Although it’s undergoing some renovations since the purchase 6 weeks ago, Hotch’s Sports Pub and Grill is still a popular venue for people to hang out at. Run by Andy Hotchkiss and his brother Phil, Hotch’s is located directly across from Wal-Mart on Brewerton Road in Cicero.
Hotchkiss, a Syracuse native
, spent a few years in California, just to return to the area. Hotchkiss has been in the restaurant business for 15 years. He worked in a bar for about 4 years previous to Hotch’s. “I knew the restaurant end of it as well,” Hotchkiss explained as he spoke of his experiences.
Part of the chosen decorations for the dining area is a sign with the family name on it. The sign used to hang at his grandmother’s restaurant in Mexico, New York. The sign is 50 years old, presenting a distinguished feel to the pub.
The dining area can seat up to 120 people with the right placement of tables.
There is also a large sign etched into a mirror boasting Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. That’s not the only selection at the bar, but it is one of the most popular. The bar is full liquor bar as well as having several choices of beer on draft.
The rest of the pub is only slightly decorated, making the atmosphere easy for the patrons to set themselves. The pub offers to make whatever the patron wants it to be.
Hotchkiss named the pub after his nickname he earned in high school. “They used to call us Hotch and Little Hotch,” Andy said of his brother Phil.
Although SU games are a popular night for patrons, the pub is full on a regular basis. With a trivia night starting up in the summer, Hotchkiss expects to see the grill fired up.
Not only will trivia be joining the scene, but Hotchkiss is also planning to have a “bike night.”
On Saturdays there will be live bands as entertainment. Hotch’s will start having bands every Saturday once they start getting booked.
The pub has already seen local bands including Dead Rows and Emerald City. There is also a DJ on Friday nights.
“Sports are a big thing here,” Hotchkiss says. With pictures of NASCAR hanging above the bar, the theme of sports has a broad range.
And for all the sports, 11 flat screen TVs are strategically placed around the bar and also in the dining area. The two biggest, both 65”, have found temporary homes on the small stage in the dining area.
With a full kitchen staff and 6 bartenders, the kitchen is also kept a busy place. Hotch’s has a full menu. With appetizers to pizza and everything in between, there is something for everyone’s appetite.
The kitchen serves burgers at ½ lb. or ¾ lb. for $1.50 more. And at $6.75 for the cheapest burger, any appetite can be suppressed. The menu also gives choices such as a philly cheese steak for $7.25, pasta dishes starting at $7.99 for spaghetti, and salads for those who are watching calories.
Hotch’s also does banquets. They have already hosted 4 since opening 6 weeks ago.
There is more to do at Hotch’s then the bar and diner. The is a small pool room, an electronic juke box and an electronic dart board.
Once all of the renovations are finished, Hotch’s will have a full wrap around bar that leads into the large, two level dining area. There will also be patio seating once the weather starts to change. Eventually the kitchen will be placed to the back of the house rather than behind the bar.
With big changes coming and a dream being realized, Hotch’s Sport Pub and Grill is quickly becoming an excellent new venue for the Syracuse area.
Hotchkiss, a Syracuse native
, spent a few years in California, just to return to the area. Hotchkiss has been in the restaurant business for 15 years. He worked in a bar for about 4 years previous to Hotch’s. “I knew the restaurant end of it as well,” Hotchkiss explained as he spoke of his experiences.Part of the chosen decorations for the dining area is a sign with the family name on it. The sign used to hang at his grandmother’s restaurant in Mexico, New York. The sign is 50 years old, presenting a distinguished feel to the pub.
The dining area can seat up to 120 people with the right placement of tables.
There is also a large sign etched into a mirror boasting Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. That’s not the only selection at the bar, but it is one of the most popular. The bar is full liquor bar as well as having several choices of beer on draft.
The rest of the pub is only slightly decorated, making the atmosphere easy for the patrons to set themselves. The pub offers to make whatever the patron wants it to be.
Hotchkiss named the pub after his nickname he earned in high school. “They used to call us Hotch and Little Hotch,” Andy said of his brother Phil.
Although SU games are a popular night for patrons, the pub is full on a regular basis. With a trivia night starting up in the summer, Hotchkiss expects to see the grill fired up.
Not only will trivia be joining the scene, but Hotchkiss is also planning to have a “bike night.”
On Saturdays there will be live bands as entertainment. Hotch’s will start having bands every Saturday once they start getting booked.
The pub has already seen local bands including Dead Rows and Emerald City. There is also a DJ on Friday nights.
“Sports are a big thing here,” Hotchkiss says. With pictures of NASCAR hanging above the bar, the theme of sports has a broad range.
And for all the sports, 11 flat screen TVs are strategically placed around the bar and also in the dining area. The two biggest, both 65”, have found temporary homes on the small stage in the dining area.
With a full kitchen staff and 6 bartenders, the kitchen is also kept a busy place. Hotch’s has a full menu. With appetizers to pizza and everything in between, there is something for everyone’s appetite.
The kitchen serves burgers at ½ lb. or ¾ lb. for $1.50 more. And at $6.75 for the cheapest burger, any appetite can be suppressed. The menu also gives choices such as a philly cheese steak for $7.25, pasta dishes starting at $7.99 for spaghetti, and salads for those who are watching calories.
Hotch’s also does banquets. They have already hosted 4 since opening 6 weeks ago.
There is more to do at Hotch’s then the bar and diner. The is a small pool room, an electronic juke box and an electronic dart board.
Once all of the renovations are finished, Hotch’s will have a full wrap around bar that leads into the large, two level dining area. There will also be patio seating once the weather starts to change. Eventually the kitchen will be placed to the back of the house rather than behind the bar.
With big changes coming and a dream being realized, Hotch’s Sport Pub and Grill is quickly becoming an excellent new venue for the Syracuse area.
By Alisha Tondro, for Table Hopping – with Central New York Nightlife!
Published in April 2010 in Syracuse , NY
http://www.table-hopping.com/articles/April2010clubscene.html
http://www.table-hopping.com/articles/April2010clubscene.html
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