Great wing! They may be the best I have found away from my area. We enjoyed the F-Bomb, Frankenstein, Garlic Parm and Godzilla. All of the wings were cooked perfectly, nice and crisp, but not dry. The F-Bomb weren't as hot as I thought they would be, but man were they tasty. I think my favorite out of the bunch was the Frankenstein, a truly unique flavor. Godzilla is very similar to the Frankenstein, just a different heat level. The garlic parm were good, but the weakest out of the bunch for us. Seemed like a great local spot with a lot of regulars. There was a band getting set up as we were eating. We didn't stay, but I could see grabbing a couple of beers and listening to some tunes if I lived in the area. I would definitely stop again if I were in the area. read more

The wings are really good! The place is what it is, been that way for years and no reason to change it now. Great atmosphere for live music read more

Got another Burger last night at Shiftys and what a let down. Tiny, dry AF, made from pre-formed frozen burger patty, did I mention DRY?! Tiny bun. With a side of greazy under cooked floppy fries. They can blame Covid, Maybe their cook quit? Not sure, but steer clear. Best thing about my experience was the friendly bartender/ waitress. The burger sucked so much, I'm mad about it all over again read more

Went for my first time to Shifty's on hearing that they had the best wings. The recommendation was correct. The wings rocked. I sat at the bar with my wings and a craft beer I ordered from the beer selection board over the back wall. While sitting at the bar enjoying the atmosphere and hearing the noise of the many guests sitting along wooden high top tables, I noticed the fridge that contained many individual cans and bottles of beer; I saw Michelob Light in a bottle. My all time favorite which I haven't seen in years. When I return to Shifty's, and I will this weekend, I'm gonna grab me that Mich Light and throw my mind back to being in my late teens w my buddies and drink a brew to the fun of the past where we sat beachside listening to music. The bar also listed all the bands playing for the month. Shifty's is much better than I ever anticipated for a classic dive, but not so much. It's a cool place. read more

Look the place does good business and they have great wings but they have to be able to take some criticism. Everytime I order wings to go and I sit there and wait, I notice the cook rings the bell and puts the to go orders there,........where they seem to sit ....and sit.....and me assuming its for someone else maybe a regular they know and he just isnt here yet I just sit and wait.....and wait....for my order....only to find just a half hour later...it was mine. This has happened to me 3 times and to add insult to cold wings she asked me to pay.....AGAIN..forgetting I already paid. I had the impression even though she took my order hardly 20 min ago had I not complained and asked where my wings were i never would have gotten them . Does anyone care?I suspect not. But I can tell you I will weigh the hassle in my mind next time I am craving wings and might...just might go to dino. read more

I cannot believe I am the first one to review! I also cannot believe I was legal for 6+ years before visiting. Shifty's is less than 3 blocks away from where my grandparents used to live and I heard numerous stories of the wild antics that took place inside this bar when my mother was in her youth. When I arrived late one Saturday night it was filled with people closer to my mother's age than my own- I guess people can't give this place up. My three friends and I had a great time listening to the bluegrassy band while enjoying some cold brews and shots. The place was packed and it was a struggle to get to the bathroom, but the people were friendly and just dancing along to the tunes. There is live music five nights a week! The food menu looks good and next time I am home I will make sure to visit Shifty's on an empty stomach. You will see me again Shifty's! read more

I have to be upfront and say that I'm reviewing Shiftys as a place to eat... It seems like a great place to drink with your buddies. I'll say, the food and prices were good. They only had one cook so the good took a bit longer than I wanted it to. Bartender did warn me of that though. They didn't have anywhere to sit that wasn't occupied and they did not take AMEX... My fellow business travelers will know what that means. All in all, I thought it was good-ish, but I won't be back. read more

Best wings in 'cuse hands down - order at the bar, sit where you can. Monday nights are wings night which is like $8/dozen. Flavors to definitely try: Flaming Mango - definitely kick to it, not for the weak, but if you like "thai/indian hot" Parm Garlic - they load it up with parm and tonnes of garlic, beware - in an awesome way Cajun Old Bay - the only place in town that will give you a feel for wings in Baltimore They have the standard hot, mild, BBQ, etc... They have open mic night and live band nights too, but havent had chance to check it out! Darts, pool, and pinball! read more

The wings are absolutely amazing. Great selection of beers. My favorite bar in all of Syracuse

Shiftys is hyped for quality wings. I got down but there are better wing spots in Cuse. They have genny so that's a star bump on my end. Also known to be a good live music spot but I have not seen a show here so I can not comment on that. read more

Shifty's - Primo double-fister! - Chicken Wings Near Me - Syracuse, New York

The wings here are phenomenal, everyone is super nice and personable, and, overall, this is just a good place to hang out. It's not the cheapest bar in the world, but it's worth it. read more

Great dive bar/ neighborhood watering hole. Great music and love having a few drinks and playing a game of pool! Cant recommend the food sadly. Everyone tells me they have the best wings in the city, but i sadly wound up with food poisoning from them - the LAST thing i wanted on vacation. Go for the drinks and music. Pass on the food read more

I got the Hot & Frankenstein wings. That's the BEST wings I have tasted in Syracuse. Sorry OIP, you don't measure up anymore. read more

Shifty's - Chicken Wings Near Me - Syracuse, New York

Bad food, surly bartenders, obnoxious patrons, no parking, lousy pool table. Okay music

Food: Best wings in the city of Syracuse. The rest. ...eh. ...its bar food Liquor: basics, but decent beer selection. Ambiance: Great dive bar with interesting patrons, a wide variety of good local live music, pool tables and fun staff. read more

What a great local place for wings, drinks and shots. The shots are big and cheap . They had a local band playing on Saturday night and it was not to loud. Definitely worth a stop if you are in the area . Thanks for a great night read more

Great dive bar & grill with nice tap rack and, for us, the welcome dog friendly tables on the porch. Okay, the tables are not that nice and the porch is 15 feet from the road...but outside speakers pumping good tunes, tasty cold IPA laughing with good company and our dog gypsy laying at our feet, I love this place. Decor is as tired as this town but some upscale design teams work for this look. No table service, so wait your own table. Wings are the talk of the joint but we went for the juicy burgers which did not disappoint. Gotta laugh that previous posters mentioned the slow kitchen service with the cook outside taking smoke breaks...noticed that too. read more

I was a little hesitant to call in a takeout order since all of the reviews and experiences really reference more of the bar atmosphere rather than restaurant. While I can say this certainly is the case, I can also say it was well worth the trip and possible discomfort (this is very much a type of establishment that caters very well to the crowd of regulars). I was also impressed with the selection of beer in draft, including some local craft brews. In the future, I would love to come back with a crew to dine in and enjoy the beverages. For today's order, I was able to try two different varieties of wings and their hand-cut French fries. Texture and crispness are important to me when judging wings, and even with the order experiencing the dreaded takeout drive home, I was impressed that they maintained an excellent consistently. The Cajun wings were basically a dry rub and had decent flavor, but were not as good as the hot Buffalo wings. They had a couple of "extreme" heat type flavors listed which I was apprehensive about ordering, but I'd consider going more than hot next time--the hot variety didn't pack a ton of heat, but the flavor was on point. The fries were above average as well, and would have been even better if consumed on site as opposed to traveling. Based almost exclusively on the wings and my desire to go back to try more flavors and consume them right there on premises, I was very happy with my experience! read more

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What a great go-to bar. Food is great. Wings, probably up there for best in town or anywhere! Great beer selection. Good staff. Great bands, always good local talent. Not my neighborhood but I feel comfortable there. read more

Had lunch here for the second time and was amazed again, at the food this unassuming place puts out. Homemade soups, great sandwiches, amazing fish on Fridays, pizza, wings all top notch! Great bands at night too! read more

If you like wings, live music and a scene where it truly is an eclectic Mix of people then check out Shiftys. read more

Music's pretty good. The food sucks. Service is poor. I've gone there many times and haven't bought anything because the bar matrons do seem to be interested in serving you. Go, listen to the music, but don't try to buy anything. It will just make you frustrated and annoyed! read more

My family and I love a local place and since my daughter will be attending school in Syracuse we decided to start looking for some good locally owned places to eat. We stopped into Shifty's for lunch after finding it here on Yelp. The food was great, the beer menu, was good and it was fun. It is no frills, just down and dirty good food and drink. read more

Asking me if I would ever go back, is like asking me if I'm open minded to a STD. I have been in many dive bars and these days most of them have class. This place doesn't even have any bloody coat hooks to hang your jacket/coat. I had to eat my under cooked burger with my jacket on my lap, like an old lady who dines with her purse in her lap. I was so tempted to give the bartender an additional $20 bucks so they can go to the local hardware store and by a dozen or so coat hooks. The only thing this place has going for it, is you can't smoke. Thank god !!!! read more

Best dive bar in Syracuse and possibly ever. Awesome staff, easily the best in Cuse (as are the wings and music)!

Shifty's is a Syracuse staple. This neighborhood bar is one of the best spots to catch local bands, grab a bite to eat, and wash it down with a growing selection of craft beers. read more

This place is amazing to play pool but there is a bartender there every Friday and Saturday. She's the worst bartender ever. She's really tall and always acts like it's a chore to do her job. Other than that this place is amazing. read more

They don't know how to treat people respectfully. They didn't want me and my girl in for for no reason 0 explanation when I asked why.

Best bar this side of the Mississippi. Bikers, academics, blue collar types - every race and age - all joining forces. A happy, mirthful place. Great bartenders. Great beers. Oh, and some of the best goddamn wings in the country. For real. Best in Syracuse- hands down. The Xtra hot wings are deelish. The Frankenstein wings are remarkable, as are the Red Hot and Blues. read more

I felt well taken care of here. The Frankenstein wings "crispy" as suggested by my bartender Jes were great. A good beer selection and a friendly vibe. I'll be back next time I'm in Syracuse!! read more

It's funny people call it a dive. It's a thriving, lucrative business carefully managed to cater to the working man crowd by having among the amenities bartenders who are the cougars of the biker chick world. During the day it's very pleasant to take a break with mostly guys who look like they ducked out early from work on the construction site. At night it's awkwardly crowded. There's limited seating. When you walk to the bathroom it's tricky to make your way between the back end of the pool cues and people standing along the walls. The food is outstanding - onion rings and wings being the standouts. The extensive beer selections include Saranac root beer. read more

The coolest place in town. Good food, good live music, Beautiful and friendly bartenders. This place definitely gets my recommendation

Great wings with a bunch of great flavors. The only knock on the place is the parking is bad. Not a big fan of parking on the street.

Shiftys is the place to go for great food, drinks and music. They have live music almost every night and Monday is the night for cheap wings. If you haven't been then you're missing out. read more

a true towny bar. they keep it old school here. The wings are AMAZING, you must try the frankenstein wings. Prob one of the best I've had. Very reasonably priced, with true LOCAL crowd. Great selection of brews and specials every night. They also have live performances as well. For cuse games they bring down projector. Great local ambiance, with pictures all over. Def a must try. Only thing id say is that they could use larger TV's. read more

One of my favorite bars in Syracuse. Wings, burgers, ect..Awesome. Butch is really nice. Racer5 or Laguinitas IPA would be nice

If you want an authentic dive bar- this is your place. Shiftys is known for their wings. But after having them a few dozen times I can tell you that they are more miss than hit. The cooks are always out back smoking and seem to forget they have wings cooking. They are usually (7/10 times) overcooked, dry, and crack like dust. But- when they are on, then are spot on with the wings! My fav is the sweet chili! read more

Great little place to go out and drink. They have Pool and a new age juke box. only problem is the waitresses seemed too over whelmed by all the customers they had so my lady friend and I sat for about 10 minutes before we got to order more beers but other than that the place is fantastic! we were so surprised how everybody was having a good time and no one was shouting or being crazy like you would expect from other bars read more

The food here is amazingggg. The wings and pizza specifically have always been good for the years and years I've had their food. My dad always makes this his stop before Syracuse games. read more

Great little dive bar. Many great beers on tap....The wing selection was great! Wings were juicy and flavorful.. I tried the red hot and blue which I loved!! Hot spot for wings. read more