the gaming, just go to stockpile

Wine Tours- The closest Finger Lake (Skaneateles) is only a half hour drive from Syracuse. There are plenty of vineyards nestled throughout the Finger Lake valleys, all with their own wine tastings. Some companies provide tours, or just scout out a route yourself that allows you to go on a self guided tour. (Perfect insta-date, venue change).

Village of Skaneateles- Pristine Lake town with a nice downtown shopping district. Also check out Carpenter's Falls about 5 miles south of the town for some epic waterfalls (by NY standards at least) that lead right into the Lake.




Where to stay

Downtown has a few hotels to choose from ranging from $110-$200.

Hotel Skyler- old Jewish Synagogue that is certified LEED Platinum
Genesee Grande Hotel
Crown Plaza
Parkview Hotel
Syracuse University Sheraton

One last thing: Crack a joke about how polluted Onondaga Lake is, and the locals will love you

Next post will cover the University

[Chunnel]

saved......



Alright, so the University tends to dominate what goes on in the city. It is the largest employer in the city, so naturally there is always lots of action going on.

But for what you'all really wanna know


There are girls for every type here. Long Island JAPS are the most prevalent, but there is a very healthy population of foreigners, southerners, and west coasters.

Sorority life (and Fraternity) is very popular, so the black leggins, black nail polish, black chucks, black north face, black greek letters bag, make girls stick out like a sore thumb. Day gaming them might be a challenge as they are always glued to iphones, and never go to local shops, coffee houses, and such alone. (Save the obvious stereotypes for nightgame where they respond so typically to aggressive cockiness).

Day Game

Of course the easiest way to day game is walk around campus and act lost and confused. But a few places to frequent where your time spent will be more fruitful.

Schine Student Center-there are always students walking in and out, and clubs are always tabling posing perfect opportunities to elderly talk about some bitch's oxygen free yoga club or whatever.

Hendrick's Chapel Basement- People's Place cafe draws more of the artsy/hipster crowd. But they have really cheap coffee, with enough people sitting around to make it worthwhile.

Newhouse III Food.com- The Journalism School at Syracuse is the biggest money driver of all the University's Schools, so naturally they always get the best things. Food.com foodcourt is always busy with foot traffic and long lines waiting for paninis to be grilled up.

Marshall Street

This is the focal point of the University's off campus eateries and bars. Always flooded with people, and plenty of places to pounce.

Starbucks- nuff said

The Unique Tea House- They have moved a couple times so I'm not 100% sure where it is (if there's a gay dude that looks like Thom Yorke, youre in the right place), but this place is awesome not only for the tea, but the goodlooking crowd that doesn't move. Easy instant date

Boba Tea- The other bubble tea house that is trying to muscle in on the tea business. Nowhere near as cozy or intimate a setting as Unique Tea House.

Funk and Waffles- Artsy-hipster style place, but incredibly unique concept, with awesome waffle dishes and an array of coffee house beverages. Open mic nights and concert go down probably 5 nights a week, and the crowds are always large.

Appethaizing- Now I'm allergic to peanuts, so I've never had Thai food, but everyone raves about this place

Bleu Monkey Sushi- girls and sushi, next

Westcott Street

Located about a half a mile from campus in the residential part of the campus (locals and students alike). A few places worth mentioning, as this whole street has its own small community feel

Mello Velo Bicycle Shop/Coffee House- Naturally I gotta promote this place, as I spent more time here than anywhere else in town. I'm a huge cyclist and Mello Velo was my go to shop. The owner Steve is the world's nicest guy, and if you know anything at all about bikes, there are always plenty of dumbfounded girls looking for help. Steve will definitely let you take the reigns and offer any help

Alto Cinco- Southwest style cuisine, known for burritos. Gets packed on the weekends, but the food is very good.

Dorian's Pizza- The best pizza place I found that was in reasonable biking distance for me

Westcott Theatre- Standing room only theater that actually gets good acts. I saw Yonder Mountain String Band here awhile back, and had an unbelievable time

Nightgame

Now the beauty about college opposed to normal life is still the houseparties. Cover is cheap (if there is any), drinks are unlimited, and chicks always have little sense of self control.

If you look young enough, you can walk up and down Euclid Avenue and the side streets and find a plethora of parties in which to crash.

Avoid the ski house and rugby house which are always huge sausage fests. The drama house (on Harrison) is legendary, always good shit going down, if you don't mind getting hit on by a couple of gay dudes thru the night

Frat parties: Now I don't know what goes on now, but awhile back there was a double stabbing at one sketch ass frat, so started checking student IDs at the University's demand. If you go in the spring once the weather gets nice, just roll up to an outdoor party, and pretend like you belong there.

Marshall Street nightlife revolves around 1 bar: Chuck's

Filled to brim every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, it is the ultimate college bar. That being said, I'm not a huge fan of it. Granted its easy to make 20 approaches within half an hour (hell i've approached the same broad twice in 10 minutes not realizing until later that I did), but escalation becomes difficult. Its so damn load that you cannot hear anything. It gets so crowded that there is zero room for dancing, and there is hardly seating available for a quick disappearance into the corner. The sheer quantity is the valuable at Chucks, but hit up the venue change for the escalation....and as always, go early!

Faegen's is a good venue change up. Nice domestic and international beer list. Its crowded but, nowhere near Chucks level, a nice medium ground between lounge style and slosh fest. Faegen's also has flip-night on Wednesdays- flip a coin, call it, free drinks

It used to be called Maggie's, but I don't know what it is now. Right across from Chucks, it always seems to be filled with Indian graduate students trying to hustle you in pool, and frat douches bro-ing it out that night. Cheap drinks so its a good place to start before heading elsewhere.

Mayfest

Each April, Syracuse hosts a diversity, showcase day on Campus; which ultimately ends up being one enormous street party.



Just blocks and blocks of the above. Cops don't give a shit, hell they could barely do anything if they wanted to try. Mayfest was the only time I was ever hungover before I went to sleep. Painfully fun time

I believe the days of all out mayhem are over, since the University put its foot down and tried to tame Euclid Avenue down, but I it still draws excellent turnout. Not to mention DTF girls who are obsessed with day drinking. Smooth play, could lead to multiple SDLs

Writing all of this up makes me this place, wishing I knew more about game then, and more time to focus on other things but schoolwork. I hope you all enjoyed this, post any questions you guys might have

[TheBulldozer]

Great stuff Chunnel!

Welcome aboard. You're absolutely right that spring and fall in this part of NY can be absolutely gorgeous. I doubt Syracuse would be a place to go willingly to, but I'm sure some people have come through there and could use your info.

BTW the Dinosaur BBQ in NYC is not even close to the Dinosaur in Syracuse. A must go if you're in the area.

[Cincinnatus]

Nice data sheet, Chunnel. Welcome aboard!

[TheCaptainPower]

Nice job!! I stayed one night in Syracuse on my way to Ottawa, wasn't really sure where to go....I want to hit up those spring parties....

[Hazaer]

(12-04-2012 05:32 PM)Chunnel Wrote:  

saved......



Alright, so the University tends to dominate what goes on in the city. It is the largest employer in the city, so naturally there is always lots of action going on.

But for what you'all really wanna know


There are girls for every type here. Long Island JAPS are the most prevalent, but there is a very healthy population of foreigners, southerners, and west coasters.

Sorority life (and Fraternity) is very popular, so the black leggins, black nail polish, black chucks, black north face, black greek letters bag, make girls stick out like a sore thumb. Day gaming them might be a challenge as they are always glued to iphones, and never go to local shops, coffee houses, and such alone. (Save the obvious stereotypes for nightgame where they respond so typically to aggressive cockiness).

Day Game

Of course the easiest way to day game is walk around campus and act lost and confused. But a few places to frequent where your time spent will be more fruitful.

Schine Student Center-there are always students walking in and out, and clubs are always tabling posing perfect opportunities to elderly talk about some bitch's oxygen free yoga club or whatever.

Hendrick's Chapel Basement- People's Place cafe draws more of the artsy/hipster crowd. But they have really cheap coffee, with enough people sitting around to make it worthwhile.

Newhouse III Food.com- The Journalism School at Syracuse is the biggest money driver of all the University's Schools, so naturally they always get the best things. Food.com foodcourt is always busy with foot traffic and long lines waiting for paninis to be grilled up.

Marshall Street

This is the focal point of the University's off campus eateries and bars. Always flooded with people, and plenty of places to pounce.

Starbucks- nuff said

The Unique Tea House- They have moved a couple times so I'm not 100% sure where it is (if there's a gay dude that looks like Thom Yorke, youre in the right place), but this place is awesome not only for the tea, but the goodlooking crowd that doesn't move. Easy instant date

Boba Tea- The other bubble tea house that is trying to muscle in on the tea business. Nowhere near as cozy or intimate a setting as Unique Tea House.

Funk and Waffles- Artsy-hipster style place, but incredibly unique concept, with awesome waffle dishes and an array of coffee house beverages. Open mic nights and concert go down probably 5 nights a week, and the crowds are always large.

Appethaizing- Now I'm allergic to peanuts, so I've never had Thai food, but everyone raves about this place

Bleu Monkey Sushi- girls and sushi, next

Westcott Street

Located about a half a mile from campus in the residential part of the campus (locals and students alike). A few places worth mentioning, as this whole street has its own small community feel

Mello Velo Bicycle Shop/Coffee House- Naturally I gotta promote this place, as I spent more time here than anywhere else in town. I'm a huge cyclist and Mello Velo was my go to shop. The owner Steve is the world's nicest guy, and if you know anything at all about bikes, there are always plenty of dumbfounded girls looking for help. Steve will definitely let you take the reigns and offer any help

Alto Cinco- Southwest style cuisine, known for burritos. Gets packed on the weekends, but the food is very good.

Dorian's Pizza- The best pizza place I found that was in reasonable biking distance for me

Westcott Theatre- Standing room only theater that actually gets good acts. I saw Yonder Mountain String Band here awhile back, and had an unbelievable time

Nightgame

Now the beauty about college opposed to normal life is still the houseparties. Cover is cheap (if there is any), drinks are unlimited, and chicks always have little sense of self control.

If you look young enough, you can walk up and down Euclid Avenue and the side streets and find a plethora of parties in which to crash.

Avoid the ski house and rugby house which are always huge sausage fests. The drama house (on Harrison) is legendary, always good shit going down, if you don't mind getting hit on by a couple of gay dudes thru the night

Frat parties: Now I don't know what goes on now, but awhile back there was a double stabbing at one sketch ass frat, so started checking student IDs at the University's demand. If you go in the spring once the weather gets nice, just roll up to an outdoor party, and pretend like you belong there.

Marshall Street nightlife revolves around 1 bar: Chuck's

Filled to brim every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, it is the ultimate college bar. That being said, I'm not a huge fan of it. Granted its easy to make 20 approaches within half an hour (hell i've approached the same broad twice in 10 minutes not realizing until later that I did), but escalation becomes difficult. Its so damn load that you cannot hear anything. It gets so crowded that there is zero room for dancing, and there is hardly seating available for a quick disappearance into the corner. The sheer quantity is the valuable at Chucks, but hit up the venue change for the escalation....and as always, go early!

Faegen's is a good venue change up. Nice domestic and international beer list. Its crowded but, nowhere near Chucks level, a nice medium ground between lounge style and slosh fest. Faegen's also has flip-night on Wednesdays- flip a coin, call it, free drinks

It used to be called Maggie's, but I don't know what it is now. Right across from Chucks, it always seems to be filled with Indian graduate students trying to hustle you in pool, and frat douches bro-ing it out that night. Cheap drinks so its a good place to start before heading elsewhere.

Mayfest

Each April, Syracuse hosts a diversity, showcase day on Campus; which ultimately ends up being one enormous street party.



Just blocks and blocks of the above. Cops don't give a shit, hell they could barely do anything if they wanted to try. Mayfest was the only time I was ever hungover before I went to sleep. Painfully fun time

I believe the days of all out mayhem are over, since the University put its foot down and tried to tame Euclid Avenue down, but I it still draws excellent turnout. Not to mention DTF girls who are obsessed with day drinking. Smooth play, could lead to multiple SDLs

Writing all of this up makes me this place, wishing I knew more about game then, and more time to focus on other things but schoolwork. I hope you all enjoyed this, post any questions you guys might have

Good write up. How are the winters there? Heard they are harsh so will that hamper the nightlife?

Also, how is the male competition for a guy in his mid 20s? How successful would you think the place would be for coloured guys(think hispanic/middle eastern look) going for white girls?

Would you say that girls here have that typical NE attitude that has been mentioned in the forum?