By Libby Lemire
Different languages have different words for clinking glasses. And since March brings St. Patrick’s Day, we begin with Sláinte (pronounced SLAHN-chə vah), the Irish toast.
The Italians say “Salute,” the French use “Santé,” and the Germans cheer with “Prost!” To avoid turning this into a linguistics lesson, we’ll end with their shared meaning, which is good health.
The German “Prost” gets a little more specific, with the literal translation being “may it do you good,” a sentiment many of us beer lovers can easily lean into.
That spirit of good health, cheer, and camaraderie is exactly what you’ll find in the pubs we’re highlighting. All of them reflect the warmth of the Mohawk Valley, greeting you with a smile and a desire to know your name.
ALEXANDER’S RAGTIME
128 Main Street, Oneida
Prominently displayed on the front window are the words friendship, loyalty, and love. It’s easy to see and feel that this is exactly what Alexander’s Ragtime fosters.
On the opposite window, the words thirst parlor stand out—Bob Alexander’s concept when he opened the pub in 1991, as his career in the clothing business began to change. There is a lot to take in, and Bob says, “There is a story behind everything.” One thing that’s hard to miss is an original phone booth, something he always wanted to own. And if someone wants to relive the experience or introduce someone else to the novelty, the phone still receives calls. Vintage Insta post, anyone?
On St. Patrick’s Day, Bob said they go through 350 pounds of corned beef, and servicing everyone is truly a family affair. His daughter flies home from Las Vegas every year, and his three sons, who live in the Mohawk Valley, roll up their sleeves.
Visit: Monday–Sunday: 3:00–11:00
FIVE POINTS PUBLIC HOUSE
623 Columbia Street, Utica
A visit to Five Points gives you a real taste of an Irish pub. They get five stars for ambiance, well deserved given the lengths they went to for authenticity. Every element of the pub was designed and built by Irishmen in Dublin, and brought by sea to Utica. An Irish crew traveled here to assemble the space and carefully place every piece of furniture, antique mirror, vintage picture, historical artifact, and whiskey jug.
There’s also a slew of terrific taps, beautiful to look at and pouring beer colder than you’ll find almost anywhere else, thanks to a sophisticated subfloor refrigeration system.
Patrick Roach, a longtime patron of Five Points, tells me about two Irish journalists passing through town. When he asked what they thought of the place, they replied, “We feel like we’re home.”
Visit: Wednesday: 11:00–10:00; Thursday–Friday: 4:00–10:00; Saturday–Tuesday: Open for special events
THE GREEN ONION PUB
2018 Genesee Street, Utica
This is a quintessential neighborhood pub with a loyal local following. When you go, you want to stay. Sit at the cool copper-top bar or settle into one of the intimate booths with fantastic fisherman-style lamps. Notably absent are TVs, but as one patron explained to us, “This place is about conversation.”
Amid the multitude of neat things to look at is a giant moose head with a cigarette hanging out of its mouth. The bartender described it as a pay-it-forward situation: you need one, you grab one. And the moose is never without something to give.
Visit: Monday–Thursday: 4:00–midnight; Friday–Saturday: 4:00–2:00 a.m. (yep!); Sunday: 4:00–midnight
NAIL CREEK PUB
720 Varick Street, Utica
What’s in a name? In this case, a nod to the original Nail Creek, which in the 1800s provided vital water, ice, and hydropower for three area breweries. Although the creek is no longer visible, Nail Creek the pub has been around since 2008 for good reason. The warmth of a familiar neighborhood spot hits you the minute you walk in.
Helping to create the friendly vibe is Dooley of Schulz and Dooley fame, perched in the top right corner of the bar, seemingly saying, “Hi, join us!”
Be sure to try the “Jerry” wings, named after a customer who always ordered “Everything” wings with garlic Parmesan. Nail Creek now mixes it all into one scrumptious creation. The place is perfect for gatherings, and where in the world can you get a Utica Club as your side?
Visit: Wednesday–Friday: 11:30–midnight; Saturday: 10:00–midnight
DEMATTEO’S
705 E Dominick St, Rome
There is a lot going on at DeMatteo’s. When we walk in, an acoustic guitarist is belting out a mean Rocket Man, happy people fill the room, burgers are cooking over an open flame, and more than one bartender is ready to greet us.
They celebrated 46 years in business this past December, and it’s clear they’re doing a lot right. There are 24 taps, TVs in every corner, live music every Friday and Saturday night, and a great vibe of spontaneity: people randomly singing, sometimes grabbing the mic. The “world’s greatest burger” is tasty, but maybe refrain from eating it on a first date — it’s messy.
Visit: Monday–Sunday: 11:00–midnight
KNUCKLEHEAD’S BREW HOUSE
7362 East Main Street, Westmoreland
There are three families who own Knucklehead’s. One owner, Greg Raab, says it isn’t “our place”—it’s theirs, as he gestures toward the people eating and drinking around him. That’s the vibe here: What can we get you?
Knucklehead’s has one of the most eclectic collections of stuff that keeps your eyes wandering and your mind wondering how any of it goes together, but somehow, it just does. The mix works, and what you see is cool. Giant logs frame the vaulted ceiling; there are old wooden skis, throwback snowshoes, taxidermy, and at least 50 U.S. license plates. One loyal customer donated his “WBORO1” plate, now designating his table.
The newest addition is a growing wall of first-responder badges. Visitors passing through have mailed their badges back to Knucklehead’s, wanting to become part of the place even after they’ve left.
As a mini posse of people leaves, the bartender yells, “Thanks for comin’ in,” and she means it. It’s that kind of place. And if you needed one last reason to stop in, Greg and Maryrose’s daughter, an MVCC-trained pastry talent, makes homemade desserts that keep people hanging around just a little longer.
Visit: Monday–Sunday: 11:00–midnight
PACKY’S PUB
9281 Kellogg Road, Washington Mills
Once just a single-family house, Bruce Braun envisioned a gathering place where friends could have a drink. Forty years later, his pub legacy continues with plentiful beverages and meals meant to satisfy within the first few bites, or Chef Corey wants it back.
Current owner Amy Braun, the chef’s daughter, has worked at Packy’s since she was 14. She started as a dishwasher, then waitressed, bartended, cooked, and did just about every other job imaginable. Along the way, she fell in love with the atmosphere, the customers, the generations of families who cycle through, and eventually, the bartender, Dean Braun, now her husband.
The sense of community shows up throughout. One particular favorite are the large Flags of Heroes, which commemorate first responders and those who died in the September 11 attacks.
The Packy’s tagline is “Where strangers become friends and staff become family.” One brief encounter with Amy, and you’ll know that to be true.
Visit: Tuesday: 12:00–8:30; Wednesday–Saturday: 11:00–9:30
STOCKDALE’S
103 River Street, Oriskany
As first-time visitors, we weren’t inside for more than thirty seconds before hearing a friendly “What can I get you guys?” from the bar owner, Carrie. The place is cozy, with an original tin ceiling that knocks out cell coverage (oh joy on a Friday night), walls decorated with fun memorabilia from Utica’s oldest brewery, and thoughtful nods to the name: Stockdale’s.
Named for Admiral James Bond Stockdale, the commanding officer of Carrier Air Wing 16 aboard the USS Oriskany, the pub honors his extraordinary service. Shot down on a combat mission during the Vietnam War, Stockdale became the highest-ranking naval officer captured and spent seven years as a POW in Hanoi, where his leadership and resilience became legendary. And according to local lore, James Bond Stockdale may have been the inspiration behind James Bond, of 007 fame.
No doubt, Stockdale’s will be around a long time—I know we’ll be back for the hospitality alone.
Visit: Wednesday–Friday: 11:30–9:00, Kitchen closes at 7:45
COOLEY’S STONE HOUSE TAVERN
49 Pioneer Street, Cooperstown
It’s hard not to notice this place. Cooley’s leans into its Irish roots with a Kelly-green exterior and matching Kelly-green taps inside, both of which stand out immediately. One happy customer described stumbling upon Cooley’s as being “rewarded with a quintessential tavern experience with friendly locals and outstanding pub food.” It sounds like you’ll have the luck of the Irish if you stop in.
Visit: Monday–Sunday: 11:00–9:00
THE BEER HUB
2643 Genesee St, Utica
The Beer Hub is a fantastic example of repurposing a historic property. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, it served as a freight station, playing an important role in the local rail network. Goods like food, beer, coal, and everyday essentials arrived here before making their way into South Utica shops.
Today, the Beer Hub welcomes patrons for pints rather than freight cars, but they’ve leaned into their history with cool memorabilia, like old “coupons for payment” from 1909. Beer aficionados will love the display of collector’s beer cans on the wall and the lacquered tables featuring labels from all over the world. Rail spikes serve as handles on all the taps, and when we stopped in, there was fun, congenial conversation with everyone at the bar—all agreeing that the vision for this pub is spot on, and we are thankful for it.
Visit: Monday–Thursday: 3:00–11:00; Friday–Saturday: 12:00–11:00
THE RENAISSANCE PUB (AKA – THE REN)
550 E Main St, Little Falls
For 45 years, the pub has been a fixture in downtown Little Falls. Recently, it became
a women-owned business, with its pub pride rooted in “creating a warm, welcoming
atmosphere for all our customers.” The antique stained glass behind the beautiful, elongated bar, along with the brick walls and tin ceiling, certainly helps, too.
At The Ren, everyone’s got a seat at the table. As the flag on the wall reads, “All y’all
are welcome, but you gotta act right.” Sounds like women who know exactly what
they’re doing.
Visit: Wednesday: 11:30–9; Thursday–Friday: 11:30–10
