Walk into Change of Pace on a Tuesday night and the first thing you’ll notice isn’t the decor. It’s the smell of salt, vinegar, and searing chicken fat. It’s a dive bar. Let's just be honest about that. But in Syracuse, "dive bar" is a term of endearment, a badge of honor that implies you’ve survived a few lake-effect blizzards and know exactly where to find the best wings in the 315.
Located on Grant Boulevard, Change of Pace Syracuse has occupied a specific niche in the local psyche for decades. It isn't just a place to grab a pint. For the North Side community and the broader Salt City, it’s a living artifact of a time when neighborhood taverns were the social glue of the city.
People come here for the wings. Obviously. But they stay because the place feels like it hasn’t changed since the 1980s, and in a world where every new bistro looks like a minimalist IKEA showroom, that consistency is basically a superpower.
The Wing Obsession: More Than Just Buffalo Sauce
If you ask a local where to get the best wings in Syracuse, you’re going to start an argument. It’s inevitable. Some will swear by Varsity on the Hill, others will defend Shifty’s until their last breath. But Change of Pace Syracuse is always, always in the top three of that conversation.
What makes them different? It’s the "Pace Style" prep.
They don't just toss them in a plastic bowl and call it a day. The wings here are famously grilled after being sauced, which creates this charred, caramelized crust that traps the moisture inside. It’s a texture game. You get the crunch, the smoke from the grill, and that classic vinegar snap. Most people go for the "mixed" sauce—a secret-ish blend that hits the sweet, hot, and savory notes all at once.
It’s messy. You’ll need twenty napkins. You’ll probably have sauce on your forehead. Nobody cares.
Beyond the Chicken
While the wings get the headlines, the menu is a time capsule of Upstate New York bar food. We’re talking about steak sandwiches that could double as doorstops and burgers that don't try to be "gourmet." They’re just good. The fries are thick, the beer is cold, and the prices—while they’ve crept up like everywhere else—still feel grounded in reality.
You aren't paying for "ambiance" or a "curated experience." You're paying for a meal that will keep you full until tomorrow afternoon.
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The Atmosphere: No Frills, No Gimmicks
Stepping into Change of Pace feels like stepping into a wood-paneled basement where everyone happens to be your cousin. It’s dark. The lighting is low-key, usually filtered through a neon Budweiser sign or the glow of a TV tuned to an Orange basketball game.
The walls are covered in sports memorabilia. Not the fake, "bought at an auction to look cool" kind, but genuine Syracuse University history.
A North Side Staple
The North Side of Syracuse has seen plenty of shifts. Businesses come and go. Neighborhoods evolve. Yet, the Pace remains. It’s a multi-generational spot. You’ll see a guy in his 70s who has been sitting at the same end of the bar since the Ford administration sitting two stools away from a 22-year-old Syracuse University grad student who just discovered the place on Reddit.
That’s the magic. It’s one of the few places in the city where the "town and gown" divide actually disappears. When the Orange are playing, the energy in the room is electric. It’s loud. It’s cramped. It’s exactly what a sports bar should be.
Why "Change of Pace" is a Misnomer
The name is actually kind of funny because nobody goes there for a change of pace. They go there for the same pace.
We live in a "disruptor" economy. Everything is being optimized, digitized, and rebranded. Change of Pace Syracuse ignores all of that. They don't have a flashy TikTok strategy. They aren't trying to pivot to a vegan-only menu or install self-service kiosks.
- The service is direct.
- The floor might be a little sticky.
- The napkins are paper.
- The hospitality is real.
There is a deep comfort in knowing that a place exists where the only expectation is that you enjoy your food and maybe yell at the TV during a referee's bad call. It’s an authentic Syracuse experience that hasn’t been polished for tourists.
The Logistics: What You Need to Know Before You Go
If you're planning a visit, especially if you're coming from out of town or just moving to the area, there are a few "unwritten rules" to keep in mind.
First, the parking. It’s a neighborhood spot. The lot isn't exactly a sprawling meadow. If it’s a game day or a Friday night, be prepared to hunt for a spot or walk a block. It’s worth the walk.
Second, the wait times. Because they grill the wings "Pace Style," it takes longer than a standard deep-fry job. This isn't fast food. If the place is packed, don't expect your food in ten minutes. Order a pitcher, talk to your friends, and relax. The wait is part of the ritual.
Dealing with the Crowds
- Avoid the Peak: If you want a quiet meal, go at 3:00 PM on a Wednesday.
- Game Days: If SU is playing, get there at least an hour before tip-off if you want a seat.
- Takeout: They do a brisk takeout business, but honestly, these wings are meant to be eaten within three minutes of leaving the grill. The steam in a styrofoam container is the enemy of crispiness.
The Verdict on a Syracuse Legend
Is Change of Pace the "best" restaurant in Syracuse? That depends on your definition of best. If you want white tablecloths and a wine list the size of a phone book, then no.
But if you want to understand the soul of the city—the gritty, resilient, salt-of-the-earth vibe that defines Central New York—then this is the place. It represents a specific kind of Syracuse pride. It’s about quality over flash. It’s about knowing that you don't need to reinvent the wheel if the wheel you have is already covered in buffalo sauce and perfectly charred.
Actionable Steps for the Full Experience
To get the most out of your visit to Change of Pace Syracuse, follow these specific steps:
- Order the "Pace Style" wings. Specifically, ask for them "mixed" sauce. This is the signature move. If you’re feeling bold, ask for them extra crispy on the grill.
- Check the SU schedule. If you hate crowds, stay away when the Orange are on TV. If you love an atmosphere that feels like a mini-stadium, that’s exactly when you should show up.
- Bring a group. The portions are designed for sharing. A "bucket" of wings and a couple of pitchers is the standard unit of measurement here.
- Explore the North Side. While you're in the area, take a drive through the surrounding neighborhood. It’s one of the most historically rich parts of the city, with deep roots in the Italian and German immigrant communities that built Syracuse.
- Save the leftovers correctly. If you actually have wings left over (unlikely), reheat them in an air fryer or under a broiler. Never, under any circumstances, use the microwave. You’ll ruin the texture that the grill worked so hard to create.
Change of Pace Syracuse isn't trying to be anything other than a great neighborhood bar. In a world of pretension, that's more than enough.