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Al's Wine & Whiskey Lounge
Categories: Nightlife Bars Lounges Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Arts & Entertainment Music Venues Nightlife Music Venues Lounges, Wine Bars, Music Venues [Edit]
321 S Clinton StSyracuse, NY 13202
(315) 703-4773
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 4 pm - 2 am
Sat 5 pm - 2 am
Sun 8 pm - 2 am
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Music:
- Live
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Quiet
- Has TV:
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
24 reviews for Al's Wine & Whiskey Lounge
Review Highlights
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"Al's has the monopoly on cool for the Armory Square bars." In 3 reviews -
"Lots of leather couches and nooks to tuck yourself into." In 4 reviews -
"One of the coolest places in Syracuse." In 4 reviews
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24 reviews in English
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Review from Megan K.
Updated - 4/10/2012 1 Check-in Here
I'm updating this to a 5 because I come here a lot and consistently get the best drinks I've ever had. These bartenders are insanely good at what they do and the selection is astounding. 5 stars all the way.
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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1/23/2012
When I'm in Syracuse I love to stop by Al's for a drink. I don't even pick something myself, I just… Read more »
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Review from Paul H.
4/15/2012 1 Check-in Here
Under the banner of 'things I couldn't have imagined ten years ago' we visited Al's on a Saturday night with our college-aged daughter - who was eager to prove that there ARE a few places with panache in Syracuse, and knowing my affinity for single-malt Scotch. I would concur with the use of the word "classy" as you walk into a place with over-stuffed chairs, big leather couches, and an overwhelming wall of spirits that requires a librarian's ladder to navigate. (Yet, they still didn't have my personal favorite as of late - Longmorn!) It's true, we're getting old(er), so I would also have to agree with a previous reviewer that said the loud music wasn't doing it for me, but in all fairness, I don't think they're catering to college kid parents here! And, in fact, it was fun to chill for a while and watch the twenty-somethings play Jenga across the table from us. Also cool to see a couple professor types monopolizing the overstuffed chairs in the front window, enjoying a 21-year something, I hope. (My wife suggest I clarify that by "something," I mean "single-malt scotch!" Oy.)
No place like this in MY town. Too bad! -
Review from Andrew S.
Syracuse, NY
3/8/2012
This place is classy and has an astounding selection of whiskeys.
It used to be a cigar bar and still has that aesthetic with none of the second-hand smoke. -
Review from Bro H.
Syracuse, NY
11/8/2011
Reading the reviews, you see "classy" mentioned several times as well as "laid back" and people liking the "vibe." The atrocious house music they played extremely loudly the one night I was there definitely clashes with all of that.
That said, prices were okay, the whiskey selection was fun, and the bartenders were definitely pros.
I'm sure I'll end up back there given there aren't many bars in Syracuse, and if the music is never that horrible again, I'll up the rating for sure. -
Review from Hans H.
New York, NY
6/16/2011
I was a regular here and spent alot of money here.
One night I was there and I saw this cabbie outside who is a known habitual gambler and had conned me and friends out of some money. He also has stalking charges from taking girls home , then turning up later at their houses and looking through windows. Me and him got into a swearing match outside no threats were made, but the cabbie called cops.
I was speaking to the bouncer telling him to not let this guy get fares outside or to warn customers.
The cops came and went and said they knew the guy was a problem but there's not much they could do. I'm mixed black and white college educated. I had a pen in my hand the bar staff gave me to write down the cabbies plates... as I'm talking to cops the bouncer grabbed the pen out of my hand as if just because I was a black man who was arguing my side I was a violent threat. I was making no threatening gestures or motions.
I came out of the bar and the cabbie was there with his friends telling me to get into his car. SO I swore as said "F" Off and a number of expletives.
I asked to use the phone to call the cops or a ride. The bouncer locked the door and would not allow me to do so. I think his comment was "Haven't you got a phone"
When I tried to speak to the owner about what happened he said that I was not welcome there and if I enter the premises I would be trespassing. HE said my swearing was unacceptable and that he had a 17 system hidden camera network that records audio and video. He's also let me know he didn't respect my money and that it didn't matter if I spent 1 dollar there or 100 every night.
So if your a person of color or want to put an end to inequality I would not spend my money at ALs because if anything happens your automatically in the wrong.
I was trying to protect patrons and notify the staff to customers (especially women getting rides home from a cabbie with stalking charges), sure I was arguing and swearing outside but that's not a crime. Wiretapping is.
I'm a professional and college educated + a regular if they respected black people and money they should have taken my side over a douche bag cabbie that already has problems with the police. But hey he was white and I'm black so there you go.
Diversity and Equality is not what happens when everything is business as usual. It's what happens and how people behave in complex situations and under duress.
Al's fails to be diverse and is willing to give into old racial stereo types on the drop of a dime.
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Oh also my roommates black and a serious internet marketer plus one of the nicest guy you'll ever meet. He was sitting in there drinking in the back and using WiFi cause he's really to shy to approach girls and this is how it went down:
The same blonde bouncer guy , looks like a cross between urkle and dolph lundgren [always wears a tie and walks around staring at everyone] , Comes up to my friend where he is sitting in the back on wifi and drinking his second drink and says.
"You know this is prime real estate..., you can't just sit here on wifi...I haven't seen you buying any drinks..." My friend goes this is my second drink, and here are my receipts. Dolph would not leave him alone, he just sat there until my friend completely ignored him and he finally stopped harassing him. Yes my friend was the only black guy there that night, go figure. This was the same bouncer that left me in the lurch with three scum bags trying to play wise guy with me in front of ALS. In fact I first met that scum bag cabbie right outside of ALS after a night of drinking.
ALso don't ever get into a tan or brown cab with the logo su cny taxi #235. be the worst decision you ever make male of female. The driver looks like a pug with a smushed up face, fat ugly and speaks like he's about to drop dead of a heart attack. He spins alot of stories and says he can do all kind of stuff for you...don't he's a con artist...
The deadbeat con artist taxi driver guy is now driving a red cab looks like some kind of toyota new cab company logo too, I'll update this with more details soon. -
Review from Laura H.
Baldwinsville, NY
3/30/2011
Al's has got a great vibe to it and I love the fact that I don't feel like I'm in Syracuse when I go there. It's the place I frequent to for after dinner drinks. It's can be pricey but you get what you pay for. I have seen the door man turn down overly drunk people (ie: bachelor parties) because it's not the reputation they want to have.
You can lounge on the couches in the front, hang at the bar and people watch or stroll to the back and play pool or darts. It's a long narrow bar and it does get packed around 11:00 pm. The staff is great and you can be sure that a good time will be had by all! -
Review from Chris C.
Syracuse, NY
3/9/2011
Stopped by here this past weekend after a recommendation from a friend. I'm disappointed I didn't know about this place earlier. Classy interior and just a little less intense that some other places in Armory Square. I could actually have a conversation with the people I was with without making my voice hoarse.
Will definitely be back. -
Review from Jayna F.
1/15/2011 3 Check-ins Here
Al's is pretty awesome. If there were such a place in Philly I would certainly frequent it; and it's definitely saying something as Philly has more than ten times amount of bars as Syracuse.
I love the interior, towers of booze and couches to lounge. Get your top shelf or get your $4 giant PBR, run into a million people you know and, well, get sauced. -
Review from David R.
Albany, NY
11/29/2011 1 Check-in Here
Really great place. Good music, amazing drink selection. A great place to meet people and chill or dance. If you want hip, it won't disappoint.
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Review from Jessica B.
Syracuse, NY
9/8/2011
This IS probably the coolest bar in Syracuse I bet. It's deceptively large. Lots of leather couches and nooks to tuck yourself into. They have much more than wine and whiskey if you don't like either. But you would be crazy for that, and if you do like whiskey, do yourself a favor and try something other than Jack.
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Review from David M.
Gaithersburg, MD
12/29/2010 1 Check-in Here
I used to despise going to Syracuse. But then, the night before my wedding in 2007 (I married a Cuse girl) me and some friends happened upon Al's as we bar crawled around town.
I was instantly sold. I won't gush with this review, though. Straight facts.
It's a classy, well decorated, and comfortable place. Loads of chairs, couches, games, and tv's to keep everyone happy. They don't play annoying music (at least in my opinion) and often seem to have bands. I'm only able to come here when I'm in town, so i'm by no means a regular, but when I'm there there's usually a good band playing.
OR they drop a big screen by the front window and show local sports, which in a nice college town like the Cuse is a plus.
Next point of praise is the staff. Love 'em. Always different folks when I come in, but they treat regulars and randoms (like me) well. One guy in particular shared a love of good whiskey with me, so his recommendations on what new drinks to try from their whisky and bourbon list were spot on and enjoyable...and most welcome, to be honest.
To move beyond my personal love (whiskey) and into other spirits, it's a WINE and WHISKEY bar, so fella's bring your ladies who love wine here as well. And if you just want a beer, you'll be covered here as well. In fact, there's something here for just about every type of drinking taste.
I've never tried the food but it always looks very good. Some random guy the other night was standing next to me back by the pool table with a cheese plate and offered me a bite. I passed, but I have to say it looked tasty.
The crowd is usually laid back it seems to me. Me and my buddy got a little testy with some oaf who was alternately hitting on our wives, but that wasn't too big a deal. He wandered off and we carried on.
I love the place. Whenever I'm in town, expect me to find an excuse to get here :) -
Review from Jon D.
Temecula, CA
10/21/2011 1 Check-in Here
Great atmosphere. It was just what my wife and I were looking for. This place has a lot of alcohol so I recommend taking time to look around or ask the bartenders about their menu. The bar keep was really helpful and knowledgable about their selection.
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Review from Dominick M.
Syracuse, NY
7/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Possibly the best Syracuse has to offer when it comes to fine drinking. The selection of wine, spirits, and beer is off the charts. The pricing is $1 - $3 more per drink but brings an upscale crowd. You can come to Al's and actually talk to people you don't know, how refreshing for Syracuse.
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Review from Nicole C.
Syracuse, NY
4/27/2009
Al's is one of the hippest bars in Armory Square - where else can you choose from an awesome selection of wine and order an unbelievably delicious meat and cheese plate?
It's also home to one of the coolest and most attentive bartenders in town - Jay is almost always behind the bar at Al's, ready to serve drinks (if you don't know what you want, he'll make something for you on the fly, and you'll love it) or recommend a new wine.
The best reason to go to Al's? Cheese plates. And the delicious spread served during "Happy Hour" (around 5 pm) - finger sandwiches and homemade guacamole and salsa served with chips.
The music is also cool, albeit a bit weird. I recommend congregating on the awesome leather couches in the very front by the window or in the back. Sports games are always on TV for sports enthusiasts.
Only downside to Al's is the occasional smoking in the front "room" - despite a smoking ban inside restaurants and bars, it appears that people are permitted to smoke inside the front room of Al's, which is a bit frustrating for non-smokers who have to inhale cigarette smoke while waiting in line to get into the bar or who are seated near to the door that leads out to this front room (which is sometimes open on busier nights). -
Review from Isaac S.
Syracuse, NY
12/28/2010
If your going to the Downtown Syracuse Armory Square area this is by far the best bar down there. Its classy, has a great limited selection of beer, and I hear a good selection of wine and whiskey but that's not my thing.
They also have a cool cheese or bread plate that I highly recommend.
The bartenders are top notch as well, and trust me the bar gets super busy on the weekend and can be a bit overwhelming to move around in and get served.
I also really dig the music on the weekends, its the only place remotely like it in Syracuse. Al's has the monopoly on cool for the Armory Square bars. -
Review from William D.
Ilion, NY
7/30/2011
The coolest place ever. Pool, darts, pinball, board games, big leather couches and a HUGE selection of drinks.
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Review from Jesse O.
Syracuse, NY
12/15/2010
One of the coolest places in Syracuse! Al's Wine & Whiskey Lounge is a must-experience place if you're in the area. I love this place... and reading other reviews, it's clear that I'm far from the only one.
Al's has all the ingredients of a great local classy bar... check it out! -
Review from Jason H.
Kennebunk, ME
5/24/2011
Arrived in Syracuse late Sunday night and was searching for dinner and drinks. We found Al's Wine & Whiskey more than accommodating. The staff was very friendly and welcoming. The food was excellent and served well after 11pm. The selection of whiskeys were second to none. It looks like an old library with tall bookshelves housing the whiskey accessed by sliding ladders. Live jazz band set up in the front windows and a mature, 20-30 something crowd. I was very impressed and happy to find this place after arriving late night after a long drive.
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Review from Emmy T.
Syracuse, NY
3/17/2011
Al's is really hip and classy. There are lots of sitting areas to play darts or mingle. The bartenders are really friendly and knowledgeable too. Def. one of the best bars in Syracuse without a doubt.
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Review from Jon P.
Syracuse, NY
1/10/2011
Yo this place is un-fricken-believable yo! Walk thru the door and you feel as if you are walking into your home, back in the good old days. The staff is friendly, knowledgable, and courteous. And boy do they know their beers, wines and spirits yo. I have traveled almost everywhere in the world and this place is among the best in the world yo. The cheeses are cave-aged in house. The wine cellar is as large as a whole city block yo. If you dont think anyplace could be this good. Go check it out for yourself yo.
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Review from Liz K.
Brookline, MA
7/21/2010
This place is great! Have been here several times and am from out of town. The leather couches are so nice. They have a ton of space. It does get crowded but I have never seen bartenders work harder or faster to get your drink to you. I recommend the mojitos...they are very tasty. You can also get different flavored mojitos too. I am also a fan of the ladder on the wheel track that goes up to the shelves and shelves of alcohol...it's just cool to look at. They have several small couch and coffee table areas with games you can play too. There's a pool table in the back too. One night I was there they had live music.
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Review from maureen h.
Staten Island, NY
5/3/2008
als is the only bar in syracuse you can still smoke in, now that new york has become a smoke free place or whatever. so yea, of course my friends and i always go there when we go downtown.
als is very big, its narrow but goes back deep (thats what she said...) and as you get past the bar it opens up to an intimate lounge type area with couches and candle lighting. its just laid back, people smoking cigars and hanging out. the music isnt overbearing...you can actually have a conversation with someone, and its a pretty cool place if youre heading downtown -
Review from Jamie O.
Syracuse, NY
8/7/2010
The classiest bar DT Syr. It was better when they had cigars but o-well Liberals suck.
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Review from Sarah N.
San Francisco, CA
11/10/2008
best place to drink in Syracuse
