#5829 - Nibsy's Pub, Syracuse, NY - 7/2/2024

Nibsy's Pub, Syracuse, New York

From Syracuse.com: 

'Dennis “Nibsy” Ryan first opened his bar and restaurant at the corner or Ulster and North Wilbur streets in 1890. It’s regarded as the oldest tavern in Syracuse.

The first generation of Ryans raised 10 children in an apartment above Nibsy’s. One son, William Ryan – who also went by Nibsy – continued to run it until 1967. Groucho Hewitt bought it from the Ryans, then sold it to Jack McGroarty, who changed the name.

In 1990, Syracuse firefighters bought the bar and rechristened it Nibsy’s. They got William Ryan’s permission. “As long as we didn’t have go-go girls, as he put it, we could do it,” says Joe Mullen, one of three of the current owners. (The other two are John Cowin and Bob Brazell.)

Nibsy’s is known for its pizza and wings, its Irish ancestry and its ability to attract loyal patrons ranging from softball teams to politicians to sports fans.'

The Syracuse Herald American adds that after Dennis and Catherine Ryan opened the place, 

'Members of the Ryan family operated the business until the late 1960s, including a long period when the proprietors were William "Nibsy" Ryan and his borther, Patrick "Bounce" Ryan.

...

The nickname "Nibsy" was first attached to Dennis Ryan, but no one seems to where the nickname came from.

...

Nibsy (William) recalls that during Prohibition the saloon was never raided and was open all the time.'

ThisIsCNY adds:

'The original pub owner “Nibsy” Ryan handed down the idea that “to be in your nibs” defined a guy with a presence -- someone who wore fancy clothes and carried mystique. That’s why they called the pub Nibsy’s.'

In March of 2005, long time patrons JP and Nichole Carlyle took ownership Mullen, Corwin, and Brazell.

I'm not clear on how long and for what years it was officially named "Nibsy's," although it seems to have been called that by Tipperary Hill neighborhood locals for many decades, including the years when the name was officially something else.

Beyond the history it is a fairly typical neighborhood Irish pub, on a corner in the suburbs, serving standard contemporary pub food with 18 beers on tap.

201 Ulster St, Syracuse, NY 13204 - (315) 476-8423
Est. 1890, 1990 "Nibsy" name restored - Building constructed: 1890
Previous bars in this location: Unknown names?
Web site: nibsyspub.com - facebook - instagram - twitter
Reviews: syracuse.com - syracuse.com - yelp - tripadvisor