J. Ryans

MVotter

New York

4.9/5  rDev +15.3%
vibe: 4 | quality: 5 | service: 5 | selection: 5 | food: 5 | $$

First time at J Ryans, Syracuse. I had heard that the beer menu was excellent and I was NOT disappointed!

We were there with a large party after a Syracuse/Villanova basketball game. We combined some tables, ordered some pitchers of Middle Ages IPA, and others in our group (including yours truly) wanted to sample a variety of brews and ordered pints.

I had a nice fresh Flower Power IPA, to start and a Founders Breakfast Stout arrived a little bit ahead of my sandwich...which, by the way I order with beer battered onion rings, the best I've ever had.

The atmosphere, as mentioned by previous reviewers, is fairly laid back. The music never gets so loud that you can't talk to the people you came to share time with, and when they played a live, circa 1989 version of The Wheel, by the Grateful Dead...I was SOLD!

If you're in Syracuse...don't miss it. 69 beers on tap...excellent food and plenty of space! Actually it reminded me of a 1/2 or 3/4 version of The Sunset Grill and Tap, Boston, MA.

Nice.

01-19-2013 05:32:50 | More by MVotter

merc7186

New York

4.33/5  rDev +1.9%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4.5 | $$

I had stopped at J.Ryans on the night before the Ithaca Le Blue debacle,

A: The place has a very laid back feel to it, you can see that it kind fo tries to have an irish motive on the exterior but there is very little decor on the inside.

Q: They have probably one of the best tap lists that I have seen in New York State. They had some beers on tap that I have never seen and most of them were solid quality.

S: Service was decent, bartenders were willing to provide samples and waitresses were a little lax but nice.

S: Solid Selection...69 taps of all different varieites and spread across the country. They were getting Founders on tap for a while now even though there is no Founders distribution in the area.

F: Food was solid...at our table we ordered Chili, Reuben Sandwich, and Cajun Chicken Quesadillas and everyone really had no complaints at all.

V: Beers were all reseasonably prices, food was reasonably priced.

Overall, I would say that this is the premier bar stop while in Syracuse. Enough Said.

04-15-2012 14:17:30 | More by merc7186

Lawl3ss

Texas

4.6/5  rDev +8.2%
vibe: 4.5 | quality: 5 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $

One of the most overlooked bars in Syracuse, it is in my opinion the only one that approaches what Clark's used to be, though in a different vein.

J Ryan's is located right on the edge of downtown Syracuse, on the edge of Hannover square, and is only a couple blocks from the Erie industrial/commercial strip and the slightly rundown James St. residential area. the location does afford it plenty of parking, however- There are free street spots available on the block every time I've been there, and that's pretty often.

Inside, it's a pretty typical American pub, tile floor, low ceiling, pool table, etc. with enough stained wood and brass to give it a marginally classy feel. Small-ish, but there is a large brick patio that is available during the relatively short periods that the weather in Syracuse is amenable. There's almost always a thorough mix of ages and backgrounds present, and it doesn't often get overly crowded like a lot of other places popular with the college crowd. They also do quite a few special events and beer tastings.

The selection here is great- they have three or four macros to satisfy the odd customer, but the other 60+ beers on tap are always rotating and usually from at least 40 different breweries. The turnover is surprisingly fast, and they generally have 5 or so new beers every week, if not more. I've never been there and not seen something I havn't tried before. The only drawback is that their beer menu isn't always up to date- luckily the servers usually mention it. They also have a cooler full of bombers to go, and there's almost always a cask ale available, usually something tasty from Middle Ages. I do have to say, though, that they sometimes "run low" after a big holiday or Syracuse Beer Week, and you'll only see 45-50 beers available while they replenish their stock.

Most importantly- they serve each beer at the temperature it was meant to be drunk, which is shockingly rare in my experience. I can't even say how much this impressed me after having to explain to a waitress at another Syracuse "beer bar" that I was waiting for my icy imperial stout to warm up when she thought I didn't like it.

The staff is exceptional, and there has been more than one occasion that I've gotten a free pitcher of one of my favorite brews for no particular reason. Free pitchers can be a dangerous thing, indeed. Otherwise, service is generally quick, the bartenders are attentive, and they always know more than you wanted to hear about the latest offerings. The kitchen staff is almost as good, and you'll often have your food in 10 minutes, never more than 20.

The food is quite good, but pretty simple. Fish sandwiches, burgers, wings, nachos, etc. The big plus is that the most expensive thing on the menu is $8.00 and the kitchen is lightning fast.

For the selection and service, this place is CHEAP! $2/2.50 daily specials (there are always two), $10 craft pitcher specials, $4 cask pints, cheap food, and free pool/darts on Sunday/Monday all add up to me getting to try more beer and hang out for hours. Most of the draughts on the menu are in the 4-6 dollar range, which I would consider average for Syracuse, but free samples and free "accident" pours are in abundance.

Overall- It's pretty chill, pretty cheap, and the staff are excellent. All of that would be nice without the stellar beer selection and genuine appreciation for what they are serving. Definitely my favorite hangout/tasting bar in Syracuse.

01-10-2012 02:53:25 | More by Lawl3ss

spinrsx

Ontario (Canada)

3.94/5  rDev -7.3%
vibe: 3.5 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 4 | $$

Stopped into this place the other night to take advantage of their 2.50$ 12oz draft beer specials. Every night they have 1 or 2 beers on for this price. They have 60 beers on tap, but some are macros like Labatt Blue etc. Still a great selection of draft beers, including Founders which I didn't think was available in NY. They also have a great display case at the front of the bar filled with bombers of all kids of goodies like Alesmith and DFH. Prices were around 5-6$ for a pint of craft and I didn't try the food. The atmosphere is a little seedy but it is what it is.. Anyways, worth stopping in to try some interesting beers.

12-13-2011 19:34:23 | More by spinrsx

jzeilinger

Pennsylvania

4.18/5  rDev -1.6%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4 | food: 4.5 | $$

I ended up coming here as a last minute decision while traveling through the area on business. In all honesty, I was planning tpo go to Clark's Ale House, but sadly discovered it was closed. After the discouraging news I was left scrambling and didn't want to go to one of the places in the bar district because I'm not keen on over crowded bars, but for those with good beers, it's sort of expected. I discovered this place on BA, it sounded like my kind of place, and in the end, I was sold after my experience there.

A - This is a great atmosphere (IMO, personally), laid back, friendly, crowded during the usual happy hour, but subsides after that, had a nice mix of all ages enjoying really good beer and good company. One side of the bar has alot of glass facing the street, pool tables, T.V.'s, black and white tile floor, a dark mahoganey colored bar, nothing fancy. I arrived at 7:30 PM on a Thursdayand it was half full. Low ceiling, great music on the house system, eclectic selections of beer.

Q - The beer selection is pretty good. At the time of the visit: Lost Coast IPA, Great Divide Titan IPA, Racer 5, Hoptical Illusion, Horseheads Black Horse, Flower Power, Anderson Valley IPA, Green Flash West Coast IPA, Cortland IPA, Mojo, Mojo Risin', Flying Dog Snake Dog, Full Sail IPA, Sierra Nevada, Old Speckled Hen, Bear Republic Red Rocket, Cortland Red Dragon, Flying Do Doggie Style, Horseheads Brickyard Red, Ithaca Groundbreak, Anderson Valley Poleko Gold, North Coast Old Stock Ale, Rogue Dead Guy, Brooklyn Chocolate, Long Trail Coffee Stout, Youngs Old Chocolate, Scrimshaw, Jever Pilsner, Delerium Tremens, Stella, Hogaarden, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot and Ovilla, Ommegang, St. Bernardus...a pretty darn fine list. Granted, this was on tap back in May of this year and I was just there a few weeks ago (Sept. 2011) and the list was HALF of what I just mentioned, I was very disappointed to say the least.

S - The bartender is very attentive even when the place gets busy! WOW! Whatta concept!!! THe times I've been there...they are always professional and friendly.

F - The first trip here I had a turkey reuban which was very, very good. The past two trips I've had the Greek salad with chicken and it was outstanding, no complaints here!!

V - Awesome place and well worth the stop. My next business trip to Syracuse will include J . Ryans.

09-22-2011 07:21:36 | More by jzeilinger

VegasBill

Nevada

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4.5 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I arrived here at noon on a Sunday and the only two other customers were just leaving, so it was a bartender, me, a server who was sitting at the bar and a female who worked at another bar who was getting toned up for work.
Once I looked at the beer selection I thought one thing, kid in a candy store!! of course Yard house has more taps but they are getting boring, who knows what surprises are at J. Ryans.So I had a Ithaca Flower Power,excellent, and a Blue Point Hoptical Illusion,excellent and a Arcadia Hopmouth, to much hops for me, can you believe I said that!! Also the bartender gave me quite a few samples and I tipped accordingly.

06-26-2011 20:19:12 | More by VegasBill

Hojaminbag

Colorado

4.03/5  rDev -5.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 3 | selection: 4.5 | $$

I came to J. Ryan's for the first night of the Friday the Firkenteenth cask fest. Apparently, the fest with Friday in its name actually started on Saturday. I wasn't too upset, as there were a few casks, including the beer I was really interested in trying. Anyway, I showed up in the late afternoon/early evening on a nice day. The outside seating area was packed; there wasn't a single place for my party (of 2) to sit. The inside had plenty of space, with low ceilings and a checkered floor. There are small windows on one side of the room, and the bar takes up a good portion of the left-hand corner of the building.

The tap list was great. I would guess there are 50+ beers on-tap (the official number is 69+1cask). Just a ton of NY beer, including stuff from small breweries that I don't come across in Ithaca. There were at least 5-6 beers I had not tried and were interested in. Stuff from Horseheads, Ithaca, Middle Ages, Empire, Cortland. Plenty of out of state breweries too. Ithaca Dark Humor was on cask this particular night. There are always things at J Ryan's that you cannot find anywhere else outside of New York City.

Service was not good. It took forever to get anything. Even though I had a table, it was faster to go to the bar. When I did go to the bar, it was tough to get anyone's attention. I even had to wait half an hour to get my bill after I asked for it. I threw money on table and started to walk out when it finally came. I'll give them a pass and not kill them for it because there was a pretty good crowd for the fest. It wasn't overwhelming, however, and happy hour on Friday should be pretty busy on any week I should think. At least the waitstaff was friendly when I managed to track them down.

Lots of BA s here, I could tell by the crowd and conversation. I didn't join in on this trip, but normally I would have had no problem making friends. I also noticed plenty middle-aged married men flirting with the bartenders; even for middle-aged married men they weren't smooth.

Despite the service, I will be back. The tap list is really damn good.

EDIT:
I've been to J Ryan's 5 or 6 times now. The taplist is always fantastic and reasonably priced. People are usually fairly friendly. Service at the bar has ranged from good to great, but I haven't dealt with a waitress since my first experience, and I haven't been there when it's crowded either.

05-26-2011 00:39:34 | More by Hojaminbag

fmccormi

New York

4.43/5  rDev +4.2%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 5 | selection: 4.5 | food: 3 | $$

J Ryan's is a great place, and currently my favorite beer bar in Syracuse. The atmosphere is fine, basically a normal bar scene, but not grungy at all and not too crowded like Blue Tusk can get. It's very much an American bar in this way -- couple pool tables, dart boards, enough seating but no special rooms or anything.

Service is fantastic. The bartenders and waiters are great, obliging, and good-spirited. The food has been a bit hit or miss for me, sometimes it's good and other times it sucks. Either way, it's generally just American bar fare, so don't expect any gastropub-type grub.

Quality of the beer served there is great. Really good stuff, though seldom anything rare or really crazy (although they do have some hard to find things once in a while, like Super Friends when it was available). Selection goes along with the quality: very good, nothing elusive (most of the time), but replete and relatively wide-ranging in style. Mostly American, though -- don't expect a lot of foreign taps at J Ryan's.

Also, J Ryan's is fairly priced. Not the kind of place that thrives on $1 PBRs, but obviously that's more than fine. Not nearly as pricey as Blue Tusk, really very much a good value in terms of high-quality craft beer.

All in all, J Ryan's is fantastic, and shouldn't be overlooked. Favorite beer bar in Syracuse.

04-18-2011 00:57:23 | More by fmccormi

ThePorterSorter

New York

4.15/5  rDev -2.4%
vibe: 3 | quality: 4 | service: 4 | selection: 5 | food: 4 | $$

I visited this place only one time and got the black and tan onion rings (delicious) and a few beers at the bar. I went at an earlier time than most would consider "happy hour," which was around 3pm on a weekday, but was still impressed by the turnout to watch Arsenal whoop ass.
The beer selection is first class, I grabbed samples of several beers before purchasing and ended up with the Ithica 13 Excelsior! which is less common and a delight to be offered on tap. This bar is one of the first I've ever seen Founders on tap at. Also, J Ryans does do growler fills, not at a great price, but still offers the option for those interested.
The bar maid was kind and catered to our sampling requests without being too pissed off for asking. The food I ordered was also timely delivered, but I have to take into consideration the fact that there was no line...

J Ryans, an overall good experience and atmosphere, I would like to try again at night when the regulars come out to party.

02-19-2011 05:02:36 | More by ThePorterSorter

CaptDavyJones

New York

4.28/5  rDev +0.7%
vibe: 4 | quality: 4.5 | service: 4 | selection: 4.5 | food: 4 | $$

This bar is located on the outskirts of downtown Syracuse.
Nice little place with 69 taps on offer and 1 cask. They have a daily special for 2.5 $, which keeps changing regularly.
As far as my knowledge goes, they also have a 'cask beer' at all times.
Selection of beer is very good actually and at a reasonable price.
They also have some good 22 oz bombers on sale.
We had 'wings' and mozzarella sticks, which were decent, not too bad. Service is good.
Slowly becoming one of my favorite bars downtown.

01-23-2011 04:55:56 | More by CaptDavyJones