Syracuse named best bar town in America; Barstool’s Dave Portnoy to host pub crawl

In this file photo, Syracuse basketball fans cheer for the Orange during a 2017 NCAA Tournament game vs. North Carolina at Faegan's Cafe Pub on the Syracuse University hill. Ellen M. Blalock | [email protected]

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy is returning to Syracuse, but not for the pizza this time.

Syracuse, New York, was named the “Best Bar Town” in America by Barstool in a March Madness-style online competition between 64 towns and cities across the U.S. The winner of each bracket was determined by total points from social media users who posted their town’s unique hashtag (#SyracuseBBT) on Twitter, TikTok or Instagram or bought Syracuse-themed “Best Bar Town” clothing and merchandise from Barstool.

Syracuse started as a No. 5-seed in the Northeast region, facing well-known college towns like State College, Pennsylvania, and Morgantown, West Virginia. The Salt City beat Greenville, North Carolina, in the Final Four and then triumphed over Washington State University’s Pullman, Washington, in the championship on Saturday.

“THAT’S ALL SHE WROTE,” @BarstoolU tweeted. “INTRODUCING YOUR FIRST EVER 2023 #BestBarTown CHAMPIONS: Syracuse, NY.”

The main prize is bragging rights: To celebrate, Barstool is selling shirts, hoodies, mugs and other gear with a cartoon image of Syracuse University mascot Otto the Orange toasting Syracuse’s title as the “Best Bar Town Champions.”

The other prize? Portnoy will also visit Syracuse to host a “Best Bar Town” pub crawl before the end of the 2023 spring semester. Contest sponsor High Noon Sun Sips, a hard seltzer brand, will also be involved.

Details and locations will be announced at a later date by Barstool Sports and Portnoy, also known as “El Presidente” (@stoolpresidente on Twitter and Instagram).

“Looks like we’re going to Syracuse @nooners!” Portnoy tweeted late Saturday night.

Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy visits Mario & Salvo's pizzeria in Syracuse, N.Y., as part of his "One Bite Pizza Reviews" series. (Video still)

Portnoy last visited Central New York in July to offer his “One Bite Pizza Reviews” for pizzerias in Syracuse and Utica. O’Scugnizzo Pizzeria in Utica, home of the upside-down pizza, got Portnoy’s highest score in the region with a 8.1 out of 10; two Syracuse restaurants received a 7.6.

One possible location for the bar crawl is Mulrooney’s in Armory Square. During the Covid-19 pandemic; Portnoy called Mully’s bar owner Joe Rainone himself to offer payments of $6,000 per month from the Barstool Fund to cover its expenses until it could reopen for business.

Portnoy is best known for his sports blogging company, Barstool Sports, but also has millions of followers for his biting commentary about sports, news, food and more. He’s also known for his many controversies, including multiple accusations of sexual misconduct and hot takes like criticizing two rival Little League baseball players who hugged during a game.

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