Tipperary Hill is a neighborhood located on the West Side of Syracuse. For decades it was well populated by Irish families. The neighborhood is now filled with young professionals from around the Syracuse area, but the Irish roots are still very prevalent. Today there are several bars and sites that you simply can’t miss out on. Here are a few of my favorites.

Coleman’s: A Good Old Irish Pub

Coleman’s is one of the larger and more well-known bars on Tipperary Hill. It’s been in the Coleman family for decades and is a great place for dinner or drinks any night of the week. You can tell it’s an Irish pub from the moment you reach the front door. There’s a leprechaun only phone booth and entryway. The large bar area has mugs hung around it with the names of many of the original regulars. There are plenty of Irish sayings posted along the walls. The dinner menu has traditional Irish foods like soda bread and corned beef and cabbage as well as more America ones like Buffalo wings. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday night there’s a live band. When the weather is nicer the band often plays outside in the parking lot at “Tipperary Square.” There’s always a large young crowd there from around the Syracuse area.

Coleman’s has several annual events that are a must do. Many of them are coming up (including a great one this Sunday)! To read more about these events check out the events section later in this post. Here’s an interesting fact. The Coleman family doesn’t just celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Syracuse. The same family owns the Dubliner in the District of Columbia. In 2012, President Obama stopped by the Irish pub for a pint of Guinness to celebrate the day.

Weather you go for dinner, drinks, or a daylong celebration you’ll definitely have a good time at Coleman’s.

The Upside Down Stop Light

And now for the namesake of this post…A few blocks up from Coleman’s is the infamous upside-down stoplight. When stoplights were first installed in the neighborhood decades ago, rebellious Irish youth were angry that the British red was above the Irish green. They began throwing stones to break the lights. Eventually the stoplight was reserved to its current position with the green on the top. You can see the light and statues to commemorate the famous stone throwers that put the Irish on top.

Cashel House

Looking for a special gift for someone? The Cashel house is right across from Coleman’s and has imported Irish goods, jewelry, Tipperary Hill souvenirs, and every kind of shamrock clothing you can imagine.

Blarney Stone: Best Burger Bargain in Town

The Blarney Stone is a small Irish bar in the neighborhood. You can order bar food and sit anywhere you find a seat. For $3.50 you can get a “Blarney Burger” ordered anyway you like.  The burger even made the Best of CNY Burger Battle top 5 in 2012.  Burgers aren’t the only thing good to order. In 2011 the Blarney Stone won the Best of CNY Chicken Wing Showdown for the best Buffalo-style wing. There are specials every day of the week that are sure to make any college student excited.

Twin Trees

The Original Twin Trees is a casual Italian restaurant. You can’t go wrong with anything you order and the pizza is one of the best in Syracuse. The crust has more dough than a New York style pizza, but it’s still crispy. The price isn’t too bad either. For $12.99 you can get a large cheese pizza that’s big enough to take home some leftovers. If pasta is more your thing, the prices are reasonable and include a salad.

Tipperary Hill Events

Tipperary Hill puts on a lot of great events throughout the year. Here are a couple of events you just can’t miss!

Green Beer Sunday at Coleman’s

Coleman’s annual Green Beer Sunday event is this Sunday, February 24. This festivity marks the arrival of the celebratory green beer! Join the bar for a short parade and plenty of green beer to mark the beginning of the St. Patrick’s Day season. Festivities start at noon.  Be sure to dress warmly. For more information visit the event’s Facebook page.

Shamrock Run

The Shamrock Run is a 4 mile race throughout the Tipperary hill neighborhood on March 2. Register by February 22 for a discounted fee. For more information visit the information and registration page.

St. Patrick’s Day at Coleman’s

Chicago may have the green river on St. Patrick’s Day, but Syracuse has Coleman’s. There’s music, food, good beer, and great company all day long. If you plan to head down to Coleman’s for St. Patty’s be sure to dress warmly. The party goes on both inside and out.

Music Festival

The Tipperary Hill Music Festival is a great place to enjoy the beginning of the Fall weather. It’s a free celebration with great music and good food. Bring a lawn chair or something to sit on. The 2013 Music Festival is on September 21 at the Pass Arboretum. For more information visit the event’s website.