Steve Scully invited me to talk politics with students, faculty and staff up at Hamilton College and after I got a few pints of Guinness at Killabrew’s Saloon right outside of Utica.
You probably couldn’t see a bigger contrast between the students at the small liberal arts college and the late night patrons at the Irish place that keeps its kitchen open until 1:30 AM.
The students were nice, smart, studious, serious, academic and mostly very conservative in their manner, if not their politics. The late night patrons were loud, drunk, racially very diverse, and thinking more about the Jameson shots that the bartender had made to order than politics.
I enjoyed meeting the students. There were a couple of young hockey players (from Canada, eh?) who had grown tired of Fidel Castro’s illegitimate son, Justin Trudeau, and were looking to relocate to America, where they would be more able to pursue their financial and political ambitions. It is always gratifying to see young conservatives who have the courage to fight for their convictions stand up and be heard in an overwhelmingly liberal place like Hamilton College. And on most college campuses, it is the athletes who tend to be more conservative.
Hamilton College knows that, which is why they have hosted for the last year a series of debates/discussions moderated by Scully, called Common Ground. I was the conservative voice and former Biden campaign staffer Aleigha Cavalier represented the liberal side. Her number one issue was protecting abortion rights and she used to work at Planned Parenthood, so we were going to have to agree to disagree on that issue (although I think we both agree that the issue is a political loser for the Republicans).
I think the discussion/debate was entertaining. The best moment came when the school custodian (I think his name was Joe) talked about his love for both Tip O’Neill and Donald Trump. I talked to Joe after the event was over, and he had a far more nuanced understanding of the political realities than most of the faculty I encountered.
I got home around 9 and was hungry and wanted to see the local color, and so asked the attendant at the Homewood Suites and she told me about Killabrews. I got an Uber there (although Uber service is a bit spotty in Utica), and got to the saloon around 10. There were a lot of young white dudes who were playing darts and then a group of young black dudes came in. They seemed to know each other and got along well. One of the black guys commented on the suit I was wearing ( “I see you brother with those nice threads,” he said to me) but otherwise they all talked amongst themselves, waiting for the wings that they had taken to go.
I didn’t get the wings, which was a shame because they looked good. But I did have the burger and it was excellent.
Both bartenders were efficient and very friendly and they were non-plussed by the late night crowd, which gave me comfort that I was in the right place. It sometimes can be unnerving to be the only sober suit wearer in a sea of drunk non-suit wearing young men.
I would recommend Killlabrews to anybody looking for a good dive bar outside of Utica New York.
Here is what Killabrews says about itself:
Established in the late 1970s,The Killabrew Saloon has been the area’s “sports-pub” destination for over 35 years. Killabrew Saloon has seen many changes over the years. Most recently, we have expanded our menu to provide customers with many new and unique dishes including Shepherd’s Pie, Irish Beef Stew, Corned Beef & Cabbage, and our famous Corned Beef Reuben Sandwiches. Killabrew Saloon has also been voted the #1 chicken wings, #1 fish fry and #1 bar in the greater Utica area! And don’t forget…
We have 23 beers on tap…
including some of New York State’s premier craft beers, Killabrew is sure to please every palate! So come in, and enjoy homemade food, a cold pint, and great service, all at the perfect pub…CHEERS!