The Blue Tusk

The Blue TuskThe Blue Tusk
The Blue TuskThe Blue Tusk
Bar, Eatery

165 Walton St
Syracuse, New York, 13202-1224
United States

// CLOSED //
PLACE STATS
Average:
4.28
Reviews:
65
Ratings:
95
pDev:
9.35%
View: Place Reviews
Recent ratings and reviews. | Log in to view more ratings + sorting options.
Ratings by Eweimer1:
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Rated by Eweimer1 from New York

4.5/5  rDev +5.1%

Jul 22, 2014
More User Ratings:
Photo of digitalflood
Reviewed by digitalflood from New York

4/5  rDev -6.5%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
Really hopping place with great service, good food, and a really good beer selection. This was the good to upscale bar when I worked in Syracuse. Went there a few times during the week lunch time, after work, and on a Friday night. Good every time. Really good selection of microbrews with quality stuff on tap. Good for more sophisticated drinkers, but with a very good vibe even if you're looking for a few drinks in a loud but not overbearing atmosphere.
Mar 13, 2023
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Reviewed by cratez from Canada (ON)

3.9/5  rDev -8.9%
vibe: 3.75 | quality: 3.75 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | food: 4
What I had: 21st Amendment Bitter American, Boulder Beer 35th Anniversary Imperial Black IPA, and Dark Horse Edacsac Dekoorc Eert on tap, Sopressata, Prosciutto and Brie board to split, Mediterranean Veggie Wrap for myself, Caesar Salad and several glasses of Line 39 Sauvignon Blanc for my partner.
What I liked: Large and attractive interior, bustling atmosphere on a Saturday night, excellent draft list with a focus on hop-forward beers, good wine menu, fast and engaging service, bartender was happy to provide samples, prices are fair for what you get, even the door staff are friendly.
What I disliked: Would’ve preferred to eat some quality gastropub fare over the barebones snacky stuff that they offer. And the tap lineup, while stellar, falls short of the better beer spots in Buffalo. But this is still a great bar.
Would I go back? Definitely.
Overall Rating: 78
Jan 30, 2020
Photo of brentblack1
Reviewed by brentblack1 from New York

4.42/5  rDev +3.3%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 4.25 | service: 5 | selection: 4
Stopped in with my wife for a couple beers. Huge selection of beers to choose from. Fantastic staff. The bartender that waited on us was very attentive. As our glasses got lower he was there to offer suggestions. Would definitely go back.
Jun 22, 2019
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Reviewed by GratefulBeerGuy from New Hampshire

4.33/5  rDev +1.2%
vibe: 4.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4.25 | selection: 4.25
Went in around 1 a.m on a Saturday night, place was bumpin'.
Our friends already warned us about the steep prices($$$$) but it was the only game in town for quality, atmosphere and ...still open
They have quality taps. Fiddlehead was the choice, and I believe it was called "Industrial"....(it was a long night out) and I just love the old brick and old wood industrial building atmosphere. Glad we risked the high prices! $13 pints of Fiddlehead, but my wife and I got a late night deal from the bartender...2 for $20.
Jun 03, 2019
 
Rated: 4.18 by entenduintransit from Tennessee

Mar 21, 2018
 
Rated: 4.15 by socon67 from New York

Jan 04, 2018
 
Rated: 4.09 by T-34-85 from New York

May 27, 2017
 
Rated: 4.93 by DoubleMalt from New York

Aug 18, 2016
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Reviewed by -MK- from New York

3.21/5  rDev -25%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 3 | service: 3 | selection: 3.75 | food: 3
Not much of a fan of this place. The service kinda sucks (bit of a snooty vibe), and on a Friday or Saturday night there are way too many people to battle through. Most importantly, the beers are WAAAAAAY over priced. You could easily avoid this place and have a much better time (at half the cost) at J Ryans.
Sep 21, 2015
 
Rated: 4.15 by steveheady from South Carolina

Mar 04, 2015
 
Rated: 3.85 by BvilleBrewGuy from New York

Jan 25, 2015
 
Rated: 3.95 by Martelljw2 from New York

Jan 10, 2015
 
Rated: 4.56 by Cooker_stp from New York

Dec 19, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by Soloveitchik from New York

Nov 29, 2014
 
Rated: 4.56 by OGShotzy from Pennsylvania

Oct 11, 2014
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Reviewed by Brenden from Ohio

4.75/5  rDev +11%
This is one of the larger bars I've been to. It's not an especially private place (not that a lot of people go to bars for private time all that much), and it gets crowded pretty early in the day. There are plenty of places to sit in several different areas/sections of the bar (restaurant?). There are open tables, booths, tables at the glass walls facing the sidewalk, bar stools, and private areas, too. There are sheltered booths where noise can be heard but it's not so obtrusive; these booths are nearly enclosed. Surprisingly, even when it's busy (always?) these booths are a good place to study. The patio has dozens of tables, in lines rather than bunched up against each other, down the long stretch of sidewalk closed in by a wrought-iron fence. There's also a back room with a large enclosed single table that looks to fit 10 or so in a room of its own past a room with a few booths and higher standalone tables. The decor is mostly a lot of decorative wrought-iron fixtures, lots of wood, and black marble tabletops. The beer menu is digital, updated almost to the minute, separated by categories. This bar is for people who know their beer, but those not so familiar with all there is to offer can get some old favorites like SNPA or SABL. Local are also a good portion of what's available, but the taps still branch out all over the US. There are 66 taps, so there's always something to pick, and they throw a few nice ciders and meads on as well. There's a separate counter for food orders and pickups. The staff is polite and fast; while extraordinarily busy, they take note of who needs to be helped and work as quickly and skillfully as they can. I didn't pay more than $7 for a pint. Between the feel, the decor, the selection, and the service, this place is pretty amazing.
Sep 27, 2014
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Reviewed by Stignacious from New York

4.95/5  rDev +15.7%
vibe: 5 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 4.5
This is my go-to place in Syracuse. Absolutely fantastic selection of hard to get craft on tap, with knowledgeable, friendly staff. My favorite aspect of this bar is that drafts are poured into 20oz glasses standard, great value for money.
Aug 16, 2014
 
Photo of ClavisAurea
Reviewed by ClavisAurea from New York

5/5  rDev +16.8%
Best beer bar in Syracuse hands down. outside seating is wonderful when the upstate NY weather is nice (see the picture). dozens of taps and bottles available for anyone's tastes. Last time I was there they had a limited edition collection of craft brewery's collaborations. I had an english bitter that was a damn fine example of the style. super refreshing.
Aug 02, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by K_Diggity from Florida

Jul 27, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Mikus from Pennsylvania

Jul 23, 2014
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Reviewed by Roguer from Connecticut

4.01/5  rDev -6.3%
vibe: 3.25 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.75 | food: 4
Bar decor is fine, but there's a preppy, want-to-be upscale vibe to the place that is a bit off-putting. The occasional live band is nice, and the booths are excellently appointed. The bathroom is a near disaster area.

Beer quality is certainly exceptional. Most of the selections are American craft, but there are a number of excellent import taps, as well. The is guaranteed to be a beer here on tap that you like, and quite possibly something you cannot easily get elsewhere.

Service has been really hit or miss. Some of the bartenders have been friendly, while others have been detached. Bartenders always seem busy, even with a small crowd.

Selection follows quality: 69 taps. A very small handful are domestic AALs, but the vast, vast majority are craft from around the US and the world.

Food is really tasty, although they focus on deli-style food for the most part, so the selection is not huge.

Beer and food prices get a little pricey pretty quick, but there are reasonable choices available, as well.
Jul 20, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by Jaybirdbrew from New York

Jul 06, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by irishpride from New York

Jul 05, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by barbaraeliza from New York

Jun 13, 2014
 
Rated: 3.5 by voxhumana from Florida

Apr 23, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by AMCimpi from New York

Apr 17, 2014
 
Rated: 4.5 by TheRealThreePhilosophers from Massachusetts

Apr 08, 2014
 
Rated: 4 by MadScientist from New York

Mar 02, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by dwoolley1 from New York

Feb 25, 2014
 
Rated: 3.75 by boszormeny from Canada (ON)

Jan 12, 2014
 
Rated: 4.25 by vonnegut21 from New York

Jan 09, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by MichaelStoutBeard from New York

Jan 08, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by MichaelStoudBeard from New York

Jan 08, 2014
 
Rated: 5 by Baab200 from New York

Dec 07, 2013
 
Rated: 5 by Mock_Weeze from New York

Dec 03, 2013
 
Rated: 4.75 by jasonmmccormick from Pennsylvania

Nov 23, 2013
 
Rated: 4 by BillRoth from Maryland

Oct 20, 2013
Photo of Edwaka01
Reviewed by Edwaka01 from New York

3.86/5  rDev -9.8%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 3.5 | selection: 4
Came here after eating and getting a flight and being thoroughly disappointed with the beer at Empire to drink a good beer before heading home.
A - Went in mid-day Tuesday - it's a nice place, but I don't think I can accurately rate the vibe, I've heard it gets pretty damn collegy at night.

Q - Great beers all over, and some pretty crappy ones too!

S - Bartender somewhat unwillingly answered a couple questions I had, although to be fair, he did answer them.

S - Decent representation of NY beers and craft beers in general, but not many beers that I can't find at most beer stores in NY. Maybe 5 or so beers out of 60ish that surprised and excited me.

10oz or 20oz pours for most beers, 10oz pours for the specialty beer section. Prices varied with the different brews of course, but none were cheap.
Feb 01, 2012
The Blue Tusk in Syracuse, NY
Place rating: 4.28 out of 5 with 95 ratings