Syracuse businesses cater to Orange hoops fans during Final Four run

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — It’s a big weekend for Syracuse Orange basketball fans with both the men’s and women’s teams playing in the Final Four. And, restaurants and bars in Armory Square and downtown Syracuse are getting ready to capitalize on the excitement.

Clinton Street Pub, which rebranded as a sports bar this past winter, has been able to take advantage of its new status during Syracuse’s NCAA Tournament games. Aaron Labulis, a manager at Clinton Street Pub, says the bar has been packed for both the women’s and men’s basketball games throughout the past two weeks.

“We got lucky because the women have played before the men’s game [almost] every time,” Labulis says, adding that customers will come in and cheer on the women’s team before watching the men’s team play.

Labulis estimates that the bar has seen a 50 percent increase in patrons on game days or nights, and says the bar has had to bring on one to two additional bartenders to meet the demand. Clinton Street Pub is offering fans a few deals — including a free pitcher of beer if you buy 20 wings, as well as $3 domestic beer specials.

“We’re a new sports bar and we have 22 TVs, so there’s not really a bad spot in the bar to watch,” Labulis contends. “We’ve definitely seen the positive side effects of SU making a good tournament run. It’s great to see a city support a team so much.”

A few local coffee spots are having some fun with the Orange tournament success by offering player- and team-themed drinks. On its Instagram page Thursday, Café Kubal posted a photo offering a Gbiniccino (vanilla cappuccino), an ode to star player Michael Gbinije. It’s also selling an Orange and Blue (sparkling iced blueberry rooibos tea, served with an orange slice), and a Full Court ‘Presso (vanilla and caramel mocha espresso).

Freedom of Espresso has been offering themed beverages since 2003, and this year’s selections include Let’s Go Orange (Italian soda), Mala-Chai Richardson (a chai latte with a power shot of espresso), and the Bean-ije (vanilla bean cold brew).

Owner Anna Dobbs says the themed drinks are fun for both the customers and the baristas, and they’re available at all four Freedom of Espresso locations in the area.

“We do it for ourselves, too. It’s been fun — fans like it, they come in before games for a drink. Kind of like good luck,” Dobbs says. “It helps business and it’s a great vibe.”

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