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Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub gearing up to celebrate Green Beer Sunday

Illustration by Tyler Hill

Green Beer Sunday began nearly 52 years ago, when the manager Peter J. decided he wanted another way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day.

By A.J. GershStaff Writer

Dennis Coleman, the 36-year-old general manager of Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub, is a part of a family deeply rooted in the pub business. In 1933, after the repeal of prohibition, Coleman’s grandfather, Peter A., founded the bar that currently resides on South Lowell Avenue. Coleman is one of three sons to manage Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub.

His father, Peter J., began his career while still in his teenage years and eventually became manager. About 52 years ago, Peter J. came up with a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in style: He created the Syracuse-wide famous Green Beer Sunday. This year’s event kicks off with a parade at noon Sunday at Coleman’s.

It was originally a small one-room bar. My father took over probably 60 years ago. He started working here when he was 18. He turned it into more of a restaurant and what it is known as today.
Dennis Coleman

Due to not being able to celebrate on the holiday itself due to the influx of business on that day, his father created the event as a clever marketing ploy that turned into a St. Patrick’s Day extravaganza. Coleman said his father wanted to make sure that he and his employees not only got a chance to celebrate, but also got to make the most out of a holiday that embraces beer.

Serving green beer on a Sunday before St. Patrick’s Day has since become a tradition at Coleman’s Authentic Irish Pub. Since its inception, Green Beer Sunday has been a way for Syracuse to kick off shamrock season.

Coleman said Green Beer Sunday has evolved from a way to get more people into the pub to one of the biggest and most fun days of the year.



“It’s kind of wild, but when you’re running a bar, you’ve got to do some crazy, unconventional things to drum up business. I think it is pretty awesome that he tried it and it just took off,” Coleman said.

Coleman is excited to kick of this year’s St. Patrick Day season in style. With good weather predicted, Green Beer Sunday is expected to attract a crowd of up to 2,000. A main event that Green Beer Sunday offers is the Green Beer Parade, which happens right outside.

Some people come for the parade and then they leave, but we are normally around a couple thousand. If we have a nice day like we are supposed to this year, a lot of people will stay. It could be very big.
Dennis Coleman

The parade consists of a few floats, Irish bagpipe performances, Irish step dancers and the green beer truck.

The truck is the biggest attraction of the day. The Coleman’s tanker truck holds 10,000 gallons of green beer. Coleman says that the green beer truck is the heart and soul of the parade, as everyone wants their shot at drinking a St. Patrick’s Day-themed brew.

Coleman stressed that Green Beer Sunday is an awesome way for the Syracuse community to come together and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. He believes it’s something the community looks for each year and gets everyone ready for spring.

The block-and-a-half parade begins at noon. There will be live music courtesy of the Mere Mortals at 3 p.m. outside.

“I think Green Beer Sunday is a good excuse for people to go out, have fun and have a good time,” Coleman said.





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