A shark tank adorns new Route 57 sports bar
Over the years, the restaurant at 7240 Oswego Road has been known by several different names — Hooligan’s Sports Grille, Tournedos American Restaurant and Tonino’s Trattoria — to mention a few.
After a lengthy dormancy, the multi-faceted nightclub re-opens Thursday, Aug. 19, as Sharkey’s Eclectic Sports Lounge. It’s owned by Christopher Moreland of McKenzie Realty LLC. Moreland offered a sneak-preview of his new place to Liverpool Chamber of Commerce Director Lucretia Hudzinski, who came away duly impressed.
“This is a sports bar like no other,” Lucretia said last week. “It’s environmentally well thought out. The fixtures, including the bamboo floor, are high-end The menu is top-shelf and so is the chef. Also, if you are a bar-leaner, there will be lots of space for many to hang out. I’ve seen it with my own eyes!”
From the big outdoor deck out back, you can watch golfers touring the Liverpool Country Club links. Sharkey’s boasts two basement dance floors, newly decorated banquet rooms, dart boards, high-definition TVs and a massive outdoor volleyball court overseen by Jim Nichols.
And get this: the place is decorated with a salt-water shark tank! Now that even out-does the live iguana at Limp Lizard Bar & Grille.
Hobin Band plays Aug. 19
Sharkey’s celebrates a grand opening at 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 19, with its first-ever Sharkapalooza, a free concert featuring the Original Todd Hobin Band.
“It’s a freaking free concert,” exclaimed bandleader Todd Hobin, “and they’re not pumping up the prices on concessions, beer, food or anything! It sounds like this is going to be a very cool place, very exciting.”
The Original Todd Hobin Band features guitarists Todd Hobin, Doug Moncrief and Bruce Fowler, plus Todd’s brother, Shawn Hobin, on drums and son, Brett Hobin, on bass.
The band had been scheduled to open for Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm on July 28 at Syracuse’s Inner Harbor, but two days before the mid-week Wednesday on the Water show was canceled.
“So many people were so upset with the cancellation of our July 28 show that we felt very strongly about replacing that show with another one immediately,” Todd said. “So Sharkey’s is great news for us.”
Hobin’s history
Through the 1970s and early-80s, Hobin’s quintet ruled the roost on the Upstate nightclub circuit. Its well-crafted mix of musicianship, production values, personality and showmanship drew crowds to now-legendary rock joints from the Country Tavern to the Brookside and beyond.
Its baby boomer audiences danced to the band’s blend of upbeat rock, dramatic ballads, catchy covers and impressive originals. And Hobin’s outfit took occasionally detoured off the Thruway to record four albums: The Todd Hobin Band (1978), Passion and the Pain (1980), Keeping the Dream Alive (1982) and Turn It On (1985).
Then, just when the band’s popularity was at its peak at area nightclubs, New York State raised the minimum drinking age from 18 to 21, and, well, the booming bar biz went bust. By 1986, the group had disbanded.
Triple bill slated for Aug. 22
Live music continues at Sharkey’s at 2 p.m. Aug. 22, when the Liverpool Chamber and WSEN radio present the Golden Treasures of Rock’n’Roll with the Gary Dunes Band, The Fab 570 and Kat Tale. Tickets cost $10 in advance, or $15 at the door. For Aug. 22 info, visit liverpoolchamber.com.
In case of rain, the venue’s outdoor concerts will move indoors. The show must go on!For Sharkey’s info, dial 320-0005, or visit sharkapalooza.net/.
