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Shaughnessy’s Irish Pub, nestled inside the Marriott Hotel in downtown Syracuse, is the place for Syracuse sports fans. Either the focal point of a visit or in the background, Syracuse sports are on TV while historic memorabilia surrounds customers.

“There is just that connection that is still growing. We love the sports, we love Syracuse University athletics — there’s a sense of camaraderie,” manager Tom Fiorini said.

Shaughnessy’s embraces all Syracuse athletics, including SU football and lacrosse and Syracuse Crunch Hockey games. In addition to serving burgers and beer, the interior includes the original Syracuse Nationals’ basketball court, which was moved from the Onondaga County War Memorial and now serves as the pub’s floor.

Only eight years after the Syracuse Nationals defeated the Fort Wayne Pistons in Game 7 of the 1955 championship series, the team was sold to Irv Kosloff and Ike Richman. Despite making the playoffs every season in Syracuse, the team relocated to Philadelphia in 1963 and became the Philadelphia 76ers.

Fiorini said that after the team’s relocation, the court was going to be cut up and sold in pieces. However, the Marriott purchased the court and decided to preserve it.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Nats’ championship. The team produced multiple Hall of Fame players, including Larry Costello, Hal Greer and Dolph Schayes, who is on a mural inside the pub. Syracuse remains one of the cities to have won an NBA championship, an achievement 10 current NBA teams still haven’t accomplished.

Shaughnessy’s numerous historic items from Syracuse athletics and places on SU’s campus connect with the pub’s regulars. Fiorini has only been the manager for a year, but already feels a sense of community at the local pub.

Syracuse sports memorabilia is displayed at Shaughnessy’s, an Irish pub in downtown Syracuse. Locals frequent the pub for a sense of community and for sporting events.Brycen Pace | Asst. Photo Editor

Signed basketballs, hockey sticks and preserved photos of the original Nats’ basketball team all tell a story. Many former Nationals players have returned to Syracuse over the years. A number of them went to Shaughnessy’s to sign and take pictures with a basketball, which is seen among the pub’s decor.

Sarah Jackson, a server at Shaughnessy’s and Syracuse native, often reflects on the items around her. One day, she was eyeing a landscape photo that looked familiar. Moments later, it clicked: it was a trail through what is now South Campus, where she walks her dogs. Jackson said it’s nice to know the area still maintains a similar look, even way back from its infancy.

But it’s more than just a plot of grass, a basketball or a team photo. The memorabilia serves as a living history for the people and places that have changed with the city. Jackson said customers see not only vaguely familiar items, but deeply personal ones.

“I’ve had moments where some people recognize their grandparents from photos,” Jackson said. “They would pause and say ‘That’s my grandfather!’ and show me a picture.”

Jackson said the pub’s success correlates with SU athletics’; when Syracuse’s teams do better, the pub is more active. Given the hotel’s proximity to the Syracuse campus, the pub welcomes both SU and rival fans alike.

While many visit Shaughnessy’s for its rich history of Syracuse athletics, others come simply to unwind after a long day. Chuck Musante, a customer at the pub, appreciates the pub for its food and atmosphere.

Syracuse locals watch sports games at Shaughnessy’s Irish Pub. The bar is decked out with Syracuse sports merchandise.Brycen Pace | Asst. Photo Editor

Musante lived in Syracuse from 2020 to 2023, working in microelectronics. After he revisited the city in 2025, the first place he visited after his 11 hour drive was Shaughnessy’s. He cited the high-quality food and bartenders as reasons for his return.

“I came in last night, and the bartender remembered me from two years ago,” Musante said.

The memorabilia is secondary for Musante, who admitted he had no clue what anything was. For him, the pub was simply a place to get away from work, have a few beers and unwind.

Whether the customer is there to reflect on the city’s rich history or simply stop by for a drink, Musante said the pub remains a welcoming space that proudly supports Syracuse athletics. Seventy years after the Nationals’ championship, Shaughnessy’s continues to serve as a hub for fans cheering on their favorite teams.

“It’s inspiring to see how much memorabilia the pub really has, and how they’ve kept true to the heritage after 70 years,” Jackson said.

Published on April 17, 2025 at 2:04 am