Hot Dog Hoppers pack subzero Syracuse streets for glizzy-themed bar crawl
All around Marshall Street, Syracuse University students can be seen dressed in hot dog costumes while infiltrating the local bar scene. The harsh winter weather didn’t dampen many of the students’ plans to dress in a wiener costume. Courtesy of Joe Zhao
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If you thought you were experiencing a case of hypothermia-induced delirium as a mob of glizzies frolicked around Marshall Street Saturday, think again. Students fitted in hot dog costumes infiltrated the bar scene around Syracuse University’s campus over the weekend for its inaugural Hot Dog Hop.
“It’s senior year. Yes, it’s negative 25, and yes, I got in a car crash last night, but we’re going to be here,” senior Stella VanBeveren said. “When else am I going to be able to dress up like a hot dog?”
The Hot Dog Hop bar crawl arrived at SU on Saturday, one of its 54 stops around the United States. On the same day it came to Syracuse, the Hot Dog Hop made a few appearances at Penn State University and the University of Michigan.
Onondaga County issued a winter weather advisory for the weekend, and an Urgent Orange Alert warned students to limit time outdoors and to “dress warmly.” Students like junior Keely Bova still braved the freezing temperatures to embrace the hot dog state of mind and share a few drinks with friends.
“I’m wearing three pairs of socks and my toes are still freezing, but it’s worth it,” Bova said.
Subzero temperatures didn’t stop SU students from participating in the hot dog-themed bar crawl. Courtesy of Joe Zhao
Some SU seniors who suited up for this weekend’s antics said participating in the bar crawl was a part of a “say-yes” mentality they’ve adopted as their final year comes to an end.
Senior Madalyn Norton spent the past two semesters studying in Florence, Italy and New York City. Since returning to the Hill, she said she’s made it her mission to go to every event on campus.
“When the hot dog event was released, I was like obviously I have to go,” Norton said. “I’m kind of embodying a Dome dog today.”
Norton and her friends played into the hot dog theme by serving pigs in a blanket at their pregame. The frankfurt theme didn’t deter Amanda Salles, a vegetarian. Instead, she traded a hot dog for a vegetarian sausage at her friend group’s pregame.
“I honestly love these bar crawls,” Salles said. “It’s so funny and silly and just a good time and something we won’t be able to experience again.”
A ticket to the Hot Dog Hop included not only a hot dog costume to keep, but exclusive drink deals and free access to four local bars — Orange Crate Brewing Company, Harry’s Bar, Faegan’s Cafe & Pub and Lucy Blu Island Bar and Club. Harry’s, Orange Crate and Lucy Blu offered discounts on Fireball Blazin’ Apple Whiskey.
Melanie Gildea, an SU senior, said the starting $25 ticket price was definitely worth it.
“Money comes back but a hot dog bar crawl doesn’t,” Gildea said. “Give or take the costume, at the end of the day it’s something that you want to do. So, just put on the hot dog and get out there.”
After bar hopping, hot dog-dressed students ventured to Five Guys for a snack.Courtesy of Joe Zhao
Many of the Hot Dog Hop participants said they also participated in other bar crawls at SU, including last year’s Banana Bar Crawl, which first started in fall 2024. SU senior Elizabeth Kick said the food-inspired theme might seem “silly,” but it gives everyone a chance to bond over the absurd concept.
Kick said she also appreciates the costume aspect. It relieves some of the pressure of typical going-out fashion standards, Kick said.
“It kind of gets rid of the fact that you have to dress up and put on a show,” Kick said. “Everyone’s just looking a little bit stupid but we’re all looking stupid together.”
Students turned their clothing into a walking yearbook by signing each other’s hot dog attire. Some scribbled their signatures, while others left inside jokes.
Junior Emma Frasier said she loved the theme and plans to hold onto her costume after the crawl’s finished for memory’s sake.
“I feel goofy in the costume, but I don’t care… I’m having a good time,” Frasier said. “Hopefully I could show my kids one day my hot dog costume.”
Each bar on the crawl was full to the brim, with students shoulder to shoulder like a pack of Oscar Mayer’s Classic Weiners you can find on a refrigerated shelf in Wegmans.
But the busy bar scene did not stop students. Participants at Orange Crate danced along to “You’re The One That I Want” from “Grease,” hip thrusting and hand jiving just as John Travolta would, except encased in a hot dog outfit instead of a leather jacket.
Salles, with her three layers on top and leggings underneath her jeans, said that the Hot Dog Hop — despite being “definitely colder” than other bar crawls she’s attended — was worth it because she got to spend time with friends and embrace the “joke of it” all.
“We’re all just dedicated to having a good time and I feel like that’s a big part of Syracuse in general and a big part of the culture here,” Salles said. “We want to work hard, but we party hard and we want to have a good time.”
