Syracuse Nightlyfe Survey Results

Syracuse Nightlyfe Survey Results

Earlier this March two local college students began collecting information from Syracuse residents via an online survey. Information on evening spending habits, demographics and lifestyle was collected and analyzed from over 460 completed surveys. The raw data has been compiled and is ready for public view.

To request survey results email Kalin at: Kalinpmoon@hotmail.com

Please include your name, business/ affiliation and purpose for request within the email.

Thank you to our generous sponsors; Cazenovia College for donated server space and analytical software, the Syracuse New Times for donated ad and restaurant gift certificates, Ryan Dailey for graphic design and Information Technology Communications Group for tech support. We would also like to thank everyone who spent time filling out the survey and sharing their thoughts with us. Thank you all very, very much for helping make this project a success.

Participant Comments: 
Here are some comments collected from survey open ended questions 
____________________________________________
A downtown sports stadium.
___________________________________________________________

Affordable, nice young-professional apartments downtown would be great.  The lofts in Armory are very nice, but way too expensive for the market.  Also, as the events increase downtown, hopefully more / additional reasonably priced parking will be available.   
any improvement with syracuse, and any building of new business can only help us. since we are the snowiest city this year. 
_________________________________________________________
ASIDE FROM ARMORY SQUARE, WHICH IS A LITTLE TOO STEEP FOR MY POCKETBOOK, DOWNTOWN DEAD, NIGHTCLUBS ALONE AREN'T GOING TO DO IT. PARKING PROBLEMS HAVE TO BE SOLVED AND THE CLIENTAL 
ON THE STREETS HAS TO IMPROVE
__________________________________________________________
being handicapped, sidewalks and parking downtown need to be kept up better, all over the city actually.
__________________________________________________________
Do the right things. Knock down the barriers to people accessing and enjoying downtown. Reduce taxes, provide transport and parking, open up areas for pedestrians only (e.g. Ithaca Commons, Faniel(sp?) Hall in Boston, Waterfront area in Baltimore, Riverwalk in Austin, TX, The Green in New Haven, CT. 
________________________________________________________
Downtown syracuse has a lot of potential.  
_________________________________________________________

I would be careful about putting lofts downtown.  They are a nice idea, but people might not be able to sleep or relax there due to the crowds.
Downtown Syracuse needs to beautify!!!!  It looks like a run-down, poor old city!!

For Question 27, I put No" because I already think Syracuse is an attractive place for me to live.  I'd love to live downtown in a nice apartment and be able to walk everywhere 

Our Son, just moved back to Syracuse from Boston via Baltimore after 15 years. 

Great idea to discover what people want/need.  I really feel more people would frequent live music venues if the shows were earlier- like 7 or 8 o'clock rather than 10 or 11.  

I am a life long resident of Syracuse and have always believed in the possibilities of what Syracuse can offer to people.  With the different young professional organizations croppping up with the last two to three years and the recent 40 Below Summit I'm starting to believe that Syracuse is beginning to slowly turn that corner from dreaming of the possible to the actual doing of it.

I am hoping that you prove me wrong about the lack of things to do in the Syracuse area because as it stands right now, I am looking to move to NYC. Yes, it is waaay more expensive to live there, but the diversity in people, events and cultures makes it worthwhile to me.
___________________________________________________________
I appreciate the effort to attract younger people here and all, but they will never STAY unless you make this place just as attractive to the things that a young FAMILY will need. This town needs to focus on the crumbling infrastructure with just as much effort: crumbling streets, filthy sidewalks and lots, a gray and deteriorating downtown and a teetering school system. If you focus on attracting twenty and thirysomethings, that's all you will ever have, a rotating stock of younger people who are never interested in staying in the area on a longer-term basis. 

Also, more public murals: just make the place look nice. And that stupid shot clock is just an example of how Syracuse continues to get it all wrong, nearly every single time.
_________________________________________________________
I believe that Syracuse is headed in the right direction, especially becuase of groups like you.  I am very excited about the research park that is supposed to be built soon.  I believe the better jobs we have the more younger people we can bring to the city.  The city seems to have a older population then most that I visit.
I don't feel like there are any bars that cater to the mid 30's professional crowd. Armory Square seems to tend towards college aged kids. 

________________________________________________________
I enjoy what is slowly progressing here in Syracuse - but feel there is still not enough choice, - most of the time it comes down to where my friends are, and who has good live music - most of my out" time is spent eating out
________________________________________________________
I enjoyed the atmosphere in Armory Square when the NCAA regionals were in town.  It was fun (and the weather cooperated).  Nice not to have cars parked in Armory Square.
_________________________________________________________


I wish there was ONE calendar that displayed all of the events going on in the Syracuse area, including the festivals held in Clinton Square.
I get most of my info from the New Times about places to go for the weekend and events going on.  If you want to reach more people to do this survey and other initiatives you want to get going, I would put some ads up in there to get your message out.

______________________________________________________
I just recently moved back to Syracuse from Scottsdale, Arizona.  Syracuse is a great place with great people, but there needs to be more offered (more varieties of bars, more nightclubs, more live music).
I like how Syracuse is moving more towards being an environmentally-friendly city. I don't like going into the city very often b/c it is unclean and unsafe. Simply improving the safety and cleaning the streets/facade improvements could make the city more attractive. Most houses/buildings are in very poor shape and the streets are dirty and littered with crime. I enjoy the suburbs of Syracuse. Everything I need is located in suburbia, I really don't have many reasons to venture into the city.
___________________________________________________________
I live in Syracuse for many reasons but would love to see it live up to it's potential to have a viable nightlife and cultural identity.  I hope DestinyUSA ( the big mall project ) does NOT go thru...I think it would be ruinous.  I think places like Austin, TX or hell, even Baltimore (with the inner harbor) has more of a reputation for culture and excitement.  We've got some work to do but it's not impossible.  It also seems like nobody over the age of 25 goes out, or if they do they are home by 10:00pm.  We need to have a downtown that is awake and alert 24 hours...they roll up the streets here after 2:00 am...I think local city government should loosen things up a bit so it's possible to get things running in the Salina/Warren corridors without jumping thru so many firey hoopes.  People LIVING downtown would help...and re-opening the hotel...maybe as apartments.  Lots of untapped potential for sure.
I love all the outdoor festivals, but we need more of them for wintertime. Maybe more events like wing walk or the culinary cruise would get people out more than just during winterfest.  Keep the prices reasonable, though.    
___________________________________________________________
I love central New York-People, places, scenery, inexpensive housing,all kinds of weather,variety of nearby places to go i.e. wine tours, much water,Erie Canal, Turning Stone, hopefully Destiny,Gardens,multiple fine dining and/or casual eateries like Doug's Fish Fry, Johnny Angel's, County Parks, Green Lakes State Park,Good Museums including Everson, Cornell Museums, Terrific Zoo, multo Gplf Courses, Fascinating farmland 10-20 minutes from downtown...I could go on, but you get the idea . I would never leave to go south or west!
___________________________________________________________
I think that if we get more concerts and advertise those that are here, as well as find family fun activities, then Syracuse will be more exciting.  
__________________________________________________________
I think you have to draw the families.  Professional people will want to see that they have several places to take their children to.  However, many people in Syracuse have trouble being able to afford to go to these places becasue our standard of living tends to be lower than else where.
I think that Syracuse needs a comprehensive website with the area's events clearly categorized and up-to-date to showcase what is already going on in the city.  
___________________________________________________________
I think the 40 below effort and work you're doing to better Syracuse is fantastic. This region is prime for a renaissance! I love how we have city life close to the country. I love how I can spend the day skiing and then go downtown for a nice dinner. We should market the dynamic opportunities that are in close pproximity to one another. 
___________________________________________________________
I think the nightlife in Syracuse is just fine.  Syracuse" isn't just downtown...."Syracuse" is really a "suburban area" so
I think there is a perception that there is not much to do in CNY in terms of nightlife that is only somewhat true.  I'm really not sure what else people are looking for!!!!
___________________________________________________________
I think this is great that you are gathering this infomration for Syracuse, but I also think that some of this energy should be spent on Cities and towns that surround Syracuse, a more regional survey that would cinnect the upstate area by gathering this information andletting people know where in the region they could find what type of activity. This information should be shared with the 40 Below summit folks as well, so that the information can be incorporated into the MDA's CNY Innitiative.
________________________________________________________
I would like to see ALL of the suggestions from question 28!!! THAT would be ideal and would bring more of my friends to visit me in Syracuse, and to possibly move here! Right now the stigma is that there is NOTHING going on in Syracuse! Second complaint is the weather, but we cant change that can we!
___________________________________________________________
I would like to see more classy upscale nightclubs for the over 35 crowd.
___________________________________________________________
Thanks for using your class to look into this, we really need more planful approaches to the nightlife in cental New York.
___________________________________________________________
I would like to see more interest in the restuarants taht are located in Armory square by the city of Syracuse itself.
___________________________________________________________
If I learned anything from talking to folks in town for NCAAs was they wanted more things to do downtown in the down time besides bars/restaurants. 
___________________________________________________________
If I wasn't born here and I didn't have family here, my wife and I would be somewhere else.
___________________________________________________________
In order for the city to be more attractive it has to be clean, safe and family friendly with safe inexpensive parking available.
___________________________________________________________
It is great to see fresh ideas and a proactive approach to improving the Syracuse area! 
___________________________________________________________
It is uplifting to know that these issues are being reviewed.
___________________________________________________________
It would be nice to know if a bar/restaurant was gay friendly". That way it would be a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for gays an lesbians. "
___________________________________________________________
Its about time someone decided to do something.  The city is a gaping hole.  Another thing is the pan-handelers.  More than once, these bums have come very close to provoking a physical altercation.  
___________________________________________________________
I've lived all over the country and if I didn't have family here, I'd live somewhere else like Maryland.
___________________________________________________________
Let's get some better music acts in here!  When ever we do, it's too hard to get tickets.  We need more space as well.
___________________________________________________________
Love what you guys are doing - email me and lets do something like this in Binghamton , I am an independent promoter work in jazz and hiphop  , music industry professional . 
___________________________________________________________
Make downtown livable so we get some energy down there.  I remember shopping downtown and really having choices.  That will never be likely, but a vibrant downtown is possible (e.g., European neighborhood with services within walking distance and GOOD transportation that all social classes use because it works).
___________________________________________________________
make more things available for under the age of 18 year olds!!!!
___________________________________________________________
Maybe if we had a different mayor in Syracuse, more things would come to Syracuse.  Mr. Not here wont approve anything without everything being his way.  More business means more money and better places to go.
Mentioned comments on previous page.  I would really like to see a more diverse nightlife provided in the City of Syracuse.  People may tend to get sick of going to bar after bar.
___________________________________________________________
might be hard to do the roof top thing in the winter (obvious) but I did go to rooftop bar in NYC not to long ago and it was very cool.
___________________________________________________________
More national music acts would be a definate plus for Syracuse as well.
My husband and I recently purchased a home in the Eastwood Neighborhood.    We are so excited to see that the Palace Theater is reopening its doors.  The James St. corridor has so much potential and the housing in this area is affordable for young professionals.  I would love to see focus towards building the Eastwood area in a village within the city that truly offers a village like environment....boutique shopping, restaurants, galleries, etc.
___________________________________________________________
Non alcoholic night spots would be good for those of us who don't drink
___________________________________________________________
plzz do something abt having a nice club here man !!
___________________________________________________________
really need to change this thought process in Syracuse: No change. Also need to get the current admin. out of office, there all criminals but these current people suck and a change is so needed
___________________________________________________________
Safety is a big concern that this survey neglected to include. It seems as if the bad parts of the city are growing and creeping in to what were once safer areas. This is a big concern...especially when talking about night life.
___________________________________________________________
Safety is also an issue when i think of downtown.  It seems like a lot of people have a poor attitude about the conditions of the area and the safety of the area
___________________________________________________________
Something needs to be done about the radio stations or, at the very least, tear down the ugly Galaxy Communications building in Armory square.
Soundgarden is one of the best music stores in Central New York, the only ones that compare are Home of the Hits in Buffalo, and Generation Records in NYC
___________________________________________________________
Spread out the events.  It seems like when there is a good event there are several things oveerlapping and happening on that day or weekend and then the next weekend nothing.

For example when the harvestfest is going on in Osewgo there is some big event here and then nothing.  

Unsure why we have to have big events happening at the same time when it seems it could be spread out for all to enjoy all events vs choosing which one to miss
___________________________________________________________
Syracuse has so much potential.  Creative thinking and a proactive approach are needed to capitalize on that.  This survey is a start.
___________________________________________________________
Syracuse has so much to offer, but there is much work to be done.  I firmly believe we will get there, but we need more support and involvement!
___________________________________________________________
Syracuse is not all bad except for parking, and not having any decent paying jobs. 
___________________________________________________________
Syracuse isn't very pretty to look at (most parts) and has a lot of crime. It needs to be fixed up visually and morally. I'm not origionally from here and the when I said I wanted to live in the city, people looked at me like I had 2 heads and told me no you don't"." 
___________________________________________________________
syracuse it would seem is dying. there is not much here to make you stay or for that matter to even lure you here in the first place. there are many places that offer better weather, lower taxes, more jobs and less crime. we're afectionatly called the frozen chosen. It would seem that if your into adversity, hard work, bad weather and drinking while watching a sporting event on the tube central new york is the place for you 
___________________________________________________________
Syracuse needs more places where people can meet and connect with each other through quiet, entertaining discussion with low key music rather than shouting over loud music and drunk people.  
___________________________________________________________
Syracuse nightlife could be much better if it had much better people to frequent said nightlife... Our job market here currently is more than lacking. This resuts in college grads leaving Syracuse which results in bars that cator to the folks who stayed behind (these people are more often than not low-class). The best way for the nightlife to turn-around is for the economy/job market to improve. I have much more insight on these topics, so you folks are more than welcome to contact me and I will be most willing to share my views. 
___________________________________________________________
Syracuse seems to get a bad rap from the old timers- the people who have lived here for decades and see the present situation through the lense of the past. I have lived here for 6 years now and really like it.  Since I am a new comer, I think I see Syracuse for what it is and not what it used to be.  For example,  I do not think the crime is all that bad in Syracuse.  But the old timers can tell you of murders committed decades ago and it is if they happened just last year.  
___________________________________________________________
Tear down the old empty houses sooner.
___________________________________________________________
Thanks for this opportunity. I think Syracuse is a great city for anyone who has a good job - there are lots of good bars, a few good clubs, many varied and great restaurants for a city this size, and quality minor-league sports entertainment. The problem is that there are few people, and those people don't have m-o-n-e-y. A megamall won't solve that problem - entreprenurial encouragement in downtown, bringing smallish companies that can leverage the central Syracuse location and proximity to Cornell and SU, will lead to more good ideas, more high-paying jobs, and more satellite jobs in restaurants, clubs, bars, markets, and services to support those companies and people. 
___________________________________________________________

I found your what would you like to see most" list (#28) limited. I would like to see a larger venue than the War Memorial
___________________________________________________________
The city is dirty, infested with homeless scumbags,drug users and con artists. There is a general feeling of unkeptness downtown which could be fixed with a little effort on City Gov't's part.It's really no wonder that nobody goes Downtown anymore. There are some cool places downtown, but they are too few too far between. This city will be totally dead if something doesn't happen soon.
___________________________________________________________
The interesting architecture of the downtown area has been covered over by ugly siding.  The people never make eye contact with strangers and smile.
___________________________________________________________
Mayor Dricoll is a very intelligent and ethical mayor.  He is doing the best he can in his capacity.  Nick Pirro is an outdated county executive who should end his political career as the Chief of Police Thompson did - - by resignation. Then he should just go quietly away into the night with one of his many paid escorts, not at the taxpayers expense. The new police chief apppears to be a good selection.
___________________________________________________________
Participant Comments: 
Here are some comments collected from survey open ended questions 
____________________________________________
A downtown sports stadium.
___________________________________________________________

Affordable, nice young-professional apartments downtown would be great.  The lofts in Armory are very nice, but way too expensive for the market.  Also, as the events increase downtown, hopefully more / additional reasonably priced parking will be available.   
any improvement with syracuse, and any building of new business can only help us. since we are the snowiest city this year. 
_________________________________________________________
ASIDE FROM ARMORY SQUARE, WHICH IS A LITTLE TOO STEEP FOR MY POCKETBOOK, DOWNTOWN DEAD, NIGHTCLUBS ALONE AREN'T GOING TO DO IT. PARKING PROBLEMS HAVE TO BE SOLVED AND THE CLIENTAL 
ON THE STREETS HAS TO IMPROVE
__________________________________________________________
being handicapped, sidewalks and parking downtown need to be kept up better, all over the city actually.
__________________________________________________________
Do the right things. Knock down the barriers to people accessing and enjoying downtown. Reduce taxes, provide transport and parking, open up areas for pedestrians only (e.g. Ithaca Commons, Faniel(sp?) Hall in Boston, Waterfront area in Baltimore, Riverwalk in Austin, TX, The Green in New Haven, CT. 
________________________________________________________
Downtown syracuse has a lot of potential.  
_________________________________________________________

I would be careful about putting lofts downtown.  They are a nice idea, but people might not be able to sleep or relax there due to the crowds.
Downtown Syracuse needs to beautify!!!!  It looks like a run-down, poor old city!!

For Question 27, I put No" because I already think Syracuse is an attractive place for me to live.  I'd love to live downtown in a nice apartment and be able to walk everywhere 

Our Son, just moved back to Syracuse from Boston via Baltimore after 15 years. 

Great idea to discover what people want/need.  I really feel more people would frequent live music venues if the shows were earlier- like 7 or 8 o'clock rather than 10 or 11.  

I am a life long resident of Syracuse and have always believed in the possibilities of what Syracuse can offer to people.  With the different young professional organizations croppping up with the last two to three years and the recent 40 Below Summit I'm starting to believe that Syracuse is beginning to slowly turn that corner from dreaming of the possible to the actual doing of it.

I am hoping that you prove me wrong about the lack of things to do in the Syracuse area because as it stands right now, I am looking to move to NYC. Yes, it is waaay more expensive to live there, but the diversity in people, events and cultures makes it worthwhile to me.
___________________________________________________________
I appreciate the effort to attract younger people here and all, but they will never STAY unless you make this place just as attractive to the things that a young FAMILY will need. This town needs to focus on the crumbling infrastructure with just as much effort: crumbling streets, filthy sidewalks and lots, a gray and deteriorating downtown and a teetering school system. If you focus on attracting twenty and thirysomethings, that's all you will ever have, a rotating stock of younger people who are never interested in staying in the area on a longer-term basis. 

Also, more public murals: just make the place look nice. And that stupid shot clock is just an example of how Syracuse continues to get it all wrong, nearly every single time.
_________________________________________________________
I believe that Syracuse is headed in the right direction, especially becuase of groups like you.  I am very excited about the research park that is supposed to be built soon.  I believe the better jobs we have the more younger people we can bring to the city.  The city seems to have a older population then most that I visit.
I don't feel like there are any bars that cater to the mid 30's professional crowd. Armory Square seems to tend towards college aged kids. 

________________________________________________________
I enjoy what is slowly progressing here in Syracuse - but feel there is still not enough choice, - most of the time it comes down to where my friends are, and who has good live music - most of my out" time is spent eating out
________________________________________________________
I enjoyed the atmosphere in Armory Square when the NCAA regionals were in town.  It was fun (and the weather cooperated).  Nice not to have cars parked in Armory Square.
_________________________________________________________


I wish there was ONE calendar that displayed all of the events going on in the Syracuse area, including the festivals held in Clinton Square.
I get most of my info from the New Times about places to go for the weekend and events going on.  If you want to reach more people to do this survey and other initiatives you want to get going, I would put some ads up in there to get your message out.

______________________________________________________
I just recently moved back to Syracuse from Scottsdale, Arizona.  Syracuse is a great place with great people, but there needs to be more offered (more varieties of bars, more nightclubs, more live music).
I like how Syracuse is moving more towards being an environmentally-friendly city. I don't like going into the city very often b/c it is unclean and unsafe. Simply improving the safety and cleaning the streets/facade improvements could make the city more attractive. Most houses/buildings are in very poor shape and the streets are dirty and littered with crime. I enjoy the suburbs of Syracuse. Everything I need is located in suburbia, I really don't have many reasons to venture into the city.
___________________________________________________________
I live in Syracuse for many reasons but would love to see it live up to it's potential to have a viable nightlife and cultural identity.  I hope DestinyUSA ( the big mall project ) does NOT go thru...I think it would be ruinous.  I think places like Austin, TX or hell, even Baltimore (with the inner harbor) has more of a reputation for culture and excitement.  We've got some work to do but it's not impossible.  It also seems like nobody over the age of 25 goes out, or if they do they are home by 10:00pm.  We need to have a downtown that is awake and alert 24 hours...they roll up the streets here after 2:00 am...I think local city government should loosen things up a bit so it's possible to get things running in the Salina/Warren corridors without jumping thru so many firey hoopes.  People LIVING downtown would help...and re-opening the hotel...maybe as apartments.  Lots of untapped potential for sure.
I love all the outdoor festivals, but we need more of them for wintertime. Maybe more events like wing walk or the culinary cruise would get people out more than just during winterfest.  Keep the prices reasonable, though.    
___________________________________________________________
I love central New York-People, places, scenery, inexpensive housing,all kinds of weather,variety of nearby places to go i.e. wine tours, much water,Erie Canal, Turning Stone, hopefully Destiny,Gardens,multiple fine dining and/or casual eateries like Doug's Fish Fry, Johnny Angel's, County Parks, Green Lakes State Park,Good Museums including Everson, Cornell Museums, Terrific Zoo, multo Gplf Courses, Fascinating farmland 10-20 minutes from downtown...I could go on, but you get the idea . I would never leave to go south or west!
___________________________________________________________
I think that if we get more concerts and advertise those that are here, as well as find family fun activities, then Syracuse will be more exciting.  
________________________________________________________Participant Comments: 
Here are some comments collected from survey open ended questions 
____________________________________________
A downtown sports stadium.
___________________________________________________________

Affordable, nice young-professional apartments downtown would be great.  The lofts in Armory are very nice, but way too expensive for the market.  Also, as the events increase downtown, hopefully more / additional reasonably priced parking will be available.   
any improvement with syracuse, and any building of new business can only help us. since we are the snowiest city this year. 
_________________________________________________________
ASIDE FROM ARMORY SQUARE, WHICH IS A LITTLE TOO STEEP FOR MY POCKETBOOK, DOWNTOWN DEAD, NIGHTCLUBS ALONE AREN'T GOING TO DO IT. PARKING PROBLEMS HAVE TO BE SOLVED AND THE CLIENTAL 
ON THE STREETS HAS TO IMPROVE
__________________________________________________________
being handicapped, sidewalks and parking downtown need to be kept up better, all over the city actually.
__________________________________________________________
Do the right things. Knock down the barriers to people accessing and enjoying downtown. Reduce taxes, provide transport and parking, open up areas for pedestrians only (e.g. Ithaca Commons, Faniel(sp?) Hall in Boston, Waterfront area in Baltimore, Riverwalk in Austin, TX, The Green in New Haven, CT. 
________________________________________________________
Downtown syracuse has a lot of potential.  
_________________________________________________________

I would be careful about putting lofts downtown.  They are a nice idea, but people might not be able to sleep or relax there due to the crowds.
Downtown Syracuse needs to beautify!!!!  It looks like a run-down, poor old city!!

For Question 27, I put No" because I already think Syracuse is an attractive place for me to live.  I'd love to live downtown in a nice apartment and be able to walk everywhere 

Our Son, just moved back to Syracuse from Boston via Baltimore after 15 years. 

Great idea to discover what people want/need.  I really feel more people would frequent live music venues if the shows were earlier- like 7 or 8 o'clock rather than 10 or 11.  

I am a life long resident of Syracuse and have always believed in the possibilities of what Syracuse can offer to people.  With the different young professional organizations croppping up with the last two to three years and the recent 40 Below Summit I'm starting to believe that Syracuse is beginning to slowly turn that corner from dreaming of the possible to the actual doing of it.

I am hoping that you prove me wrong about the lack of things to do in the Syracuse area because as it stands right now, I am looking to move to NYC. Yes, it is waaay more expensive to live there, but the diversity in people, events and cultures makes it worthwhile to me.
___________________________________________________________
I appreciate the effort to attract younger people here and all, but they will never STAY unless you make this place just as attractive to the things that a young FAMILY will need. This town needs to focus on the crumbling infrastructure with just as much effort: crumbling streets, filthy sidewalks and lots, a gray and deteriorating downtown and a teetering school system. If you focus on attracting twenty and thirysomethings, that's all you will ever have, a rotating stock of younger people who are never interested in staying in the area on a longer-term basis. 

Also, more public murals: just make the place look nice. And that stupid shot clock is just an example of how Syracuse continues to get it all wrong, nearly every single time.
_________________________________________________________
I believe that Syracuse is headed in the right direction, especially becuase of groups like you.  I am very excited about the research park that is supposed to be built soon.  I believe the better jobs we have the more younger people we can bring to the city.  The city seems to have a older population then most that I visit.
I don't feel like there are any bars that cater to the mid 30's professional crowd. Armory Square seems to tend towards college aged kids. 

________________________________________________________
I enjoy what is slowly progressing here in Syracuse - but feel there is still not enough choice, - most of the time it comes down to where my friends are, and who has good live music - most of my out" time is spent eating out
________________________________________________________
I enjoyed the atmosphere in Armory Square when the NCAA regionals were in town.  It was fun (and the weather cooperated).  Nice not to have cars parked in Armory Square.
_________________________________________________________


I wish there was ONE calendar that displayed all of the events going on in the Syracuse area, including the festivals held in Clinton Square.
I get most of my info from the New Times about places to go for the weekend and events going on.  If you want to reach more people to do this survey and other initiatives you want to get going, I would put some ads up in there to get your message out.

______________________________________________________
I just recently moved back to Syracuse from Scottsdale, Arizona.  Syracuse is a great place with great people, but there needs to be more offered (more varieties of bars, more nightclubs, more live music).
I like how Syracuse is moving more towards being an environmentally-friendly city. I don't like going into the city very often b/c it is unclean and unsafe. Simply improving the safety and cleaning the streets/facade improvements could make the city more attractive. Most houses/buildings are in very poor shape and the streets are dirty and littered with crime. I enjoy the suburbs of Syracuse. Everything I need is located in suburbia, I really don't have many reasons to venture into the city.
___________________________________________________________
I live in Syracuse for many reasons but would love to see it live up to it's potential to have a viable nightlife and cultural identity.  I hope DestinyUSA ( the big mall project ) does NOT go thru...I think it would be ruinous.  I think places like Austin, TX or hell, even Baltimore (with the inner harbor) has more of a reputation for culture and excitement.  We've got some work to do but it's not impossible.  It also seems like nobody over the age of 25 goes out, or if they do they are home by 10:00pm.  We need to have a downtown that is awake and alert 24 hours...they roll up the streets here after 2:00 am...I think local city government should loosen things up a bit so it's possible to get things running in the Salina/Warren corridors without jumping thru so many firey hoopes.  People LIVING downtown would help...and re-opening the hotel...maybe as apartments.  Lots of untapped potential for sure.
I love all the outdoor festivals, but we need more of them for wintertime. Maybe more events like wing walk or the culinary cruise would get people out more than just during winterfest.  Keep the prices reasonable, though.    
___________________________________________________________
I love central New York-People, places, scenery, inexpensive housing,all kinds of weather,variety of nearby places to go i.e. wine tours, much water,Erie Canal, Turning Stone, hopefully Destiny,Gardens,multiple fine dining and/or casual eateries like Doug's Fish Fry, Johnny Angel's, County Parks, Green Lakes State Park,Good Museums including Everson, Cornell Museums, Terrific Zoo, multo Gplf Courses, Fascinating farmland 10-20 minutes from downtown...I could go on, but you get the idea . I would never leave to go south or west!
___________________________________________________________
I think that if we get more concerts and advertise those that are here, as well as find family fun activities, then Syracuse will be more exciting.

The schools need to address the lost teenagers in this city and county.  They turn to drugs and guns due to the lack of strong leadership. 
The nightlife in Syracuse is mundane and boring.  The options today are either go to a bar, hang out with the 20 something, scantily clad college crowd, pay an outrageous cover charge just to walk in the door, hope to find an area to stand for the rest of the night that you won't get pushed and shoved around in as most establishments don't have much seating and pay $6.00 for a weak mixed drink.  You could also go out to dinner before 5:00 or after 9:00 unless you wish to wait for an hour or more for a table and spend as much on one meal at a decent place as you would for a week's worth of groceries.  

This is a great city even with its limitations.  Creating ambiance, beautiful trees and flowers, park benches, lighting, art european color within our decor and live music with 24 hour book stores and coffee shops will take us to show up on the map.

To accomplish question # 28. We need to level downtown Syracuse and make it a great big bar, resturant, music center and parking lot. Especially Armory Square.

transportation is key for college students in surrounding areas who want to go out and drink and not have to worry about driving home.  

We need more outdoor cafes in summer, with a variety of food.

What downtown needs is a boost in the shopping.  Look at Chicago's 
Lincoln Park area.  We need shops like Crate and Barrel, Restoration
Hardware, Container Store.  Unique shops that would draw people down.
Also something like a Target or a place where you could go on lunch and grab a few things you need.  

With question number 27 you should also add in another question such that if Syracuse was to become a more attractive place would you be more likely to go there for entertainment.  Some people just don't want to live in a high populated, loud place, but you bet we want to go there just to have some fun!!  Good survey!

Yes, I love how certain areas of the town are shaping themselves up, like the Hawley/Green area, and little Italy. These are good things. However, I worry that the city will be pinning their hopes on those with higher incomes. I work one full time and another part-time for about 60-70 hours per week, and still only make around $30K per year. So when I go out, I hate the fact that it seems that only places that charge $6 minimum per drink exist. That I can't go to a nice restaurant without dropping some serious cash. I love to go out and socialize, but I don't want to go broke doing it.

A go kart/racing place would be nice. There was one right outside Atlanta and you had to have a valid license to drive the cars. There was like 3 different race tracks and a drag car track. It was a great time!!!! 
 most of my outdoor rec. is taken place on the St. Lawrence river on my boat.  The bars... most of them all seem like they are from central NY. I spend a lot of time in south FL. every bar on a street is diff. NYC style, trailer trash"

 They should have more live music earlier in the evenings.  Most bands start at 10pm - 2am, and if you have to get up and go to work the next day, this is a late night.  7 or 8 pm till 11 or 12 at least allows someone to attend the activity and still make it to work.  

1. Allowing big music acts to come to perform at the DOME...the acoustics at the war memorial suck.
2. We need more venues that allow for live theater to be performed the way it is supposed to.  Syracuse Stage is good, but too small. 
3. We also need more variety, I feel that the city really does not offer more for my age group other than drinking downtown on the weekends.

1. improve the concerts in the area.
2. lower taxes to encourage business
3. get the polluters to clean up Onondaga lake.  There is ENORMOUS potential for that lake.  
4. Expand the renovation of downtown and make it fertile ground for businesses to move into.

A better schedule of events so we don't have to find out about it from our friends...which is usually after the fact!
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A big problem to me is the proliferation of the coffee conglomerate--in the past seven or eight years, it's pushed out about three coffeehouses that I frequented and really enjoyed. I don't know what recourse the city has (you can't make laws against coffee places, I don't think) but it seems kind of ridiculous to allow for a Starbucks on every corner. 

I also used to like a couple bars in Armory Square, but it seems like it's getting more and more dangerous down there after midnight. It seems safer these days to just stick to places outside of downtown. If you're going to spend your money in an establishment, you would think its management would rally to make sure its patrons feel comfortable being there. 
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A clean Movie theater with seats that are comfortable and a floor that is not covered with sicky goo.

I am into sailing- promte sailing venues / activities.

A comfortable coffee house downtown. Music would be nice. Kind of like Happy Endings"

A wider selection of bands.

a website listing all parks, and outdoor places that are cool to hike/visit

Allowing for more public flyering/advertisments...such as billboard walls that people could post flyers downtown/armory sq./hanover sq.

Attract more big name concerts.  Rochester is big on this and I don't 
understand why we don't do more of this other than the Sate Fair that attracts mostly the big name country singers or the tiny bopper pop stars.



Also there is a listing of what is going on in Syracuse in the Thursday Post Standard but if you only get the Sunday paper it makes it rather hard to know what is going on in town.

Bars: Turn the music down

Dining: More Mexican restaurants (and wing nights)

Better activities..Onondaga Lake Park is always crowded. Anytime you 'Go down town' either to the County Office, On Center or to Armory Sq. there is NEVER any parking!!! If you goto a fetivle in Clinton Sq. plan on walking 10 blocks to and from your car!The design of Syracuse is bad. Armory Sq. looks freat but it seperated from Clinton Sq, Hanover Sq, and Marshal st. When you go to a festivle in Clinton Sq. and it ends at 1000pm you dont dare move your car and then have to walk to Armory Sq. Which is about 10 blocks away.

Better band venues for larger bands that usually end up in Rochester or Albany. Better concentration of activities downtown - e.g. more clubs/restaurants of QUALITY near the War Memorial, and the baseball stadium within walking distance of Armory Square and/or War Memorial areas (too late for that now). Better marketing of the excellent recreation, entertainment, and restaurant options we do have to communities within a five-hour driving radius. Utilize the lakefront for building great clubs, restaurants, bars, walking paths, etc. 

Syracuse also needs to realize it is a SMALL city with a relatively small permanent base of consumers. A master plan for development that recognizes the small-city nature while encouraging niche development (rather than a mega-mall-entertainment-parking complex) would be great.

BETTER BARS, SOFTER MUSIC, MORE ATMOSPHERE

Better clubs and bars that lack the meat market feel.  Also need better music. More things for local 21-25 year olds, we have NOTHING!
Better clubs.  Maybe take a page from some of the bigger cities.  Maybe a nice lounge/dance club.....restaurant on the bottom and dancing above type of idea.

better handicap access

Bring back professional soccer to Syracuse.

Better live music venues focused on music as the centerpiece instead of an afterhtought.  Most venues are not set up for live music.  An example would be the Redhouse. More varied ethnic dining would also of a high quality in a casual setting.

Better parking downtown near venues.  Increasing the variety of ethnic restaurants ( we have improved in the last 10 years)as well as the selection in a given cuisine (e.g., Thai, Vietnamese, vegetarian).

More frequent bus service especially if want to return from downtown cultural events.

Better parking?  (Lack of parking is what prevents me from going to bars / restaurants downtown)

Better support for the arts.

Better Theatres - Modern Theatres - New Theatres

Better variety of restaurants, especially ethnic ones (there used to be an Ethiopian restaurant on Westcott St. years ago... what happened to it?). 

Better variety of live music, including blues, international music from different parts of the world.

Better, safe, cheap transportation to and from, and within, downtown.

Bring in more and larger big name musicians/bands.

Bring in more big named bands. Establish a professional sports team(s).
bring more bands that will attract college kids

Bring more popular artists to Syracuse.  The closest they come is either Albany or Buffalo.

Build a parking garage near Armory.

Build bigger ski mountains....hahaha

Build that damn Amphitheatre, that has been talked about forever. 

Being in radio a common question I get it is, Why don't cooler bands come to Syracuse?" I try to explain to the people that there isn't a venue that has great sound

Bulldoze over all of downtown, starting with Armory Square all the up to Columbus Circle.  Then build a concert center, movie complex, one giant bar and a huge parking lot.

By bringing more cultural events to the area.  Along with that making these events safer for people to attend.

By further developing the Armory Square/downtown area.  It would be nice to live downtown and walk to shops, bars, restaurants, but I don't feel like there is enough infrastructure (e.g., grocery market) to make that feasible.

By having an establishment that has more than one entertainment activities. For example, a dance club that has 3 floors: 1st floor be 80's dance, 2nd floor be arcade, pool, darts, live music, and the 3rd floor be hip/hop.

Clean up downtown so I feel safe going there for entertainment.  Provide an efficient way to find businesses, activities, directions, and specific information on dress codes, cover charges, times, etc. all in one place.  Provide more attention to programs like I'm Smart" and other ride home programs.  "
Coffee houses open late at night, bars that are quieter and more focused on friends getting together or meeting people for fun and discussion rather than getting drunk and one night stands.

complete the creekwalk and create more programming for the city's parks
Continue the variety....and quality. And appeal to ALL ages and income levels.

My wife & /or I visit downtown regualarly for dinner. I go to the YMCA 3 times/week and have periodic meetings downtown.However, many of our friends do not. They seem to have bogus excuses! (i.e., too far, too hard to park etc.)WE can easily show them How easy and fun it is." I think that aspect can easily be better marketed (not just stated)."

Create a music scene that good beneift all genres. For instance, Finger Lakes Community College has the Performance Arts Center. Perhaps a central local venue that will attract bigger names could be good. This will also bring music and money to the area and give a central location for concerts.

Create less mainstream" entertainment. Give dance clubs a twist with a wider variety of dance music genres. (i.e. drum and bass

Create more urban recreation opportunities.  An area that needs to be developed is the area along-side I-690 between Thompson Road, Teal Ave, and Erie Blvd.  What an ideal location for well-landscaped greenspace, that could include miles and miles of walking/jogging/biking/x-c skiing paths, softball/baseball/soccer fields, perhaps an indoor recreation center.  Not to mention, development of that space would impress out-of-towners entering the city from the east.  Now, all they see are wastebeds, dilapidated buildings and our DPW facility.  
  
elect more Republican politicians

Encourage people within my crowd to patronize the bars and clubs. Too many rowdy young individulas infiltrate those places and we have to settle for the low-key coffee houses. Nothing wrong with the coffe houses, but we like to have fun too.

expand from armory square, and marshall street. if there are more popular bars to go to outside the primary area, more people will go.

Get more concerts ...what about Jimmy Buffett ?!?! Why aren't they using the stadium for concerts?

We need someplace to go out - look at Albany, NY - they have great bars, why can't we do the same ?  A bowling alley ( Lucky Strike ), a lounge and some brewery type bars.

Get more recognized individual to go to syracuse and have concerts and get a real team in the area

Get more venues for live music in armory square. We used to have Armory High, but it shut down...now you have to go out to Tundra to hear live bands.

get the planet 505 up and running again, more live music please.  maybe a shuttle from downtown when bars close.

more visual art and art openings

Have a theater like the one in New Hartford so I don't have to drive an hour away to see a movie.  Take Borders out of the mall and put it next to the University

have more dance clubs with dance/techno type music, not r&b or rap.    have more clubs that are over 21 only.

Have more family-friendly activities.

Have more live entertainment instead of djs. 

have more music concerts during the year, other than ones during the NYS Fair.

Have more of both that cater to familes with small children.

have more options and more entertainment

Have more restaurants with different types/ethnic foods.

Have more Techno clubs.

Having good music in a medium sized bar.  It is not too intimate but also not too large that you can feel lost.  Also bars that appeal to middle aged people and don't feel like a meat market.

Having good music in a medium sized bar.  It is not too intimate but also not too large that you can feel lost.  Also bars that appeal to middle aged people and don't feel like a meat market.

Help Destiny get built!!!

Help to cater to an older" crowd who like to listen to good music and dance.  There are places like the Country Club

How can there be only one coffeehouse (Coffee Pavilion) open past five pm??? And why on earth does Starbucks have to come in and do it for us? 

How come there are NO live venues in town that can handle a smaller touring band that can attract 150 - 300 people, like Styleens used to be able to do? You listen to music either in a tiny bar that doesn't have the capacity, or the Landmark Theater: there is barely any in-between. This is why Syracuse is a live music ghost-town, as far as touring acts are concerned: they go right from Albany/NYC to Buffalo/Roch, without stoping here at all.

I believe that improvement should start with places for the age group 18+. I have friends that are 18 - 20 and unfortunately when I want to go out I have to leave them out because they can't get into most places in Syracuse. I want to have the time with my friends. I definitely believe there should be more places for those 18+.

I do not know about a lot of outdoor activities that I like to do.  In fact, I'm having a lot of difficulty finding an outdoor soccer team to play on this summer.

I enjoy the activities that Syracuse has to offer. I think we need to attract businesses to move here and provided more job opportunities.

I guess it can't really sports would be my number one if the sports were not SU, I don't like them. Good Neighborhood bars. Armory Square not varied enough, all market the same crowd.

I haven't found a bar that I feel really suits me - often when I go (especially, I think, when college is not in session) I feel the scene isn't ethnically diverse. Could just be the places I go! 

I'd love to hear more good hip-hop, but it seems the regular bars play rock, classic rock, or pop hip hop/pop rap. 

I just had people over to go to the NCAA Tourney. Since I live in Armory Square it was easy to take the train to the Dome.  It is ashame they did not build the minor league stadium closer to downtown so people could dine/drink and not have to worry about driving to the games.

I think in general, more downtown activities geared towards the 20s-30s crowd would be helpful.

I like the outdoor festivals in the summer, but i would like to see  more uniqueness in the bar scene.

I love the outdoor festivals during the summer months.  I realize the outdoor season is very short in Syracuse, but it would be great if there was an outdoor festival every weekend.

I also don't like how it is so difficult to get a cab home after the bars close.  Sometimes that is what deters us from going out.

I see no need for improvement.

I think better opportunities for dance in the mainstream clubs would be great, and better support of a variety of live music acts as opposed to the limited amount of live performers who are available here.. We should look to turning stone as an example and bring in the same quality and variety of acts to our city

I think Syaracuse is good as far as sporting events and dance clubs.  I usually don't have a problem finding an activity I enjoy.

I think Syracuse has many opportunities for people to participate in outdoor recreational activities.  With the many State and County Parks in the area, there is so much to do such as hike, swim, walk, snowshoe, run, rollerblade, etc.  So I believe that Syracuse is pretty good at providing great outdoor facilities for people interested in those types of activities.  




As far as dance clubs go, I'm in the stage where I've got to be in the mood to get all dressed up to go out on the town.  Syracuse does offer a variety od dance clubs downtown as well as in other areas around the city, however, sometimes I find that they are overcrowded or I don't necessarily enjoy the music being played.  I think we need a place that could be found in NYC where there are a few floors playing different music styles, but something somewhat affordable that people would actually go to.   

I think Syracuse really needs a good comedy club.

I think the park system/green spaces in Syracuse if terrific. My wish is to demolish the abandoned buildings in our lower income neighborhood. If I were a guest to the downtown area & drove off the main roads, I would feel (and rightfully so) that I lended in a getto. This makes people fearful to come downtown. The landlords in the area need to be accountable for their mess!

i think they should have more coffee houses that are closer to people and they should advertise on them more. i think there should definitly be a Star Bucks and if there is they should advertise more because i dont know of any in my location or in the syracuse area.THANK YOU!!!!

I think we have a great variety here in Syracuse, and the Armory Square area is a great place, a lot of other cities have similar venues and its great to be able to get around to more than once place without driving. 

Transportation and parking is a big issue for me.

I was talking to a friend a few weeks ago who told me Syracuse used to have several live music jazz clubs.  They would have live music several times a week.  

My issue is the music clubs need to have some earlier shows for people who work- esp during the week. 

I wish that there was more of a variety of bars and bars that had more live music.  I also do really enjoy dance clubs but not the ones in Syracuse.  There are only a couple and they tend to thrive on the Hip Hop crowd.

I would like to see more blues acts in a larger venue than the Dinosaur

I would like to see more events come to Syracuse.  The basketball regionals were great!  Why can't the final four be here?  I was sad to see the soccer team leave.  I think that they areas near the sports arenas need to be more exciting.  There needs to be something to do near the stadiums and arenas. And obviously the city needs a complete makeover to demolish old buildings and cleanup all areas and outsides of buildings.

I'd like to see the clubs somewhat more excessable and maybe a few more coffee shops around that are open later at night

I'd love to see a coffee house, have extended hours and ample seating. I'm interested in poetry readings etc. but most coffee houses don't seem to offer that. 
I think you have to draw the families.  Professional people will want to see that they have several places to take their children to.  However, many people in Syracuse have trouble being able to afford to go to these places becasue our standard of living tends to be lower than else where.
I think that Syracuse needs a comprehensive website with the area's events clearly categorized and up-to-date to showcase what is already going on in the city.  
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I think the 40 below effort and work you're doing to better Syracuse is fantastic. This region is prime for a renaissance! I love how we have city life close to the country. I love how I can spend the day skiing and then go downtown for a nice dinner. We should market the dynamic opportunities that are in close pproximity to one another. 
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I think the nightlife in Syracuse is just fine.  Syracuse" isn't just downtown...."Syracuse" is really a "suburban area" so
I think there is a perception that there is not much to do in CNY in terms of nightlife that is only somewhat true.  I'm really not sure what else people are looking for!!!!
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I think this is great that you are gathering this infomration for Syracuse, but I also think that some of this energy should be spent on Cities and towns that surround Syracuse, a more regional survey that would cinnect the upstate area by gathering this information andletting people know where in the region they could find what type of activity. This information should be shared with the 40 Below summit folks as well, so that the information can be incorporated into the MDA's CNY Innitiative.
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I would like to see ALL of the suggestions from question 28!!! THAT would be ideal and would bring more of my friends to visit me in Syracuse, and to possibly move here! Right now the stigma is that there is NOTHING going on in Syracuse! Second complaint is the weather, but we cant change that can we!
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I would like to see more classy upscale nightclubs for the over 35 crowd.
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Thanks for using your class to look into this, we really need more planful approaches to the nightlife in cental New York.
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I would like to see more interest in the restuarants taht are located in Armory square by the city of Syracuse itself.
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If I learned anything from talking to folks in town for NCAAs was they wanted more things to do downtown in the down time besides bars/restaurants. 
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If I wasn't born here and I didn't have family here, my wife and I would be somewhere else.
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In order for the city to be more attractive it has to be clean, safe and family friendly with safe inexpensive parking available.
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It is great to see fresh ideas and a proactive approach to improving the Syracuse area! 
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It is uplifting to know that these issues are being reviewed.
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It would be nice to know if a bar/restaurant was gay friendly". That way it would be a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for gays an lesbians. "
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Its about time someone decided to do something.  The city is a gaping hole.  Another thing is the pan-handelers.  More than once, these bums have come very close to provoking a physical altercation.  
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I've lived all over the country and if I didn't have family here, I'd live somewhere else like Maryland.
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Let's get some better music acts in here!  When ever we do, it's too hard to get tickets.  We need more space as well.
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Love what you guys are doing - email me and lets do something like this in Binghamton , I am an independent promoter work in jazz and hiphop  , music industry professional . 
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Make downtown livable so we get some energy down there.  I remember shopping downtown and really having choices.  That will never be likely, but a vibrant downtown is possible (e.g., European neighborhood with services within walking distance and GOOD transportation that all social classes use because it works).
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make more things available for under the age of 18 year olds!!!!
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Maybe if we had a different mayor in Syracuse, more things would come to Syracuse.  Mr. Not here wont approve anything without everything being his way.  More business means more money and better places to go.
Mentioned comments on previous page.  I would really like to see a more diverse nightlife provided in the City of Syracuse.  People may tend to get sick of going to bar after bar.
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might be hard to do the roof top thing in the winter (obvious) but I did go to rooftop bar in NYC not to long ago and it was very cool.
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More national music acts would be a definate plus for Syracuse as well.
My husband and I recently purchased a home in the Eastwood Neighborhood.    We are so excited to see that the Palace Theater is reopening its doors.  The James St. corridor has so much potential and the housing in this area is affordable for young professionals.  I would love to see focus towards building the Eastwood area in a village within the city that truly offers a village like environment....boutique shopping, restaurants, galleries, etc.
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Non alcoholic night spots would be good for those of us who don't drink
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plzz do something abt having a nice club here man !!
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really need to change this thought process in Syracuse: No change. Also need to get the current admin. out of office, there all criminals but these current people suck and a change is so needed
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Safety is a big concern that this survey neglected to include. It seems as if the bad parts of the city are growing and creeping in to what were once safer areas. This is a big concern...especially when talking about night life.
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Safety is also an issue when i think of downtown.  It seems like a lot of people have a poor attitude about the conditions of the area and the safety of the area
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Something needs to be done about the radio stations or, at the very least, tear down the ugly Galaxy Communications building in Armory square.
Soundgarden is one of the best music stores in Central New York, the only ones that compare are Home of the Hits in Buffalo, and Generation Records in NYC
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Spread out the events.  It seems like when there is a good event there are several things oveerlapping and happening on that day or weekend and then the next weekend nothing.

For example when the harvestfest is going on in Osewgo there is some big event here and then nothing.  

Unsure why we have to have big events happening at the same time when it seems it could be spread out for all to enjoy all events vs choosing which one to miss
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Syracuse has so much potential.  Creative thinking and a proactive approach are needed to capitalize on that.  This survey is a start.
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Syracuse has so much to offer, but there is much work to be done.  I firmly believe we will get there, but we need more support and involvement!
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Syracuse is not all bad except for parking, and not having any decent paying jobs. 
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Syracuse isn't very pretty to look at (most parts) and has a lot of crime. It needs to be fixed up visually and morally. I'm not origionally from here and the when I said I wanted to live in the city, people looked at me like I had 2 heads and told me no you don't"." 
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syracuse it would seem is dying. there is not much here to make you stay or for that matter to even lure you here in the first place. there are many places that offer better weather, lower taxes, more jobs and less crime. we're afectionatly called the frozen chosen. It would seem that if your into adversity, hard work, bad weather and drinking while watching a sporting event on the tube central new york is the place for you 
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Syracuse needs more places where people can meet and connect with each other through quiet, entertaining discussion with low key music rather than shouting over loud music and drunk people.  
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Syracuse nightlife could be much better if it had much better people to frequent said nightlife... Our job market here currently is more than lacking. This resuts in college grads leaving Syracuse which results in bars that cator to the folks who stayed behind (these people are more often than not low-class). The best way for the nightlife to turn-around is for the economy/job market to improve. I have much more insight on these topics, so you folks are more than welcome to contact me and I will be most willing to share my views. 
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Syracuse seems to get a bad rap from the old timers- the people who have lived here for decades and see the present situation through the lense of the past. I have lived here for 6 years now and really like it.  Since I am a new comer, I think I see Syracuse for what it is and not what it used to be.  For example,  I do not think the crime is all that bad in Syracuse.  But the old timers can tell you of murders committed decades ago and it is if they happened just last year.  
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Tear down the old empty houses sooner.
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Thanks for this opportunity. I think Syracuse is a great city for anyone who has a good job - there are lots of good bars, a few good clubs, many varied and great restaurants for a city this size, and quality minor-league sports entertainment. The problem is that there are few people, and those people don't have m-o-n-e-y. A megamall won't solve that problem - entreprenurial encouragement in downtown, bringing smallish companies that can leverage the central Syracuse location and proximity to Cornell and SU, will lead to more good ideas, more high-paying jobs, and more satellite jobs in restaurants, clubs, bars, markets, and services to support those companies and people. 
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I found your what would you like to see most" list (#28) limited. I would like to see a larger venue than the War Memorial
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The city is dirty, infested with homeless scumbags,drug users and con artists. There is a general feeling of unkeptness downtown which could be fixed with a little effort on City Gov't's part.It's really no wonder that nobody goes Downtown anymore. There are some cool places downtown, but they are too few too far between. This city will be totally dead if something doesn't happen soon.
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The interesting architecture of the downtown area has been covered over by ugly siding.  The people never make eye contact with strangers and smile.
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Mayor Dricoll is a very intelligent and ethical mayor.  He is doing the best he can in his capacity.  Nick Pirro is an outdated county executive who should end his political career as the Chief of Police Thompson did - - by resignation. Then he should just go quietly away into the night with one of his many paid escorts, not at the taxpayers expense. The new police chief apppears to be a good selection.
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The schools need to address the lost teenagers in this city and county.  They turn to drugs and guns due to the lack of strong leadership. 
The nightlife in Syracuse is mundane and boring.  The options today are either go to a bar, hang out with the 20 something, scantily clad college crowd, pay an outrageous cover charge just to walk in the door, hope to find an area to stand for the rest of the night that you won't get pushed and shoved around in as most establishments don't have much seating and pay $6.00 for a weak mixed drink.  You could also go out to dinner before 5:00 or after 9:00 unless you wish to wait for an hour or more for a table and spend as much on one meal at a decent place as you would for a week's worth of groceries.  

This is a great city even with its limitations.  Creating ambiance, beautiful trees and flowers, park benches, lighting, art european color within our decor and live music with 24 hour book stores and coffee shops will take us to show up on the map.

To accomplish question # 28. We need to level downtown Syracuse and make it a great big bar, resturant, music center and parking lot. Especially Armory Square.

transportation is key for college students in surrounding areas who want to go out and drink and not have to worry about driving home.  

We need more outdoor cafes in summer, with a variety of food.

What downtown needs is a boost in the shopping.  Look at Chicago's 
Lincoln Park area.  We need shops like Crate and Barrel, Restoration
Hardware, Container Store.  Unique shops that would draw people down.
Also something like a Target or a place where you could go on lunch and grab a few things you need.  

With question number 27 you should also add in another question such that if Syracuse was to become a more attractive place would you be more likely to go there for entertainment.  Some people just don't want to live in a high populated, loud place, but you bet we want to go there just to have some fun!!  Good survey!

Yes, I love how certain areas of the town are shaping themselves up, like the Hawley/Green area, and little Italy. These are good things. However, I worry that the city will be pinning their hopes on those with higher incomes. I work one full time and another part-time for about 60-70 hours per week, and still only make around $30K per year. So when I go out, I hate the fact that it seems that only places that charge $6 minimum per drink exist. That I can't go to a nice restaurant without dropping some serious cash. I love to go out and socialize, but I don't want to go broke doing it.

A go kart/racing place would be nice. There was one right outside Atlanta and you had to have a valid license to drive the cars. There was like 3 different race tracks and a drag car track. It was a great time!!!! 
 most of my outdoor rec. is taken place on the St. Lawrence river on my boat.  The bars... most of them all seem like they are from central NY. I spend a lot of time in south FL. every bar on a street is diff. NYC style, trailer trash"

 They should have more live music earlier in the evenings.  Most bands start at 10pm - 2am, and if you have to get up and go to work the next day, this is a late night.  7 or 8 pm till 11 or 12 at least allows someone to attend the activity and still make it to work.  

1. Allowing big music acts to come to perform at the DOME...the acoustics at the war memorial suck.
2. We need more venues that allow for live theater to be performed the way it is supposed to.  Syracuse Stage is good, but too small. 
3. We also need more variety, I feel that the city really does not offer more for my age group other than drinking downtown on the weekends.

1. improve the concerts in the area.
2. lower taxes to encourage business
3. get the polluters to clean up Onondaga lake.  There is ENORMOUS potential for that lake.  
4. Expand the renovation of downtown and make it fertile ground for businesses to move into.

A better schedule of events so we don't have to find out about it from our friends...which is usually after the fact!
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A big problem to me is the proliferation of the coffee conglomerate--in the past seven or eight years, it's pushed out about three coffeehouses that I frequented and really enjoyed. I don't know what recourse the city has (you can't make laws against coffee places, I don't think) but it seems kind of ridiculous to allow for a Starbucks on every corner. 

I also used to like a couple bars in Armory Square, but it seems like it's getting more and more dangerous down there after midnight. It seems safer these days to just stick to places outside of downtown. If you're going to spend your money in an establishment, you would think its management would rally to make sure its patrons feel comfortable being there. 
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A clean Movie theater with seats that are comfortable and a floor that is not covered with sicky goo.

I am into sailing- promte sailing venues / activities.

A comfortable coffee house downtown. Music would be nice. Kind of like Happy Endings"

A wider selection of bands.

a website listing all parks, and outdoor places that are cool to hike/visit

Allowing for more public flyering/advertisments...such as billboard walls that people could post flyers downtown/armory sq./hanover sq.

Attract more big name concerts.  Rochester is big on this and I don't 
understand why we don't do more of this other than the Sate Fair that attracts mostly the big name country singers or the tiny bopper pop stars.



Also there is a listing of what is going on in Syracuse in the Thursday Post Standard but if you only get the Sunday paper it makes it rather hard to know what is going on in town.

Bars: Turn the music down

Dining: More Mexican restaurants (and wing nights)

Better activities..Onondaga Lake Park is always crowded. Anytime you 'Go down town' either to the County Office, On Center or to Armory Sq. there is NEVER any parking!!! If you goto a fetivle in Clinton Sq. plan on walking 10 blocks to and from your car!The design of Syracuse is bad. Armory Sq. looks freat but it seperated from Clinton Sq, Hanover Sq, and Marshal st. When you go to a festivle in Clinton Sq. and it ends at 1000pm you dont dare move your car and then have to walk to Armory Sq. Which is about 10 blocks away.

Better band venues for larger bands that usually end up in Rochester or Albany. Better concentration of activities downtown - e.g. more clubs/restaurants of QUALITY near the War Memorial, and the baseball stadium within walking distance of Armory Square and/or War Memorial areas (too late for that now). Better marketing of the excellent recreation, entertainment, and restaurant options we do have to communities within a five-hour driving radius. Utilize the lakefront for building great clubs, restaurants, bars, walking paths, etc. 

Syracuse also needs to realize it is a SMALL city with a relatively small permanent base of consumers. A master plan for development that recognizes the small-city nature while encouraging niche development (rather than a mega-mall-entertainment-parking complex) would be great.

BETTER BARS, SOFTER MUSIC, MORE ATMOSPHERE

Better clubs and bars that lack the meat market feel.  Also need better music. More things for local 21-25 year olds, we have NOTHING!
Better clubs.  Maybe take a page from some of the bigger cities.  Maybe a nice lounge/dance club.....restaurant on the bottom and dancing above type of idea.

better handicap access

Bring back professional soccer to Syracuse.

Better live music venues focused on music as the centerpiece instead of an afterhtought.  Most venues are not set up for live music.  An example would be the Redhouse. More varied ethnic dining would also of a high quality in a casual setting.

Better parking downtown near venues.  Increasing the variety of ethnic restaurants ( we have improved in the last 10 years)as well as the selection in a given cuisine (e.g., Thai, Vietnamese, vegetarian).

More frequent bus service especially if want to return from downtown cultural events.

Better parking?  (Lack of parking is what prevents me from going to bars / restaurants downtown)

Better support for the arts.

Better Theatres - Modern Theatres - New Theatres

Better variety of restaurants, especially ethnic ones (there used to be an Ethiopian restaurant on Westcott St. years ago... what happened to it?). 

Better variety of live music, including blues, international music from different parts of the world.

Better, safe, cheap transportation to and from, and within, downtown.

Bring in more and larger big name musicians/bands.

Bring in more big named bands. Establish a professional sports team(s).
bring more bands that will attract college kids

Bring more popular artists to Syracuse.  The closest they come is either Albany or Buffalo.

Build a parking garage near Armory.

Build bigger ski mountains....hahaha

Build that damn Amphitheatre, that has been talked about forever. 

Being in radio a common question I get it is, Why don't cooler bands come to Syracuse?" I try to explain to the people that there isn't a venue that has great sound

Bulldoze over all of downtown, starting with Armory Square all the up to Columbus Circle.  Then build a concert center, movie complex, one giant bar and a huge parking lot.

By bringing more cultural events to the area.  Along with that making these events safer for people to attend.

By further developing the Armory Square/downtown area.  It would be nice to live downtown and walk to shops, bars, restaurants, but I don't feel like there is enough infrastructure (e.g., grocery market) to make that feasible.

By having an establishment that has more than one entertainment activities. For example, a dance club that has 3 floors: 1st floor be 80's dance, 2nd floor be arcade, pool, darts, live music, and the 3rd floor be hip/hop.

Clean up downtown so I feel safe going there for entertainment.  Provide an efficient way to find businesses, activities, directions, and specific information on dress codes, cover charges, times, etc. all in one place.  Provide more attention to programs like I'm Smart" and other ride home programs.  "
Coffee houses open late at night, bars that are quieter and more focused on friends getting together or meeting people for fun and discussion rather than getting drunk and one night stands.

complete the creekwalk and create more programming for the city's parks
Continue the variety....and quality. And appeal to ALL ages and income levels.

My wife & /or I visit downtown regualarly for dinner. I go to the YMCA 3 times/week and have periodic meetings downtown.However, many of our friends do not. They seem to have bogus excuses! (i.e., too far, too hard to park etc.)WE can easily show them How easy and fun it is." I think that aspect can easily be better marketed (not just stated)."

Create a music scene that good beneift all genres. For instance, Finger Lakes Community College has the Performance Arts Center. Perhaps a central local venue that will attract bigger names could be good. This will also bring music and money to the area and give a central location for concerts.

Create less mainstream" entertainment. Give dance clubs a twist with a wider variety of dance music genres. (i.e. drum and bass

Create more urban recreation opportunities.  An area that needs to be developed is the area along-side I-690 between Thompson Road, Teal Ave, and Erie Blvd.  What an ideal location for well-landscaped greenspace, that could include miles and miles of walking/jogging/biking/x-c skiing paths, softball/baseball/soccer fields, perhaps an indoor recreation center.  Not to mention, development of that space would impress out-of-towners entering the city from the east.  Now, all they see are wastebeds, dilapidated buildings and our DPW facility.  
  
elect more Republican politicians

Encourage people within my crowd to patronize the bars and clubs. Too many rowdy young individulas infiltrate those places and we have to settle for the low-key coffee houses. Nothing wrong with the coffe houses, but we like to have fun too.

expand from armory square, and marshall street. if there are more popular bars to go to outside the primary area, more people will go.

Get more concerts ...what about Jimmy Buffett ?!?! Why aren't they using the stadium for concerts?

We need someplace to go out - look at Albany, NY - they have great bars, why can't we do the same ?  A bowling alley ( Lucky Strike ), a lounge and some brewery type bars.

Get more recognized individual to go to syracuse and have concerts and get a real team in the area

Get more venues for live music in armory square. We used to have Armory High, but it shut down...now you have to go out to Tundra to hear live bands.

get the planet 505 up and running again, more live music please.  maybe a shuttle from downtown when bars close.

more visual art and art openings

Have a theater like the one in New Hartford so I don't have to drive an hour away to see a movie.  Take Borders out of the mall and put it next to the University

have more dance clubs with dance/techno type music, not r&b or rap.    have more clubs that are over 21 only.

Have more family-friendly activities.

Have more live entertainment instead of djs. 

have more music concerts during the year, other than ones during the NYS Fair.

Have more of both that cater to familes with small children.

have more options and more entertainment

Have more restaurants with different types/ethnic foods.

Have more Techno clubs.

Having good music in a medium sized bar.  It is not too intimate but also not too large that you can feel lost.  Also bars that appeal to middle aged people and don't feel like a meat market.

Having good music in a medium sized bar.  It is not too intimate but also not too large that you can feel lost.  Also bars that appeal to middle aged people and don't feel like a meat market.

Help Destiny get built!!!

Help to cater to an older" crowd who like to listen to good music and dance.  There are places like the Country Club

How can there be only one coffeehouse (Coffee Pavilion) open past five pm??? And why on earth does Starbucks have to come in and do it for us? 

How come there are NO live venues in town that can handle a smaller touring band that can attract 150 - 300 people, like Styleens used to be able to do? You listen to music either in a tiny bar that doesn't have the capacity, or the Landmark Theater: there is barely any in-between. This is why Syracuse is a live music ghost-town, as far as touring acts are concerned: they go right from Albany/NYC to Buffalo/Roch, without stoping here at all.

I believe that improvement should start with places for the age group 18+. I have friends that are 18 - 20 and unfortunately when I want to go out I have to leave them out because they can't get into most places in Syracuse. I want to have the time with my friends. I definitely believe there should be more places for those 18+.
I think you have to draw the families.  Professional people will want to see that they have several places to take their children to.  However, many people in Syracuse have trouble being able to afford to go to these places becasue our standard of living tends to be lower than else where.
I think that Syracuse needs a comprehensive website with the area's events clearly categorized and up-to-date to showcase what is already going on in the city.  
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I think the 40 below effort and work you're doing to better Syracuse is fantastic. This region is prime for a renaissance! I love how we have city life close to the country. I love how I can spend the day skiing and then go downtown for a nice dinner. We should market the dynamic opportunities that are in close pproximity to one another. 
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I think the nightlife in Syracuse is just fine.  Syracuse" isn't just downtown...."Syracuse" is really a "suburban area" so
I think there is a perception that there is not much to do in CNY in terms of nightlife that is only somewhat true.  I'm really not sure what else people are looking for!!!!
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I think this is great that you are gathering this infomration for Syracuse, but I also think that some of this energy should be spent on Cities and towns that surround Syracuse, a more regional survey that would cinnect the upstate area by gathering this information andletting people know where in the region they could find what type of activity. This information should be shared with the 40 Below summit folks as well, so that the information can be incorporated into the MDA's CNY Innitiative.
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I would like to see ALL of the suggestions from question 28!!! THAT would be ideal and would bring more of my friends to visit me in Syracuse, and to possibly move here! Right now the stigma is that there is NOTHING going on in Syracuse! Second complaint is the weather, but we cant change that can we!
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I would like to see more classy upscale nightclubs for the over 35 crowd.
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Thanks for using your class to look into this, we really need more planful approaches to the nightlife in cental New York.
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I would like to see more interest in the restuarants taht are located in Armory square by the city of Syracuse itself.
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If I learned anything from talking to folks in town for NCAAs was they wanted more things to do downtown in the down time besides bars/restaurants. 
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If I wasn't born here and I didn't have family here, my wife and I would be somewhere else.
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In order for the city to be more attractive it has to be clean, safe and family friendly with safe inexpensive parking available.
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It is great to see fresh ideas and a proactive approach to improving the Syracuse area! 
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It is uplifting to know that these issues are being reviewed.
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It would be nice to know if a bar/restaurant was gay friendly". That way it would be a more comfortable and enjoyable experience for gays an lesbians. "
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Its about time someone decided to do something.  The city is a gaping hole.  Another thing is the pan-handelers.  More than once, these bums have come very close to provoking a physical altercation.  
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I've lived all over the country and if I didn't have family here, I'd live somewhere else like Maryland.
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Let's get some better music acts in here!  When ever we do, it's too hard to get tickets.  We need more space as well.
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Love what you guys are doing - email me and lets do something like this in Binghamton , I am an independent promoter work in jazz and hiphop  , music industry professional . 
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Make downtown livable so we get some energy down there.  I remember shopping downtown and really having choices.  That will never be likely, but a vibrant downtown is possible (e.g., European neighborhood with services within walking distance and GOOD transportation that all social classes use because it works).
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make more things available for under the age of 18 year olds!!!!
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Maybe if we had a different mayor in Syracuse, more things would come to Syracuse.  Mr. Not here wont approve anything without everything being his way.  More business means more money and better places to go.
Mentioned comments on previous page.  I would really like to see a more diverse nightlife provided in the City of Syracuse.  People may tend to get sick of going to bar after bar.
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might be hard to do the roof top thing in the winter (obvious) but I did go to rooftop bar in NYC not to long ago and it was very cool.
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More national music acts would be a definate plus for Syracuse as well.
My husband and I recently purchased a home in the Eastwood Neighborhood.    We are so excited to see that the Palace Theater is reopening its doors.  The James St. corridor has so much potential and the housing in this area is affordable for young professionals.  I would love to see focus towards building the Eastwood area in a village within the city that truly offers a village like environment....boutique shopping, restaurants, galleries, etc.
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Non alcoholic night spots would be good for those of us who don't drink
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plzz do something abt having a nice club here man !!
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really need to change this thought process in Syracuse: No change. Also need to get the current admin. out of office, there all criminals but these current people suck and a change is so needed
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Safety is a big concern that this survey neglected to include. It seems as if the bad parts of the city are growing and creeping in to what were once safer areas. This is a big concern...especially when talking about night life.
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Safety is also an issue when i think of downtown.  It seems like a lot of people have a poor attitude about the conditions of the area and the safety of the area
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Something needs to be done about the radio stations or, at the very least, tear down the ugly Galaxy Communications building in Armory square.
Soundgarden is one of the best music stores in Central New York, the only ones that compare are Home of the Hits in Buffalo, and Generation Records in NYC
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Spread out the events.  It seems like when there is a good event there are several things oveerlapping and happening on that day or weekend and then the next weekend nothing.

For example when the harvestfest is going on in Osewgo there is some big event here and then nothing.  

Unsure why we have to have big events happening at the same time when it seems it could be spread out for all to enjoy all events vs choosing which one to miss
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Syracuse has so much potential.  Creative thinking and a proactive approach are needed to capitalize on that.  This survey is a start.
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Syracuse has so much to offer, but there is much work to be done.  I firmly believe we will get there, but we need more support and involvement!
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Syracuse is not all bad except for parking, and not having any decent paying jobs. 
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Syracuse isn't very pretty to look at (most parts) and has a lot of crime. It needs to be fixed up visually and morally. I'm not origionally from here and the when I said I wanted to live in the city, people looked at me like I had 2 heads and told me no you don't"." 
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syracuse it would seem is dying. there is not much here to make you stay or for that matter to even lure you here in the first place. there are many places that offer better weather, lower taxes, more jobs and less crime. we're afectionatly called the frozen chosen. It would seem that if your into adversity, hard work, bad weather and drinking while watching a sporting event on the tube central new york is the place for you 
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Syracuse needs more places where people can meet and connect with each other through quiet, entertaining discussion with low key music rather than shouting over loud music and drunk people.  
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Syracuse nightlife could be much better if it had much better people to frequent said nightlife... Our job market here currently is more than lacking. This resuts in college grads leaving Syracuse which results in bars that cator to the folks who stayed behind (these people are more often than not low-class). The best way for the nightlife to turn-around is for the economy/job market to improve. I have much more insight on these topics, so you folks are more than welcome to contact me and I will be most willing to share my views. 
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Syracuse seems to get a bad rap from the old timers- the people who have lived here for decades and see the present situation through the lense of the past. I have lived here for 6 years now and really like it.  Since I am a new comer, I think I see Syracuse for what it is and not what it used to be.  For example,  I do not think the crime is all that bad in Syracuse.  But the old timers can tell you of murders committed decades ago and it is if they happened just last year.  
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Tear down the old empty houses sooner.
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Thanks for this opportunity. I think Syracuse is a great city for anyone who has a good job - there are lots of good bars, a few good clubs, many varied and great restaurants for a city this size, and quality minor-league sports entertainment. The problem is that there are few people, and those people don't have m-o-n-e-y. A megamall won't solve that problem - entreprenurial encouragement in downtown, bringing smallish companies that can leverage the central Syracuse location and proximity to Cornell and SU, will lead to more good ideas, more high-paying jobs, and more satellite jobs in restaurants, clubs, bars, markets, and services to support those companies and people. 
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I found your what would you like to see most" list (#28) limited. I would like to see a larger venue than the War Memorial
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The city is dirty, infested with homeless scumbags,drug users and con artists. There is a general feeling of unkeptness downtown which could be fixed with a little effort on City Gov't's part.It's really no wonder that nobody goes Downtown anymore. There are some cool places downtown, but they are too few too far between. This city will be totally dead if something doesn't happen soon.
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The interesting architecture of the downtown area has been covered over by ugly siding.  The people never make eye contact with strangers and smile.
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Mayor Dricoll is a very intelligent and ethical mayor.  He is doing the best he can in his capacity.  Nick Pirro is an outdated county executive who should end his political career as the Chief of Police Thompson did - - by resignation. Then he should just go quietly away into the night with one of his many paid escorts, not at the taxpayers expense. The new police chief apppears to be a good selection.
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The schools need to address the lost teenagers in this city and county.  They turn to drugs and guns due to the lack of strong leadership. 
The nightlife in Syracuse is mundane and boring.  The options today are either go to a bar, hang out with the 20 something, scantily clad college crowd, pay an outrageous cover charge just to walk in the door, hope to find an area to stand for the rest of the night that you won't get pushed and shoved around in as most establishments don't have much seating and pay $6.00 for a weak mixed drink.  You could also go out to dinner before 5:00 or after 9:00 unless you wish to wait for an hour or more for a table and spend as much on one meal at a decent place as you would for a week's worth of groceries.  

This is a great city even with its limitations.  Creating ambiance, beautiful trees and flowers, park benches, lighting, art european color within our decor and live music with 24 hour book stores and coffee shops will take us to show up on the map.

To accomplish question # 28. We need to level downtown Syracuse and make it a great big bar, resturant, music center and parking lot. Especially Armory Square.

transportation is key for college students in surrounding areas who want to go out and drink and not have to worry about driving home.  

We need more outdoor cafes in summer, with a variety of food.

What downtown needs is a boost in the shopping.  Look at Chicago's 
Lincoln Park area.  We need shops like Crate and Barrel, Restoration
Hardware, Container Store.  Unique shops that would draw people down.
Also something like a Target or a place where you could go on lunch and grab a few things you need.  

With question number 27 you should also add in another question such that if Syracuse was to become a more attractive place would you be more likely to go there for entertainment.  Some people just don't want to live in a high populated, loud place, but you bet we want to go there just to have some fun!!  Good survey!

Yes, I love how certain areas of the town are shaping themselves up, like the Hawley/Green area, and little Italy. These are good things. However, I worry that the city will be pinning their hopes on those with higher incomes. I work one full time and another part-time for about 60-70 hours per week, and still only make around $30K per year. So when I go out, I hate the fact that it seems that only places that charge $6 minimum per drink exist. That I can't go to a nice restaurant without dropping some serious cash. I love to go out and socialize, but I don't want to go broke doing it.

A go kart/racing place would be nice. There was one right outside Atlanta and you had to have a valid license to drive the cars. There was like 3 different race tracks and a drag car track. It was a great time!!!! 
 most of my outdoor rec. is taken place on the St. Lawrence river on my boat.  The bars... most of them all seem like they are from central NY. I spend a lot of time in south FL. every bar on a street is diff. NYC style, trailer trash"

 They should have more live music earlier in the evenings.  Most bands start at 10pm - 2am, and if you have to get up and go to work the next day, this is a late night.  7 or 8 pm till 11 or 12 at least allows someone to attend the activity and still make it to work.  

1. Allowing big music acts to come to perform at the DOME...the acoustics at the war memorial suck.
2. We need more venues that allow for live theater to be performed the way it is supposed to.  Syracuse Stage is good, but too small. 
3. We also need more variety, I feel that the city really does not offer more for my age group other than drinking downtown on the weekends.

1. improve the concerts in the area.
2. lower taxes to encourage business
3. get the polluters to clean up Onondaga lake.  There is ENORMOUS potential for that lake.  
4. Expand the renovation of downtown and make it fertile ground for businesses to move into.

A better schedule of events so we don't have to find out about it from our friends...which is usually after the fact!
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A big problem to me is the proliferation of the coffee conglomerate--in the past seven or eight years, it's pushed out about three coffeehouses that I frequented and really enjoyed. I don't know what recourse the city has (you can't make laws against coffee places, I don't think) but it seems kind of ridiculous to allow for a Starbucks on every corner. 

I also used to like a couple bars in Armory Square, but it seems like it's getting more and more dangerous down there after midnight. It seems safer these days to just stick to places outside of downtown. If you're going to spend your money in an establishment, you would think its management would rally to make sure its patrons feel comfortable being there. 
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A clean Movie theater with seats that are comfortable and a floor that is not covered with sicky goo.

I am into sailing- promte sailing venues / activities.

A comfortable coffee house downtown. Music would be nice. Kind of like Happy Endings"

A wider selection of bands.

a website listing all parks, and outdoor places that are cool to hike/visit

Allowing for more public flyering/advertisments...such as billboard walls that people could post flyers downtown/armory sq./hanover sq.

Attract more big name concerts.  Rochester is big on this and I don't 
understand why we don't do more of this other than the Sate Fair that attracts mostly the big name country singers or the tiny bopper pop stars.



Also there is a listing of what is going on in Syracuse in the Thursday Post Standard but if you only get the Sunday paper it makes it rather hard to know what is going on in town.

Bars: Turn the music down

Dining: More Mexican restaurants (and wing nights)

Better activities..Onondaga Lake Park is always crowded. Anytime you 'Go down town' either to the County Office, On Center or to Armory Sq. there is NEVER any parking!!! If you goto a fetivle in Clinton Sq. plan on walking 10 blocks to and from your car!The design of Syracuse is bad. Armory Sq. looks freat but it seperated from Clinton Sq, Hanover Sq, and Marshal st. When you go to a festivle in Clinton Sq. and it ends at 1000pm you dont dare move your car and then have to walk to Armory Sq. Which is about 10 blocks away.

Better band venues for larger bands that usually end up in Rochester or Albany. Better concentration of activities downtown - e.g. more clubs/restaurants of QUALITY near the War Memorial, and the baseball stadium within walking distance of Armory Square and/or War Memorial areas (too late for that now). Better marketing of the excellent recreation, entertainment, and restaurant options we do have to communities within a five-hour driving radius. Utilize the lakefront for building great clubs, restaurants, bars, walking paths, etc. 

Syracuse also needs to realize it is a SMALL city with a relatively small permanent base of consumers. A master plan for development that recognizes the small-city nature while encouraging niche development (rather than a mega-mall-entertainment-parking complex) would be great.

BETTER BARS, SOFTER MUSIC, MORE ATMOSPHERE

Better clubs and bars that lack the meat market feel.  Also need better music. More things for local 21-25 year olds, we have NOTHING!
Better clubs.  Maybe take a page from some of the bigger cities.  Maybe a nice lounge/dance club.....restaurant on the bottom and dancing above type of idea.

better handicap access

Bring back professional soccer to Syracuse.

Better live music venues focused on music as the centerpiece instead of an afterhtought.  Most venues are not set up for live music.  An example would be the Redhouse. More varied ethnic dining would also of a high quality in a casual setting.

Better parking downtown near venues.  Increasing the variety of ethnic restaurants ( we have improved in the last 10 years)as well as the selection in a given cuisine (e.g., Thai, Vietnamese, vegetarian).

More frequent bus service especially if want to return from downtown cultural events.

Better parking?  (Lack of parking is what prevents me from going to bars / restaurants downtown)

Better support for the arts.

Better Theatres - Modern Theatres - New Theatres

Better variety of restaurants, especially ethnic ones (there used to be an Ethiopian restaurant on Westcott St. years ago... what happened to it?). 

Better variety of live music, including blues, international music from different parts of the world.

Better, safe, cheap transportation to and from, and within, downtown.

Bring in more and larger big name musicians/bands.

Bring in more big named bands. Establish a professional sports team(s).
bring more bands that will attract college kids

Bring more popular artists to Syracuse.  The closest they come is either Albany or Buffalo.

Build a parking garage near Armory.

Build bigger ski mountains....hahaha

Build that damn Amphitheatre, that has been talked about forever. 

Being in radio a common question I get it is, Why don't cooler bands come to Syracuse?" I try to explain to the people that there isn't a venue that has great sound

Bulldoze over all of downtown, starting with Armory Square all the up to Columbus Circle.  Then build a concert center, movie complex, one giant bar and a huge parking lot.

By bringing more cultural events to the area.  Along with that making these events safer for people to attend.

By further developing the Armory Square/downtown area.  It would be nice to live downtown and walk to shops, bars, restaurants, but I don't feel like there is enough infrastructure (e.g., grocery market) to make that feasible.

By having an establishment that has more than one entertainment activities. For example, a dance club that has 3 floors: 1st floor be 80's dance, 2nd floor be arcade, pool, darts, live music, and the 3rd floor be hip/hop.

Clean up downtown so I feel safe going there for entertainment.  Provide an efficient way to find businesses, activities, directions, and specific information on dress codes, cover charges, times, etc. all in one place.  Provide more attention to programs like I'm Smart" and other ride home programs.  "
Coffee houses open late at night, bars that are quieter and more focused on friends getting together or meeting people for fun and discussion rather than getting drunk and one night stands.

complete the creekwalk and create more programming for the city's parks
Continue the variety....and quality. And appeal to ALL ages and income levels.

My wife & /or I visit downtown regualarly for dinner. I go to the YMCA 3 times/week and have periodic meetings downtown.However, many of our friends do not. They seem to have bogus excuses! (i.e., too far, too hard to park etc.)WE can easily show them How easy and fun it is." I think that aspect can easily be better marketed (not just stated)."

Create a music scene that good beneift all genres. For instance, Finger Lakes Community College has the Performance Arts Center. Perhaps a central local venue that will attract bigger names could be good. This will also bring music and money to the area and give a central location for concerts.

Create less mainstream" entertainment. Give dance clubs a twist with a wider variety of dance music genres. (i.e. drum and bass

Create more urban recreation opportunities.  An area that needs to be developed is the area along-side I-690 between Thompson Road, Teal Ave, and Erie Blvd.  What an ideal location for well-landscaped greenspace, that could include miles and miles of walking/jogging/biking/x-c skiing paths, softball/baseball/soccer fields, perhaps an indoor recreation center.  Not to mention, development of that space would impress out-of-towners entering the city from the east.  Now, all they see are wastebeds, dilapidated buildings and our DPW facility.  
  
elect more Republican politicians

Encourage people within my crowd to patronize the bars and clubs. Too many rowdy young individulas infiltrate those places and we have to settle for the low-key coffee houses. Nothing wrong with the coffe houses, but we like to have fun too.

expand from armory square, and marshall street. if there are more popular bars to go to outside the primary area, more people will go.

Get more concerts ...what about Jimmy Buffett ?!?! Why aren't they using the stadium for concerts?

We need someplace to go out - look at Albany, NY - they have great bars, why can't we do the same ?  A bowling alley ( Lucky Strike ), a lounge and some brewery type bars.

Get more recognized individual to go to syracuse and have concerts and get a real team in the area

Get more venues for live music in armory square. We used to have Armory High, but it shut down...now you have to go out to Tundra to hear live bands.

get the planet 505 up and running again, more live music please.  maybe a shuttle from downtown when bars close.

more visual art and art openings

Have a theater like the one in New Hartford so I don't have to drive an hour away to see a movie.  Take Borders out of the mall and put it next to the University

have more dance clubs with dance/techno type music, not r&b or rap.    have more clubs that are over 21 only.

Have more family-friendly activities.

Have more live entertainment instead of djs. 

have more music concerts during the year, other than ones during the NYS Fair.

Have more of both that cater to familes with small children.

have more options and more entertainment

Have more restaurants with different types/ethnic foods.

Have more Techno clubs.

Having good music in a medium sized bar.  It is not too intimate but also not too large that you can feel lost.  Also bars that appeal to middle aged people and don't feel like a meat market.

Having good music in a medium sized bar.  It is not too intimate but also not too large that you can feel lost.  Also bars that appeal to middle aged people and don't feel like a meat market.

Help Destiny get built!!!

Help to cater to an older" crowd who like to listen to good music and dance.  There are places like the Country Club

How can there be only one coffeehouse (Coffee Pavilion) open past five pm??? And why on earth does Starbucks have to come in and do it for us? 

How come there are NO live venues in town that can handle a smaller touring band that can attract 150 - 300 people, like Styleens used to be able to do? You listen to music either in a tiny bar that doesn't have the capacity, or the Landmark Theater: there is barely any in-between. This is why Syracuse is a live music ghost-town, as far as touring acts are concerned: they go right from Albany/NYC to Buffalo/Roch, without stoping here at all.

I believe that improvement should start with places for the age group 18+. I have friends that are 18 - 20 and unfortunately when I want to go out I have to leave them out because they can't get into most places in Syracuse. I want to have the time with my friends. I definitely believe there should be more places for those 18+.

Improved parking areas / better public transportation (cut down on people who drive drunk.

In terms of sports, the area lacks upper level professional sports teams.  I find it difficult to get involved or excited for the lower level pro teams in the area.

It is interesting to me that our area can support an average college basketball attendance of approx 23,000 for a 18 or 19 game season (some of those games drawing over 30,000 people!)  Wouldn't a pro team be able to draw from some of that same fan base and fill at least 15,000 seats?

In the summer, the city needs to be more lenient with outdoor patio type licenses. Currently I believe that they have to close them by 12:30am. I can understand during weekdays, but on the weekends? Why canâ€™t they stay open to at least 1:30am? I live and work in Armory Square; the Panhandlers are killing the place. I cannot go outside for 5 minutes without being asked for money. They police escort them out of the area on the weekends (only when there is a police presence there on Friday and Saturday nights) some of them are harmless others are very pushy, rude and get angry when you tell them no. Also Sundays very few Armory establishments are open. In the summer they're could be some incentive (weekly thing, i.e. party in the plaza)

Increase the marketing and promotion of sports (i.e Skychiefs).
Help fill those seats.  Marketing to city youth would be great.  Rather give them away and make money on concessions then leave them empty.

Make leaving Syracuse University Basketball/football games early to beat parking" a crime.  (lock the gates until the final buzzer.)
Increase the number and quality of dancing places.

Increase the advertisement and access to it.

Bring good and new bands to town.

Individual restaurants do not seem to have enough live music,        piano bar environment.  There is a lack of trendy european atmosphere, more color is needed thruout the city in creating a more comfortable uplifiting atmosphere.  More quaint outdoor lighting and park floral settings thruout the city are needed.  This is a beautiful place to live. We are part of the Fingerlakes Region. Many people will travel to Italy to the Tuscany Region, if one were to drive thru the hills of the Finger Lakes Region they would be amazed at the similarity.

In addition to creating (which is a fabulous idea) a walk-way from the University to downtown, we should also encourage each little town to create a travel route thru the fingerlakes.  If the Destiny project does happen, it would be wise to sell the idea as visiting this beautiful region rather than just Syracuse.  We have so much to offer this way.  
Interesting movies leave the cinemas too fast.  Others are not featured by the cinemas.

Parks are full of garbagge.  Sidewalks in the winter are mostly impassable.  Weekend bus service is limited.

It would be nice to have places for hiking and other outdoor acitivities.  If they exist already, I would like to be aware of that too.
It would be nice to have unique bars/ restaurants in Syracuse.  In Buffalo/ Rochester there are so many unique/ cultural places to go: Calumet (old Jazz bar), Tapas (latino/ salsa dancing).  I think many young professionals are looking for swanky, cultural hangouts, not trashy bars that cater to a younger crowd.

It's hard to pick just two.  Syracuse desperately needs more coffee shops that are open late into the night.  A coffee shop that also serves diner-type food and beers would be perfect--like a similar restaurant in DC.  
I've only ever danced downtown at the Matrix... I think more women/girls would go out if there were more places to dance...then there would be more men going out to those clubs 'cause the females would be there.  I hate just standing around drinking...tho Awful Al's is good for that and you can smoke.  I wish they could find a way for the Armory Square vibe to include Salina Street and maybe even Warren...really utilize downtown with more trendy clubs, shops and restaurants...open up all the parking garages till 2:00 am and light it better so people could walk around safely.  Make Downtown stretch from the War Memorial to Armory Square...the thing is that there doesn't seem to be much for the older crowd"  ( 25-45 )  Everytime I go out I feel like I'm one of the oldest people out!  "

Keep marketing the activities as affordable" ... there is plenty to do here.. it's more of a psychological impasse than anything.

Keep promoting initiatives such as cleaning up the little Italy" area.  Also

Larger venues for live bands that are comming up in the ranks. There are really no big clubs anymore, you either have to go to the dome or a place like that, or a cramped local bar nothing in between

Later hours at establishments, national and international music and art being brought to town, cheaper door covers or none at all (like bull and bear) - more people going out at night....
less crowd and more parking

Local sports events should be extremely entertaining with heavy game time promotions. Sporting events with poor or no promotions or entertainment are pretty dull, even when the home team is winning.

Make downtown more hospitable by cleaning up the filthy overpriced parking lots.  I know many who won't venture downtown because parking is too expensive and difficult to find.

make it a place where thugs" dont want to go to"

Make it easier to get to downtown through public transportation and/or reduce the parking nightmare. Parking should be free and plentiful period.

Make it safer to come into the city for events in the evening.  Especially at the various bars and clubs.

Make the city a safer place to visit.

Make them more elite and innovative like those in large popular cities.

Making it less expensive to go out.  Better music.

Maybe have more establishments which are friendly to gay and lesbian individuals.  I also think Syracuse is desperately in need of an independant coffee-house (ie, not just Starbucks).

Maybe have more live music events going on. Also having a more diverse type of perfomers and bands in the area.

More (ie. greater in number) trendy dining establishments, including those with live music

More bars aimed at the almost-30" crowd -- no loud dance clubs filled w/ 21-yr olds

more clubs in the university area ... we got some stupid pubs which dont do shit !!

more clubs, better clubs, more bands

More coffee houses (independently owned) that feature live music.

More coffee houses where you can lounge and read while drinking coffee. Good live music for people over 18 years old.

More cultural and artistic events, especially for children

MORE LOCAL HISTORY EVENTS!!!!!!!

More diversity of the bar lounge scene.  I just moved back from Washington D.C. and I still can't get over how there are 40 somethings in the bars around here.  It is just strange coming from a place with so many young people and a clear dileniation of bars for under 30 to more refined" establishments for the older crowd."

More diversity

More entertainment, live music.  More outdoor cafes
more events where single professionals can meet

More exposure to city-style"...as a former resident of NYC
more family activities

MORE FAMOUS RESTARUANTS HARD ROCK, SOMETHING BIG, INCORPORATE MORE DINING & LONGES. ALONG WITH DINER AND DRINK SPECIALS.

MOre Headliners at the Landmark!

More high end restaurants...mom and pops...not chains.

More hip hop venues with out strick dress codes so that people other then metro-sexuals can get let in.

More independent coffeehouses

Better bike paths, a Syracuse based frisbee golf course, fishing in the city area, clean up Onondaga Lake and Creek.

More Kosher restaurants --- actually, a single Kosher restaurant to cater to Jews who observe the dietary laws.

More late night activities other than going to a bar or a club.

More live bands at bars!!!  and more bands in Syracuse in general.  So few concerts come here... We need more reasons for bands to want to come here.

More Live concerts downtown that appeal to a broader age range.  Last year was the first year for a country concert downtown and it was great.  
Could use more shaded areas (out of the sun for older fans)

Oldies, rock and roll, current pop, would also be nice.

More live music in places that play the music i specified.
more LIVE MUSIC venues downtown, and on SU Hill

More live sporting events.  Syracuse is a huge basketball town and i don't see why we can't support a professional basketball team from the CBA or NBA development league.  It would seem that if we can average 6000 people for an A league soccer game we should be able to do at least that at the War Memorial, which is downtown, and has a lot more activivites to offer close by than Alliance Bank Stadium.  Outdoor recreation is outstanding around here.  The boating is incredible thru the Finger Lakes, the Barge Canal, 1000 Islands, Lake Ontario and Oneida Lake.  Syracuse needs to use these great resources more to promote itself.

More lounge/clubs/bars that cater to 25 to 40 year olds. Better  bike paths and transportation. More variety of food and resturants.

More often than not there are never any good concerts that come to Syracuse, they are always in Rochester, Buffalo or Albany.  I remember the day when Syracuse use to have huge concerts and alot of them.
More options - Armory has potential but there needs to be more going on , more events, possibly better hours in summer....moer reasons for people to want to come down to armory

More options, greater larger festivals

More organized activities for young professionals to get together and do things that don't necessarily revolve around drinking.

More outdoor (cafe style) places to eat or gather.
more outdoor concerts and events, better fitness establishments, better advertising and attracting live music

More outdoor concerts/activities for families.  Help those of who don't know the area so well with suggestions on parking and directions to the venue.  Several times my family and I have considered coming from Sandy Creek (where we live) to a family oriented activity in Syracuse but we're not sure where the event is located in the city and where to park that is a reasonable walk for a 7 year old.

Lure more businesses downtown, i.e. restaurants, a mix of small local shops and national chains.  How about closing some streets to traffic?  Have you ever been to Burlington, VT?  They have a great pedestrian mall that is always busy and has a nice mix of activities (face painting, street performers (you have to have a permit and it's juried), restaurants, bars, stores and stores that have craft activities (beading place, place to paint ceramic stuff, etc.).  Boulder, CO has the same concept, but I haven't been there in years, so I don't know how it's faring.  Check out Burlington, tho, it's worth a look.  They are really strict on kids hanging around hassling people, and on the homeless doing the same, so you have to be prepared  to enforce laws on skateboarding, loitering, graffiti, etc., but they can and do make it work for locals and tourists alike.  
Can you tell I used to live there?  I did, and I miss it a bit, but there is more potential here than in Burlington, you just have to exploit it in a positive way.

Haven't lived here in the summer yet, so we don't know what the P&C stadium does for concerts in the summer, but it sure doesn't do much in the winter (as far as I can tell).

More outdoor concerts/festivals like Hooligans does in the summer; better bars that aren't so crowded and loud so people can conversate comfortably

More sidewalk cafe locations--make walton Street a street mall
more singles events (not just bar events either)...

More sport themed bars, drop drink prices.

More sports activities for out of school people
more true" ethnic restaurants and maybe an organization/club that exploits the many gorgeous natural landscapes of the syracuse area like the county/ state parks."

More variety and acceptance of the Syracuse community to more diverse dining and drinking establishments. 
more variety in restaurants -- especially downtown -- lots of Italian (love it!), but would like to try new types of food -- need diversity

More variety of live music acts.

More variety with the dance clubs.  More opporunities for other nights than Thursday-Saturday

More venues for outdoor entertainment; more cohesive marketing of events that are going on, places to go, and ways to meet people.

More venues supporting quality local, regional, and touring bands.  I moved here from Albany, NY and venues such as Valentines really supported local talent.  There is a lack of that in Syracuse.

More waterfront dockage for restaurant/bars on Onondaga Lake and Oneida Lake, locations easy to park cars....downtown is a mess, and I hate all of the 1 way roads.
more women (ha ha).

Movies are starting to improve--the B-movie and Syracuse Film festivals were awesome.  More documentaries and short films would be cool.  The only art-house" movie theatres are housed in dives that my wife can no longer patronize due to her asthma--the combination of mold and burnt popcorn is overwhelming.  More films at Everson and other alternative sites--Redhouse sucks
need more independent film, need more indie music.

Need more live venues, and some broader acts brought in.  There are many other genres of music beginning to break among, and attention should be given to them.  We should not have to trvel to Buffalo, Albany, and NYC, or Mass to see quality shows.  Kudos to the Alison Kraus show last week however.

What happened to Styleens?  After it was sold it has changed hands a 
number of other times, and has failed.  I hope that does not reflect the demansd for music in Syracuse.
Dining is excellent however.

Need to attract more bands (national ones) to the area. This area is not a good place to have music because there is nothing to do after the show. Parking is a pain. Contrary to popular belief, drinking is not the ideal way to celebrate a weekend (and that's all there is here--brewfests, winefests, etc).

There are no places for young professionals that are single to meet other single people. That is a fact. It's mostly a meat market type of atmosphere.

Needs places for middle aged folks to dine and listen to live oldies" "easy listening" kinds of music that can provide a nice background to conversation or a great listening experience
Night Market for example like the one in Hong Kong. Make it every Friday & Saturday night.

Not sure if Syracuse has the ability to improve upon those two activities due to the existing environment and urban setting.
offer more

Offer more affordable activities for families. When an event costs $6-8 to get in, multiplied by a family of 4, that's $24-$32 just to walk in the door.

Offer more nighlife geared toward the 30 and over crowd.  I avoid the downtown/armory square bars/clubs due to many of them being geared toward the young, college crowd as well as the unavailability of free parking and high cover charges the establishments charge.

While I feel Syracuse offers a wide selection of restaurants and dining options the majority are 'chain' establishments.  I'd like to see more 
reasonably priced, locally owned, quality restaurants available.

Offer more opportunities for recreational activities.  I didn't play sports in high school or college so I am not into competitive sports.  I like the kickball tournament and ultimate frisbee pick up games, but I wish more things like that were offered weekly, in a non competitive environment.

For dining, the idea that two restauranteurs had about offering three courses for $20 was such a good one, I am glad other places are still offering it because I took advantage of it the first week they offered it and plan to go to other places that still have it.  I look forward to the next time this happens for the downtown restaurants.

Offer more variety to the 30 Something" crowd."
one resource for all events in syracuse. there are so many different places to look. A ton of web sites, newspapers, etc. But there is no one stop shopping" so to speak. I really dont have the time to filter through all these resources. I would also love to see a link between SU events and "syracuse" events. SU has soooo much going on but even as an alum

Open new establishments - greater focus on ethnic" foods and more "modern/trendy" bars."

Orange sports take care of my live sport scene, yet the clubs and bars are over crowded and offer a poor ratio of girls to guys.

Outdoor summer concerts.  Also, I've heard of Papermill Island having these, but when I went online to find info, I could not even find a web site.

Play better music/have better DJs.  Improved atmosphere at clubs.  Stop playing like a prayer" and Bon Jovi"

Recruit a second movie theatre chain.

Make it easier for local theatre groups to present their shows... lower rents at Civic Center, another midsize venue...

Restaurants with more variety, for example, high end seafood or asian restaurants.

More dining options late night.

Skychiefs stadium needs to be downtown!!!!

Some of the bars have a dance club-like atmosphere, but Syracuse needs an actual club that will have a nice atmosphere, especially close to the

Syracuse University Campus... we need a dance club on the hill!
stand alone theater; better parking and public transportation into the city; more areas of interest like theaters/coffee houses on the city/suburb border to attract more people into the city.
Steakhouse downtown is needed.

Stop using the Carrier Dome for Live Bands and go back to using the War Memorial and Landmark. Bring in more plays and dramas.
Stop using the Carrier Dome for live music events, Teardown everything from Armory Square to Warren Street, James Street to Adams Street and build a large movie theatre complex, a concert hall, art gallery and huge parking lot.

Syracuse can incorporate more arts in the community, or atleast make it more known that there are such activities. Also, the bar scene is weak...it is the same places again and again...or atleast I am not aware of other places I might be interested in...

Syracuse could have more activities for children

Syracuse does not have any actual Dance Clubs,I'm not speaking of your neighborhood bar, where young african american professionals can go and listen/dance to R&B/hip-hop in a relaxed, comfortable enviroment.

They have several places in armory square but they all cater to young white professionals.  In my opinion if there is any hope of maintaining or bringing in young professionals, especially african americans you need to improve the nightlife & cultural events in the city.
syracuse has great bars, but they are very packed at prime hours.  it would be great to hame more cool trendy places to hang out that weren't so full you cant get to the bar or go to the bathroom.  it would be GREAT to have more places like World martini bar, or the old Tsunami in Hanover square.  there also aren't many places to go on a date where you can just talk to someone (like a lounge or coffee house).  there are a number around though, but it is difficult to carry on a conversation because they often have bands, etc.

Syracuse needs a medium sized music venue (200-500 people) in downtown where bands traveling through the region feel is a must stop.

The downtown coffee houses need to be more conducive to lounging around for a while, with more comfortable furniture.  That is one of the reasons everyone loves starbucks.

Syracuse needs to do away with the panhandlers . i see people begging for change always. can't they do something about this? I don't mind the Africans selling roses, they are providing a product (roses), but to flat out beg for money is bummy and makes the city look like crap. As far as the nightlife, i'd like to see the campus and the armory square more unified. they need to gel more somehow. It is better than Binghamton though , thats for sure.

Syracuse needs to have a wide variety of things to do.  It has the Zoo, MOST, and then a bunch of bars!  I don't see there being much more in existent, especially for a college town.  I just relocated to this area in August 2004 and am not really thrilled with the lack of opportunity to meet people.

Syracuse tries very hard to accommodate all aspects of city nightlife, it is the people who attend the facilities that ruin it for everyone! It is not the establishments, it is, unfortunately, the riff-raff that live in this city that can't enjoy a good opportunity that has been presented to them.

Tearing down your downtown area and building a huge concert,movie complex with a huge amusement park.

The bars in Armory Square tend to be over priced, there needs to be a low price alternative that is still able to keep their establishment up.

The best way to improve upon the live sports offerings in the Syracuse area would be to bring sporting events into the downtown area with the construction of a multi-use sports stadium for soccer and or professional outdoor lacrosse.  I'm referring to the possibility of bringing an MLL, 
Major League Lacrosse, team to Syracuse.  I've heard talk of such a thing and there is definately the support because of the popularity at the high school and college level locally.  In addition, there is also talk of the reviving the Salty Dogs soccer team.  Having the opportunity to bring these two events to the downtown area would enrich the downtown area and spur  possible reinvestment in areas that are in desperate need of it.

The city should create some kind of entertainment district that overlies its cultural district

The lack of free parking tends to be a negative issue in Armory Square.

The live music scene in the Syracuse area is very poor.  While there are some local acts that are worth seeing play, they are groups that I've already seen several times and do not get excited about seeing again.  Additionally, the local acts that are worth seeing are generally in the rock/classic rock genre's which get old in a hurry when most of them are all playing the same cover tunes.

Personally, I'd love to see a larger counter-culture music scene; similar to the one that is present in the Rochester area.  Meaning a set of venue's that cater to non-maintstream music, such as:  house, techno, electronica, and the like.

The media needs to give folk, acoustic, traditional music more attention.  Most people don't know it's here; most people don't know how exciting it is.  Established popular artists get the ink and the air time -- let's celebrate the grassroots musical efforts more, especially those efforts that lie outside the mainstream.

The more options the better. I love what the city has done to Armory Square and I love what it is doing to Hanover Square. The more facelifts the city gets, the more private investors will succeed here. In the nine years I've been in Syracuse, this city has come a long way!

The music scene in Syracuse has a lot of room for improvement.  There are very few music venues in the area and almost no national acts seem to come through.  The only times I have gotten to see a good act was when I've heard about a band coming to SU and those are not even advertised very well to the general public.  I would love to see a more vibrant music scene with independent and alternative artists coming to Syracuse.

The quality of the bars have gone down in syracuse lately.  More sun would be nice

the SkyChiefs need to be better marketed to enhance the fan base and make games more fun to attend; there needs to be more of a connection between SU sports and the nightlife-much like it was done for the East 
Regionals. Housing for SU/LeMoyne grad students should be set up in close proximity to Armory Square as these folks living in the area would create a young professional feel in downtown and attract others to come there (plus-having these kind of people instead of the current riff-raff would make Armory bars more attractive to the folks who actually have more money to spend). Arrest the obnoxious panhandler types who hang out outside of the bars and harass people-there should be ZERO tolerance for this activity is Cuse is to have a thriving and likeable nightlife.

The sports are excellent. I would like to see more and newer night clubs. 
Maybe something with a different theme. It seems that all the night clubs are the same around here. If you go out in Florida or Las Vegas every night club has something different to offer.

The sports teams around here are not very good and not very well supported (except for the SU basketball team). Rochester has much better and more sports teams that are well supported.

There are a few good fine dining restaurants in Syracuse but we could several other/new options.  BC is on of the best restaurants in the area and we could use more like it.  In addition, a coffee house--really cool, indepedent place to get REALLY good coffee, hang out, and listen music or poetry slams from time to time would be great.  If it were attached to an independent bookstore or magazine shop there would be even better.  I hate Starbucks and will not shop their for ethical reasons and really want to support a coffee house/cafe society that is local and independent.

There are a variety of places to go and things to do to satisfy both activities so I would say nothing.

There are alot of bars now but maybe there could be more dance clubs that suite different people.

There are many restaurants to choose from in the Syracuse area, so dining is usually not a problem.  However, Syracuse would definitely benefit from a casino.  We go there not only for the gaming, but for shows and movies.  They offer many options in one location for dining as well.  Why give our money to another city....?

There are really 2 locations in the Syracuse area to go out at night..Hanover adn Armory..parking in both is a nightmare and the quality of the bars is weak at best. Also, puting a sewage tratment plant close to one of these areas is not exactly a move in the right direction.

There aren't and good places to dance in Syracuse.

There aren't enough dance clubs for mature people. There are lots of theaters. I also love Syracuse Stage.

There is truly a lack of good lounge areas in Syracuse - someplace with alcohol, maybe cofee, and an atmosphere quiet enough to talk with friends around couches or chairs.  Certanly music but not blaring or obnoxious.  There also needs to be more bars that do not exist solely for alcohol consumption, but also offer food, maybe tapas, and interesting drinks and good furniture.  I think that the 20 something crowd will go wherever anyone else is gathering, but the thirty somthing crowd really cares about the atmosphere and the visual entertainment a place holds (good architecture, furniture, decor, etc.)

There need to be a better venue for professionals for dancing and socializing;

Theres needs to be more chill" bars and more upscale bars. My favorite examples of the 2 are Bull and Bear Pub and Awful Al's. Great liquor and beer selections

They could make the movie theaters much cleaner and less expensive.  Also, it'd be nice to find more family owned restaurants and diners to eat at. Denny's has too much violence and IHop is always packed, so it's hard to go out for breakfast.

They do a pretty good job with outdoor recreation if you are willing to travel to Baldwinsville, or other surrounding areas.

I have never been to their dance clubs.  No one will go with me as they speak from personal experience and explain they are no fun.
They have live bands quite a bit but I don't know about most of them...if 
there was a newsletter or something I would probably know more.  I can go to the theature easy so thats not a problem.

This is a good question -- not sure what to suggest.  When I think about downtown Syracuse, I think mostly about Armory Square and some of the more upscale" bars.  It'd be nice to have a laid back casual bar atmosphere - where the music is on

Unfortunately, it's nothing the city itself can do. No venues in the city that 
can handle a touring act that can bring in 200-300 people, like Styleen's Rhythm Palace used to. Also, the music scene has gotten quite homogenous; nothin but the same style from place to place to place. 
Upgrade quality of movie theatres and lower prices or open more budget theaters.  More outdoor festivals would be nice (example: Lilac Festival, garden shows).

We need a live rock club again like styleen's

WE NEED MORE SPOTS WITH LIVE MUSIC. WE NEED MOORE BANDS FROM OUT OF TOWN, I'M TIRED OF THE SAME BANDS ALL OF THE TIME

We need more stadium style theaters in SYR.

We need to have outdoor bar/nightlife that doesn't just involve the drunk scene....volleyball, horseshoes, etc.   Also need more information of outdoor activities around the area... hiking, state park activities, golf outings...
When basketball and football seasons are over, there isn't much else besides the skychiefs. But I can't complain, for a city of this size we have a lot going on.

when driving around the Syracuse area, I see nothing but debris on the sides of road, old deteriorating buildings/houses, and things in general that do not make the area warm, friendly and inviting.  When I lived in a southern big city a few years ago, the area was clean, fresh flowers were planted and maintained and lawns/houses were kept. This has a big impact on the overall view of Syracuse outsiders get in my opinion.
With so many nightlife activities starting very late, such as dancing and bands, it's hard to participate because when you are holding down a regular job you are on an early to bed early to rise schedule meaning you have to sacrifice something. That, combined with having to drive 25 minutes to the Syracuse venue and tight drinking/driving laws makes it a challenge to go out for typical nightlife activities.  That's why, although I really have the most fun with dance clubs, realistically I'm having to go more to coffee house type activities, which are okay but no where as fun as having a few drinks and dancing for hours.  Also, it's more acceptable to go alone to a coffee house than a dance club, where you can sit alone at a coffee house as compared to dancing alone or trying to get people to dance with you at a club, which is a lot of work and makes it less fun.

Overall, Syracuse has tons to do.  I've been here since just 2 years after I graduated from college.  People complain there's nothing to do, but if they read the paper every week they'd see there are lots of things to choose from whatever your interest is.  I see a lot of people reinventing the wheel.  Happy Endings Dessert & Coffee House was a great venue and offered lots, so why did it close?  Now I see other groups and people doing something similar.  RedHouse offers a lot of what it seems young people are asking for, by why do they have to struggle to keep it going?  Why don't people support the great things we've already got, instead of complaining needs are not met and going out and trying to set up things like what we've already got, or what we had and closed.

I think the real questions to ask are: Why aren't things like this already in existence being fully supported (RedHouse)?  Why do people who open businesses that seem to address these needs now no longer in operation (Happy Endings)?   Are people just giving lip-service to these things because they hear other people griping about the same things, yet it's not something they'd really do or support with their dollars when push comes to shove?  How come the OnTrack train that goes to Armory Square from SU not being fully utilized as a corridor from SU to downtown (new plan just announced by SU to do what seems to be the same thing that OnTrack was supposed to address)?  We had a lot here; why don't people take advantage of what exists (museums, festivals, special events, fabulous restaurants & eateries, tons of live entertainment of all kinds, parks & recreation, etc.)?