Syracuse, N.Y. — A year ago, people started lining up at 8 a.m. to get into Coleman’s Irish Pub on Green Beer Sunday. By 2 p.m., the slow-moving line stretched three blocks on the sunny 50-degree afternoon.
We didn’t wear masks or spray our hands with sanitizer. We didn’t stand 6 feet apart from our friends and family. The full-to-capacity bar and dining rooms overflowed into the large parking lot above.
What a difference a year makes.
Dennis Coleman and two security officers take a look around during Green Beer Sunday at Coleman's on Tipperary Hill.Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com
This year’s annual gathering to celebrate the start of the St. Patrick’s Day season was much more subdued. Like all bars and restaurants in Central New York Coleman’s can only allow half the number of people inside because of the coronavirus pandemic. That meant 85 customers could sit downstairs, and 35 could sit in the upstairs dining rooms.
Owner Peter Coleman and his son Dennis decided to put on hold the block-long parade from the upside-down traffic light at the corner of Milton Avenue and Tompkins Street to the pub at Lowell and Tompkins. They didn’t do the ceremonial first pour from the tanker truck.
Green Beer Sunday at Coleman's on Tipperary Hill.Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com
Instead, they hosted reservation-only three-hour seatings inside the pub throughout the day. The parking lot this year was used to sell green beer and cocktails to go.
“It’s very very different,” Dennis Coleman said. “We’re just happy to be able to do something though. It’s been a crazy year.”
Green Beer Sunday at Coleman's on Tipperary Hill.Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com
Brittany Bonadonna and her friend Kali Kraeger booked a spot at the 2:30 p.m. seating. You could still drink a nicely poured Guinness or the standard green beer; you just couldn’t walk around with it.
“It’s not the same,” Brittany said. “It’s sad. But I will admit that it’s nice that it’s not so packed.”
Said Kali: “I’m still having a great time. We will be here when it’s crowded again really soon.”
Kali Kraeger (left) and Brittany Bonadonna celebrated Green Beer Sunday at Coleman's on Tipperary Hill.Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com
Last year, Peter Coleman announced he was going to shave his white hair off as part of the St. Baldrick’s fundraiser at Kitty Hoyne’s Irish Pub downtown. Syracuse businessman Adam Weitsman quickly donated $10,000 to the 83-year-old Coleman’s campaign to raise money to fight childhood cancer. Coleman and Weitsman never met because the event was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Weitsman booked a table for six at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday. Coleman rushed over to thank him. He gave him a signed poster from the restaurant. It read: “To Adam Weitsman—Great to have you in the pub. You are truly a great American and a generous one!”
Peter Coleman gave Adam Weitsman a signed poster during Green Beer Sunday at Coleman's on Tipperary Hill. Weitsman donated to Coleman's fundraiser for St. Baldrick's last year. The event was ultimately canceled because of Covid-19. The two finally met for the first time on Sunday.Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com
Weitsman, who owns two restaurants in Skaneateles, said he usually eats at local restaurants when he goes out.
“But restaurants have been struggling. It’s a tough business, even when there’s not a pandemic,” he said. “This place is legendary. I just had to come here today. Everyone is having a great time, and it looks like things could be returning to normal soon.”
Another pitcher of green hard 1911 cider is poured during Green Beer Sunday at Coleman's on Tipperary Hill.Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com
Throughout Sunday afternoon, revelers raised their glasses of green ale or shots of Jameson Irish Whiskey in hopes that Covid-19 would disappear soon.
One of the drink specials was called the Green Vaccine. The sign behind the bar advertising the vodka drink read: “After 2020 ... everyone needs a shot of good luck.”
The drink of choice here is the 'Green Vaccine' at Green Beer Sunday at Coleman's on Tipperary Hill.Charlie Miller | cmiller@syracuse.com
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Charlie Miller finds the best in food, drink and fun across Central New York. Contact him at 315-382-1984, or by email at cmiller@syracuse.com. You can also find him on Twitter @HoosierCuse.
March 01, 2021 at 07:04AM
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Green Beer Sunday 2021: A much smaller crowd came together with a hopeful outlook (photos) - syracuse.com
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