The 39 best pubs in Ithaca

We decided to check out the Ithaca ale house because of a TikTok that I saw regarding the skillet wings. The flavor of the skillet wings were so good however, I wish there was a little more topping on them for paying two dollars extra to make them skillet and the beer, cheese was really good, but the pretzel was average. It wasn’t really busy inside, so our waitress gave us a lot of attention and she was very sweet. I can’t remember her name, but she did a great job. The host seemed a bit flustered, but it could just have been an off day for him. I would definitely go back and get the wings again if I would visit Ithaca. The atmosphere was just your basic bar, but they did have a lot of seating.

Dropped into Ale House with high expectations after a recommendation from an Ithacan. The lady at the reception was engaged in a long conversation with a young man and didn’t notice me standing there. When she finally took me to a table, she showed no courtesy or hospitality, which was disappointing. However, the young lady who served me was polite and attentive, and she ensured my food arrived promptly. Although they claim to have an award-winning burger, I didn’t find anything particularly unique about it. Overall, I have mixed feelings about the restaurant.

I keep coming back for the skillet wings. They’re the best! Ithaca Ale House never disappoints. Great spot for food, drinks, and good vibes.

Awesome food, good beer options with few local ones and service is excellent. We sat outside and the view and ambience was great

Phenomenal food. The surf and turf burger was so good and something new and different. The shromming pizza was also different and tasty. Service was good. Only downside is parking.

Great value for the money. Good portions Fresh and tasty Good presentation Very clean Knowledgable and patient servers Comfortable seating Bathrooms are clean Great beer selection at reasonable prices and tall pours Food is delicious and onion rings crisp and tasty though I think they should be thicker cut as it does not provide enough of the onion and onion flavour due to the batter to onion ratio Burger bun to burger meat ratio perfect. Meat cook, texture, seasoning, and freshness was A1 All in all a surprisingly solid dining experience and will certainly patron whenever possible.

First time visiting. Oh my the food!!! It was a hard decision to make but I chose a burger and what a great choice - juicy,flavorful and cooked and put together as I ordered!! The French fries are the BEST I have EVER had!! We also ordered boneless wings with garbage sauce and omg soooo good and large portion. The cook did a fabulous job. My daughter ordered a Cesar salad and it was huge and she said very good along with a large pub pretzel and of course that was good too. I will definitely be returning!! Megan our waitress was awesome. Very attentive and pleasant. 😊 It was a great lunch spent with my daughter. The atmosphere is very clean,quiet and so much space. This is DEFINITELY A PLACE TO GO TO AGAIN AND AGAIN.

The food was absolutely phenomenal. I had the ravioli which was possibly the best Italian food I have ever eaten. Paired with a lovely Italian red wine, the pasta was perfectly prepared and the tomato sauce was divine.

This place is absolutely to die for. If you don’t like anything on the menu that you think you’ll like… GET THE BREAD!!! The bread is amazing and I could eat it all just for dinner. The service was also incredible, got a taste test of wine, as a family we felt very cared for and respected. I would come here again and again if I could. Definitely a recommendation!!

If I could give 8 stars out of 5 I would. I'm taken away how great the food is from such a small kitchen. I really wished I lived closer to enjoy this food minimal 4x a month. The service at the bar was great and very involved. The food was out of this world. The soup was full of flavor. The main dish was also full of great flavor, the sides were great. The beer selection was a bit low but made up in drink availability. If any one reads this, yes it's worth every penny!!

I don't know how this restaurant doesn't have five stars. The food was full of flavor and nuance. The service was friendly and extremely knowledgeable on every aspect of the menu. I cannot say enough about our experience here. If you are coming to Ithaca, you have to have dinner here! And if you're not in Ithaca, you need to make a special trip.

Server spilled food on my brother and ran off without apologizing, there wasn’t any spills on her as she tipped the plate over so we’re not sure why she sprinted away so fast. We had to use everyone’s napkins at the table to clean up my brother’s arm and chair. This server never came back to our table. Hostess and our waiter was nice otherwise. Food is fine, nothing special but not bad.

We had an amazing dinner here. Our server was so attentive and professional, the timing of everything was perfect. We ordered two entrees that we were planning to share, and the server had the kitchen split them for us without us asking, which felt really above and beyond. We had a white wine that the server helped us select, the fettuccine with clams, chicken piccata, finishing up with panna cotta and coffee. Each part perfect. We loved the cozy vibe inside as well.

Very quaint and inviting. The atmosphere in this restaurant is very relaxed and offers dinning as well as a great bar. Our waiter was excellent. He was very cordial and personable and never skipped a beat. The food was very good. The place is small and gets filled up very quickly so I would suggest getting there when they open at 5:30 pm to guarantee a table.

We ended up here on the 4th, after other places were closed, or didn't have room. The Boom-Boom Shrimp was the best dish we had, with a creamy spicy chili sauce that was very tasty. The Farm salad was huge, but the chicken on top was super dry (overcooked). The chicken was also very dry on my Pesto Pesto Flatbread. The Reds Mojito didn't taste like one, but it was still an enjoyable drink. In contrast to others who have posted here, we got our food within 10 minutes of ordering!

I would like to give this place a fair review since I have had good experiences dining here in the past. It’s clear the management needs improvement. Our table was sat right away (table of 5 indoors) we received our drinks in a timely manner. One of my friends received a small fly in her “ginger I hardly know her”. Wasn’t a big deal to us and we brushed it off. After ordering our appetizers and meals it took about an hour or so for our food to arrive. Some meals came out cold and others came out burnt. My meal came out fine, although the burger was overcooked. Our server had a cold demeanor from the start of our experience and did not check in on us until after we were ready to pay and leave. I have no problem paying extra for good service and quality food but we were charged a gratuity fee. Their menu says they only charge for parties of 6 or more. I wanted to enjoy a meal with friends I haven’t seen for a while, but instead we were all left with a bad taste in our mouths. I hope management can improve and go back to the place I know and enjoy.

Added to my original review below We stopped in tonight to give it another chance. Service was better than before but it wasn’t busy. Hopefully the other night was just a fluke. Everyone does deserve a pass for one bad night. Food was good until we hit dessert which was burned and only about half of it was even edible. I don’t know why it was even served. Hopefully you do better for others but two tries is enough for us. We won’t be back. Original review We’ve been to Reds in the past and loved it. I never write reviews but this was the worst service we have ever had. In an hour and a half of sitting at our table the only thing we were able to get was water and not even a refill on that once we drank it. No drinks, no appetizers, no food. Waiter came to the table twice. Once to drop off water then to take our order that never came. We gave up after an hour and a half and let the hostess know that our waiter never came back and we never received anything but water. She was nice but didn’t know what to do about it so we left.

Excellent food! The best in Ithaca. Ryan is the best cook in town!! All Cornell and Ithaca College families should come here and enjoy a wonderful meal after moving their loved ones into the dorms! I promise you won’t be disappointed. We will be back next week and come here at least 1 x week. I can’t wait x express how good the food is and the service is amazing. Very cute hostess also ❤️❤️

Stopped into Reds for a late lunch and it didn't disappoint! Eric was incredible. Super personable and fun! Food was delicious too. Would highly recommend

Server was less than friendly, they had no help. Took forever to be served and then the food took even longer. When it arrived it was almost inedible. They added automatic 20% gratuity because we had our 5 kids with us. The waitress did take some items off after seeing how bad the food looked but our bill was still very pricey for bad service and awful food.

Had late lunch here and was very happy we chose it on the first day of our mini vacation. Food is incredible and the mustard on the Cuban is chef's kiss. The house made pickles are large and thin with a spectacular flavor. I really wish they did flights on the beer as the selection was pretty good, but they allowed a few samples which helped us decide so that's good. Anyhow if on the fence for a place to go, pick here.

Fried chicken was very fragrant, crispy outside and juicy inside, collards on the bottom eased dryness, plus not too salty as common collard though. Pork schnitzel was a good dish to try as well. Easy to eat compare to fried chicken thigh. Mushroom was very munchies. Servers were very attentive and nice. Would love to come back here again

I give this restaurant overall 3 stars due to the lackluster food. The fried chicken was highly recommended by the waiter and is supposedly the most popular dish. He explained that it was sous vide and then deep fried. I expected the dish to be very tender and bursting with flavor, but to be honest the chicken was dry and the batter was pretty bland. I have had better fried chicken from Popeyes, and it doesn't cost $24 for just a drumstick and breast. The chicken is rubbed with a rosemary spread, breaded in a batter that is very very lightly seasoned and is very floury, and of course fried. I would have liked if they served the thigh instead of the breast meat, and I think it could have been improved with a gravy or hot sauce on the side. The collard greens were tender but didn't have the vinegary bite that they should have. The fries were fine and cooked well. Lastly, the pork milanese was actually tasty. I thought they did a good job cooking it; it was crispy and not dry, and the anchovy was a nice touch. The restaurant had great service, and I liked that I was seated right away. They also have an extensive wine list and seasonal cocktails, if that's your thing.

A solid place to eat. The menu is creative and solid. Great burger. Great fried chicken. Cocktail menu is especially creative.

Love their new location. Much more room and open feel. The best fried chicken in town and honestly some of the best I've had anywhere. SO loves the Salmon and I've had many say it's the best in the area. Only thing I've had a few times and not liked is the burger. They have an odd sauce and seasoning I just don't like, but the quality is there. Just a short walk from the Commons and totally worth the stop.

Stopped in for dinner and tried the grilled dates and the cheeseburger both were outstanding. The bacon-wrapped dates hit that perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and creamy with the goat cheese, and the burger was one of the best I’ve had in a while juicy, flavorful, and cooked exactly right. The duck fat fries on the side sealed the deal. The vibe is cozy but elevated, and you can tell every detail — from the menu to the plating — is handled with care. Great service, great drinks, and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger a bit longer.

The Rook Never Disappoints Come to The Rook to experience a chill vibe, lovely atmosphere, and friendly, engaging service. Picture: 5-star food, wine, and service that is welcoming, not intimidating. The menu is unique, inventive, creative, and accommodating to a range of food preferences. Their attention to detail goes beyond the food and wine. It seeps into how they connect with their customers, remembering anniversaries, birthdays, and intimate details about their tribe of devoted fans. Save room for dessert, because they are divine. Explore the aperitifs and digestifs; they know exactly how to pair them with your meal. The Rook never fails. The food is 💯 consistent, the service is always a joy, and you are guaranteed to have a good time. Update: They are now serving cocktails and spirits.

Sensational every time we go!! My husband and I are originally from Los Angeles and discovered this precious gem years ago before they moved to their expanded, current location. The vibe is warm welcomes with eclectic decor. Their menu rotates, it seems seasonally, which is a pleasant surprise to our palates every single time. Gentry and his staff truly pay attention not only to the details when it comes to the dishes but also meticulous with their cocktails. Also, a special shout out to the wonderful bartender, Manny! A 10/10 experience every time!

We had one dinner and two breakfasts here during our two night stay at the adjacent Marriott. In my opinion the breakfast staff was superior to the one evening we had dinner there. But their main fault here is the food quality. It's like they're trying to get things wrong. To start with the "no Coke only Pepsico" products - you should have a case of Coca Cola cans stashed somewhere - there's no reason for it to be a fountain drink especially at the prices sold here. They also seem to be trying to save the planet one cardboard straw at a time (ergh...) In the end I wound up having iced tea and it was so watered down that I think the tea in it was homeopathic: A single drop of tea in a glass of ice water. Secondly I had their 18$ hamburger (under protest) and they managed to get that wrong by providing a small beef patty on a generic oiled bun, with generic mayonnaise in the bun and nothing else, basically no trimmings other than a slice of tomato, a single raw onion ring, and a leaf of iceberg lettuce. I can tolerate this low level of effort at a ball game or a Nascar race but this is a sit down restaurant at a Marriott hotel and the restaurant prices reflect this. The fries were very forgettable. Breakfasts were not as bad but still not great given the prices. At least the breakfast service was great compared to the evening dinner service. In the end I concluded that this place was more of a bar than a restaurant.

Mixed results on dinner. Service was very slow, even though it didn't appear to be a lot of diners. However, to be fair, there didn't seem to be much wait staff on hand. My burger was actually quite good, although more accurately medium rare instead of the requested medium, however, I actually prefer medium rare just never order it that way because I know many restaurants undercook their meat. The big disappointment, though, were the fries. I paid the extra to sub in duck fat fries, and was so looking forward to some hot, crispy, tasty fries. What I got were limp, greasy, largely undercooked, and more lukewarm than hot. Having been in the food service business for more than 20 years, I am quite sure that these fries, after not being left in the fryer long enough to begin with, had been sitting for a long time under a heat lamp in the kitchen. A drop back into the oil for a quick second fry would have done wonders for them, and it's not like there seemed to be any hurry to get our food to us anyway. To top it off, when my card was run for payment, they somehow charged me for some other diner's dinner--which of course was more expensive than mine! Took a long time before I spotted someone working there--my waitress was nowhere to be seen once she'd taken our payment--to point out the error and get it corrected. Really, the only reason my friends and I had dinner there was because it was a fundraiser night for a local theater, with half the dinner proceeds going to the theater. It's not a place I'd otherwise go to, especially with so many far better restaurants in town.

Ordered eggs benedict and it came out overly cooked and just like hard boiled egg. The service was slow in morning. To make it worse, the waitress was lack of interpersonal skills and basically said we are short of staff and you need to wait longer.

Drinks are good. Service was solid. Food is AWFUL for the price. $30 for Gnocci with Short Rib "Ragu" , which looks like Gnocci in a can of Campbells canned stew. $27 for shrimp and tortellini pesto, which they confirmed was from a jar/can after asking about nuts in the pesto. Fries were clearly frozen and soggy as well. A shame because the hotel it's attached to is very nice.

The restaurant is a nice hidden area in the Marriott hotel, the food was good and I especially recommend their ‘little bites’ menu which offers pulled pork blt sandwiches and grilled cheese with soup, it was a great intermittent meal whilst waiting out the rain. Their dessert selection was also great, I recommend the Creme brûlée.

Food was bad (either too salty/under salted). Service was very slow. Despite this, they messed up the order really bad by serving not making the vegetarian dish altogether and instead offering the chicken dish. Instead of amending it they kept asking if we are okay with the chicken dish. In the end did not even provide an itemized bill.

Still a little disorganized from just opening a couple weeks ago but food was great. Deviled eggs, veggie burger and veggie pot pie surpassed expectations. Layout is a little weird with no separation from the Hotel main lobby. This will become a popular spot in the summer when you can sit outside and they work out the kinks.

We had a early dinner at Revelry which was okish. A nice flight of beers with a good selection. Asparagus parmesan was really nice, a bit smokey with a tasty aioli. The burger was good with nice onions rings. Fish and chips was quite nice, a big portion of the fish with a nice crisp tempura. Pasta with tomato sauce was nice with a lot of fresh basil but like a homey dish. The short rib poutine wasn't that tasty the cheese covered the meat flavours and the fries got wet from the big amount of sauce on the bottom. Service was friendly but not attentive enough. The table was small and they didn't clear the empty plates or prepared the table for the next dishes which was very inconvenient as they were busy and it was a bit challenging to their attention.

Cool brewery and the cider was really good 🍻. Food was okay overall. My favorites were the whipped feta and Caesar salad. Unfortunately, service was horrible for my table personally. Our server never checked on us (even while checking on tables around us), and we had to flag him down just to get the check which led to quite a frustrating experience. I don't see myself visiting here again as the lac of service was off putting.

Went here for a great lunch while we were at the Ithaca Commons. This is a very delicious restaurant that you must stop at and eat. If you are in the area the food is absolutely delicious and the price is just right the atmosphere and the staff is great!! I got the steak tacos and they were absolutely amazing.!! I highly recommend coming here if you are walking around the Ithaca Commons or you in the area great vegetarian options as well. A little something for everybody and the drinks are delicious, especially the mock tails.

Wonderful dinner here! Service was amazing, our waiter and waitress were awesome. The food was to die for. We got a pizza, tacos, and fries. Along with some really tasty drinks. It was our first time here and I would 100% recommend! 🖤

The beer garden in the back is really cute and chill with string lights and a wood fire oven. We ordered a mushroom burger, Greek chicken pita bread, fries, and roasted red pepper soup as a side. Food was what you would expect for a pub / bar food scene. Vibes were cute. Our server Jacie was super sweet. If I were to nitpick, the food could have come out a bit quicker. I think we waited for 20 min. But overall, I had a good dinner experience.

Seems like a great local bar and restaurant with a decent food game. We met a local friend for a late lunch and they were very busy. Our server was very good especially being new and how busy they were. We got the truffle fries 🍟 and fried brussel sprouts for appetizers. I didn't understand the blue cheese on the fries... Parmesan or Fontina would have made more sense to me... but the fries were good. The brussel sprouts were interesting... they nearly dissolved in-mouth like a marshmallow which was good in small doses, but I missed the toothsome-ness of the brussel sprouts and it got oily. The Mrs got the Hefeweizen chicken sandwich 🥪 and I got the blue cheese and bacon 🥓 burger 🍔... we both got their side-salad 🥗 option. She was happy with her chicken sandwich but the patty in my burger was cooked DONE 😵 which is always disappointing. At $20 just for the burger entree... it was surprising to get a food service frozen burger patty... I would have expected fresh beef and formed in-house patty. Otherwise... great atmosphere, our service was good and the food has promise... think we'll try again next time we're in Ithaca.

We happened to pick the same weekend as college move-in, so most restaurants were packed on the Saturday night we chose to eat out in Downtown Ithaca. When we walked up to Revelry, we were glad to take the seating available outside facing the glass window. Our server, Joshua, seemed to handle everyone outside with ease and even moved us to a small raised table, clearing it in one shot, hands full! I ordered the crabmeat pizza and my hubby had the salmon, and BOTH were chef’s kiss 🤌🏾!! I also had the cucumber cooler, which was so refreshing- I wish it came in a larger glass… Overall, highly recommend- and I’m going to be looking forward to coming back for that pizza the next time we are in Ithaca!!

Ashley is great. Ana is great. The vibe here is great. Love the notes in the wall. This made my day. There is so much positivity. Music in the basement, the Jaz jam, was great. Music downstairs 7 Days week. Go support this establishment!

Really nice little bar next to the theater. You have a drink then watch a show what better than that. The drinks were nice. Place was super clean.

Comfortable homey place to grab a cocktail. They have a wide variety of drinks and liquors as well as many sober options. Ashley made us three great cocktails, including a wonderful Sazerac. There’s jazz music playing downstairs.

I actually have never been here. Was Googling a place to stop tonight in Ithaca for a couple drinks. After reading the “owners” responses to negative reviews, you can chalk this one up to a big nope. I get that some Karen can just have a bad experience and blatantly write a BS review, but wow, show some level of professionalism. I overlook bad reviews when owners show an ounce of humility. Unfortunate

Tasty cocktails, very friendly serving staff, great music selection. Highly recommend Tammy's pickles, great snack to go along with your drinks.

This was my first time at Watershed, and unfortunately, it’ll be my last. I came in just looking for a cold beer and a chill atmosphere. Instead, I got dismissed multiple times by the bartender, who seemed more interested in gossiping with the bouncer than doing her job. When I finally got her attention, the beer she served was warm—not exactly what you want after a long day. She had a noticeable attitude, like she couldn’t be bothered. Honestly, if she hates her job that much, maybe it’s time for a new one. Super disappointing experience overall. This was Tuesday 4/15.

One of my favorite bars in the area! The drinks are all excellent and the atmosphere and vibe are always chill and inviting. They also have acoustic music in the bar some nights and a separate venue in the basement for louder bands. If you're in the area stop in and have a drink or two!

New bartenders now, and the guy working treated me like a college kid- I’m a grown 30 year old man who owns Chanticleer merch and contributed to the rooster restoration. Absolute shame, this place will never be the same, and shame on the new owners who are pushing out locals to cater to college kids in a town with nearly no local spots left. This bar used to be representative of the town- a shame to see it follow the path of Lot 10 and others now clearly chasing “the money”….

From what I gather this place used to be the go-to dive in Ithaca. Right now it occupies a very awkward middle spot where it's too divey for college kids and too modernized for the old guard. Dim the lights a little bit!

The Chanty is a staple and landmark for historical downtown Ithaca. Every visit here is chill and cheap. The 🐓 sign is your signal to stop in and hang in an intimate place offering: darts, pool, and good ol juke player. Feels more local folk than college kids. A plus for us OG ithaca workers. It's been almost ~20 years since I started going . It was always the place to go after work drink and an '5 o'clock somewhere' place on a day off. The Chanty is an easygoing classic place to just have a drink with your friends.

As a long-time customer, a large part of what made the atmosphere at Chanti was the bartenders. This place was like Cheers for many of us, where everybody knows your name. Now all of those friendly faces, some of whom I had seen behind the bar or working the door for 15+ years, are gone. Their dedication was rewarded by being fired with no notice. And for what? To become a third Moonies location. And their reopening advertising talking about it being "the same bar you know and love" is sickening when what we knew and loved included the bar staff with familiar faces. Trying to build off a 70 year reputation that those employees really helped build when you've changed the place fundamentally is certainly a choice. The Chanti isn't the Chanti anymore. Times change and reformats happen, but there would be a lot less backlash if they had treated the long-time employees with respect in the process. Like, at least give them a few weeks notice so they can line up other work, that's just basic courtesy for people who have been part of the fabric of the place for so long. Oh, and hire an actual graphic designer or at least someone who can spell for your social media instead the AI garbage you're putting out now. I certainly will "leve" the new place, I'm not feeling the "cloan vibes" the AI is giving off. Can't block us here like they're doing to anyone who has even mild criticism on facebook.

There was no food except for chips to buy. So I don't know why it's asking me to review food. The bar is great. Feels like a hometown bar. The bartender and staff make you feel at home. A bartender even streams the bar on twitch under PorkMarshmallow so we chatted with people watching while we were there.

I love me a good dive bar - but this ain't one of them!!!! I'm honestly pretty appalled by the service here...

Best bar in town bar none. A dive bar no doubt but warm and real and with lovely staff. EDIT: They fired all their staff without warning so...naw. They can get wrecked. Do better

My wife and I stumbled upon this incredible outdoor bar last night, and it completely blew us away. The vibe was effortlessly cool… like stepping into a Moroccan tea room under the stars. Comfy, cozy, and beautifully styled, it was the perfect setting for a relaxing evening with great drinks and even better ambiance. We’ll definitely be back.

This Clarified Lassi is JUST like a cocktail I had in Mexico City at one of the world’s best bars, Handshake Speakeasy. this cocktail is smooth, refreshing bright and brilliant. Wow.

We enjoyed drinks out on the patio, great bar to sit outside and relax with the unique craft cocktails. We were welcomed and brought to a table right away, and you order drinks and pay using a QR code on the table. Our drinks came out quickly. Great spot for a date night, would definitely visit again if we're in the area.

Extremely disappointed with Argos tonight. Argos has been one of my favorite bars in Ithaca for a while now, and I was excited to bring my two hometown friends visiting this weekend from NJ. Unfortunately, the host denied my ID. I am 25 and my license is entirely real, but according to the host, as well as the bartender he consulted with, my license “cannot be verified as real”, despite my other two friends having the same state license as myself. Again, I have been to Argos many times, and have never had an issue. However, we had a good rest of our night at the other bars in town.

If there was one reason I’d recommend or return to the Ithaca NY area, it would be for the craft cocktails at Bar Argos. Moody eclectic terraced patio, craft master artists, unique concoctions all equate to stay, linger, and reluctantly leave.

Chill vibes, great service, strong drinks, and an incredibly cozy atmosphere inside and out. Bar Argos was one of the best bars we visited in Ithaca, and one we will come back to next time we're in town.

Such a good outdoor vibe! Beautiful garden with lights to sit in. Drinks were delicious. I loved the Queen Bee and want to try the Curious George next time. It seemed popular.

Would be an excellent bar if the owner stayed home. Great atmosphere, great drink selection, ruined by the owner loudly complaining about everything and absolutely ruining the experience of coming here. Dude! If you hate service, just stay home and pay someone else to bartend! It's not like you were actually helping! I don't leave reviews much, but damn, I had a date night ruined by the owner complaining to people about how much money he spent on the place and all sorts of stuff for a solid hour. You have a great bar, dude! Don't ruin it with your own negativity

Nowhere Special Libations Parlor was a dark, moody, intimate bar experience that I hope to have again soon. Service throughout was exceptional, and the bartender helped us navigate the large whiskey and cocktail selection available. Highly recommend a visit!

We were looking for a cocktail bar to celebrate my birthday. We stumbled upon this bar and figured it would be a good fit. The bartender was great and super nice/accommodating. The owner was very rude and aggressive. He was upset that we asked about a vodka that wasn’t distilled from wheat (due to allergy). And then he refused to allow us to order a Mai Tai with a higher quality of rum (cocktails are premade). This wouldn’t be a big deal except for the fact that he proceeded to complain about us to other customers. Loudly and openly. I highly suggest looking some other place for cocktails. Literally any other bar would be better than dealing with someone who is wildly rude and belittles customers. If you don’t mind the owner shaming you openly this might be the place for you. We were between this bar and the one across the street. I will choose the one across the street next time.

I walked in randomly, ignorant that I was even walking into to a bar. Upon opening the door, I was immediately hit with some grizzly sounds (it was literally GRiZ) and saw someone playing Celeste on the TV in the back...then I noticed all the people at the bar, the bartender, and realized I had autopiloted myself into one of the stools. 10/10 Best dive I've stumbled into Upstate, will stumble again.

Almost walked past this place. Tucked away in an assuming place, you’ll find in this bar the loveliest bartenders, retro decor and drinks that make you go whoa. We had a lovely time talking about the drinks with one of the bartenders whose name we forgot later. Ask for recommendations for your preferences. We had two sweet cocktails. One with pineapple and coconut milk. That was the sweetest cocktails we’ve ever tried.

James Dean, the owner not the actor, has another great place to add to the many he has partnered to open. He created a place for those of us who appreciate great cocktails, craft beers, and good conversation. A group of my friends and I have been fans of James’ work for years, and so we are excited that he opened this new place near the west side of the commons. (Also nearby and delicious are Lucky Hare and Watershed.) I hope you enjoy this place as much as I do. Jess

Hard to find! Look for the red door. Fantastic cocktails and beer selections. Dark, cozy and wonderful service.

Bike bar is a great addition to downtown and nice to see the expansion. The menu is simple and more geared towards cocktails than lots of beer options. The service was inconsistent. One bartender was friendly and nice and another was curt. They have 2 snack options but we did not get any.

A fantastic crew of friendly bartenders who are excellent at their craft. They always have a variety of tasty beers and cider on tap (note “variety” not just 10 IPAs that all taste the same) and a good selection of liquors and cocktails that are mixed with precision. I never go to Ithaca without stopping at The Bike Bar

I had an extremely disappointing experience at bike bar. The staff displayed clear racial bias and treated me with unnecessary rudeness and disrespect. I was ignored, spoken to with attitude, and made to feel completely unwelcome. No one should be subjected to such behavior, especially in a public space meant for hospitality. I hope the management takes this seriously and addresses the lack of professionalism and inclusivity.

What a rad setup. Not much better than grabbing a good beer and a good bourbon (Weller, Eagle Rare, Buf Trace, all reasonable) while watching Crankworx. Split space with Old Goat, loads of vintage gear, staff obviously rides, great seating.

This quickly became my favorite bar after the first couple trips. Twelve craft beers on tap and lots of craft can selections - all constantly rotating. This is not a 'Bud/Coors/Macro lite' place, but there's still a beer for everyone. Liquor selections are all top shelf and they make some great cocktails with care and detail with them; including fresh squeezing your lime for a sour mix. Great bartenders that seem to know the details about every beer they carry. Fun bicycle décor all around the bar (bikes hanging and bike parts making art) and often has info on local rides coming up and races on the single TV. Quiet place overall with a chill vibe. Tucked away and not often visited by students. A little more expensive than other bars around, but every penny goes to quality.

Bike bar is one of my favorite bars in Ithaca. Every time we go, it feels like we’re family. The bartenders are super friendly and welcoming! Drinks are served quickly and are super tasty. Also a great place for craft beer snobs

Cool vibe. Nice friendly and helpful bartender. Chill. Good beer menu with variety. Cocktails and wine available too. Wine $9 cocktails around $13

I originally ordered an espresso martini and a veggie flatbread. But, I loved the atmosphere, food, and service so much I added an Americano and stayed longer. Jennifer and Caleb make a guest feel like family! They are amazing, and so is the Greenhouse Cafe.

Used to come here a lot. I was here yesterday and enjoying my matcha latte - until I have felt something in my mouth as I take my last sip. There was this white-pinkish, hard bead thing in the drink, still no idea what that is but that thing broke between my teeth as I chewed. The lady on the counter said she has no idea and mumbled that she is sorry, and didn’t offer me any refund or redoing the drink (it was other male staff member who made my drink fyi). Didn’t ask me if I was okay at all or anything - it was a very awkward moment. Having an unidentifiable object in your drink is a food hazard? Think it will be my last visit.

This is a chill little spot where your comfortable retro bar meets an internet coffee shop. If you're looking for comfort and a friendly smile, this place seems to be the spot. The coffee is amazing, with cool little games in random.places. Summer was our bartender, and was very helpful giving us cool tips about the town and area surrounding.

We only had drinks but the drinks were great and all 3 bartenders on Saturday evening during apple fest were wonderful! Very pleasant and custom made a shot from a loose recipie we had, and they were so fun! The plants hanging all over made the environment sooo relaxing and chill, such a cute place. We appreciated the vibe, the banter and delicious drinks, cant wait to come back!

Walked in yesterday expecting to order some salads. Stood at the counter for sometime, and I have no problem waiting for service. But the gentleman behind the counter gave us no eye contact. No acknowledgment. What seemed like many awkward minutes later he finally looked my way and literally rolled his eyes. I had no choice, but to walk out. I have no problem, waiting for service, especially when it seemed he was working alone. I would’ve understood if it took some time to get our order placed but to roll his eyes at me was uncalled for.

Well crafted brunch. Good service.

This is a really cool cafe in Ithaca downtown. A nice place to grab a cocktail, mocktail or a coffee drink. Food was yummy. Loved the atmosphere inside. There are board games as well.

Great drinks, unique place with wide range of games on hand as well as BYOBG and theme nights / days. Open friendly culture and mix of people from spans of Tolkien and Gygax to .... Uses discord and other web social media that fits well with gammers, etc

Went to Modern Alchemy tonight and had a wonderful time. The staff were accommodating to our big group and had great conversations with us. The mock-tails were yummy and added to our fun night. The bar has lots of game to choose from and we enjoyed the one we played.

Really adorable bar! TONS of games for all party sizes and beginners or boardgame freaks. Large beer selection and a non alcoholic menu. They have waffle Sundays and also do trivia with fun topics like mythology and video games.

Photo after we ate a few bites- couldn’t wait. This is a gem!! The cocktails AND mock tails are SO GOOD! And they have all of my favorite games plus a ton I’ve never tried before!

Great atmosphere, interesting drink and food options. Friendly staff and a great assortment of games. We never felt rushed and everything was reasonably priced. We'll be back again!

Such a fun place to stop! They have great cocktails too. My favorite is dark desire. We came in for trivia and Goth night. My group had a lot of fun and every was very nice. They have a lot of board games to choose from to play if you have time! I did have a slight mix up with my friends drinks getting put into my tab but they were great about handling it! I recommend visiting.

Their drinks are good. I wanted to order their house fries but they were out so that tells me it's popular. I hope they will have it next time I come. Also, I love that they're trans friendly!

$5 MODELO. Repeat. also Daisy holds it f'k down!! She is great. Pete's is deff my favorite dive bar in town. Be back soon.

This IS Ithaca's dive bar and it's fantastic. Cheap drinks, good vibes, and you can always find someone to chat with or you can hide in a corner and be alone ... no judgement.

Great dive bar with a sports bar theme. Family owned, friendly, reasonable prices. Pool table, dart boards, large screen TVs, comfortable and unpretentious. NO food.

This is the bar I've been looking for since I moved to Ithaca. The bartender is friendly and funny. Drinks are reasonably priced (a rarity in this neighborhood) but there's still a large selection. The music playing was great, and the game was on a big screen TV right behind the bar, though I still spent a lot of time chatting with the people sitting next to me. I had a great time, and I'm looking forward to stopping in again.

Great local, low key, bar with what you want after a hard days work. First introduced to it when "Mom" was working and been a regular ever since. The prices are decent and the staff tries to keep the roving mobs of entitled bar hoppers to a minimum. I always enjoy unwinding with the staff there and appreciate the "cat herding" they often have to do. Pretty cool historical photos on the wall too. If you want a fancy place where you can be the center of the universe, this is not it. If you want a place to unwind with locals and transients alike on equal terms a sense of humor(and a dash of irreverence), you'll do well here.

Loved this dive bar for a bit, but not the older bartender who consistently sexually harasses women. A group of about ten friends and I were going to this bar several times a week for a few months, but most of us will not be returning until we/our friends can drink without the abuse. Back to the Chanti for better beers, better prices, way better music, and surly but respectful bartenders!

Quaint Towny bar. NO COLLEGE STUDENTS. let's keep it that way. Great staff strong drinks and Good people drinking there. I love a bar with pool tables, song selections and a dart board but not crowded.

smells like pee at all times, sticky floor, rude staff. overall a bad vibe and a ripoff

The security guards deck out is a little much for a small city bar. Than again the college kids are stupid and the creepy guys hanging around for that one girl who can't hold her liquor so can't be too careful.

Had a super fun time here while visiting my family in Ithaca! They have good music and it was decently crowded without getting too hot or to the point where it took too long to get a drink. The bartenders are on top of their game, only issue is the bar seems a little under stocked but the drinks that they do have are pretty good and pretty strong. Also if you go up on the stages to dance make sure you have good footing because they do get drinks spilled on them and get a little slippery (coming from someone who has a big bruise right now lol). Also there’s a very cute security guard so if you’re seeing this hit me up haha

This is the gods honest worst bar ever. With all the nastiness and mold in this place I am surprised I didn't get sick from just walking into the place. I understand catering to the younger, collage demographics but even they clean or pay someone else to clean for them. The bathrooms stink of stale urine while the rest of the place smells like rotting a**. Don't mind all the flys and bugs the bug guy is coming however all the plastic cups with homemade bug catcher seem to have been around since the dark ages. The health department should shut them down and condemn this place.

You will never see me here again. First of all, there was a hairball in my JagerBomb, when I drank this HairGerBomb I immediately started choking and ran outside to get some fresh air. To my surprise the Magic Man was standing outside Moonie’s advertising himself as always. But at this point I was choking so badly I couldn’t even walk straight. Suddenly I felt a warm magical touch around my waist. It was the Magic Man laying me down on the cold commons pavement, where he began to give me Mouth to Mouth CPR. He sucked the hairball out of my throat and ate it. I will never forget his act of bravery, he truly is, The Magic Man.

The most ghetto place there is. Ithaca doesn’t have good bars in general but this place is something else. Only go here if you want to be surrounded by weird grad students and 18 year olds. It’s a weird vibe

I came here for a sorority date night and was having a great time until I tried to go to the bathroom. I was washing my hands when a bouncer came up to me and accused me of trying to wash the X off my hands. It did in fact fade and I understood his point so I offered to have him re-mark my hands but he insisted on kicking me out. I had no intentions to drink and asked to speak to a manager but he wouldn’t even let me. Extremely rude and disrespectful.

We were incredibly disappointed with our experience. Our bridal party had planned to stop here to celebrate, only to be turned away and told we weren’t welcome. This level of treatment was shocking, especially for such a special occasion. A business that claims to be hospitable should treat all guests with kindness and respect. Unfortunately, that was not our experience, and we would not recommend this establishment to others.

This has to be some of the worst customer service I have ever witnessed... A group of girls and I showed up ready to have a fun, memorable night. The hostess took one look at the bride-to-be and flat-out told us to leave. She never gave us an explanation as to why we weren't welcome. The harshness of her comment made the bride cry, on her bachelorette trip. Very poor choice in hiring. Please do better.

Very nice place but a bartender advised me to tip without disclosing they included a service charge already. I found that very dishonest and manipulative. I note other bartenders have been more forthcoming at the establishment since that incident, and I have enjoyed going there at other times.

Amazing drinks and entertainment

This is my go-to bar in Ithaca. They definitely have the coolest shoes and events. There's always neat art up on the walls. The bar tenders are always really friendly, and the owner is so cool!

Ashley Cake, creator & owner of the wonderful Watershed, has converted the downstairs space into a terrific venue for terrific music, spoken word, comedy, open mikes, you name it. Lots of great taps, wine, etc. The staff is great, and there’s something different going on almost every evening. And it has rapidly become my favorite place…Check it out!

Myself and some friends rented out a pod party at this bar back in the fall and it was an incredible experience! The staff went out of their way to make sure we had a comfortable and enjoyable experience and the drinks and bar snacks were incredible! As a queer person, I've always felt incredible safe and welcomed at The Watershed (same owners as this bar), and I can say without a doubt this bar feels equally as safe and welcoming. The Watershed and The Downstairs are by far my favorite bars I've ever been to and I currently live in NYC.

I was there to partake in a show recently, and I loved the atmosphere, the space, the setup etc. I think the owner wasn’t expecting it to be too busy (or maybe he just didn’t have staff earlier in the evening), so that threw us off a bit, as he was quite busy, but we also needed things prior to the show and we felt bad to disrupt him! But that aside, fun place and good vibes!! Def check it out!!!

We went to the Latino dance night. We had a really good time it was really fun, we would just recommend had more drinks options.

This is a classy spot for a drink, though nothing on tap they have a good assortment of bottles and friendly staff.

Great place. So much fun. Bartender Adrien was a pleasure.

Wonderful place to have a drink and do some dancing 🕺

Sometimes it's good and sometimes it's bad. It all depends on the bands. Choose wisely

Karaoke on Thursday nights is a great time with lots of talent and fun people both on and of the stage! DJ Dale is great!

We had a couple cocktails and a snack of nachos. Nachos were very good. Atmosphere was bright and cheerful. We sat outside. Our server was busy, and was okay. She could've been a little more attentive. Overall, everything was good.

Sure! Here’s a polished Google review you can use for Viva Taqueria in Ithaca: ⸻ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We stopped in at Viva and tried the Macho Nachos—delicious! Generous, fresh toppings and great flavor. We added a side of guacamole, which was a perfect match. The service was friendly and quick, making the whole experience enjoyable. Would definitely come back!

The hard taco was so delicious! The green chile habenaro hot sauce made it even more irresistible!

We came from Pompey just to eat here. It was a beautiful fall day and someone heard it had good food. It is on Ithaca Commons and perfect weather we were seated outside. Gabe S met all our needs as our server. He was prompt, friendly and very professional. Two people in our party have special diets and Gabe followed that to the letter. If the food should be hot it was hot and if the food should be cold it was. So, in short, if you are lucky enough to get Gabe S as a server here, you are lucky enough!!

Haven’t been since they moved until today. I used to like their quesadillas. Was pretty disappointed with the food, just did not taste good, lacked flavor (both the burrito and chips and salsa were very bland to me), and not what I look for in Mexican food. I got my food quickly at 12:30 pm from the taco bar side, service and ambience were good. The food just will not get a return visit again sadly.

We visited Viva on Valentine's Day 2023 and it was a wonderful experience! Our table wasn't quite ready when we arrived, so we sat at the bar and enjoyed an order of Mini Nachos. I like this smaller sized portion which was perfect as a starter. The fresh squeezed orange-limeade was refreshing. My husband enjoyed a soft taco plate while I enjoyed the hard shell tacos! (one of our only debates in our home!) To Crunch or Not To Crunch... that is the question! We celebrate our anniversary each week, and Viva Taqueria made our 93rd Taco Tuesday together very memorable. Thanks for a wonderful Valentine's experience.

I always get and always enjoy the chicken taco salad with salsa buttermilk dressing. I'm always surprised how quickly the food comes. My friends order other things and are always pleased. Big servings, Fair prices. And lovely wait staff.

This was our first restaurant during a 4 night visit to Ithaca and area. I say that because we wanted to return later but unfortunately it was closed for two nights for a private event. My wife is celiac and she ordered the fish and chips with sides of mac and cheese and fries. She found the order plentiful and excellent. The fish was lightly breaded, properly cooked, and VERY tasty. The fries were excellent and the mac and cheese also tasty. It was a real treat for a celiac to be able to order delicious gluten-free fish and chips. I ordered the blackened fish and grits and it too was delicious and plentiful. Unfortunately, I gave this restaurant 4* because of the very long wait for our meals to be delivered and then for the bill to arrive later. And this despite the fact that the place was less than half full. However, the three staff were all moving very quickly and our server was quite helpful when we placed our order. So I suspect that maybe the restaurant was short-staffed that day or unable to hire sufficient staff. In any case, even with the wait we were willing to return if we could.

Visiting from San Antonio and wanted a local spot away from The Commons. Found Northstar after our visit to Ithaca Falls and wow, did we strike gold. Great vibe, stocked bar (that's also a pop culture scavenger hunt), great service and the best meal we had the whole trip. Fried green tomatoes that are Gluten Free, yes please! My wife had the salmon & grits and I crushed the Tamari glazed chicken. Flower Power IPA & the Gentle Violet for the drinks. Thanks Jed & team for a great experience, we'll be back.

Love, love, love this place! Can't wait to come back when it's warmer and we can sit outside. There's lots of Gluten-free and locally sourced options. I would say the only negative was music was kind of loud for a casual dining experience, so perhaps they could turn that down so people can converse more. The other thing was the tables were a little small for all the delicious food we wanted to order lol. We had the Gluten-free Mac n cheese which had an exquisitely creamy cheese sauce with a nice sharpness to it. The Gluten-free fish was crispy and moist inside (we switched out the fries or rather "chips" to side of coconut rice) which was a nice contrast so that it wasn't a completely fried plate. Also had the locally sourced wings, which were HUGE. We recommend the Baltimore style wings.

We were in the mood for fish and chips and found Northstar Public House, one of the few places in Ithaca with a Gluten Free option. So glad we did! Hands down the best dinner we’ve had during our visit. The fish and chips were amazing, the mac and cheese was super tasty, and the mocktail Shy Violet was spot on. Our server was wonderful and made the whole experience even better. The vibes are great too—reggae music playing when we walked in set the tone right away. If you’re looking for a spot with delicious food, friendly service, and Gluten Free options that don’t compromise on flavor, this place is a must!

vegan review: everything was mid. the crunch salad was the best thing i ate and it still had little flavor. the dressing needed some punching-up. the squash fritters were confusing to all of us as we expected something different based on the description; they were hush puppies. everyone liked them but they were very plain to me. the sage aioli carried a lot of the heavy lifting in terms of flavor. the curry was good but lacked salt & sauce. when i hear curry i expect it to be saucy and it just wasn’t. the “wings” were the other misnomer. they’re tofu wedges. or triangles. to call them wings is disrespectful, given what many veg restaurants are doing to innovate faux chicken wings with rice paper skin & sugarcane “bones”. the BBQ ones were good. the medium buffalo ones were not spicy. was not happy with my drink, the night nurse (medicinal taste, but based on the name i should have expected as much), but adding the strawberry rhubarb cider helped. the vegan chocolate cake was fine. the texture was really spongy and both the cake itself and chocolate glaze lacked sweetness. the service/wait was not good. we got all our food at once instead of getting appetizers out first. surprisingly, the fritters came out last. then when it came time to pay we had to sort through everything ourselves, and even after that it took a long time to get paid up. ours was a party of 12 and they had a reservation for us but still had weak service. (at the restaurant where i work i’m used to seeing servers be very attentive to large parties with reservations, but that wasn’t the case here.) atmosphere was also mid as the music was a weird combination of jazz and reggae? felt lacking in personality, like the food.

The food was really good, lots of gluten free options for my celiac wife (dedicated fryer too). Service was a little slow even though we were one of three tables. But the food made the wait worth it!

While visiting Ithaca for a music festival, we happened upon this place accidentally while looking for parking. We decided to get brunch here the next morning! It has a cozy local vibe, mixed with a contemporary and rustic touches. The food was outstanding and they serve food primarily sourced from the area. The menu was concise. Overall great find!!!!

We spent a day in ithica and this was our favorite thing. The wine was outstanding and Fredric the owner was great at walking us through each one during the tasting. It was also very cool to learn about the family history of this business and the antiques that made up the museum. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast or casual drinker, either way we’d recommend.

Amazing place for wine ! Frederic the owner is very passionate about what he is doing. He explained very well and we feel very welcoming. Nice Artifacts museum

The couple (Bouché) that owns and run this winery are just the best. I've been on many winery tours on my 70 years, but this one taught me more about the French methods of wine making than any other tour I've been on. Just really fun and educational.

This winery in downtown Ithica is in a beautiful building and has a small wine museum inside. The owner is so passionate and knowledgeable about the history of wine and winemaking. The tasting menu is small but wonderful with some off dry wines and dessert wines. I enjoyed the experience completely and did not leave empty handed.

A must see place in Ithaca for wine lovers! Very authentic and unique experience of wine tasting and culture. The visit was very enjoyable and full of information. The wine was superb, tasty, and unique. A lot of history in that place, and you will have the chance to see part of the process of wine making with a beautiful explanation from the owner.

The owner is so knowledgeable and told us a lot of fun facts of the wine. The tasting is also very chill. After the experience we were like, no wonder it is 4.9 stars on google review. Highly recommend!

Really nice place. The owners are very friendly and super informative. They make some really good wine. They take time to explain how they make their wine as well as where they are from. Mostly French wine here and it's really good.

Amazing. Clean. Well taken care of. Everything seemed pretty new. The bathrooms were clean. They had so many cute parts to this playground that I ( the adult) didn't want to leave. Only left because we had to return to NJ.

A very lovely park in Ithaca at the southern end of Cayuga Lake. It was plenty of parking and is easily accessible from downtown. We found it well maintained and especially loved the willows that rim the lakeside.

Had a great time just relaxing laying under a beautiful weeping willow tree and enjoying the beautiful weather and scenery.

This is a fantastic park. There is a lovely playground, a pavilion, and a building that can be rented. If you follow the lovely path through the woods, be sure not to stray off the path. The woods are covered in poison ivy.

Enjoyed visiting after many years away from Ithaca. Found a bench where overgrowth didn't block the view of Cayuga Lake. The roads inside the park are in horrible shape.

This park has a beautiful playground that is well maintained. There are lots of large trees for shade. The attached nature preserve offers fantastic bird watching.

this park is beautiful! we especially loved the little birding loop by the kayak building

Family trip to Finger Lakes, stopped by for dinner. The reviews did not lie!! The ambience and vibes were immaculate. More importantly, the food!!! The pasta dishes, specifically, spicy vodka were 11/10. If you’re in the area, this is a must try!!

What a fabulous spot. We saw a line the night before and asked about restaurant. Everything is homemade deliciously fresh Italian food. The pizza was one of the best. We started with honey ricotta which was perfect. We had to stuff ourselves with the homemade dessert, so hard to choose, but we picked the mouth watering baklava. So fresh and worth the calories. Name is hard to see from outside. Look for the long line of patrons.

In town for a long weekend and a local friend recommended this spot. I loved it so much I went to two times! Incredible food, great stuff, and cozy atmosphere .

Artisan pizza. The shop w a s a little diffficult to locate at night. Their fresh mozzarella dip with bread was delicious.

The food was exceptional. The service was as rude as I have ever experienced. The grumpy, higher-than-thou, Portland hipster vibe is going by the wayside, as millennials look again to be treated not like they are "lucky" to be dining at the establishment. The entire evening here was peppered with a negative energy; from the bartender that looks as though she hadn't put a smile on her face in an year, to the inability of them to split a check (LOL!), to the hysterical experience of the hostess not letting another one of our party join the table after we had already ordered our meals. HA! It was such an obnoxious experience across the board, that it's become a funny story to tell pretty much everyone we've come in contact with. If to put a bow on this, most peoples response is: "Oh, yeah, I went there when it was on the Mall and it was amazing. But since they moved to the bigger spot, the experience has really gone downhill. I wouldn't go back again." Only saving grace is that the food is on point. Very on point. But who wants to eat at a restaurant where you are constantly worried you might be doing something to upset the staff lol???

Best restaurant in Ithaca; very solid food. Pasta was very al dente and delicious. Pizza had a great crust - the honey sausage was especially delicious. Highly recommend

Wow. Stunningly good Italian restaurant in the lovely Ithaca Commons. The vodka penne was soft as a feather, tasty with just a bit of a kick, with fresh parm on top. I will crave that until we’re back in two months. The margherita pizza was just as good - soft crust, wood-fired, with EVOO, oregano, basil and mozzarella in a great red sauce. The pasta dishes are served family style. We had three hungry people and had an appetizer, one pasta and the pizza - and had plenty for leftovers. Excellent customer service from front to back. Nice wine selection, too - a Tempranillo was the perfect complement. Highly recommend. Updating 8/24 that they have a new location but the food still delivers. The pasta, pizza - and the bread bites and whipped ricotta appetizer- were outstanding. The new place is bigger and brighter, so they can get more people inside though it isn’t as cozy … but it’s a great spot with a pay parking lot next door. One thing - if you sit at the bar, be careful. The bar stools tip over at least once a night… .

It's possible to enjoy a brewery's varied selection so much that at least two flights are needed to accentuate the facts. Liquid State Brewing in Ithaca is one of those. The vibe, service, and beers are all solid. Delicious dark meat chicken treats are available from Silo, their resident food truck. Good sticker game.

My family visited Liquid State Brewing Company yesterday. We had a wonderful time. There was a wonderful selection of beverages ranging from beers to NA cocktails. Be sampled most of the IPAs. All were good! Food was from the food truck. Chicken, fries and mac & cheese was delicious. We'll be back!

Liquid State Brewing Company is a fantastic spot! The beers are creative, well-crafted, and there’s a great variety to choose from — something for every taste. The atmosphere is fun and relaxed, perfect for hanging out with friends or just enjoying a casual drink. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and it’s clear they take pride in what they do. Definitely one of the best places to grab a beer in the area — I’ll be back for sure!

Liquid State and Franco’s pizza what a great combination! Had the flight with 4 IPAs and a small pizza from Franco’s with 1/2 pepperoni. Delish! Definitely going back.

Love that they have kombucha on tap. If you’re looking for non-alcoholic options, they also have mock tails, NA beers, and some CBD & THC drinks. Nice atmosphere in the main room, but they also have a small outdoor space an event space. Good brewery vibe

I had a very disappointing experience at this bar. The bartender refused to serve me a beer because I didn’t have my passport, even though I showed an official government-issued ID. He was also quite rude and unhelpful, showing no effort to explain the situation politely. I understand that bars must check IDs, but there’s a way to do it with respect and basic courtesy. Other bars in the area had no problem accepting my ID and were much friendlier. Definitely not a place I’d recommend.

Stopped food service out of nowhere then when we went next door for pizza, leaving half our drinks and things inside, we were informed we couldn't go back in without paying cover fee or with Francos. So I had to get my friends to bring out my phone bag, umbrella, and leave the drink I paid for. So inhospitable .

Food's pretty good, but a bit overpriced. The burgers came out great, but we paid Five Guy's prices for smaller burgers. Shakes also tasy, but smaller portions than I expected for the price. 3 out of 6 tables in the dining area are wobbly. Soda fountain was very watered down, save for the lemonade. Staff was pleasant.

me and my boyfriend traveled to ithaca from erie pa. we saw this place online and the food looked so good, although once we got there and actually got our food, the burgers seemed to be missing stuff on them. they were still good. my boyfriend got garlic fries and it was minced garlic and oil soaking the fries which was kinda unappetizing. the food was still pretty good, service was good, staff is very kind.

The food was alright, but far more expensive than I think it was worth. The soda machine was broken or something, because all of the sodas tasted weird. Every table was super wobbly. As far as I could tell, there was no bathroom either.

3rd time I ordered. First time was great perfectly cooked burger with a very very slight pink in the middle juicy. This time the Burger patties were dessert dry and no amount of sauce and pickles saved it. Also near the end of my meal I almost choked on butcher paper. I checked if it was from the packing paper that they lay in the take out box. Nope. Threw out the rest of the burger.

TL;DR This was by far the worst dining experience I have ever had. Extremely rude staff, expensive prices, long wait times, and poor quality food are what you will find here. So I am ordering early Saturday after coming back into town late. Not much open around 1am, so I decided to try Jack’s. I put in the order and said it will be ready in 20 minutes. I get there just around the time, and they said it is not ready. What I noticed off the bat that there were people waiting for items. It seemed like they had been waiting a while for shakes. That observation got me worried since I ordered a shake. I thought it might add to my wait time. So I sit for a bit. I wanted to be patient since they seemed busy with orders. What started to offput me was that the front counter person was extremely rude. And not just rude once or twice, but rude to nearly everyone that came to ask her for something. She said multiple times that she was there since 11am. I understand the exhaustion and frustration, but that does not justify poor behavior towards customers at all. Time started to drag and I had been there for 15 minutes (over 30 minutes since I put in my order) I was thinking that surely my food would be ready soon or at the very least my shake. The front counter person was working on producing shakes. Eventually, she was almost done with the back order of shakes. After she inquired who else had ordered shakes and I was the only one that responded, she outright told me she was not going to make it. She said she would refund me. Though she did not follow through with that… So 30 minutes of waiting at the place, I get an email saying my order is ready. I tried to inquire about this with the front counter person, but she just disappeared. She was gone for a loooong time. When she finally got back to the front, she told me they were still working on my order. I wait longer. I am getting more upset. The faces of every other customer told a thousand words, and they all were based on frustration. I wait over an hour. I inquired again about my order, they said they were working on it. A couple of minutes later, the front counter person reached into the warmer and handed me my order with a quick sorry and walked away. So my food was ready for a long time, they just didn’t bother to give it to me. The food was awful. After a couple bites of my lukewarm chicken tenders, which were more like underwhelming chicken cutlets, I threw my order into the trash. I cannot believe I paid $30+ for a few items, including an $8 shake that I never received. Normally, I would want to give a local restaurant a second chance. But not this place. I advise anyone to consider any other restaurant before coming here. Jack’s is in my opinion the worst restaurant in Ithaca.

Minus 2 stars, because when I got there I was told my burger would be ready in 5 minutes, but I had to wait for more than 20. Plus one star because the staff was really friendly. Apparently my order took longer than expected because they had to prepare the local beef. Minus one star because they forgot the fried onions :/ Plus one star because I want to end up with 4 stars anyway. I liked the burger and especially the garlic fries, and I would go there again. In conclusion, if you want to go for the local beef, it might take a bit longer.

The honey chipotle chicken sandwich was bomb! I really appreciated the service. Cassie was everything a server should be and more. She helped with with the order and had some awesome reccomendations as well!

the short waitress with short brown hair and glasses is more attentive to the pool players than anyone else l. I was waiting for over 10 minutes to pay and leave because she was more focused on talking to those playing pool than making sure anyone needed anything. i needed a drink it took 5 minutes even with her at the bar to notice us. not to mention she was on her phone regularly. I have never had this issue prior. the service is always good and the food is amazing. I was very disappointed with this server. the other servers i have interacted with have not only have been attentive in making sure everyone is cared for they built relationships. i am very disappointed with my experience tonight.

We ate here back in November. Was hesitant to stop. It wasn't busy when we got there. The food was really good. Best burger I'd had in a long time. We would go back.

Male bartender very disrespectful tonight, asked for my license first time gladly gave it to him he turned down my fiancé even though she’s 21 when he asked for hers but it’s their bar they can do that and her and I didn’t have an issue with it, 15mins later a friend of mine was getting a drink for himself yet the bartender wanted my ID again I wasn't even ordering a drink nor was I at the counter to begin with, I just wanted to play pool. I walked over to the counter gave him my ID a second time and then he rudely tossed it on the counter not before eyeing me up and down along with the ID, like it’s real lol you saw it 15mins ago. He didn’t even acknowledge me at the counter after that, like a water would’ve been nice. We are all adults here it’s very immature way to act and puts a bad reputation on Joes and I love Uncle Joes, good food, good atmosphere, never once had a bad experience at Joes but today don’t know why, sadly I won’t be coming back.

Nice sports bar, pool tables, good food for a good price! Good place to watch the Bills game!

Waited for 20 minutes for them to take our order but they kept stalling us so we walked out. They even took the order of the people who came after us so I guess they choose who they like to serve here so just keep that in mind if you plan on going here.

What a great spot. Loved everything about this place. Sports bar friendly, bartender Chris made us feel at home and suggested cocktails we should try. Wings were delicious. Sunday mid day stop turned into a 2-3 hour stay (they also had free pool) Will be back for sure. Didn’t disappoint, hidden gem.

Avoid at all costs. Staff and waiters are rude and condescending. Don’t waste your time dining here

Stopped by during an impromptu 30-ish year college reunion with friends. Immediately recognized the historic old tables from the Chapter House (R.I.P.) and the sign from Micawber's (R.I.P.). Lovely bartender, very nice selection of beers, pretty crowd. Really need to chill on the popcorn salt though!

Definitely a local favorite! Awesome place with great people and drinks. Darts and pool inside, along with tables and games, lots of outdoor seating, too. Bathrooms are in the basement. They don't serve food, but often have complimentary popcorn. Water cooler and cups available to help yourself. They do allow outside food. $10 minimum the credit cards.

One of the best bars in Ithaca. Huge tap selection that is constantly rotating and they also have a great liquor selection. Only one of three bars in all of Ithaca with any good rum. Staff is always friendly and knowledgeable. Bouncers at the door when it's busy to insure everyone is of age as well. Thankfully 21 also means no children here (even a nice sign) No actual food, but they do have a free, self-serve popcorn machine when you need a snack to balance out. They also allow you to bring in food. Large outdoor section outback as well (open all year, but no heaters). Lots of picnic tables and they allow food from outside restaurants (grab some Franco's pizza a couple doors down) - also until the Winter came, they had an awesome food truck parked out back (Yxi’S Arepas & Gordito).

The guys outside checking id weren't very nice, or welcoming. ( Not the Checking IDs part. They just basically didn't seem like they wanted to be bothered ) the bartender wasn't bad. I really ENJOYED that they had popcorn and BOARD GAMES available such as, battleship, monopoly, apples to apples, Yahtzee, trivia pursuit, clue etc. which that's something you don't see everyday.

Pretty good bar, but a more pro-Israeli crowd than I would expect for a Ithaca establishment.

Sick place, no food bring your own, free pool, good drinks and prices, great people great atmosphere

Spacious glowing beer garden, welcomes dogs. Free popcorn. Plenty of local taps (double IPA to gose to grapefruit beer) and you can always get your PBR in a can. A food truck on-site. Beautifully diverse array of patrons, from those who do like PBR in a can to those who like their fruity fun cocktails to those who dig a good gourmet double stout. Locals and grad students alike adore this place. Don't come here on first dates or you will run into too many people you know. Do get Franco's pizza from next door and bring it in with you.

Very local vibe. Nothing on tap and has a bad smell when you enter. Friendly patrons and staff, though.

Nothing fancy - great local bar. Update: Wowwwww, whoever was working today (8/24) at noon was a real piece of sht. So incredibly rude. Tried to lay down the law about cash only and no tabs even though we’ve been in before and know the deal. Felt so unwelcome. There were no other customers and the bar is clearly failing since they only have one beer on tap. Perhaps a little kindness would keep people coming back. Very disappointing experience.

No food is served here. Wine by the glass pours were full glass and great price. Locals were very friendly & entertaining.

Great local bar with wide selection and personality. There are pool tables in good condition, and a plethora of TV screens with a variety of sports events. There are several rooms, and my buddy and I had one all to ourselves. Nice spot to grab a drink with a friend!

Definitely not a restaurant, definitely a local dive. The bar food is basic stuff and only available during certain hours. The beer is local but sometimes warm. Maybe their keg cooler is on the fritz. Great location in walking distance from everywhere in the Fall Creek neighborhood and the beautiful Ithaca Falls right across the street.

We loved it here!!! Visiting from out of state and the locals and staff were amazing! Amber was the best, I want to come back just to visit her!!! Thank you everyone for making us feel welcome we had such a great time but sad there was no food lol! Amber you rock!!! Matt n Wanda

I nice place to play pool

Last night there was advertising for drink specials and the bartender said the owner only puts those up for "decor" and that wasn't the price. One of two things is happening, either the bartender is shady and was pocketing the price difference or the owner is shady and uses false advertising to get foot traffic in the bar. Either way, I wouldn't trust this place.

I was in ithaca last week. My friend took me to level B on Saturay night. My friend was very excited about it. She loves fishbowl. I was surprised to see it is not the same level B it was. Lots of people in there, bartenders were way better than before. Restroom is very clean, its hard to find a clean restroom like that in a college town night club. Had a blue fishbowl (it was $36. Really??) and couple of drink. They told me fishbowl is $18 only on Wednesday. Cocktails was very inexpensive. The DJ was awesome. Every one had a good time. I had to wait 3/4 minutes to get my fishbowl. Only 2 bartenders were not enough for that many customers but they did their best to keep everyone happy. After 1am my friend requested the owner to play 3 more songs of her choice and he was cool with it. He did play those songs. I left the club around 1:25am. Had a great night.. Thanks to my friend who took me there.....

Awesome place, I was there last weekend. I couldn't be happier with this place, just wish it was closer to house, although it is still pretty close. I have been there multiple times and have always had a great experience. I love the setup how they have the bar area and the dance floor. The bartender there remembered me from like 3 months earlier which is ridiculous but she was really good and attentive throughout the night. The following day I realized I lost my iphone there. I called but no answer. I guess it was sunday and no one there. Got the email address from website and emailed them. Amazingly had a replay within 30 minutes saying they have my phone. I was so happy and thankful to them. If you are looking for a place to drink or go out to dance and party this is the place in collegetown Ithaca. I haven't had a bad experience yet and pretty sure you won't have any..

Terrible dj playing music way too loud, even for a nightclub. Strobe lights were obnoxious, and some guy who worked there started telling at me and my friends for apparently trying to close a pair of silk curtains by a window in the isolated corner of the place. The furniture is pretty dodgy, and there is no AC or ventilation down there at all, so consider popping upstairs to cool off and get some fresh air. I'm sure there are better options around collegetown than this place. I can't really speak for the service or drinks, since it was a Cornell hosted event for summer college, they just had soda. If you do go and feel a bit overwhelmed, try going to the back room and turn down the music in that portion of the place.

One of the better clubs in Ithaca, the manager Jordan is the man and goes out of his way to keep everyone happy and partying. Have yet to hear of someone having anything but good experiences here.

A group of my girlfriends and I went here for a bachelorette party on a Thursday night. Based on the reviews we were expecting a great time and atmosphere but we left after 5 minutes of being there. I'm giving 2 stars because I'm thinking it being a Thursday night had something to do with it and all of the employees we spoke with/interacted with were great. When we went the "entertainment" was this one guy randomly playing a guitar with psychadelic music and some sort of video/power point in the background, it was just strange and not at all what we were expecting or hoping for a fun night out. It felt more like we should have been at a grateful dead or Motown concert based on the music and crowd.

The cocktails and vibe is quite good, but this place really needs a better DJ; from my one time experience there, the current DJ plays the same boring songs their whole length on repeat!

Bartender charged me $40 for watered down “double” vodka soda and 3 lemon drops. And she was short with me when I asked how that price was possible. Definitely won’t be returning.

I went on a night when the pool tables were free! Decent priced drinks. I was really impressed by the free stuff in the bathroom, some of which I've seen in other places but some was new to me. There were condoms and tampons but also cup covers to stop your drink from getting drugged, fentanyl test kids and a test for some other drug I can't remember. A couple does of narcan in there too.

I'm sad I didn't know about this place sooner. The people are friendly, the service is great, the drinks are tasty, and well-behaved dogs are welcome inside! I wouldn't bring your pup on a night that's likely to be busy, though. Pool tables and a fireplace in the back. What's not to love?

I recently transferred my drivers license from out of state to New York and have the legal temporary paper ID. I was turned away, even though I have valid legal ID and could use other documents to corroborate feels pretty ridiculous and like there was another reason I was turned away

Great bar, even if it is a bit of a hike for me. The staff is fabulous and friendly. The atmosphere is welcoming. I've never had a bad experience here. Two words: train shots

Really, this place is a hidden gem and I'm hesitant to even write this review. Great specials, great atmosphere, and local beer. Bartender's are awesome and the location is far away from the college crowd that it seems mainly older students and locals enjoy this place.

Great local bar, “divey” in the best way. Good tap selection, gay-friendly, free food and pool on Sundays, TV for games. Some bartenders are friendlier than others but overall the vibes here are immaculate.

I had dinner here three times while I was on my trip in Ithaca and all 3 times everything was just perfect. The atmosphere , indoor and outdoor, food and the service! I am so glad the other two places I had called before that had such a long waiting time to make a reservation - as it was Jul 4th - because thanks to this reason I called Creola and the hostess on the phone was such a sweetheart to let me reserve a table with a very short notice! And we never left the place! Our servers the all three nights were amazing (Katherine, Andrew and Christopher) and the girl at the reception , she’s so sweet and with a great sense of humour - can’t recall her name but she had violet hair and a beautiful dress. Can’t sing enough praises for the food , it was absolutely delicious with everything we ordered: the trout , the lamb , the calamari , the super fresh fish and the fabulous dessert. Both my husband and I are Italian born and raised there and actually this has been the best restaurant in the USA where we have been so far and we have lived here for 3 years, travelling to different states. Not only the food is cooked to perfection but the dishes are so innovative and mixing the tradition with innovation but with perfect technique. The hickory coffee crème brûlée was just breathtaking . Even the cocktails were perfect . The espresso, really similar to the authentic Italian coffee . The portions are very generous and the price is so worth it ! The servers are professional and very attentive but also super kind and friendly. We definitely felt like home. Overall, an amazing experience, thanks to all the staff at Creola!

We were staying in Ithaca overnight and looking for a restaurant to have dinner at. We took a walk around the main town and came across Creola Southern Steakhouse. Our server Christopher was great. He was very attentive and professional. We ordered the Brisket burnt ends nacho skillet and the chicken and waffles. The food was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was beautiful. We would definitely come back if we were in town again.

5⭐️ service with Justin 5⭐️ meals Wow, what a great surprise! Growing up in Ithaca a lot of restaurants come and go downtown but I think Creola will be here to stay! Having lived in New Orleans I can attest to the real creole flavor here! All dishes, apps and entrees are large enough to share, packed with flavor and have a little twist ! For example the shrimp and grits (delicious) has the grits fried ! « Clam chowder » ( it’s made similar to a gumbo with shrimp) is great and filling, amazinggg crab cakes, probably some of the best (and perfectly cooked) steak I’ve eaten, as well as the baked beans are a great side. A special shoutout to the regular and lobster Mac and cheese, one of the best ever ! Can’t say enough good things about this place including our fantastic, funny and attentive served Justin! A must try and totally worth the price!

We stopped into Creola for drinks and dessert at the bar and had a fantastic experience. The banana pudding and pecan bread pudding were absolutely amazing. Both were rich, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. Jay, our bartender, was excellent! We found him to be attentive, helpful, and genuinely friendly. He made us feel welcome right away. The ambiance was warm and inviting, with a fun theme that ties everything together beautifully. I highly recommend giving this place a chance for anyone looking for a sweet treat and great service!

The menu items in the photos include: Tomahawk Pork Belly Chop Barbecue Crispy Bao Buns Cajun Parmesan Truffle Fries Let me start off by saying everything was delicious. The Bao Bun sliders make a perfect entree if you aren't too hungry. The brisket melted in my mouth. It was so tender. The Cajun Truffle Fries were crispy and flavorful - I highly recommend. Despite not having Pork Belly, I tried a piece of the Tomahawk Chop and was surprised how flavorful and tender it was. Kind of fatty on some parts - but again, I've never had it before, so maybe it's supposed to be. Overall, if you're looking for a unique dining experience while in Ithaca, stop into Creola Southern Steakhouse!

My wife and I had dinner at The Creole Steakhouse in Ithaca, and it was, without question, one of the best meals we’ve ever had. The Old Fashioned cocktails were perfectly balanced, the filet mignon was cooked to perfection, and the mashed potatoes were buttery, velvety, and indulgent. From the first sip to the last bite, everything was exceptional. Our bartender was absolutely amazing…knowledgeable, personable, and truly elevated the experience. Warm atmosphere, attentive service, and flavors that stand out…we’ll absolutely be back.

Fabulous restaurant. Food is delicious - great flavor - beautiful presentation. Atmosphere is upscale New Orleans - tasteful art and comfortable furnishings. Very friendly service - we had Justin as our server - attentive and personable. My wife and I loved it and highly recommend it for anyone looking for quality Southern fare and fun.

Collapsing floors? The floors are slumped and the ceiling on the first floor is moving a good inch or two as people upstairs jump along to the music. This place scared the crap out of me - feels like it’s gonna collapse. There’s visible cracks near the bathroom walls. I hope they add get an inspection before anything bad happens. On a busy night, if you stand outside, you can see the glass windows bow in and out as the whole building flexes.

I Haven't Ate There, So I can't Comment. Atmosphere is Congested But in a Good Way. Clean and Alot of Room! Service is another Story. Owners / Some Cool. Others Can Be A Bit Unprofessional! Or Disrespectful! Bouncer's and Bartenders are Great !! For Couple Hrs. Out, Overall 7 out of 10 in my Book.

l came to ithica for the reggae fest 2025 and also looking to explore other places. I visited lot 10 bar and lounge and a staff approached me and said because l was not dancing like every other person and just stood in my little space doing my own thing. The staff said to me, people will be uncomfortable because am stirring. when has being in a club in a little space minding my business has become a problem. mind you l am a black person. l felt l was singled out by this staff because of my skin color. This is very pathetic and l was so disappointed. l have heard stories about racism, but this is real in lot 10 bar and lounge in Ithica NY. if you black like me l will advise you not to visit this bar. Thank you

Looking for the hippest place in town, not flooded with college students? This is it. Stellar bar staff, and great live music as well as other events, like open mic and karaoke.

Went on a Friday, there was a live band playing and there was a 5$ cover to get in which I think is a fair cover charge. The drinks were all reasonably priced and the atmosphere was a lot of fun. Over all a great experience. Only complaint would be the drinks were too strong but not many people would complain about that.

They ain’t got the popcorn goin. Ima bless the world

Great music and cocktails. Bartenders are always pleasant even when very busy. Has an downstairs and upstairs bar and dance floors along with a lot of live music and karaoke night. The outside beer garden is also great if you smoke or just want to get some fresh air. One of the best bars in Ithaca.

Awesome place!!! Loved the live band!! The bartenders were amazing, great personalities!! I'm definitely coming back on my next trip to Ithaca

Decent bar with good beer selection and live musical performances. Darts and popcorn machine are a bonus!

The entrance is tricky. Steep stairs plus drinks seems dangerous but it's a great bar. The DJ was really good. People were very nice.

Had no idea what this place was like or why I was charged a cover charge. Then it dawned on me that it's more like a band/dancing place. The demographic was an older crowd then I'm use to so that threw me off. Decent place for what it is.

Had a great experience at Driftwood's New Year Eve show here. Great sound and light show.

Really a nice spot for live music almost every night. I'll be honest, the first time I went here I was totally weirded out by the number of unrelated individuals who seemed to have decided to come to the bar without shoes on. Apparently that day was an anomaly because my next visit had everyone wearing appropriate footwear. Good drink variety and reasonable prices.

Knocked back one star because I hate climbing narrow stairways to get in to a place, but it's a pretty decent club featuring live performances and a high-quality sound system.

This is my third time coming here, but honestly — only because the fried chicken is really good. Unfortunately, the service continues to be the worst in town. We asked to add a seat for a friend who arrived just 5 minutes late, and even though the restaurant was completely empty, they refused. The staff was unwelcoming, inflexible, and created a tense atmosphere for something so simple. On top of that, the iced tea was basically half a cup of ice with barely any tea. Disappointing service yet again.

Went for lunch. Terrible food, slow service, and not worth your money or time - go somewhere else! First time going to this particular restaurant. Went on a personal recommendation, but did NOT have a good experience. Went for lunch, and when we arrived, we seated ourselves, and the waitperson did not come to take our order in a timely manner. Others arrived after we did, and he stopped at their tables and took their orders first. There weren't many diners there (and now I know why). When he finally did take our order, he did not seem like he wanted to be at work, let alone serve anyone. The items on the menu are not adequately described, and what you are brought vs. what you think you will be getting is a large difference. When someone questioned this, he made an excuse that they changed things up. However, the menu should be more accurate, or...if changes are made, when someone orders an item, the waitstaff should inform diners that the menu item is no longer available as described. (We received an official "eye roll" on this observation, from the waiter.) The food was substandard for the price, and really, if I could give this place a negative rating, I would. But a "1" out of 5 will have to suffice. The food was bland, the chicken patty seemed undercooked, and if you are not experienced with chopsticks, you may or may not get a fork if you ask for one. Initially you just get a spoon, chopsticks, and a napkin. I will never go back there, and I would suggest to others to steer clear as well. In their defense, perhaps dinner is an entirely different staff and experience, but I can say without reservation that our lunch was decidedly disappointing.

Had an excellent bibimbap. Kind of eerie experience to go inside but it not be Viva Taqueria, a ithaca staple for many years. The interior design which was the same as Viva. Anyhow the food was excellent as well as decent service. Would go back to try the fried chicken.

Amazing service and such delicious food! The tapas menus are perfect for trying out new Korean dishes. I’d say it’s such a fun way to explore different flavors! The owner is always nice to everyone even though it was so busy

We went there for dinner. We took mandu ( It wasn't the best mandu I've ever tried but it was tasty), honey garlic boneless chicken ( it was delicious because it has not have thick layer), udon with chicken ( udon was delicious but chicken was not delicious), bibimbap ( it was really delicious)

The cold noodle soup on a hot summer evening (with a beer) was perfect. The broth was flavorful and the salmon appetizer was yummy.

I had lunch here and would definitely return. The food was excellent and the quantity was plentiful for the price!

Continuing the Road Trip adventures through Upstate New York, this visit is to one of three breweries worth investigating in the Ithaca area. It's quite a bar to set for yourself as a business when you choose the name 'Personal Best.' Of the three worthy contenders in the Ithaca brewery game, this one is, well, The Best. There's an extensive list of brews, and flights, pints, and half-pours are available. If you're smart, take a picture of your four. You know, for posterity or whatever. Guess who forgot, though?

Personal Best brewing is MASSIVE even though you wouldn’t know it from the outside. Sitting rather unassuming on Buffalo street, PB is one hell of a brewery. They have a HUGE shuffleboard court, along with many other games, cornhole in their yard, fire pits, etc. Their beer is fantastic - I especially loved their New Zealand Pilsner. Outside food is allowed and they also have a kitchen that’s open and serving BBQ on weekends. Hit up Personal Best and continue onto Liquid State just a few blocks away for an awesome brewery crawl.

We hosted our wedding reception at Personal Best on 6/14/25, and we couldn’t be happier with our choice. The pricing was fair, Anthony was incredibly easy to work with, and the event staff went above and beyond. Renting out the entire venue was perfect for our group—guests could relax inside, enjoy the outdoor space, or play shuffleboard at their leisure. We highly recommend Personal Best for any event you’re planning. The atmosphere is great, the team is top-notch, and the beer selection is fantastic!

This is my favorite bar in Ithaca. Not only do they have an amazing selection of great beers on tap, I learned yesterday that most of their beers are also gluten reduced and safe for people with gluten intolerance. This is huge for me, as a person whose family has celiacs. Also, I’ve been coming to Family Fiesta dance events here, and I’ve loved them. The vibe of the whole venue is great for families, and the food truck is so yummy. I can’t recommend it highly enough. Also did I already mention their friendly, knowledgeable, and fun staff!?! 5/5 from my whole family.

Hot new brewery in Ithaca! This place is really cool! They have a great beer list with a lot of options for everyone plus wine and other beverages. They let you bring in outside food if you want to nosh while you enjoy your libations. On top of the beer they also have a couple big shuffle board lanes in the back and a pretty big outside area. It looks like they're still settling into the space, so I'm excited to see what else they do with it on my next visit.

Came for a wedding, beer was great, bartenders were nice, service was beyond exceptional. I don’t like my drinks smelling like cigarettes and that was a persistent issue. Otherwise I would recommend every and anyone to come

Place has good drinks but on Friday I was told they would have the eagles game on so I had a large group today only to be told that an event not advertised meant we could not watch despite a woman already telling me we would be okay. The bartender in question too seemed frustrated at the idea of us wanting to watch sports when they had played the game before already

Good beer GREAT fries and AMAZING Mac n cheese. Also fantastic service. Main dishes were relatively disappointing but still alright.

Fries are really good! Fun place to go for drinks or dinner. Unfortunately, no outdoor seating. Food is pretty good, fries are great. Brunch is relatively new and that is very good too. They make their own beer (not on site) and also sell beers from other breweries. Decent options for vegetarians, you can substitute veggie patties in for any of their burgers.

I have been frequenting and have been over 6 times. The place is pretty cool since its downstairs and feels cozy and the lighting is nice. Their drink selection is standard and fine. Their food is of a decent price and of very high quality. I recommend trying their burger and especially their fries.

This is a cute little restaurant. The server was excellent and very knowledgeable. Their beef is locally sourced and organic. They even know the name of the farm from which it came. How cool is that? The food was amazing quality. It was a short walk from Hotel Ithaca and Ithaca Commons. Nothing but good things to say about this place!

I have been here twice. Once to eat dinner and once to just hang out. Both times were enjoyable but definitely more fun later at night. The food is an eclectic mix with some nice local ingredients. The wontons were surprisingly good. The curry with chicken was very tasty as well. Really good selection of beers on tap as well. Ambience isn't anything great, tables are pretty banged up, but overall a decent vibe, and like I said, most of their business is later in the evening with the college crowd so it works.

I went here with three of my friends for one of their birthdays on a Tuesday evening at 7. We had been here before and had great service. When we walked in, we were greeted by the bartender to sit at any table we liked. But our waitress was very sour and lacked basic customer service etiquette. She did not even tell us her name, and we also noticed that she was nicer to all the other tables but ours. When my friend asked for a beer, it took 20 minutes–for other tables it took 5, when we needed a water refill it was another 20 minutes until she finally stopped at the table after walking by 5 times. The food was great–although she didn't ask how everything was, she really dimmed down the birthday atmosphere for my friend.

Excellent food with unique flavors. The popcorn chicken, cheese plate, and Fee and Liam fries were incredible! The service was great and since we went on a Sunday night there was no wait time.

If you are bringing DJ to the venue, make sure you have enough space for the dance . There is no point in playing music with a DJ in a place where everyone sits and talks loudly.Such an amateur and unprofessional environment.

Never review, but they blew it by being extremely rude recently to the local community. Nice place and a lot of potential but need to rethink the overall strategy. Good drinks and good overall vibe. Really enjoy the summer outdoor music scene. Yeah - just really not happy with whoever is running it.

We visited on 11/19/2021. Great cocktails, friendly staff, wonderful atmosphere. What more could you ask for? Their COVID protocols made it easy to relax and enjoy our visit. Also like that they're looking out for their staff by automatically adding a minimum 18% gratuity (which we were very happy to pay). We will definitely be back!

Great cocktails, atmosphere, friendly staff, and awesome response to COVID. They have beautiful tents outside to protect from the weather. While the kitchen is closed for safety/health reasons, they let you bring in snacks which is so generous and flexible! One of the most enjoyable bars I've been to in Ithaca!

Absolutely gorgeous. Great setup really stunning.

This space is delicious: multitudes of happy plants vine around the lighting fixtures, real candles are lit on sconces, old books line that walls, and gentle lighting make the endless grey season in Ithaca bearable. Instead of water cups made out of soon-to-be trash plastic, there are REAL copper cups stacked beguiling near the water station. Metal straws too, of course. On a recent night, there's a local experimental rock band entertaining a reverent and present crowd (no shouting over the band here; instead it is chairs and intentional listening). Some listeners are dressed in plaid and beanies, others in cocktail dresses and drapey scarves. A diversity of ages and styles, and everyone feels comfortable. Beer, wine, exquisite cocktails, cider, and some non-booze options are available from a well-curated and how-can-I-choose drink menu.

The new Argos Warehouse has a great atmosphere and well-made cocktails. Cocktails range in price from $9-14, and they offer wine and spirits as well. I would go again for a date, but the food options are quite limited.

While visiting Ithaca, we stumbled across Poured Candle Bar and it became one of the highlights of our trip. The experience of choosing scents that fit each of us was so much fun and felt really personal. Tatiana was wonderful—welcoming, helpful, and patient as she guided us through the process and made great suggestions. We left with candles we love and a memory we’ll definitely cherish. Highly recommend stopping by if you’re in the area!

Tatiana did a fabulous job on our class! Gave so many great tips and helpful advice to make our best scents to create amazing candles and perfume for a Bachelorette party. The whole atmosphere and aesthetic was amazing - highly recommend!

Such a cool experience from start to finish! Tatiana was very helpful in the decision making! Would definitely recommend this for any group or couple activity!

An absolutely wonderful experience! Tatiana was phenomenal at guiding us through finding our perfect sense. It’s a perfect experience for couples or friends looking to have a glass of wine (or some amazing focaccia) while creating an incredibly cool experience together.

Amazing experience! My husband and I each made a candle. One of the owners walked us through every step of the process and helped us pick scents that went well together. Everything about the experience was great - the store had a beautiful interior, it felt very inviting and intimate even with other people there also making candles, and even taking the candles home was great because they put them in really nice boxes so the candles could travel. It all felt very luxurious and overall was totally worth it. We’re planning on going back once a season to try out all the seasonal scents!

Tatiana was absolutely incredible guiding me through the process of making a personalized perfume. we chatted, explored all the different scents, and I never felt rushed. I learned so much about the process and Tatiana’s expertise made sure my scent came out perfect every step of the way. What an absolutely incredible experience. I also don’t drink and they have really nice nonalcoholic options. The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy. DEFINITELY stop by!

We had a wonderful experience making our candle and our hostess Tatiana was sweet, personal and knowledgeable. We loved her interaction on our annual Thelma and Louise day.

I was so intrigued by mushroom spirits, and I was pleasantly surprised! Step outside the box and give them a try! So knowledgeable and what a unique place! Definitely try the “mold fashioned” you won’t be disappointed!

You must love mushrooms or mushroom flavor to visit. The staff here is awesome but seriously, mushroom hard liquor is quite the unusual item. If you are curious and or adventurous, you should definitely stop here.

Amazing spirits. Super unique and tasty. We loved our tasting of both their mushroom and regular spirits and every cocktail we had. I highly recommend the bloody mary flight too. We bought a few bottles too since they are so unique! Can't wait to come back!

My husband and I were on our way back from a bike ride in Waterloo and looking for something to do. We drove past the Mushroom Distillery and slammed on the brakes, turned around and began our ‘mushroom adventure’. A bit skeptical about mushroom flavored alcohol, but we love all kinds of mushrooms- so figured WHY NOT???- and were pleasantly surprised by the delightful herby and earthy undertones to the spirits. We each tried a flight - my husband the vodkas and moonshine, and I tasted the vodka, gin & rye. Delicious!!! Who knew! The gin is finished in a rye cask and was AMAZING!! We decided to try them in a cocktail- Todd had the lemon drop martini and I had an old fashioned with the rye. YUM!! Todd loved the lemon drop so much, he had another. I tried the jalapeño and cilantro martini with mushroom vodka. SPICY!! And D-LISH!! Put this on your ‘do not miss’ list! 🩷K

Great service from the owner, even though we were there past closing. Yeah, we were "those" people. Wendy was fantastic. Very unique products, and tasty. Many different mushroom infused liqours. Also, grown locally by the owners. The drinks are super delicious! Get two!

I can’t get over what an incredible find this place was. I had sent a message asking about parking our camper and Joe was super accommodating and friendly. The vodka was like nothing we’ve ever had before and the cocktails were delicious and picture perfect! We can’t wait to come back someday!

Brilliant ideas in spirits and the mushroom flavors are amazing. Incredibly nice people and fun rural setting. The big U-shaped bar makes it easy to chat with strangers if you're up for it. Only downside is that the place could use a face-lift.